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July 18, 2005
impatience
Yesterday, I experienced the anger of an impatient man. I had gone to Wawa and pumped my $10.00 of gas and went inside to pay with cash. On my way in, I realized that I needed to use the restroom...so I did. I wasn't in there a ridiculous amount of time at all. After paying, I went out to my car and there was a car behind me. An elderly man popped his head out and yelled, " There is parking next to the store. This isn't a parking space, you know." Confused and softly, I replied, "Um, sir, I had to go inside to pay for my gas." and he replied, "Yeah, for 10 minutes...must have been a long line". He looked like he HATED me. I didn't respond. Got into my car and started to cry as i drove off.
GEESH. There were like 10 lanes at the store. I was not in there that long, and really...c'mon...
It got me thinking as I was trying to contain myself. Things are pretty stressful in my life these days. Just a lot going on and I am exhausted. It wouldn't/didn't take much for me to crack. I wonder how mister impatience would have felt if he knew I cried all the way home. Was it worth him getting that off his chest? His wife was with him in the car...I wonder how he would have felt if anyone spoke to her in the tone of voice he used with me?
It's something to consider when you feel like you just HAVE to let that person at the red light know they made you wait an extra second, or when the guy in front of you at the grocery store takes an extra few minutes because they are counting out the last of their change instead of pulling out a credit card. You never know how your little venting could really injure a struggling soul.
I want to extend grace and I hope for that to be extended in my direction, too.
Posted by stacey at 08:52 AM | Comments (6)
July 14, 2005
This Mornings Observations
I have a 24 oz Turkey Hill cappuccino/coffee mix positioned at 9:00 to my left , Ron Sexsmith is playing softly from my iTunes and a stack of data entry is stacked on my desk precariously close to the coffee cup. The sky is grey but the plants that I brought to the office from my apartment make me feel cheery. (I'm saving them before they get destroyed from the move).
My brother and I had a conversation through our adjoining bathroom doors this morning while I was getting ready. I'm going to miss that. Hopefully, since our new apartments are going to be very close we'll make a point to connect once in a while. He's been a great roommate.
I don't know if it was a fluke, but this morning when I was getting my coffee at the store, it was all men. I usually just come straight to work and make a pot here, but this morning I was up earlier and didn't want to wait, so I stopped for the convenience...and it was literally all men in there. Older men...probably 55 and up. Some were regulars with their refill cups, others talking about how much coffee was ready, "A pot for each of us" he said followed by "I usually drink a couple pots myself". Oh the comradery of caffeine addiction.
Posted by stacey at 08:14 AM | Comments (1)
July 11, 2005
Pfeelings
Do you ever get those feelings like something is about to happen...like walking down the stairs and feel like you're about to fall and have an inner gasp...or driving down the road and can literally picture yourself going off the road and then get that skin crawling feeling. Yucky. I just had one of those.
It was great to be back at church and then at the church picnic yesterday. I was able to connect with some people I haven't talked to in a loooong time. My legs are feeling it from all the walking on trails around Black Rock Retreat. I love that place. It was a weekend of picnics and parties with packing and preparing intermingled. I feel like there was a good balance between work and pleasure. Lot's of p words going on in the last couple of sentences. Hm, oh well.
In the ongoing moving saga...my cable at home gets shut off this week, possibly today....gasp.
Posted by stacey at 04:17 PM | Comments (2)
July 08, 2005
Packing
Packing really is an art, isn't it.? Properly labeling boxes, piecing together the right items into the correct boxes. I'm not really skilled at this art...but I can manage.
Tonight I started putting together a few boxes (until I realized I need to get more packing tape). I'm trying not to make any boxes too heavy...don't want to kill my friends when they help me move. I usually tend to be a "few trips" kind of person. I'lll carry 6 bags of groceries and completely contort my arms rather than making several trips to the car. Silly, silly, silly.
I am usually a very haphazard and/or disorganized packer. I am really going to make an effort to do a better job so the move in will go smoothly. By the time I move my stuff into the apartment I am going to be recovering from a red eye flight...it MUST go smoothly.
Who woulda thought I'd be packing for my move and for a trip to Washington all at once and all before the end of the month. WOW. The Gorge Amphitheatre is amazing. I've looked at some pictures and it made me teary eyed.
What a year. Back in January when I was in the hospital wondering if my body would ever take over it's natural digestive functions...I NEVER in a million years would have imagined that I'd be going to the West Coast and on a cruise to Mexico within the year...and with work. I honestly wondered if I would be able to handle anything beyond 9 to 5 office work...but look at me!!! I am reaally really blessed.
Posted by stacey at 09:03 PM | Comments (2)
July 06, 2005
A Day Full of Surprises
Today was not your average hump day.
First of all, I got the great news that my friend Eddie is moving back to the East Coast and to NYC. I've been meaning to take a train out to visit my cousin Shawn...once I have another friend there, it will make the trip even more of a priority. (Not that you need reasons to visit NYC) I do really feel the itch to take in some shows on Broadway.
I found out the band Charis, the one my brother is the drummer for, is going to be playing at One Eighty in Lancaster on the 15th at 10:30 pm. It's their first full show...should be fun.
The next big news...I got asked to go to Creation West at the end of the month. I've always wanted to go, but have been needed to stay and hold down the fort in the office. Well, some last minute changes opened up a seat on a flight and there was a need for another Suprervisor...so away I go. My eyes are welling up with tears, I'm so thrilled.
The next few weeks were already going to be a zoo with some special events, packing for the move, etc...Hey, why not add a cross country trip, right. It looks like it all will work out, though. I'm just going to pack my things early and store them in a trailer until we return. Then I'll move into my new apartment the first week of August. WEEE HAAA. I'm so excited, I don't know what to do with myself..oh wait...yes I do...get packing!!!
So, I'm now off to do some planning, list making and perhaps a little resting as well.
Posted by stacey at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2005
This morning, whilst getting ready for work. I discovered a treasure trove of cosmetics lodged between the back of the toilet tank and the wall behind it. It was very exciting.
I'm digging out from being away from the office last week...so much to do. The good part is all of us here are in the same boat, so we can co-miserate.
Creation Festival was over before I could catch my breath. It was overwhelmingly busy this year with record numbers in attendance. New fields were even rented. The volunteers on my shifts were great. Kurt and I always work the same shift and we have a crew that requests us each year. That makes training MUCH easier. They rocked. Even during the times when we were swamped, it felt like our gates team was a well oiled machine. Go Red Gates!!!
I didn't see many concerts...I made an effort to see Mutemath on the Fringe stage and MOC because I knew the DJ. Highlights for me were by far candlelighting, flagging my first field, singing and dancing on the steps of the Staff Office during Newsboys with Karen and Kate (Creation is the only place I listen to them), and just the general comradery with everyone on staff. The thing about the festival that is alluring to me has less to do with the actual event and more to do with the teamwork and relationships with the people I work so closely with there.
Posted by stacey at 01:50 PM | Comments (2)