it's about forgiveness

But I think it's about forgivenessForgivenessEven if, even if you don't love me anymore
-Don Henley

You're only human
Let's shake free this gravity of judgment
And fly high on the wings of forgiveness

-India Arie

In my silence I would love to forgetBut restitution hasnt come quite yetAnd with one accord I keep moving forthI stretch my heart to heal some moreIt used to be all I want to learnWas wisdom trust and truthBy now all I really want to learnIs forgiveness for youAs my seasons change Ive now grown to knowWhen ones heart creates, ones soul doesnt oweSo I wash away stains of yesterdayThen tempt my heart with loves display
-collective soul

I'll forgive you
But you really hurt me
My heart wants to try us again
I know your only human
But you almost destroyed me
-Bobby Valentino


To look always at the good and not at the bad. If a
man has ten good qualities and one bad one, to look at the
ten and forget the one; and if a man has ten bad qualities
and one good one, to look at the one and forget the ten.

(Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era)


“Are you happy with the speakers that were chosen? Are you happy with all the facilitators?” he asked me.
I knew who he was really asking about and in this crowded room full of activity I began answering him.
“I don’t agree with some things she does. I dislike some choices that she makes. But I am happy that she will be a facilitator. She has accomplished a lot, she has done so much, she has had so many great experiences that I think she will contribute a lot to the weekend. Yes, I am happy with who the facilitators will be” My companion nodded and said something else on this topic but it was drowned out by my vision. I had turned my head and saw her. There she was, right around the corner in the hallway, dressed from head to toe in white and she had heard every word I had said. Her eyebrows narrowed, her brow wrinkled as well as her nose, but surprisingly this look was not a look of disgust meant for me. It was one targeted towards herself. Her face then softened slightly and was instead abashed. She hurried a way and I knew at once it was to release tears.

this was a dream. it came to me a couple of nights ago and i haven't been able to stop thinking of it since.

my days

How many times must you degrade someone? How often will you let your words sting? With your look, you set off a thousand pains and your tone of voice disturbs me. I am not meant to be subjected to hate, but then, who in this world is? Twist my thoughts against me and prove to everyone my lack of worth. Displeasure seeps out of your every action and I am hurt. Somehow it feels that if I were to succeed it would make you angrier still, I question why. This conceited belief of superiority hovers over the door. When I kneel down to pray I block out the roar of this artificial life and lend my ear to the melodies of my Beloved. He will keep me safe, I take one step closer to Him and He will hold me close while the words echo in my mind… “Do men think when they say 'We believe' they shall be let alone and not be put to proof?”

a contact lense slipping behind the eye which nearly leads to the ER

a steamy shower setting off a fire alarm that brings three fire trucks to our doors

We can't help but ask...

"Alright Baha'u'llah...what are you trying to tell us?"

A Perfect Evening Marred

After several stressful days (or in some of our cases weeks), Navva, Seowah and I decided to have a girls night. And this meant we were going to go all out. We were going to listen to music, do our nails, and even eat cookie dough ice cream. With all of these goodies we felt we couldn't contain it to just ourselves. We invited Corinne and Sarah, two girls who live on campus ages 15 and 8 respectively. I had to run out and get rat food first and on our way back we stopped at a gas station to pick up the ice cream. (I miss having a grocery store a couple blocks away)

It was just Sarah and I who were going to get the ice cream, leaving Navva and Corinne to listen to music in the car. We hopped out of the car and I held my hand out for her to hold on to it and we skipped/danced our way to the door. I saw a guy in a car looking at me in an unsavory way so I hurried us along. I took a bit longer than I normally would have to give the young man time to have driven off. We emerged from the gas station, Sarah triumphantly holding my hand as if to show the world how she did it, she mangaed to elcit an invitation from the big girls for an evening of fun. I was more timid, a feeling that was intensfied by spotting the man, now joined with a friend.

"Hey sweet thing!" the first one called at me. My face burned crimson. My hands shook as I fumbled with my keys, my back facing them as I opened the car door. "Nice view!" They hooted. My face held a look of swift arriving anger and as quickly as that look came, those two offenders drove off. I sat in my car with these three spiritual sisters of mine and a number of things floated to my mind. Being the oldest one there, I feel naturally responsible for the others. It is what Reed would call my mother hen mind set. I look in my rear view mirror and see Sarah. Her eyes are rounded with fear and concern. We start driving. "Sarah, what just happened is not okay." I use a firm voice. "If something like that ever happens you need to let your mom or Corinne know, alright?" She nods her head.

For the rest of the night, that event is on my mind. I think of my sister's post similar to what happened. More than anything I wish I would've reacted. Had time to react. I would have turned to them and said,"What gives you the right to say those things to me? What is it that makes you feel entitled to say that in front of that little soul? She is somebody's baby girl. I am somebody's baby girl. Would you want those unwanted looks to fall on your sister? For those comments to reach your girlfriend's ears? Would you not blush if your mother were present?"

So I lay a challenge at your doorstep. Before making a comment, before giving a look, see your sister, your brother, that person's parents in that body. Ask yourself how these people who you love would feel if such an action was imposed on them.

Know thou, O handmaid, that in the sight of Baha, women are accounted the same as men, and God hath created all humankind in His own image, and after His own likeness.
Abdu'l-Baha

Hey. This is my heart right now. Full of all of you. If you cannot find yourself then A) you haven't looked hard enough B) I did not have a readily accessible picture of you but still love you very much. My prayers are with you.



love. love. always love.

classic

the first person to say happy birthday to me was Linda Coulter-Jones. How fantastic! Then I got an email from my mom...And then....from borders! haha. It really made me laugh. David, shiraz, Eli, and Chris were masterful and got me a sugar-free cake complete with pink frosting ("because you're a girl" Shiraz informs me the next day) I helped clean up the kitchen after saturday night and since I stayed till after midnight, Eli and Shiraz were official the first to wish me well on the day of my birth. Then Eli ran and got a special ice cream dessert thing and told me just to have one bite...which I did...so good! my birthday turned out to be quite fantastic. the youth took me out to a second dinner, we rented two movies, and while we were driving around I decided I wanted to smoke a cigar to celebrate. We drove to a gas station and got those oh so crappy cigars. made me think of cait, andrew, richard and gen. what good times we had.

we watched both movies that night. good birthday. My presents included such wonderous things as a mini ipod, a cd, and tickets to a vienna teng concert. that's right, my birthday's theme was music. booyah!

today I went to a yoga class and it was fantastic! I mean, really really good!! You see, I hadn't done yoga in a while but as soon as the class started I could feel my body loosening up and tension being massaged out of my muscles. Afterwards the instructor came up to me and said,"I can tell that you've been doing yoga for a long time" and I thought about it. I started doing yoga when I was 13 or 14. I guess that is a while. at the end, she massaged some essential oil on the back of our necks. It was really intense and made me feel really energized. I felt like I had become remade, ready to be put into my world of tests. The world of reality. Then we had tea and fruit. I signed up for 2 months unlimited which means I can go as often as I want for one low price!

I would like to end by saying two things:

First!!! Thank you to the following people (in no particular order)

• Afsaneh
• Curtis
• Georgia
• Kersten
• Nick
• Lau
• Erin

For your contributions to my project. Remember, I still need yall's help! So please send me beads or charms. It has been so exciting to see how this project is going to come together. Help me make it happen!!

Secondly...

BEST BIRTHDAY MONTH EVER!

note: i started this post on my birthday but didn't come back to finish it until sept. 16th.

the much un-anticipated update

things that have happened:

• i got a pet rat. her name is may.
• i can now say that i have driven, as in actually sitting in the driver's seat, for 15 hours in one day. woohoo!!

Now, several people have expressed interest in those I am serving with. Here is my description of them...in the order of their departure.

Nava: Nava is the youth who trained me in the ways of the office. She was only here for about a week while I was here. She was lots of fun. A bit crazy. We found out while playing apples to apples that we think a lot alike. Those of you who have played the game can see how lucky that was for our pointage. Nava lives in Ann Arbor now and the remaining youth here are detrimined to go and visit.

Neda: Neda left August 9th with Farid, Hamid, and Rob. She was able to give me lots of advice and soothe many worries. She seemed to be able to read just what it was I was thinking. I was sad to see her go.

Farid: He was the first youth who I met on that thunderous night. He was always so kind and loving towards me and always managed to make me laugh with ridiculous stories! On their last night, all the youth went to archies (not nearly as awesome as chubby's) and ate tons of food! During that time, Farid was able to give me lots of advice. Very lovely.

Rob: Rob, oh Rob. I met Rob a while ago at a Y.O.U. retreat at Darajun's. We both recongized each other but didn't say anything about it for a few days. A bit awkward. I miss how randomly Rob would burst out into laughter.

Hamid: Ahh, Hamid! Funny how close we became in such a short while. I miss him so much. He is fantastic. We had crazy times and have so many funny goals to achieve together. We have the same sleep number...but Hamid sucks at life...

Nick: This guy broke his arm in his first month of being at Louhelen. I took him to get his cast off, quite a momentous occassion...that arm stank up the room when that cast came off!! phew!! Nick and I had some adventures..mostly trying to find the elusive rite-aid that this darn witch (who was obsessed with graveyards "ooh! a graveyard?!") was hiding from us.

Hector: Hector. How I miss thee. I am hoping so badly that he really is going to be coming back in december. We tried to find the Eggleston's gravesite and failed rather horribly. We did get sore feet though, and some great photos of roadkill. Also, Hector always had an Ernie with him, oh Ernie. Always getting into trouble! Two things I love about hector: He always made his food into a piece of art. Honestly, you almost didn't want him to eat it it was so nice. Secondly, I made a joke (those of you who know me well, can really appreciate this, it was one of those jokes where I only say half of what i'm thinking) and hector paused...and then laughed!! he laughed! he got it!!! i was so shocked and happy. Oh! We also went into a fireplace store together. That was weird.

Melody: My two most potent memories of Melody are her singing constantly and her climbing a tree and falling on her feet and tumbling over onto her bum. quite a classic moment.

Lua: Lua and I bonded like none otha! We even share a shirt (ooh...i really need to send that!). we made a list of things we need to do together some of which includes: going to shiraz's wedding and sharing an apartment. On her last night we made mac&cheese, popcorn with cinnamin (bad call, don't ever do that!) and watched two movies. Movies that we didn't start until 11:00 pm. Then we talked until very very early in the morning. Resulting in a 3.5 hour sleep. rock on!

Amanda: Amanda! Turns out Amanda andI have been going to the same conference for about 4 years and never realized it. Now we have a book club together. She loves David Bowie and the Princess Bride. I miss that girl.

Cheyne: The eligable bachelor. Cheyne was my partner in crime in the office. It was really nice even if he just did come in on the weekends. He was a big help. He grew up in St. Lucia so he has a sweet accent. I'm sad that tomorrow is his last day. I want him to come back. Hopefully he will.

Chris: Um. Yeah, I don't even know what to say about this guy. Literally...hm. Well, he really likes to see me blush, because apparently right before I blush I make this hilarious face. But whatev! I made him blush today. ha!

Eli: Eli...he is very nice to me and likes to call me Mad-lion. He often asks me what the lion ever did to me...how do I respond to this? I do not trust Eli's taste in movies at all. His choices must be confirmed by Chris. Eli was born and raised in Israel. Good times. Well...so I've heard...

Athol: The tall Jamaican. Great tag-lines of his. "Thats so stupid!" "Ah, so annoying!" I love his sense of humor, its the best. And we can relate on different levels, which is nice. His dances!! Those are the best!!!!!!

Seowah: My roommate. We have a theme song...but I can't remember what it is...at all...we have lots of plans to knit lots during the winter. Sometimes I think I am too crazy for her. hmm..probably because I am crazy.

“The secret of happiness is the determination to be happy always, rather than wait for outer circumstances to make one happy.”

8:00-fall out of bed, throw on some pants and a button up shirt, this is my daily charade of acting like i am dressed for the day. eat food.

9:00-devotions, sit in back so no one will hear me singing.

9:30-go to session, sit in back so no one is disturbed in case i have to leave/work/run errands, usually to target/relax, this means reading and listening to music, possibly doing laundry

12:00-make phone calls to make time go by before lunch

12:15-12:30-lunch, huzzah! time for my gross dandelion tea. maybe we will have the best veggie patties in the world!!!! for serious, so good.

2:30-work/relax (sometimes both)

6:00-dinner! yay for fruit plates and salad.

11:00-dorm, if there is a session i must scurry to room 111B lest i get caught by john or lewylln/hang out with youth

1:00-1:30-go to sleep after talking with Seowah

repeat as needed

cars, bandages, cards, photos, races, runners, planes, towels, dreams, regrets, hopes

Your voice lacked any defintion of tone
yet it called me back into reality
my heart beat for the adventure of reading your name
and my blood rushed to my heart thinking of whispered words
that held so much meaning for a young one's mouth
words that had been waiting to be heard
I drove up to a foregin country that was in my home
for one moment I did exactly as I didn't want to
Proof that I am.
i lay my head down, my eyes barely closed
'you are on the roller coaster' he would have me convinced
everything blurs into to red
and at once i am lost in my self
fingers aching to be united with brushes that will tie into paint that will fall onto canvas
I make do with a reciept and you
and as i write this I can't help but know I have read this before

the server.

i came the closest to luke wilson i think i shall ever come in my entire life. you see i was eating on the plaza with my mom, we went into the classic cup (the one so famous for once serving richard, shea, and caitlin).

our server was none other than luke wilson!!!!!!!!! well, okay, a luke wilson look a like, sound a like, and the like...um...too many likes? oh well.

needless to say our server was pretty intense and hilarious.

Nothing but my mind leaking

someday i wish to hear a quote that has come from your mouth

someday i will tie your shoe and it will stay tied

someday you will drive five and a half hours to see me and it will be just as awkward

once in a while it will feel like i'm on a roller coaster, even when i'm just sitting with you

once in a while you will miss me

i regret you don't have my shoes

i regret that i ripped it up

if anyone ever finds digimon socks, please, send them my way. i love my digimon socks. i would like to love two pairs even more.





quote of the night "it kinda smells like vomit."

after i left the river trembled

You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you.
Heraclitus

After this past weekend I had something all worked out to say to explain how i felt, then i realized i could not translate those thoughts into words.

I played volleyball for the first time in...four years? i forgot how much i love that game.

sarah and i canoed! and were just like these two happy campers, except...ya know, both girls...and we zig-zagged all over the river which made everyone laugh.

We expolred a cave before we ate lunch. It was really dark and very beautiful in a cave like way. As we were getting into our canoe...it slipped away from me and i fell into the water. I wanted a nice swim anyway....

Told not so spooky ghost stories and jokes around a campfire in several different languages. Made good connections all over the map.

Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.
Norman Maclean

This is it.

Perhaps it was the sun setting on one half of the world to rise on the other side, this past weekend, so pregnant with possibilities, with outcomes.

I arrived at Kansas Baha'i School knowing I would hit the ground running. Literally. As soon as the car door opened I grabbed an armful of supplies and hurried to set up for the weekend event that would start in thirty minutes. Thad was by my side and we quickly* set up the banners that were to be used as decorations and tried to involve the two kids (one was 5 one was 2) in helping us. Once people arrived Thad and I led them in song and then in a pictionary game. Any one familiar with the phrase "friendly vying?" oh yeah.

While craziness was going on inside the room, I saw someone walk past the door and my head buzzed. It was someone who I had known for...wow...6, maybe more years. But in this past year they had ceased to be a child. They were becoming my peer. My eyes met Afs', we nodded our silent agreement-things would be different.

that night my room (sarah, anisa, afs, and sahba) sat up talking, at 12:30 we decided we should go to sleep, at 1:30 we were still up. Perfect since service was needed again. I needed to go to someone else's cabin to be there for their kids while the parents went to the hospital, asthma attack. scary.

I felt so visible, I felt people were overly aware of my person. I walked through the dining hall and got stopped. I got thanked for things anyone would have done. I got hugs, I got tears. It was hard.

I cannot express everything that happened. The little girl who merely needed me as a shield to eating dinner with her hero. Dancing at devotions one morning after a moving night-- Realizing the process was the reason it had happened, so that I would have family in michigan. Having my heart flood with pride for the junior youth. Seeing Zach. The warmth I felt seeing Thad being a mentor. Anisa modeling for the children. The words, the looks, the promises. Lost eye glasses....not sunglasses. Trying to live each moment so that when i was gone I could take memories out and look at them. With everything we attempted to do, is it a surprise we had a crazed drive home with four dehydrated youth?



Eternity has nothing to do with the hereafter... This is it... If you don't get it here, you won't get it anywhere. The experience of eternity right here and now is the function of life. Heaven is not the place to have the experience; here's the place to have the experience.
Joseph Campbell

and there i am. im in the zone. i am thinking of the right combination, my hair comes undone with my frustration and i run my hand over my mouth, forgetting the paint that is smeared on my fingers. my cheeks puff out, my feet tap, my left eyebrow always itches. the paintbrush is forgotten though still in hand, my palm, fingernails, and knuckles become so much more important in this game of me versus the paint. there is no ending until either i vanquish my dissatisfaction or it vanquishes me. it is not about being the artist. about being the painter, creator. it is about being the transformer. being changed by this painting. and in the end i am comforted.

Painting is an attempt to come to terms with life.
George Tooker.

Clickable

the only way i can think of how to describe how i am feeling is clickable. or maybe i should say that i feel re-clicked. I was a train set that needed to be clicked together.

or maybe i was a disc in a back being pushed back into place.


Whatever i was, i was not click chocolate from israel, because that doesn't really click into place....





Anyway. I'm moving in august. August 1st.

SPRING BREAK: part III

Does anyone else think its pretty crazy that I can have all these spring break experiences without actually having a spring break?!

I went to minnesota for a dean's reception at the university. My whole visit was rockin, a late naw ruz party, a couple nights with aaron, adrian, mayda, ice cream, got to see mona before i left! and since I was going to go to Ohio to visit miami I knew my decision for which college i was going to would be really hard.

I was wrong. Miami is not a good fit for me. and not just cuz i got snubbed by those girls. Its a great school...just not for me.

Point of the Story: I am going to the University of Minnesota!!


ps. looked for houses with my parents in kentucky and ohio.

SPRING BREAK: part II

Kent came to visit. nuff said. well....maybe not. the plaza was visited, there were cocktail parties, devotions, fasting and naw-ruz. and sonic...so much sonic.

SPRING BREAK: part I

It was saturday and I was off work, good thing too since zane and devon were coming into town at noon.
I was planning on taking them to the plaza and its surronding areas. I got a message from them at 12:10 saying they were just leaving. Blast!
So instead that evening we went to downtown overland park and then broke the fast together. brent, a student at JCCC who is doing a report on the Baha'i faith, showed up soon after.
We tried our best to answer his questions and ate lots of gum...well, chewed a lot of gum. After devotions some of us watched a horrible movie called the gingerdead man.
SUNDAY morning we woke up for the fast. We decided to go back to sleep but soon after were awoken by tornado sirens, we ran downstairs and the joke among the youth that the johnson's have everything and anything in their basement is true, we had four airmattresses for us to sleep on.
then a belated feast, sheridans, sonic, and the parts of the gingerdead man, for amusement of those who had not the displeasure of seeing it the night before.

the thing about love is...you cannot just say "i love you" once and expect it to stay put. you have to say it. and say it. and say it. because though the meaning may not, the words wear away.

so what do you do when the object of your affection cannot comphrend your words? if you are me. you panic. and search and rack your brain for a way that you can have those words stay with them forever. i wish i could write it on their heart so that when they grow hopeless or any form of sadness, their heart will glow with the knowledge of my love.

i become irrational. i think of where i could hide a note he would find when he was mature enough to understand those three simple yet complex words. how could he know i didn't abandon him? how can he know that he is with me always?

it was my love that cradled him for eleven hours, for eight days. my love that hydrated him, helped his fever down, rushed him to the doctor. it was my love that embraced him that first time he was sick. and he will not remember. he will never know.

show yourselves!

I'm talking at my future.
The possible turns my life could take. I am sitting here, and I have no idea where I will be in 5 months. And i feel as if i should be a lot more worried than i am.

i don't know where i am going to school or where i am going to go serve. and i don't know for sure which comes first. and i'm not writing this for advice. to be perfectly and precisely honest that's the last thing i want.

Strange Satistics

Number of people who think i should try for the 2008 summer olympics in track: 2




Number of people who think i look like mandy moore: 5

Number of people who think i look like alicia witt: 1


Number of people who call me Kayla because they think I look like some actress by that name: 1

Number of times i have allowed myself to fill out a survey type thing on my blog: never...that is until now. sorry, but my brother tagged me!

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
1. Baby-sitter extraordinaire, did this for 5-6 years before getting a "real"job. 2. server, cashier, "chef" and manager at Nature's Table Cafe 3. Cashier at Target 4. Nanny for two weeks...oh man...so painful
FOUR MOVIES I CAN WATCH OVER AND OVER:
1. The 'Burbs 2. Pride and Prejudice (old one, I'm talkin Colin Firth)3. Love Actually-i have to admit it 4. Donnie Darko
FOUR PLACES I'VE LIVED:
1. mother--sorry all, but i really haven't lived in very many different places 2. Pairie Village, Kansas 3.Overland Park, KS 4. Can I please please count the month I was in Arizona??!?otherwise i don't get four!!
FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE BUT WON'T ALWAYS ADMIT
1. The Simpsons 2. Friends 3. Arrested Development 4. Grey's Anatomy(I usually never admit to this)
FOUR PLACES I'VE VACATIONED
1. Israel 2. Sand Lake, Minnesota, braved sand monsters and all 3. Disneyland and the huge trip driving there which included Grand Canyon and lots of camping. and yes. corn. oh the corn. 4. San Diego
FOUR OF MY FAVORITE DISHES:
1. spinach pasta 2. this one persian dish that grandma always makes for me...sadly can't eat it anymore what with being a veg-head 3. Falfel 4. mashed potatos and broccoli. This isn't a dish you say...oh, but isn't it?
FOUR SITES I VISIT DAILY:
1. gmail.com 2. myspace- i hate admitting that 3. every once in a while my blog and my friendst blogs 4. friendster-hate admitting that too!! but i don't go there every day either..phew...feel a little better
FOUR PLACES I WISH I COULD BE RIGHT NOW:
1.One more car trip with my family, you know, those really awful crampt car trips? that takes days and days....2. Minnesota, the lake, with family. best thing ever. 3.Chicago. I love my brother. oh. and my many many friends that live up there. 4. the sewer!! hahahahhaha betcha didn't see that one coming!!
FOUR BLOGGERS I'M TAGGING:
1. Robbie, i don't know if he's been tagged, but he has been now 2. Sarah!because i want to tag her. 3. Zane, I am interested in what he will say. 4. Afsaneh. Bwahahahahahahahahhaha. come on, it's afsaneh!! the answers she will have...ohh...man.

Mini Conference

The mini conference everyone is talking about!

Where: Johnson County Community College in Overland Park Kansas, there will be signs up friday night indicating where to go for check in around the college. please remember check in begins at 5:00 and the program starts at 8:00.



When: Feb 24th-26th

Why: To re-fuel and revolutionize

Who: Youth and young adults (must be 15 or older to attend)

What: An INTENSE spiritual weekend


Begins Friday evening, check in begins at 5:00 pm, dinner will not be provided, program starts at 8:00 pm sharp.

Ends Sunday at 1:00 pm. A Johnson County Community Ayyam'i'ha party will follow, any youth who would like to attend are more than welcome to!

Prepare yourself for an intense weekend of study, service, and inspiriation.

We are doing everything in our power to make this a free conference, however, one lunch on sunday may need to be purchased by indivduals.

Registration has ended.

Things to bring:

1. Bedding

2. Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc)

3. a towel

4. a prayer book

5. $20

6. Good attitude!

Number of people registered: 52

Minis

OK. People are fans of mini versions of things. Don't believe me?





mini m&ms <<<



mini cooper>>>




<<< mini muffins







and mini animals>>>

Why not be a fan of a mini conference?

coming to kansas city feb. 24-27th

So. In the past month some things have changed. I graduated high school on December 21st and started working full time at Target. Yeah, that's right.

When I tell people that I've graduated from school and am working they smile and say,"Welcome to the real world" and I give a small laugh and nod. What I am actually thinking is,"I'm not in the real world. I'm pretending to be in the real world. I don't have to worry about paying rent, electricity, car payments, etc. I, Madeline Eileen Johnson, am a poser."

I have had some amusing times at work thus far. Here are my top 4 favorites.

1. A guy friend came over to my lane to let me know he'd be right back to give me a break, I had been helping out an older lady at the time. I turned to give her her change and one of the coins fell from my hand. "Whoops!" I said. "He made you all flustered didn't he?" She asked. I looked at her, confused. "OOh! I'm not going there! I haven't been there in 51 years!" Huzzah

2. I asked a mom if she wanted her milk in a sack. She looked confused momentarily and then said no. Her young son then asked her,"What does milk and sex mean?" She then explained that they were from Minnesota and did not use the word sack.

3. A young girl named Fatimah said hi to me, then blew me a kiss and then told me she loved me, all under the first 10 seconds of our meeting. It was really quite precious.

4. Got a job offer as a nanny while cashiering