K's Culture, Go Fund Me, exercise

HAPPY JUNE

Once again, time has stocked up and I find myself yearning to write on three various subjects tonight.  The house is quiet as the family has gone camping and I have just cleaned up the dishes and am listening to Allison Krauss while sipping a little white wine. 

1.  K's Culture.  Well, I thought about saying "pop culture", but the truth is I don't know or care what is trendy in pop culture now.  So I think I have my own culture- a little steeped in the past, a little heavy on feeling, strong in dreaming, mix in some morals and values.  Here's what's shaking my world:
- podcasts! I've recently been listening to podcasts.  In fact I can't get enough.  I love learning about people and what makes people tick, so I've listened to interviews featuring Larry King (my favorite!), Marie Osmond, Trista Sutter, Glen Beck, Dolly Parton, Hoda Kotb....  I would like to explore more podcasting.  It's a nice way to relax and learn and think.  Larry King's life and observations got me interested more in learning about the Great Depression.
- Finding Normal- a truly great movie.  Candace Cameron is the leading actress.  Boy, she reminds me of Reese Witherspoon in this movie.  Family, pro- Jesus, romance, living a life that matters.  I loved it!
-  tea.  I'm living in Seattle, right?! The city of coffee competition and snobs.  Well, the other day I realized I really don't like coffee all that much.  The only reason I started drinking it was because I was cold and wanted to feel the warmth of the cup and it was offered to me.  I like tea better.  I hate the coffee bitter taste, so I'm a tea fanatic once again.  Diva Espresso has the best iced tea I've EVER tasted, but it's pricey...  I should brew my own more often.  And invest in some really great varieties. 

2.  Go Fund Me.  One of my friends sent me a link to his Go Fund Me a couple months ago.  I really wanted to support him, but I was quite broke at the time.  Flash forward and I'm dreaming and realizing I have a major move ahead of me.  I'll be moving to Arizona in two months, taking a new job with AmeriCorp, learning a new city, and basically starting over from scratch.  It can feel weird to ask people for money, but I decided that every time I have involved people I care about with my plans, there is great reward.  Now most of my friends are on the east coast, so I felt like Go Fund Me would be a great way for my friends to support and understand more about my journey to Arizona.  So this weekend I joined and invited everyone I know.  Two days have passed and no one has donated any money.  I have to be prepared that no one will donate, but I also have to believe that my friends care what I'm doing and that I want to make a difference in this world.  I need a plane ticket, an apartment, furniture, cooler clothes, transportation around the city (bus pass/bicycle) etc., and I only have two months to get all this in order.  Why not call on my friends for some support? Well, I'm taking a leap and we'll see where it leads...

3.  I don't have a weight problem, but I feel so much better when I am intentional about getting out and exercising.  Yesterday I walked around Green Lake and felt great afterwards.  I've decided that even though I can't afford my beloved zumba classes right now, I'm going to walk more every day- I walk quite a bit already without a car and walking to the bus, walking to work, etc., but I would like to walk more and just be more intentional about taking care of my body.  Sometimes I forget... So I'm writing this as a reminder to myself- you feel your best when you're walking and moving every day!

Space Needle on Memorial Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

new things, hair issues, celebrities

Wow.  I've decided to write about three things tonight.  I'll try to keep it brief.  I was tempted to write about my experience riding up and down the elevator fifty some times today, but I need my other world time. 
So here it is...

1.  NEW THINGS

Last night I watched a great Ted talk that inspired me to try something brand new for at least thirty days.  I have had a long standing goal to learn Spanish, so I made that my thirty day goal.  It's funny how after you make a goal, you start to see things that remind you of your goal.  While working today, I heard many Spanish speaking folks, and on the bus ride home, I saw a woman beside me with Chinese flash cards quizzing herself. 
Yesterday I also talked to my friend J who is renting a cello and taking lessons next month, which I think is so cool.  She is very gifted musically, and I love that she's going after something she's dreamed about for a long time. 

I started listening to these cds last night...
To be honest, I was surprised by how much I ENJOYED listening and practicing, and I found myself thinking about the words today and feeling happy.  I don't expect to be fluent in Spanish in thirty days, but I do expect to know more than I did before.  And that's what I want- to move toward the dream, to make a step, and get familiar with the language.  I, of course, welcome you to consider something brand new that you would like to try.  Spice your life up! And don't let money be an excuse.  I don't have money to spare right now, but I found this wonderful tool at my local library.  Along with these cds, I plan to check out some children's Spanish learning DVDS later in the month. 


2.  HAIR

Have I ever written about beauty? Doubtful.  I'm a pretty low maintenance gal, but something has been seriously disturbing me lately.  My hair has been feeling slightly greasy in places, and it's been driving me crazy.  After a little internet research, I saw that hot water is not good for your hair and can contribute to greasy hair.  Warm water and a final rinse of cool water is actually best for your hair.  I tried that this morning, and my hair felt so much better. 

3.  CELEBRITIES:

Some of the gals at the Needle were talking about celebrities that have passed through on their duty, and it got me thinking about the celebs I've spotted in my lifetime.  I thought it would be fun to document them.

Keith Urban (way before he was super famous! I saw him sitting at the O'Charley's bar in Brentwood, TN having a beer.  I thought he was a "pretty boy".) 

Lorianne Crook from Crook and Chase  (I saw her when I was working at Sunshine Grocery off Belmont Blvd. in Nashville, TN.)   I confess- I was star struck.  She asked if she could return her meat and I said "Sure whatever you need to do..."

Dino, the wonderful pianist.  I also saw him at O'Charley's.  Very kind and expressive talking hands.  I liked him!

Cindy Morgan- she bagged her own groceries~!

Isaac Hayes- I didn't recognize him or know who he was, but the man behind him asked.  He was very nice, buying vitamins and water.  He went through my line more than once and was very happy to hear that I didn't have a t.v.  I think he was surprised I didn't know who he was... but he was nice! I was sad to hear of his passing not long ago.

Amy Grant- buying books at Davis Kidd

Vince Gill- signing autographs at Nashville Airport

Wynonna Judd- shopping at Wild Oats in a ball cap

Marty Stewart- easy to recognize

Pam Tillis-  beautiful eyes, also ball cap with ponytail.  very nice!

Jo Dee Messina- regulars at O'Charley's in Brentwood.  She and her then husband always ate in a bar booth... one weekend night a week usually.

Alan Jackson- I just spotted him in Murfressboro.  Tall and handsome!

Barry Williams (aka Greg Brady)- I served him lunch at TGIF's in West End Nashville.  It was so surreal.  I mean I grew up watching this guy every day after school, and he was my favorite Brady boy.  I admit I still remember what he ordered to drink and eat, and I noticed his CA license on the table as well as his nice head of curls.  And I was probably a bit star struck.  I smiled a lot and went home and tried to find more information out about him. 

Miranda Lambert- drinking a bloody Mary late Saturday afternoon... looking a little rough and hung over?

Vince Vaughn- I saw him at a gift shop in Yellowstone.  I remember noticing him and thinking he looked handsome and baffled by his dark black glasses.  Only later did I realize that he was right behind me- staring at me (or so I like to think!- ha!) And it occurred to me that he might be a famous person.  I couldn't identify "who"- and I kept thinking "Russell Crowe" then he mumbled something about "do you really believe that junk?" to cashier reading tabloid magazines and walked away. 

Glenn Close- beautiful woman.  short.  classy!

Martha Stewart- either very humble or true to her reputation, a bitch.  I picked her spinach. 

It is fun to meet "celebrities"- but they are just people like us.  My friends tease me about my celebrity knowledge (I love a good People magazine afternoon), but the truth is I love learning about all types of people from Presidents to nuns to ordinary people doing miraculous things.  We're all so unique, and every one of us offers something that will never come again. 

                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1 at the Needle

I am a woman of simple delights.  First of all, I'm simply delighted to have a job that is actually paying me.  But here's the bonus... I got free coffee, free drinks, a free lunch, lots of little candies, met interesting people, learned cool facts about the Needle/Seattle/architecture, strolled around the top, and was given this awesome mug.  I'm happy.  Here's to making some money!

 

I also heard this wonderful quote during my Needle training, and I really liked it as much for life as for work.  "We don't remember days.  We remember moments."  - Cesare Pavese.  So very true! Which reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes...

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way you made them feel."  - Maya Angelou.  I believe this will all my heart.

 

Maine Crunchy or Seattle lite

Confession: I can't sleep, and I'm miserable.  I'm having a hard time swallowing and so I'm trying to focus my mind on other things.  Reading.  Organizing.  Poetry.  Blogging.  Lists?
I will preface this to say, I am writing this with no one in mind but a general take of two areas I've lived.  Generalities... and those are actually never good to form.  But what the heck. This is my blog and just my observations. 

I was born and raised in the Midwest/South, and I think part of me will always have those places with me.  I've lived in many places - North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Florida, Maine, New York, Washington, Missouri.  Some of these places I lived in various parts of the state or one single location.  I might have stayed a short or long time.  Either way, it's all shaped me, and I'm sure I have a little bit of crunch and lite even in me.  America is a beautiful country, but every place is uniquely its own. 


Signs you might be a Maine Crunchy:
1.  You own more than three pairs of clogs.
2.  You have chickens in your backyard/basement or both.
3.  Your friends are part of MOFGA. 
4.  You home birthed your babies, used cloth diapers, and slept with them till they were preteens.
5.  Earth Day is the most important holiday to you.
6.  You're white and middle class.
7.  You feel good when you buy things that say "organic"
8.  God forbid your kids drink kool-aide... all those awful dyes!
9.  You worship nature and don't understand the concept of God or church.
10. You frequently go camping with other crunch heads. 

Signs you might be a true blue Seattle lite:
1.  You have a couple pairs of stylish rain boots and a couple misplaced/lost umbrellas. 
2.  You can spit out your favorite coffee drink in under five seconds.
3.  You are skilled at reading on the bus, avoiding eye contact with strangers, and tuning out everyone
4.  Your wardrobe is filled with Mountain Hard Wear, North Face
5.  Work can't begin until you've had your morning coffee from Starbucks.
6.  Your children play Barista!
7.  You attend a regular yoga class.
8.   You never carry an umbrella, but sport a hood.
9.  On sunny days, the world feels euphoric. 
10. You've tried organic hair treatments, eyebrow weaving and scream Seahawks.

Three Donuts

Today I ate three donuts~ two for breakfast and one for a late night snack with wine. 
I also napped, talked to a friend, read, and took a walk on some beautiful trails in Issaquah.  I think I thought through some things, too. 
Time flies by, and it's hard to believe I only have a couple months left in Seattle.  I start my new full time summer job at the Space Needle Thursday.  I am so excited to be working again.   I can hardly wait to start.  In the next few days of training I'm sure to learn a lot about this place...
Introducing you to  your new elevator operator...  :)

 

I am also getting excited about Tucson, such a different world, but I have to start preparing for that venture as well.  I'm pumped about the service project and meeting people that are coming from all over the country to do this work with me.  I'm also looking forward to  creating a home for myself, however humble it may be, to call my own.  I love creating home, place, sanctuary.  I'll be riding my bike, wearing warmer clothes, and experiencing a new southwestern culture.  Desert! Flowers! Cactus! Sunsets! new adventures.....I look forward to finding a church, a coffee shop, a place to buy cheap clothes, good Mexican food, and hidden away wonderful springs for a quick splash or swim. 

I imagine in July, I'll start looking at apartment possibilities. 

 

 

It feels good to be refocusing on my finances, too.  I have two student loans, one of my loans is in forbearance for the year and my other student loan, less than 2,000 needs to be paid.  My goal is to pay off the SC student loan within the next year, so that by the time my forbearance is up- I can then focus on my last loan with a reduced amount due to AmeriCorps service.  I want to keep myself with little debt and little stuff.  It's good to remember that it could all be gone in a second, such as happened to my friends Butch and Kathy in their home fire, and you certainly can't take it with you when this life is over.  Perspective!

 

I'm moving forward, feeling hopeful, and so very thankful for these two new opportunities that I have found and can hopefully grow from being a part. 

 

To be continued....

 

 

 

Summer goals (other than make and save money)!!!!!!!!!!

 

1.  See Mary Chapin Carpenter in concert with the Seattle Symphony

2.  Walk around Green Lake (only 2.79 miles)

3.  Read great books!

4. take steps forward in learning Spanish (asking at the library)

5.  be a blessing to the family I live with and others, too.  (See the girls swim)

6.  Leisurely stroll through the market...

7.  Stay physically active.  (get back to dancing!)

8.  Try more recipes.  (always fun)

 

 

 

 

 

Green Lake

More days should be spent by lakes and oceans, picnicking, watching ducks and the world go by, conversation, laughter, feelings...
Sweet breeze, sunshine, lots of bikinis, old men roller skating, small dogs exhausted from their over enthusiastic owners...
It was such a nice day to spend with a cherished friend.  Kids were splashing into the lake- it made me hungry for the fun, the joy of summer, and the freedom of the water. 

 

And I always love watching ducks, fascinated with the way they twist themselves to scratch and clean.

 

 

I want to return to Green Lake again- walk all around it, maybe go swimming or boating, and I think it would be so fun to have a picnic.  It might even be nice to have a nap or read by the lake, too.  Oh, I could think of plenty of things... Maybe even a cooler of refreshing beverages like Mike's Hard Lemonade or a nice refreshing iced tea.  When it comes to relaxation and fun, I can be full of ideas. 

 

 

domestic bliss

I haven't started my job at the Space Needle yet, because they have to do all that formal stuff- criminal check, reference check, blah blah blah! I still have an abundance of time on my hands.. I am very ready to work, but I'm trying to make the most of my time off while not completely going into a panic about my unpaid bills.  Yikes.
I had a counselor when I lived in Maine and one thing I discovered through sessions was that being at home really feeds my soul.  I love tidying up, being creative in the kitchen, and making things warm and welcoming- cozy and comfortable.  That's how I roll... I see home as a refuge, sanctuary, an oasis from the chaos and frenzy of the world.  I love home. 
I think, to be honest, I love all things comfortable.  I had a dream the other night that I was swimming across the ocean with my favorite quilt, a soft quilt my friend Jenifer made for me years ago.  I sleep with that quilt every night, and I can't imagine my life without it!
Today I am at home and making dinner for the family again.  I love this little ritual.  I have decided to make what I term "comfort foods".  I like that I get to serve them so they don't have to worry about what they will make for at least one night out of the week.  And I like cooking and feeding and planning.  Today I am making pot roast... This is my first time making pot roast, and I am making it on the stove top.  I had to substitute vegetable oil for olive oil (hope that doesn't make a difference- I did add butter!), and I did use fresh herbs instead of dried spices.  :) I am letting the dishwasher run as I sip on my iced coffee (made by yours truly) and the roast is cooking.  I had to google what a chuck roast actually is, and I discovered it's the cow's shoulders.  Interesting, but do I really want to think about that very much? Not really.  But I will say, I actually really enjoy cooking meat and thinking about the ways that meat can be used to add flavor and nutrition.  I also learned that this kind of meat is best cooked for hours, so be in no hurry.  I'm letting this roast simmer on the stove for five hours.

Last night I made the strawberry oatmeal bars.  I'm not sure I like them all that much.  I think they should be firmer, and I think there needs to be a little more jam.  So I decided to make a real comfort food this morning to add to the meal...brownies.  Then I looked at what I had and realized I should have made mashed potatoes or rice, but it felt too heavy and too hard to get to the store.  So I whipped up a spinach/iceberg salad with apple and cranberries... oh, and a little cheese...
Do you think this is enough? I will also make some rolls! I guess I'm learning how to orchestrate a full dinner.  I'm glad for the practice.  It is so fun.

A GOOD DAY

Today was a good day.  The sun was shining, a light breeze was blowing, and the white mountains were clear and the water and sky were vivid blue.  I got to see Dolly Parton on Kathie Lee and Hoda, and I started reading a great book, Memoirs of a Geisha.  Some books have me within the first few pages- this is one of those books.  Reading a good book makes me happy.  I've recently joined Goodreads, and I'm enjoying checking out what others are reading and recommending there.

I walked around by the Space Needle and found myself in the middle of EMP yard.  I sat outside, listening to the loud and wonderful music they were playing (great songs) and soaked up some sunshine and dreaming.  My job fair interview at the Space Needle was at 2:30, so I arrived around 2:00 just to be ready and early.  I was a little worried because I was under dressed compared to the majority (all!) of the people.  I was the only person in tennis shoes.  Every woman had on high heels and short skirts.  I, on the other hand, had on bare make-up, black khakis, and a simple black and blue striped shirt with green/gray Merrels.  Oh well.  I had my interview, and it went really well.  I had signed up for a position as a barista but was switched to elevator operator, and then I was given a second interview.  I was offered the job! Now I just have to wait on human resources to call me.  I completed my drug test after the interview, and they have to do both a criminal check and reference check.  It is a full time job with the benefits of eight passes with friends up, a free meal each time I work, and a city bus pass.  Thousands come through the Space Needle every day, and I will be the one to see and meet everyone.  I will have a 42 second speech to offer and give.  I'll be on my feet every day and all day possibly working as early as 7 or as late as midnight.  No matter, I'm excited to finally have a legit job- and an interesting one at that...

I also decided on AmeriCorp.  All the indecision has been driving me mad, and I feel I am to be in Arizona with Arts for All.  Doing another interview with the Jesuits was too stressful feeling, so I decided to follow my gut.  It freed me and made me happy and joyful to know where I'm going.  I am excited about my decision. 

To complete my day, I went to the grocery store and picked up some groceries for my meal of the week.  Tomorrow I am making pot roast with brownies, but tonight I went ahead and experimented with a new recipe- strawberry oatmeal bars. 

They are cooling, so I have yet to see if they are going to be firm like a bar should be or more of a crumble.  I used a whole jar of strawberry jam and so much butter...  But even if they are a crumble, they are a tasty treat. 

 

The day was full and exciting, and it's such a good feeling to have some things worked out and to know that a job has been provided.  I am so very thankful.  I promise to post a picture of myself at the Space Needle in my awesome shirt and vest uniform.  I wonder if I'll meet any fabulous celebrities or dignitaries?

 

 

Still Searching...

I haven't written in my blog in a long time.  Life has crept up on me, and I have been busy.  Things have been discouraging with the job situation here in Seattle, a pain in the ass, to be honest, and the day after I was offered the Arts for All position- the Jesuits called to schedule an interview.  All of this is very exciting, of course, but it has been a lot. 

First, I need a summer job.  I need a summer job to pay some bills and basically get from point A to point B.  My goal was to find a restaurant job because I thought that would be the quickest way to make a buck in a short time, and I have plenty of experience.  Well, the first job I landed was at a Mediterranean bistro with the most annoying manager I've ever experienced.  A native of Turkey, she can also be hard to understand.  In between shots of liquor or wine, she yells at her workers to do a million things while she waits on ALL the tables in the entire restaurant.  That's right.  She doesn't hire other servers, she takes all the tables and no one gets very great service because she is not on top of her own shit! Sorry for the language, but I had to slip back into my restaurant frustration while thinking about this.  On top of this, she doesn't understand percentages and that most every restaurant out there tips their workers a set percentage instead of whatever they fancy in the moment.  I worked very hard there for very little pay, but I couldn't continue to work there.  My moment of joy was whenever I was called to go get gelato for customers.  In the process I would take a sampling spoon and get myself a nice big taste.  My favorite, by the way, is salted caramel and a close second is caramel fig.  They are to die for, but I don't recommend going to the Olive and Grape if you are in a hurry. 

My second restaurant was Georgia's.  It's a little hole in the wall across from Fred Meyer on 85th street.  I loved the feel of the place.  It is very old fashioned in style but actually well organized and nice people.  The place had a Help Wanted sign up, so I went inside and dropped off my resume.  The owner called me and I came in to observe for three days! Three days! No pay, just observing, being led on.  Finally, he told me that he was overwhelmed and would call me after Mother's day.  True to his word, he called me after Mother's Day to tell me he's overwhelmed and could I wait till May 27th when his fiancé from Albania returns? I told him I appreciated his straightforwardness, thanked him, and said I looked forward to hearing from him again.  (Keep all doors open.)  But I suddenly felt free from all this crazy Mediterranean restaurant nonsense.  I love culture, but I like the American way of working and getting paid!

So this morning I got back on the job hunt and applied to several positions at the Space Needle.  I like that it is a big organization, and I like that it's a summer job.  Perfect for what I need.  Tomorrow I go in to an invite only job fair held on the 100th floor.  I'm hopeful.  I think it's time that I get the restaurants out of my head and look into something different.  This could be a very interesting job, too.  Despite all the setbacks, I'm pressing forward and feeling optimistic. 

In the process of all of this, I have had to make a decision about Ameri Corp.  And it's been Mother's Day, which always strikes a sharp chord.  One, it reminds me that I don't have a Mother, that I miss my Grandma and Kathy and family, and it also reminds me that I am not a Mother and my biological clock is almost done ticking.  :().  Actually I didn't think about it all that much.  I thought about the people I was serving and seeing at the restaurant.  I thought about the lovely blond mother in a wheelchair with her proud two sons taking her to dinner.  I thought about how lovely she looked in her blue flowery dress, what sacrifice she had made for them, and how taking their mom out to dinner was so special for them.  It made me feel so grateful to be watering their empty glasses and getting her a take out box.  And I listened to the three women in the back of the restaurant getting hammered on My Big Fat Greek Wine talking about Mother's Day and their hurts and ex's and mothers.  And I didn't hear the details, but I knew enough to know it was not easy.  And I hear from the old friend that's still in dysfunction with his ex and of course they had their traditional dinner together as a family at a restaurant in Bar Harbor.  It stings a little, but then I sit back and accept that some people don't see their own issues or care to change... They are happy in their dysfunction, and I breathe relief to not be a part of it. 

I free myself to dream again.  I sleep deeply and do very little to gain a sense of myself once again.  I read through Proverbs over and over again and let the wisdom sink into my soul.  So many of the proverbs are filled with thought and reflection.  Better is a little with integrity than a lot with lies.  The words of a God lover feed and nourish souls to life.  These are my paraphrases.  I guess I'm trying to get back into the grounded wisdom of life.  I want to hold on to the things that matter and be a person that lives a life that matters.

I had my interview with the Jesuits today.  It was almost two hours long.  It was exhausting.  I felt drained from it.  I love the service it entails, but as a thirty five year old woman, I have bills and need plans as to how I will integrate back into life after my service is done.  Living on 100.00 a month is very simple living, which is great, but it's also very little saving.  I was offered the position in Arizona first, and even though many of my friends are in favor of the Northwest, I am drawn to the Southwest.  Maybe it's the experience of a new culture (southwest) and the desert, pools, valleys, Spanish, and Natives, but I feel up for it.  I feel curious about the art projects and the program and biking in Tucson and making my way there.  I don't feel I can give up my independence right now and I also don't feel like I can go into something without knowing I have an idea where I will be next.  It seems like I've made my decision, and with this, I'm feeling peace.  I think I simply need to know where I'm going to work towards that goal. 

Homebody gets a new job!

People might look at my life and think because of all my adventures and travels that I'm not much of a homebody.  The opposite is actually true.  I am a fierce lover of home, and I make home wherever I am quickly and easily.  I like rooting myself to the ground and getting into the dirt.  Last night I weeded a little, and today I was at home for almost all of the day.  I ventured only to the grocery store and for a short walk around the neighborhood.  It was perfect. 
I made homemade granola.  A little short on maple syrup, so I added more honey to the batch.  I think it will go great with fruit thrown in or even on top of some yogurt. 

 

I sat at the kitchen table with my coffee and looked outside at the flowers...

 

I worked on dinner for the family... lemon chicken with beans and red potatoes. 

 

 

They seem to have liked it! And I loved making it, taking a few extra lemons and throwing them into my water.

 

In the middle of it all, I got some wonderful news.  I was offered the position with Arts for All in Tucson, Arizona through AmeriCorps.  I am excited.  Another adventure is on the way.  I'm refocusing, realizing my time in Seattle is short, and there is preparation to do for Tucson. 

 

Never give up, my friends!

Gratitude 7

1.  Grateful for shelter and the warmth of my bed, especially on a cold, rainy night.
2.  Thankful for books that I enjoy, lose myself in, and am inspired by.  Currently reading The Art of Racing in the Rain... What's better than being curled up with a good book on a rainy night?

 

 

3.  I am so thankful for wonderful, caring people that are my friends.
4.  Walking miles and getting places.  I walked at least five miles today... probably more. 
5.  The most delicious bayou burger was savored tonight.  It was filled with blue cheese, meat, pickles, red onion, Cajun spices.  Yum.  It hit the spot.

6.  I am thankful for kind, friendly bus drivers.
7.  I'm thankful that so much is before me...