Opening My Eyes

November is more than halfway over and I find myself running around like a crazy person, wishing all of my noble ideas for how "thankful" I was going to be in November weren't just ideas. I feel like the month has pretty much passed me by and I haven't taken a lot of time to think about all of the things I'm thankful for. So I've been thinking lately.....

In case you can't remember that I used to whine and complain about taking the T every day, just go back to September and October and you will probably find something in every post about what a PAIN my life was because I HAD to take the T every day. One morning in October I had a nice wake up call. It was about 6:45 AM, I was on my way to go work out before school. I got on the T, sat in a seat next to the window, not close to any of the other passengers because even though I am a morning person I kind of like my space in the morning. There was an open seat next to me and one right in front of me that was turned sideways. My knees were scrunched up tight and I put my backpack on one seat and my workout bag on the other and stared out the window. A few stops later I was distracted from my own thoughts as there was a bit of a commotion at the front of the T and the driver was obviously waiting longer than usual for the passengers to get on. I looked up, and at the front of the train there was a blind couple, hands clasped, each with a walking stick in the other hand, helping each other onto the train. They stepped into the main part of the car and the man said, "Honey, we made it!" He kept repeating this over and over as they moved to find a seat. I hadn't ever seen someone so excited to be on the T. It's THE T. No one is excited to be on that 2-car vehicle of doom and gloom. The train was virtually empty, but they sat down in the empty seats that my bags were in while I hastily piled them up on my lap. I was smashed between them, but still had at least 10 more minutes before my stop. The husband got on the phone after he sat down and proceeded to tell the person on the other end that they were on their way and they had made it!

This situation obviously wasn't anything too exciting when compared to the lady who asked me if I wanted to fight her or the transvestite or the man who yelled at anyone with a backpack, but it really had an effect on me. I complain about riding the T because it is crowded, slow, and I'm a germophobe, but this couple was thrilled to have gotten on. I can't imagine how difficult their lives are, but I can appreciate their enthusiasm for the small things and their love for each other without knowing what the other even looks like. They weren't of the same race and didn't have any particularly attractive features, but I could tell from those few minutes that they cared so deeply for one another.

I am thankful that I have eyes that work, but sometimes I wonder if my life would be a little bit better if I used them less when I look at other people.

Anyway, that's just a little something I'm thankful for. Maybe I should start riding the T again so I can have some more revelatory thankful moments..... or maybe not.

Thankful It Is November

Highlights from the past however many weeks I have neglected to blog:

1. I got a brand spankin new car. Red Honda Civic 09. Lovely isn't it? Thanks, Mom and Dad. My life feels like it has a lot more purpose now that I don't waste soooo much time waiting to go places.

Doesn't look so new, huh? Someone broke into it last week at church, don't even worry about it. The people of Boston are out to teach me how to become a city woman and they are doing a great job. I'm just thankful it happened on such a beautiful day.

2. Went down to D.C., played in the Kennedy Center (it went well), Mom and Dad came to hear and then came up for a few days to Boston. It was fun to take a break for a few days. And I left my cell phone in the back of a cab there, too, which was lovely. I spent 9 days without a phone and it was surprisingly refreshing. Definitely not refreshing when my car was broken into and I needed to call the cops, but no big.

3. I finally heard the BSO last week. They played Petrushka and I officially have a girl-crush (is that allowed or is that creepy?) on Elizabeth Rowe. If I could play that cadenza the way she did.... wow.

4. I got a pretty horrendous haircut this week. My bangs look atrocious. Thank you, hairstylist.

5. Oh and since I'm a new driver, the state of Massachusetts wanted to welcome me with a $50 ticket in the mail for going through the Fast Lane when I wasn't supposed to. I didn't fully understand what the fast lane was! I THOUGHT maybe it was a lane for people who wanted to get back to Boston faster. The sign said, "U-Turn to Boston, Fast Lane Only." There wasn't any special booth you had to go through, so I figured I was allowed. That makes sense right? I am appealing the ticket. Wish me luck!

6. A few weeks ago (like 3) my roommates and I had a Halloween Party. It was a pretty big party. I was impressed. If you can guess what I was I'll give you a prize.

And no, I am not a grape. Or a blueberry.

Here is my contribution to the edible portion of the party. Front and center are witches' fingers, we have some popcorn balls with candy corn in the back, and some sort of vegetable appetizer things that are supposed to look like eyeballs and didn't really work.... Yeah.

So the story is that I've been really busy lately, but life is good. I am happy and living in Boston with all of its craziness and unfortunate events just makes me laugh. Hooray for November.

Stayin Alive

Dear readers,

I am still alive. A LOT has happened lately. No, I don' t have a boyfriend. Yes, I lost my cell phone.

I'll post soon. Now I am going to get a haircut.

Holding on for dear life,

Annie