Another week has gone by (and it was a rather interesting one) and the winners of the What is Autumn Grateful For This Week Contest are...
Living Pieces of History - For some of you The Beatles are no big deal. For this writer, there happens to be no bigger deal than The Beatles. So when I meet people from Beatle history it sends me into a crazy cool excitement that can't muster anything else out of my mouth besides a 'thank you.' It has happened a few times. I've met John Lennon's half-sister, Julia, who is absolutely amazing (and I did say more than thank you to her because the shock wore off). At BEATexpo last November, I met Sid Bernstein who is credited with bringing The Beatles to America (which proved very influential to my non-existent life). And most recently, I met Joe Flannery. He was a guest lecturer in my class on Monday night. I did not know he was going to be in that night and I was running late and a mess. I get into the classroom and Flannery is sitting there in a suit. Whateves. It took a while for it to kick in, but the moment Lennon's name came out of Flannery's mouth, I was in awe. The story that he told brought tears to my eyes (it wasn't sad, I am just a dork). I am grateful for the opportunity to have met him (I did tell him thank you too) and more importantly that he tells his story to a select few and he tells the truth as best as he knows it. There are some things that he said that I wasn't really in a rush to agree to, but he also told light-hearted fun stories of The Beatles and of Brian Epstein from before The Beatles existed. The man is 81 years old. Just think of all of the life he lived without the famous people in it. There is nothing more entertaining or educational than sitting at the feet of an elder. This elder just happens to have the keys to a past that I am insanely interested in. Think about it, he was around before George Martin or Ringo were around! I couldn't get over how lucky I was to be there.
My Past - I will not be too long on this section as I will end up sounding more bitter than thankful. While I was in class last week, I found myself thinking about a big person in my past. This time of year always does it to me. But when I think to every last detail of how I ended up here. It's almost creepy how I wouldn't be here if he wasn't a part of my life for the time he was a part of it. Regarding the fact that I am here, I am thankful for knowing him. I will end it here as I feel a bitter bile taste rising in my throat. (Is bile the right term?)
Looking On the Bright Side / Remaining Calm in a Crisis (or something that resembles one) - My old roommate told me this all of the time. I just laughed at her because I think it's stupid to panic because then you make silly decisions, or none at all (which could be worse). I remember one time when she was having a gall bladder attack and literally fell into my room one night. She asked me to take her to the hospital. I got changed and we left. I stopped at red lights, looked and drove through if I was able to go through safely. But I did not panic as she was screaming and punching my poor dashboard. This ability I would never imagine I would be grateful for! Yesterday, I proved myself wrong. I dropped my phone getting out of a taxi yesterday. I realized it soon after but the cab was long gone and so was my phone. My friends dialed and dialed. I called the taxi company who were totally not kind to me, left texts on my phone asking and telling the person that I will reward them (with what?) if they return my phone. But nothing. But I didn't freak out. I didn't go out and buy a new phone (it crossed my mind though). I just tried my best to figure out a way to swindle a new phone out of Orange the least expensive way. Although, I was bummed out about it, I didn't focus on it. I watched funny videos on YouTube, talked to Krissy and Katie for years, and did other things besides dwell on what happened. In fact, I focused on what could be worse! I said to myself, "Aud, you didn't lose your money, your American phone, or your passport." and "You weren't robbed. You're healthy (within reason). You didn't die and all of your family is alive and well." I told myself it would be fine to sulk about it but there are a billion other things to be happy about- so that is what I focused on. I went to bed early but I went to bed happy.
The Italian Liverpudlian - He brought back my phone! Shani named him Mario, we can refer to him as that from now on. He called Tasha and Shani this afternoon and said that he had my phone. Why did it take him nearly 24 hours to hand it over I don't know. I checked the usage and nothing was used. He might have liked my cool owl case and debated whether or not to keep it for that reason. He met us at The Adelphi (how ironic for those of you who know me in real life). Approached us with the phone (and my owl case) and I said thank you a zillion times over. I gave him a tenner, which I am shocked he took. But he could have gotten way more than that in a store. Maybe he tried to do that in the 24 hours that he had with it. I don't know. He told me where he found it and it's right where a man and his pit bull cut me off. I was so amazed that the dog was allowed on the bus that I watched the bus drive away. I don't know how I didn't hear my phone fall but that doesn't matter. It's back. To you, Universe, I give thanks for Mario!
The girl in 1E, Tasha - is the first flatmate I met on move in day. I think right from the start we got on very well. I am grateful for her for many reasons but the biggest one that sticks out is that she is a vegetarian. So she knows every kind of meat she doesn't want to have. I told her about my awesome red meat allergy and now she checks things out for me when I am unsure stuff. It is also helpful because for once I am not the only person who needs to be complicated when it comes to finding places to eat. Great joy!
Tasha was also the first one of my friends to pick up their phone and call my lost iPhone (my phone's name is Theodore, btw). She also left a message. That part is entertaining because Mario didn't check one voicemail. Tasha is always the one to help me sort out British things that I don't understand and the first one to offer constructive ideas and imput for other UK related issues. When Mario called her this morning to tell her that Theodore was found, I think she was more excited than I was! She is also a quick thinker! She left Mario a voicemail and told him he could also return my phone to campus security. I DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF THAT! So for Tasha's quick thinking, problem solving ability, consideration, and eating habits... and just for being her, I find myself grateful for this week.
What are you wonderful people thankful for this week?
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