Here I am sitting in my empty dorm room pondering the series of unfortunate events that have recently happened to me.
On Saturday morning I was scheduled to work at 8am and therefore decided, the night before, to wake up at 6:45am in order to take a shower and dry my hair, get ready, and etc. However, I was awoken by a phone call from my work at 8:20am. I answered without realizing the situation until the words "Are you still coming into work today?" were spoken and registered in my half awake/ half asleep mindset. Suddenly I was bright-eyed and all revved up, because I was already 20 minutes late to work and I had just woken up...by my boss nonetheless. So i apologized a million and one times and she politely said, "It's okay...I'll see you in a little bit okay?" I checked my alarm and saw that I set my alarm for 6:45 PM not AM. Disappointed, I jumped out of bed and hopped in the shower, quickly threw some clothes on, towel dried my hair, and in a fluster put some make-up on and ran out the door with two breakfast bars in my bag.
As I was driving down the road, I continued to shake my head in disbelief. I am never late! And when I say never I mean...NEVER! However, I managed to get out of my dorm within 24 minutes and I figured I could get to work at 9am...only 1 hr late...only! ugh.
Nonetheless, I was content that I was able to be not too late, while looking reasonably presentable. As I sat at the red light to turn left onto the street where the mall, that I work at, is on I see a big truck, a cop, and another passenger car. I patiently wait for the light to turn green on my side, the big truck, cop, and passenger car go. I, then, noticed the cop turn around and stop in the lane next to me right next to the car behind me. So I figured he was talking to the car next to him, behind me. Then he cuts in front of the car behind me and proceeds to follow me, without the flashing lights. I look in the rearview mirror and see him speak into his walkie-talkie and then turn on his blue lights. At this point I am turning into the parking garage at the mall and then pull over in the nearest parking spot and throw my hands up in disbelief. The officer walks up to my window and asks me "Are you aware that you're license plate tags are expired?" And I proceed to explain to him that I am going to go get the tags and emissions fixed tonight, because I do not live with my dad (who lives 45 minutes away) and in order to get the tags we have to get the emissions fixed because it failed and I am about to go into work and thus was not able to do it before. Unsympathetically he informs me that he MUST tow my car and that I need to get my dad to pay for the tags and pick up the car, like it's a piece of cake. He then takes me license and writes me up a citation and gives me some paperwork after taking a century to fill it out. By this point I am unbelievably angered by this cop. And he just keeps going and decides to search my car, which by the way is kept spotless because I am an anal retentive person. Then he takes an extra 5 unneccessary minutes to talk to me and act like he cares, while the minutes keep ticking by as I become more and more late for work. I finally then give him my key and rush into work and my boss meets me with questions of why my car was towed and where did I park and what happened and if I was okay.
I couldn't say a word...I just threw my hands up and shook my head as tears welled up in my eyes.
I said to her in a shaky voice, "Hold on!" and I walked into the bathroom and tears flowed from my eyes like waterfalls. I looked at myself in the mirror, all red in the face and saw the anger in my eyes. I rationalized and said to myself, " You're on the clock. You should be working," as I wiped all the evidence of crying from my face and walked to my manager and she swung her arms around me and said, "Are you okay?" I nodded my head while a tear began to form in one of my eyes. I told her what happened and how pissed I was at the cop. She offered to let me call someone to come pick me or go home early or "whatever you need to do." I told her thank and that I had already done so and was fine. I do not like to dwell on matters, therefore I proceeded to work and work diligently while helping customers and staying friendly and professional, like nothing ever happened.
I finally got off work and was picked up by my amazing suitemate, the only one with a car. I then explained to her the situation and rehashed the emotions accommpanied by the incident. I then arrived at school and went to Brunch, in order to clear my head and cool off to talk to my dad. Afterwards, I decided to take a nap then tell my dad, what happened. I called him and explained to him the situation and he laughed at the situation and gave me a level-headed response and responded in a way that did not make me anxious whatsoever.
Then the next day I decided to go to the Police Dept and get the release form and my car with my suitemate. I called first and asked them what I needed in order to recieve a release form and I had everything that she told me I needed. We got the directions, all the paperwork together and drove downtown and arrived at a janky looking police station. We filled out the necessary paperwork and walked up to the window. Then like a brick wall, she hit me with another blow. I needed to have the updated tags in order to pick up the release form and the owner of the car must be present. Essentially I had to wait on my dad to do all the work. I called him and was met with a frustrated voice. He then said in disdain, "I'll pay for the tags tomorrow." I had to wait another day. I returned to campus and did not want to speak about the subject and just acted as if everything was alright. Talking to my friends about Spring Break Plans and getting people to turn in their deposit money and RSVP and all the other fun things associated with planning.
I woke up the next morning, with no classes and work later in the day. I called me dad to make sure he was going to take care of the car as soon as possible. And he said he was on his way. I was relieved, therefore, I continued with my routine and went to lunch with my usual lunch buddy. I received a missed call from my dad and a couple of texts asking me for the address because he in the wrong city and in front of a residential address. I then pointed out the importance of the NE in the address. Time went by and I asked my friend to drive me to pick up my car and he gladly accepted. I worked out and took a shower and got dressed for work. I waited, anxiously for my dad's call telling me that they would not release the car to him for some stupid reason. But instead I recieved a text asking for the Tow Company's address, which was followed by a text saying, "I'm on my way." I hurried down to my friend's car and met my dad with my car. He noticed my cracked windshield and then told me that I need not to drive my car AT ALL!!!! At that point in time all I could think about was all the appointments I had that week that called for me to DRIVE on location. Not to mention, the tiny little detail of me driving me along with 4 other people down to Florida the following week for Spring Break. My father tells me that he will have to pay approx. $1000 for repairs and such because of the failed emissions problems and such. And that he will come pick up the car sometime this week to come get the car.
I am officially screwed, I must now find another way to drive to work, to my hair appointments, to ballet class, and most importantly to FLORIDA!!!!
I went to work later that night, thanks to my friend, and talked to my manager about not going to Spring Break in order to work and she told me that she cannot add anymore hours. Therefore, I decide that there is no point in staying here and not working and not getting tan, when my dad is essentially going to pay for all the repairs. I proceed with Spring Break plans and try to find another driver, because the other designated driver could not go because of car payments. So I asked a couple other people who actually have cars if they can come and they seemed promising so I acted as if everything was alright. I continued to have a good night with my roommates and friends listening to N'SYNC, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Usher, and other 90's pop music!
Tuesday morning I skipped classes and stayed in bed and decided to drive to the hair salon. I prayed and prayed the whole way to the salon and back that I would not be pulled over nor given any kind of ticket. And I successfully made it there and back and with a killer haircut too! My dad was great and I returned just in time for dinner back in the cafeteria. Then I recieve a call from my manager asking me about my hours the next week because she hasn't made the schedule up and could schedule me. Suddenly I was faced with the decision of either going or not going to Spring Break. I told her I would call her back and talk to the rest of the crew going on trip. I decided to not go on Spring Break and I called her back and said I could work anyday and anytime, hoping to get as many hours as possible!
I then told the my roommate and another really close friend going on the trip that I would be joining them for fun in the sun and they both reacted very strongly and I felt completely responsible for their bad feelings, regardless of the fact that it was not my fault. I still felt horrible. And I still do, but it is necessary, because I need to pay for the windshield and probably should not be spending anymore money.
However, even after everything...I wonder.
I wonder why things like this happen?
I wonder why certain things in my life always seem to happen, like plans falling through?
I wonder if I didn't do such and such then this would not have happened?
I wonder how could I be so stupid and let myself be in this position?
Furthermore, I see the things I must work on and see what I should do in the future and hopefully change for the better.
And hey! maybe this just the thing that I needed in order to see somethings in my life that I must change immediately before it gets even worse...
So in conclusion, no matter how many times you get shot down, you can always see the beauty in getting back up and preventing the gun from shooting at you again.
Take out the bullets.
good luck ladies.
