Birthday Break-up

While having lunch at the Pizza Palace in Mandarin today, I overheard a couple of the employees talking about the one guy's upcoming birthday (August 7) and how he plans on dumping his girlfriend after he gets his birthday present. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I heard this conversation as the one girl was basically directing the conversation towards me and another co-worker. The birthday boy said she'd been really mean to him recently and he'd had all he could take. The bad time went down something like this....

Boy and his girl were preparing to go out to dinner to meet some of the girl's extended family. Apparently these two live together by what I gathered from my nosey eavesdropping. While they were getting ready, the boy, whose arms are riddled with tats and his ears with jewelry, had put on a pair of khakis and a black shirt. He said he looked really decent but the girl thought otherwise. She took one look at him and said he looked "like trash." He was devastated by her comment and is so bitter over the whole issue and her meanness that he plans on breaking up with her on his birthday, once his gift is in hand. He said he didn't mean to sound shallow but he had a right to be hurt about it all and wasn't going to take it any more.

He was a cute kid and when I got a Coke refill before leaving I said, "Hey, sorry about your situation, but it's really pretty funny."
He smiled and told me that it was really sad. But yeah, it's funny.
I said that it was tragic humor and to have a great birthday.

Incidentally, he doesn't expect anything special for his birthday... maybe some shirts.

Instant Karma

It's kinda spooky when it hits ya but when it does, it's groovy. I had it happen today, thanks to a couple of wonderful friends.

Dana is doing something that to me is an incredible act of kindness, love and giving. Twice in the last two years, she has given her time, energy and effort to missionary work in the Dominican Republic. I remember her 1st trip and the fear that she had prior to the experience. This type of travel was something that she'd never done and she was quite nervous. She's a girly-girl to the utmost so even imagining her in the tropical jungle is something that just isn't easy to do.. not for her and not for those who know her. How would she endure such an environment? No modern-day conveniences, no A/C, no drive-thru, no mall. I remember feeling excited for her because she was not only giving herself to assist others, she was giving in to something that was totally against her nature. It was an ultimate sacrifice of her comfort zone and she was willing to do it. I was so eager for her trip to end so I could tell her how proud I was for her efforts. She did it! She witnessed life as I've never seen and cared enough about the work to go back the next year and she's going back again this fall. For someone who deems herself as a selfish being, she's proven she isn't. She has given herself unselfishly and I have the utmost respect for her because of it.

Today, I received a wonderfully supportive email from Dana regarding my upcoming endeavor to ride around the US/Canada for 11,000 miles in 11 days. I could feel her love through her words and it was very comforting considering the fear and nervousness I've been feeling since my planning started a few months ago. I really appreciated her email knowing that she has her own endeavor to prepare for. One thing about missionary work is that their efforts are supported by donations. She and I are both looking at finanaces as we work on our projects and knowing that she has made such a personal sacrifice inspires me to donate to her church on her behalf, which I did today. She will make her required goal and will be able to assist the Dominicans as she feels compelled to do. And that's a good thing.

After talking with Dana, I hopped online to check email. While on, my friend Jean IMd me on MSN Messenger. She asked for my PayPal account and I gave it to her only to find that she "donated to the dream" which is my IBR ride! She said she'd be my guardian angel while I rode and made a payment towards a tire. LOL! What a wonderful surprise and to me, instant karma.

Wonder Woman

As part of my IBR preparation, I've been letting correspondence people know that I won't be around for most of August. I don't want folks writing to me expecting a quick reply because that won't be happening. I'll be away from home for three weeks so there won't be mail flowin' from here like normal. The folks I know from PCX! have been so wonderful in their replies to why I'll be away. THE IBR. Many of these folks couldn't tell a Honda from a Harley but they're SO supportive of my endeavor that I still feel compelled to ramble on to them about the ride and the preparations. Over the last few days I've received several cards and letters of YOU GO GIRL and they've really meant a lot. These folks are basically strangers, folks I only know through correspondence. They're scattered all over... Washington, Canada, North Carolina... and yet they feel like close, endearing friends. One of them sent me a postcard of Wonder Woman, which I loved watching when I was a kid. On the card she wrote that I inspire her. I nearly cried, but I know Wonder Woman wouldn't cry in that situation, so I held back... but what a lovely sentiment! I'm flattered, but not deserving of such a compliment. If I were doing this ride for charity or if I'd overcome great odds to be on my bike and ready to ride, then I'd feel more deserving of such praise. I know that accepting a compliment takes strong self esteem and that is a weakness that I'm working on. I promptly sent her a note of thanks because it really meant a lot... still does. Now where's that golden lasso....