Little Conversation

I went to the mall last weekend, just because it’s a nice break from work.

While I don’t like shopping all that much, I like strolling through the mall near the holiday season just because the beautifully decorated place filled with vibrant colors makes me feel warm and comfy inside. Then again, winter does that to most people. It makes me feel at peace. Very peaceful, actually.

Anyway, my family and I stopped by this “antique” shop to buy a pretty little product that we thought would make a great gift for anyone, for any occasions.

My sis and I waited patiently while the cashier guy rang it up. My sis and I didn’t say much, other than the common courtesy nod/smile when he said, “I can help you here”.

While we waited, the guy bent down to do something very quickly behind the counter. Obviously, I thought that was very strange and had this very puzzled expression on my face. I looked at my sister, and I guess she thought the same thing too and gave me a little smile like “I know what you’re thinking”. I couldn’t help grinning at that.

When the cashier guy finally returned his attention to the task at hand, I couldn’t help but asked in an amused tone, “What exactly ARE you doing?” He looked up and explained in a very friendly tone, “oh, I dropped the box (the one we’re buying) and while it was falling, I thought I could pick it up with the other hand but apparently I can’t”. “Ah”, I thought, “so THAT was what he was trying to do”.

Well, he rang it up and handed the box to us with the receipt (held by his thumb) on top of it. My sister and I were apparently thinking the same thing, because my sister asked, “um, can we have a bag, please?”

The guy snapped out of whatever trance he was in and in a surprising tone, said, “Of course – a bag! Wow, I can’t believe I forgot. It’s just been a long day”.

“Well, it’s almost the end of the day”, I smiled and said brightly, as it “was” late afternoon.

He laughed, “The end of the day started for me since I came into work. Wait, actually, since yesterday”.

I answered honestly, “Wow, that’s depressing.” “It’s tough working all day”, he said. “Yeah, I know what you mean”, I nodded. I know exactly how that felt.

Just as he handed out our bag to us, he said, “wait” and grabbed something from behind the counter, “I have a gift for you,” he said as he stuffed a small little box into our bag. “It is a little nutcracker ornament”, he said in a more energized tone. “Wow, thanks” – I said, with surprise, as we bid a sincere farewell to each other.

It was a very short and simple conversation, but it was nice just because it was so sincere and genuine. And little things like that still make me happy.

Posted 9:14 PM by hiu k.

Cold, Little Story

Last Saturday night, the back of my throat felt a bit scratchy, but I dismissed it as nothing serious. I started coughing soon after, and while I took notice of it, I was hoping that my immune system would take care of it.

Well, apparently it didn’t. For the past two days now, I have coarse voice, headache, dizziness, and lots of coughing – all the symptoms of a cold or flu. I learned from experience that flu isn’t something to take lightly, so my darling sister drove me to the doctor promptly (as opposed to taking the T – subway system here in Boston for those who are not from here). And ain’t it grand? My college health insurance expired two months ago, and my new employee’s healthcare plan has yet to kick in. Fortunately, my doctor diagnosed it as a minor cold (it sure didn’t feel like it!) and prescribed some medicine, which I have been taking dutifully. I hope to be better by this week, so I could start afresh and in good health for my first day of work next week.

Oh, a little story. The doctor that I went to didn’t have a scheduling appointment policy, but a walk-in policy. Patients have to walk-in and sign their name on the piece of paper clipped on the pad. When it is about your turn to see the doctor, the receptionist would call your name and gather relevant information. Well, I went there and signed in. There were about two patients ahead of me (they were waiting in the waiting room). After learning from the receptionist that it would take about 30 minutes, my sister and I decided to take a walk outside (a quick look-around at a nearby mall) and come back in 30 minutes (as opposed to staying in the waiting room).

About 20-25 minutes, we headed back to the doctor’s. I checked the list of names on the counter and all names have been crossed out except for the name in front of me, my name, and another name below me (which I suspect was the elderly lady in the waiting room whom I didn’t see the first time around).

I waited patiently outside for some minutes until the receptionist/assistant opened the door and waved me over to take care of some standard procedures (i.e. measure my weight, height and blood pressure). As I stood up though, the elderly lady very quickly stood up and announced loudly in almost an authoritative and reprimanding tone, “She’s not next. –I- am next.” Perhaps she didn’t realize that the receptionist was waving at me (since her back was against the door) or that I had signed up before her, but I didn’t like her cut-throat, I- should-go-first- tone one bit.

Don’t get me wrong. I am the type of person that would give up my seat for elderly people or pregnant ladies in public transportations, even if I were really tired. I mean, I have no reservations about that. Likewise, if this lady was really sick and asked me if she could go ahead of me (since there was no one behind me and I am not in too great of a hurry), I would probably agree to it. Also, while this might not be fair to say, she didn’t have any visible signs of sickness, whereas I can hardly find my voice and I was struggling to suppress my coughs.

The receptionist seemed a little irritated by what she said and the tone that she used, in which he replied firmly, “No, she’s (he emphasized that word as he gestured to me) next and you’re after her”.

Still, is this how most cutthroat people typically behaved? People who think just about themselves all the time and not others? Maybe I’ve been living in my idealistic la-la land for too long, but I didn’t like that one bit. I just hope that I would never, ever (even if I were in a cutthroat environment) become an inconsiderate and self-centered person. I just hope I could be like my caring family, who I love dearly (despite our share of arguments). And I just hope that as I grow older, I won’t lose what I believe in.

One more thing: Last time, I mentioned about auditioning for Jeopardy in Boston. I took the written test (you need to get 35 questions or more correctly to proceed to the next step). Well, I ended up missing by one question, if you only know what I mean. :)

Posted 10:00 PM by hiu k.

Random topics, Mouse update

Sometimes, I feel afraid. Not of anything or anyone, mind you. It's just that, sometimes, I get the feeling that maybe someday, I would have to make some major decisions. And I am afraid that, when the time comes, I might not have the courage to make the right one.

It's almost like "Frodo" from Lord of the Rings. You know, "I know what I must do, I am just afraid to do it". Or like Aragon, who was reluctant to be the King of Gondor because he was afraid that he would fail the way his ancestor did.

I know this sounds cliche, but I am a firm believer that all that is good and right will prevail in the end. I know this is such a random topic (and truthfully, I don't really know where this is all coming from), but I just want to jot down the gist of what I am feeling at this moment in time.

P.S. As far as my mouse is concerned: It IS covered under warranty (yes! I was wrong to make my earlier assumption), but that doesn't negate the fact the cost of repair ($100+) if it weren't covered under the warranty, seemed ridiculous - especially when it's a measley little mouse that's causing the problem! Can we say overcharge?

P.P.S. Autumn is in the air.

Posted 9:12 PM by hiu k.