At the stop today, me and AC arrived together to meet Ms Shewsbury who was already there. As I crossed the road and gave salutations to all, AC asked if I was alone today and I said so far. I discovered that the bus had already gone up to turn around and come back down, so I called Comp to let her know that the bus would be coming soon. Seconds later, she turned the corner and joined the group.
Whilst waiting, a Well House bus came down and Ms Shrewsbury took that. Next followed a Silver Sands bus which was boarded by that crew. At that time it started to drizzle and I had to seek shelter. Noting that comp did not have her umbrella open, I went over to AC and stood under her umbrella requesting a shelter from the rain. We both correctly observed that Comp was unwilling to open her umbrella because she did not want to get it wet. Thank God for a considerate friend in times of need!!
While waiting, AC started to count her fare and realized that she was 25 cents short. Quickly, Comp trying to redeem herself from the umbrella episode and get out of guilt from the many incidents of bullying AC for her bus fare in the past, offered to give her the missing coins. AC made it clear that she only needed 25 cents but Comp brought out a dollar coin and offered her. Being a fair and honest person, AC insisted on returning the correct change and so gave Comp the 75 cents she had. Unsuccessful at appeasing her conscience of her despicable acts by trying to buy AC with a silver dollar, she accepted the 3 coins and grudgingly put them in her purse. I fully agreed with AC, Comp should seek confession and repentance as absolution for her heavy heart, and not resort to bribery.
On the bus, my Bush Hall driver was on the route again and the front seats in the appointed spot were free. Comrade R2 was in her accustomed seat and we took a seat in front of her in row 1. Looking around, R2L was absent and in her place was another known face, a person who normally drove to work but was on the bus today. We greeted warmly as I showed surprise at seeing her. I turned to R2, gave her a welcome and asked if she had an opportunity to check any of the sites for the free kindle books. The welcome was returned but no opportunity had been taken to look at the free offers.
On turning the corner, Comp spotted the blue beacon of aquamarine in the distance. On nearing the stop we saw NC in a crowd of 5 waiting for the arrival of the bus. She boarded with some regulars like 'fat and jolly' and other Sea Breeze workers. Comp and I speculated about the fact that she always boarded last in the crowd and today she did the same. On entering, she took a seat in the reserved row, directly in front of Comp. She wanted to be sure that no major dispute ensued today and that she would be on hand to mediate if Comp and I had one of our customary disagreements. The right side was now complete with the regular group, and the left side had 2 of the accustomed crowd.
The journey was rather tame, but 2 incidents stood out in my mind. One is the explanation for NC's entry into the bus in last position. When questioned by Comp she explained that it is because, when she arrives at the stop, she would board in the order of the people she found there. If she was the last to arrive she a would board last, also, she would give preference to the young, aged, pregnant etc.. This impressed me and I attributed it the the influence of 'Waterford', Comp however disagreed, saying it could be the primary school or home influence, but I know differently.
And then as we got to Pilgrim Road an elderly man got in and stood in front of NC. Even though he was not infirmed or feeble, NC stood to offer him her seat, which he refused. This made me feel like a proud headteacher, who had instructed his wards and then later see them rise to success. To know that an ' unruly and undisciplined' bunch could be so transformed. Comp and NC performing benevolent and philanthropic acts spontaneously, really blessed my heart. She later took the heavy bags for a passenger (her friend) standing opposite her and held them until she left.
At R2's stop, for the first time she gave the group a farewell greeting. She wished all to "have a good day", to which I responded "same to you too !" and gave NC a thumbs up.
NC's progress did not however extend to the knowledge of spanish, she now professes to be an expert 'native google translate spanish speaker', and asked me 'Estoy un problema?', mispronouncing the last syllable of estoy. When Comp asked what she said and I repeated, Comp turned into 'Ms. Particular' once again.
Comp has this tendency of paying particular attention to the most irrelevant and inconsequential details. Making particular fuss to correct minute points. This occurred with NC's spanish. The discussion then continued across the aisle about the pronounciation of the word and possible meanings etc. Fearing that she would metamorphize into a blood boiling, vengeance taker for a second day. I did not push the point.
NC left at her stop and Comp at hers. I continued to the terminal.
No ser un problema hoy en día, tener un día bendito!
Don't be a problem today, have a blessed day!!
Whilst waiting, a Well House bus came down and Ms Shrewsbury took that. Next followed a Silver Sands bus which was boarded by that crew. At that time it started to drizzle and I had to seek shelter. Noting that comp did not have her umbrella open, I went over to AC and stood under her umbrella requesting a shelter from the rain. We both correctly observed that Comp was unwilling to open her umbrella because she did not want to get it wet. Thank God for a considerate friend in times of need!!
While waiting, AC started to count her fare and realized that she was 25 cents short. Quickly, Comp trying to redeem herself from the umbrella episode and get out of guilt from the many incidents of bullying AC for her bus fare in the past, offered to give her the missing coins. AC made it clear that she only needed 25 cents but Comp brought out a dollar coin and offered her. Being a fair and honest person, AC insisted on returning the correct change and so gave Comp the 75 cents she had. Unsuccessful at appeasing her conscience of her despicable acts by trying to buy AC with a silver dollar, she accepted the 3 coins and grudgingly put them in her purse. I fully agreed with AC, Comp should seek confession and repentance as absolution for her heavy heart, and not resort to bribery.
On the bus, my Bush Hall driver was on the route again and the front seats in the appointed spot were free. Comrade R2 was in her accustomed seat and we took a seat in front of her in row 1. Looking around, R2L was absent and in her place was another known face, a person who normally drove to work but was on the bus today. We greeted warmly as I showed surprise at seeing her. I turned to R2, gave her a welcome and asked if she had an opportunity to check any of the sites for the free kindle books. The welcome was returned but no opportunity had been taken to look at the free offers.
On turning the corner, Comp spotted the blue beacon of aquamarine in the distance. On nearing the stop we saw NC in a crowd of 5 waiting for the arrival of the bus. She boarded with some regulars like 'fat and jolly' and other Sea Breeze workers. Comp and I speculated about the fact that she always boarded last in the crowd and today she did the same. On entering, she took a seat in the reserved row, directly in front of Comp. She wanted to be sure that no major dispute ensued today and that she would be on hand to mediate if Comp and I had one of our customary disagreements. The right side was now complete with the regular group, and the left side had 2 of the accustomed crowd.
The journey was rather tame, but 2 incidents stood out in my mind. One is the explanation for NC's entry into the bus in last position. When questioned by Comp she explained that it is because, when she arrives at the stop, she would board in the order of the people she found there. If she was the last to arrive she a would board last, also, she would give preference to the young, aged, pregnant etc.. This impressed me and I attributed it the the influence of 'Waterford', Comp however disagreed, saying it could be the primary school or home influence, but I know differently.
And then as we got to Pilgrim Road an elderly man got in and stood in front of NC. Even though he was not infirmed or feeble, NC stood to offer him her seat, which he refused. This made me feel like a proud headteacher, who had instructed his wards and then later see them rise to success. To know that an ' unruly and undisciplined' bunch could be so transformed. Comp and NC performing benevolent and philanthropic acts spontaneously, really blessed my heart. She later took the heavy bags for a passenger (her friend) standing opposite her and held them until she left.
At R2's stop, for the first time she gave the group a farewell greeting. She wished all to "have a good day", to which I responded "same to you too !" and gave NC a thumbs up.
NC's progress did not however extend to the knowledge of spanish, she now professes to be an expert 'native google translate spanish speaker', and asked me 'Estoy un problema?', mispronouncing the last syllable of estoy. When Comp asked what she said and I repeated, Comp turned into 'Ms. Particular' once again.
Comp has this tendency of paying particular attention to the most irrelevant and inconsequential details. Making particular fuss to correct minute points. This occurred with NC's spanish. The discussion then continued across the aisle about the pronounciation of the word and possible meanings etc. Fearing that she would metamorphize into a blood boiling, vengeance taker for a second day. I did not push the point.
NC left at her stop and Comp at hers. I continued to the terminal.
No ser un problema hoy en día, tener un día bendito!
Don't be a problem today, have a blessed day!!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave your comments! We'll love to hear from you!