“How far we travel in life matters far less than those we meet along the way.”-Anonymous


More or less, this past Monday I made it back from volunteering in one piece. And, being that I'm a huge believer in everything happening for a reason, I'm so happy I got mixed-up on the route home again, I met such an intriguing woman! Upon boarding the bus, I told the kind and cheery lady driving exactly where I needed to get off so she could maybe give me a warning. With a smile, she agreed. We began to talk, she asked me if I had just moved to the city (Gosh, am I really that obvious?) and I told her the abridged version of my life: From a small town in Wisconsin, here for school, studying Spanish, that's why I was way out at a bus stop in Northeast Minneapolis, etc. She then told me she happened to be from Eau Claire, and came to the cities a while ago to attend the U and study psychology. Never got to hear the end of that story, some new passengers boarded and were confused about the fare. Anyway, she pulled back onto the road and asked me if I had a computer, and proceeded to flash me the back of her clipboard that was covered by a sticker saying, "Need a Ride?" followed by a URL. "I have a blog," she told me, "It's called 'Picking Up Strangers' 'cuz, well, that's what I do!" I was instantly intrigued and began asking her about it. I then informed her that I, in fact, blogged also, and gave her a quick run down of Tale of Twin Cities. Surprisingly sad to end this bus ride, I thanked her, spread some holiday cheer her way, and couldn't wait to get on my laptop and check out her site. I spent at least an hour reading through months and months of her blogs, laughing at the crazy people she encounters, the contests she holds (this past one if you "found" her on a bus and told her a secret phrase the winner got a Brett Favre jersey--not that I woulda've wanted to win that one), knowing more about the routes (apparently route 2 is the one with crack heads on one side and college kids on the other), and some fun facts about Jeanne, The Happiest Metro-Transit Bus Driver: she likes to collect stuffed animals and bring them on her routes to give to little kids who get on. How cool! If you have some time, check it out, you won't want to stop reading about her encounters: http://www.pickingupstrangers.com/.


I'm getting so attached to my kids at the school! Cases and points: 1) This Monday, Enrique Iglesias was in town (screw being poor), and after I told the girls (yes there may have been some screams), we started talking about music. They ripped out a sheet of notebook paper and filled every line with their favorite Spanish songs that they insisted I download. My Recently Added playlist on the pod is now full of canciones nuevas. 2) As we were walking out to busses, I was talking to one of the girls about how I'll see her next year, to have a good Christmas, etc. My heart warms a little bit at what she said before we parted ways, in English: "Oh, um, I wanted to tell you that I think you got better at Spanish." Aww, I heart her. And, 3) One of the boys finally worked up the courage this week to yell across the room to me, "Ay, Senorita! You got a Facebook?" "Yesss..." "What's your Facebook name?" "Pablo I'm not allowed to add the students..." Something about those Latino boys... :)


Well, now that I'm all warmed up on my writing, I suppose I should start thinking about finals like the rest of the student body and start cranking out my final paper for my Latinos in the US course. How ironic that I hate this class to my core....