Mara loves playing outside- whether she's hiding behind the trash cans, playing with bubbles, or enjoying a meal in our cool camping chairs, she has a blast. Oh yea, and when she's ready to go, she doesn't like wasting time waiting for us.
Once we come inside, she keeps herself entertained in the normal kid way- with a box! She sleeps and eats a lot too- if she's hungry, she'll climb into her chair and wait for us (still not sure how she managed to get over the tray...) She even puts herself to bed sometimes. She was so happy about her new shoes, and so exhausted from a day in the sun, that she climbed into bed and went to sleep with her shoes on- without Ian or I knowing- until we found her sound asleep.
Ok, now to the story (its long, but its worth it...)
Yes, I grew up in the military and yes, we lived in Japan and the DC area. Yes, its been 8+ years since I moved out of my parents house and began my college adventures. Yes, I spent about 9 months, traveling to London all by myself, and then working on the cruise ships. But yesterday I learned that no, I am definitely not a city girl.
About a week ago, I was told that riding the trax trains within a certain area is free, and the nearest trax station is a 20 minute walk to my house. Yes, the library is within the "free" area, as well as the gateway mall/outdoor fountain. This tidbit of information is very valuable to me- Ian has the car at work, leaving me without transportation to entertain the munchkin during those hours. Yesterday I decided to experiment with a trip to the library, and now I can safely say that its going to take a few tries before it becomes comfortable.
It wasn't the short jaunt up the steep hill in front of our house, or the walk down the crazy hill to temple square. It wasn't crossing streets or finding the trax station. It wasn't even figuring out which train to get on. The excitement began when I attempted to board the train.
The door directly in front of me didn't open (I don't know why.) So I walked down to the open door. Three steps- even with a stroller, not too hard to manage. A gentleman jumped off the train to help me get up the steps- what a nice guy! ....wait, whats that beeping sound? And why can't I get the stroller past this last step? Oh no, Mara's cup fell! Oh, thank you nice man for picking it up---but now the doors are closing on my good samaritans shoulders!!! Oh the wheel is stuck on a bar in the doorway- thats why I can't get it up any higher- quick adjustment and we all make it inside the train. I'm backing up so he can get up the stairs- but wait, there are stairs on the other side! Careful not to fall, I attempt to find a chair while the train starts moving, and everyone is staring.
Did I mention that somewhere between the sippy cup falling and the doors closing in on his shoulders that Mara started crying- that "whats happening!?" terrified cry? Well, she did. A woman (maybe early 20s) tried to console her after we sat down- but Mara just stared at her and pouted. As we got off at the library, the same woman was getting off too, so she helped us off onto the platform. Whew!! That was quite the ordeal :)
But it didn't get any better!! This library is huge!! Its beautiful, but its sort of...modern style? Its all glass and metal- really pretty, but there aren't really any obvious signs giving you any sort of direction. So I ask a guy at the information desk where to sign up for a library card. He points in a direction, I go that way, but feel like I'm in the wrong place. So I find another information desk, and he tells me a different line. So I go there, get my library card, and am relieved that Ian is now done with work, and willing to come get me as soon as he fills the car up with gas. I go outside to find the parking lot....but all I see are more store areas outside- no parking lot. Weird.
I'm still flustered from the trax chaos, so I call and tell him I'm going to walk across the street to an area that looks like it'll be easier to pick me up from. He asks what road I'm crossing. There is no sign, so I give him a bit of babble which was honestly my best answer, but it must have been somewhat understandable, because finally my knight in shining armor is loading the stroller into the car, and giving me a hug. I tell him I couldn't find the parking lot and he, city-wise man that he has become, informs me that the parking lot is underground. I try to tell him all about why I'm so stressed and flustered, and he just doesn't get it. Finally, I find the words to help him understand how I feel.....
"I felt like I was an 80 year old woman trying to work a computer. I just couldn't figure it out, and everything I did made it worse."
At that, he laughed, I laughed, and I was glad that I have such an awesome husband. And it also left me hoping that when we put down roots we can find somewhere that is a little more Alaska in feel... because no, I am not a city girl.
4 comments:
I can totally understand!!! Greatful for some good people that will stop to help...
Props to you for even trying to venture out - I have been staying just within my tiny bubble of what I am familiar with.
I too prefer the country life! I love how you told this story. Iahve now read it out loud to some of my coworkers. The general response was AWWWWW! in a good way. I love how you told the story. Keep up the adventuring - it will be worthwhile in the long run. Love to you all.
Oh I love the city! I know that place so well or did when I was going to college there. It does take some getting use to, but I have faith in you! You are lucky to be around people who still know the meaning of 'help'. Georgians are so not that way at all! They just stare and watch the struggling.
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