A Cashier Story and High Praise From a Professor

Today was the end of three things that have been major factors in my life these past few weeks.
1. The stupid buy 10 items, get $3 off sale at work.
2. The last day of my first summer semester for college.
3. (This doesn't truly apply till tomorrow). The end of an 8 day work streak. I can't wait for my day off on Friday.

And now my story. A middle aged man, probably in his late 30's early 40's came through my line today. Well, that's not really where the story starts. I was standing at my register, looking in the other lines to see if there was someone who hadn't already put their items on the belt yet. And I caught this man's eye. He came over into my empty lane and said: "I saw you're beautiful eyes and couldn't resist coming through your line." I had the sudden urge to laugh, but instead smiled, and I think I thanked him. It was by far the highlight of work. It was just so creepy and funny.

My lovely blue eyes:


And I have one last random story. My professor emailed me an awesome e-mail. This made my day.

"You've clearly benefited from excellent home schooling and caring parental oversight. You're a very good writer, Sara. The one point I would like to make, is take time to proofread carefully.

"Occasionally you make a grammatical error that I think you should be able to catch with careful proofing, but you're an impressive writer. I especially like the way you write with character and personality. Keep that up! Congratulations, Sara, you've earned an A in the course."

So I am impressive and have character and personality? I'll take it! Along with that lovely A.

(I think I was super hyper and random when I wrote this)

Introvert

I didn't know she was an introvert...



"I restore myself when I'm alone" ~Marilyn Monroe~

Review of "Young Victoria" 2009

I love time period pieces. Especially of England back in the late 1700's early 1800's. Victoria began her reign in 1837, and most of the movie takes place around 1836 to 1840. The movie was very educational on her life. I love the kinds of movies that make historical figures such as Queen Victoria into real people. I was able to take a peek into her life through this movie. The period clothing and buildings were lovely. The pace was pretty quick, and even though the movie required your attention, and thought, it wasn't too complicated or confusing. It really portrayed her as a strong woman, who is unsure of what she is supposed to do. She was about 17 at the beginning of the movie, and I understand how she is caught between being a girl, and being a woman. She struggles with trying to show everyone that she is capable of the role that is hers, even though she is young. I really felt like it drew on my emotions, when Sir Conroy is yelling at her, I was surprised how calm she was towards him. He truly infuriated me.

The second half of the movie was more of Victoria's struggle balancing normal everyday relationships like daughter and wife, with the role of queen. A major theme was Victoria and Albert's love story. I loved them as a couple, cried when they fought, laughed when they were happy. My favorite quote of the movie was when Albert is speaking to Victoria about the assassination attempt on her life:
"First, I am replaceable and you're not. Second, you're the only wife I ever will have. You're my whole existence and I will love you till my last breath."

The acting was not remarkable, and at times Victoria (Emily Blunt) seemed incapable of making any other face, but her gloomy, moody one. But then Albert (Rupert Friend) drew out a spark in her. Their chemistry was beautiful, and I think Friend really made the movie. He truly captured his struggle with his role in life. At the beginning it was his love for Victoria, and fear of her being taken advantage of, or worse, forgetting about him. And towards the end it was his struggle of being the Queen's husband. Of feeling useless. I really loved the movie, and would recommend it to anyone who likes the time period, a love story, or English politics.

Yes, I am an Intelligent being

She stared at me through her old-fashioned, horn rimmed glasses. I couldn't help but think she looked stuck in the '80's. "I have 10 things" she repeated defiantly. I inwardly sighed and pressed 15 sign on. I began naming off the things she bought that were part of the sale. I counted 8 things total. "You need 2 more items, ma'am." "No, I have 10," she insisted. Good grief. "What did I not name that you thought was part of the sale?" She began to think as I went through the list again. "The cheese. Did the cheese not come off?" I looked through the list, then turned to my bagger, Sami. "Can you find the cheese?" Sami began digging though the bags, bringing up 16 oz. shredded cheese. I consulted the ad. "It's only on the 8 oz. cheese, ma'am." And then begins the defense. IT wasn't clearly labeled, she just grabbed what was under the sign, the print was too small. Sami couldn't get back fast enough with the right cheese to suit me. And this is one of the less ugly scenarios.

I am a trained cashier. It's been a good 9 months. That's long enough to create a baby. That's long enough to know what I'm doing behind a register. Yet, because of my age, and sometimes I wonder if it's my blond hair, people don't trust me to know what I'm doing. They think I'm stupid and incapable. But it's their own lack of knowledge that is the issue. I know my register and I will consult my ad, and between these two key things I am very capable. I know how to manipulate the machine to do what it needs to do. IF that's what I want it to do, of course. I love a challenge, and the satisfaction of pointing out to a difficult customer that they were wrong is a satisfaction unparalleled. I do know what I'm talking about, so next time, if I were you, I'd listen.

The 4th of July

We are one nation, under God. I thank God for the men and women who have sacrificed their time, fought to defend, and lost their lives for this great nation. I pray for all those who are still fighting, and still dying for their country. I pray for their families who miss them and worry about them. And I thank God for the founders who started this God fearing nation so many decades ago. For those who declared their independence of tyranny and fear, to create a great country that is a beacon on a hill to other countries all around the world. Thank you to those brave people. And thank you God that I live in such a country.

I failed...

So I failed yesterday. It was my first day since starting this journal that I didn't have time to post something. But that's ok. I had to write a research paper, and spend some time with my best friends. So I'll forgive myself. I'm actually shocked all the ideas I've had for this journal, and how I've kept up with it for over a week. I plan on keeping this up!

Grief

"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear." -C.S. Lewis