Day 5: TapiocaExpress-ing Kindness

Last night, a good friend told me that my ideas jump around too much- she noticed this when reading my previous post.. "Danielle, if they don't get you- they won't get you... you can't write like you think and publish it on the internet.... it's just not a good idea." I understand what she's saying- so bear with me on those random thoughts- they'll all come together somehow but if not, shoot me an email :) I'll try to translate it into normal English for you. But on that note, here's today's random ramblings...

Today was one of those "Monday" type of Mondays... even though it was really Tuesday... but not really because we have college counseling tomorrow which is usually on Tuesdays, but tomorrow is still Tuesday just with a Monday schedule.... sometimes Harker makes no sense to me... But anyways, everyone deals with a bad day differently....punching bags, bowls of Ben&Jerry's, kicking a printer (Office Space, anyone?), screaming into a pillow, working out so and so on.... me? I have PMT -aka Pearl Milk Tea- to ease my bad days.

This whole blog craze started as an assignment for my journalism class. Our wonderful instructor (Mr. Dangerous Daren) has introduced us to all aspects of journalism; print, broadcast, and now online. The first night after we were assigned the blog project, I went home and made my blog... the next day Mr. Daren went through the blogs- projecting each site to our whole class...

The blogs were all adorable ideas and happy topics :)...

Puppies :)
Cupcakes & Baking :)
Whinny's Wishlist :)
Starbucks :)
Music :)
....ABORTION... ?

yeah... my first topic was going to be about abortion. "FML."

But I'm glad to say that I'm happy with my resulting topic.... good deeds. At first, when my mom and I were discussing it, I was worried that there would be days were I wouldn't be able to find anything good enough to write about.... and I'd have to make something inspiring and hopeful up myself..... but my trip to Milk Tea this afternoon proved me wrong.

As I walked to Tapioca Express, I was trying to think of what I could write about that would be good enough for tonight's post.... little things from the day were coming to mind but nothing was really clicking as legit enough to write about. I started remembering the cliche examples my mom was giving me about good deeds- carrying grocery bags across the street for old ladies, holding the door for people, handing back dropped cash... yadda yadda. All the typical good deeds you would expect. But please, those things are so boring and predictable.....

Well as stereotype as it was, I naturally held the door open for 2 SJSU students who were behind me, also on their way into Tapioca Express. It was awkward because I was obviously there first but since I had held the door open, I walked in behind them so they were trying to let me go first but it was no words just awkward hand movements that were trying to decide what order we were going to go..- catch my drift?

I let them go ahead, I wasn't in a rush- besides, I can never decide between peach, almond or regular flavor.... so I motioned them to go ahead. So when I got to the counter, I ordered (almond... in case you were in suspense) and handed over my money. Christina (the lady who works afternoon shifts at TapiocaExpress- yes I go there way too often), handed me back 2 out of the 4 dollars I had given her to pay for my drink...ummm okkkk? I handed them back.... because she's obviously out of it today... it always costs $3.49. She gave them back to me a second time and pointed at the guy leaving TapiocaExpress, "he left his change to go towards your order... I only need $2 from you today."

I stood there for a moment and then yet again handed her the $2.... Christina was frustrated but before she could say anything I told her to add my change to his for the person behind me. The money wasn't what I needed to brighten up my day, the simple action had already done the job- there's absolutely nothing cliche about a good deed.