I actually wanted to add more to that title, but apparently I have a limited number of characters.
I'm going to try and keep this story concise and to the point, but it may require multiple posts if I really get going.
Tonight was our Christmas party for the community group that I attend. (Community groups are like our church's version of a "Bible study" but instead of being grouped together because of age or subject, we're grouped more based on location) Currently in Boston it's pretty cold, and due to our recent snowstorm (10 inches) and an impending storm of snow/rain tonight, I didn't want to shovel my car out or potentially lose the parking spot. So I looked up the directions from my house to the host's house in nearby Brookline, via the subway. MBTA said it was a 7-minute walk from the nearest T-stop to the party location. "not too bad" I thought to myself.
Fast forward to 6:30pm, I'm now 30 minutes late to the party due to problems with our heater, and due to my lateness, I didn't have time to print off, or write down the directions. So I call the ONE person who's a part of my CG whose number I have. She's just now arriving and she tells me how to get there via walking from the T. They say a picture says a thousand words, so instead of telling you how I got lost and ended up WALKING IN THE 20-DEGREE COLD IN A SKIRT AND BOOTS WITH A HAT THAT DOESN'T COVER MY EARS, I'll show you exhibits A and B.
This is the route I should have gone to get to the party to keep my legs and ears from freezing off.
This is the actual route I took because I was lost and almost froze to death
It's my own fault really, but it still sucks!!
So, I finally get to the party, not surprisingly to those who know me well, on the verge of tears. But I pull it together because I'm glad to be socializing with friends. So, I'm thawing and having a good time with the people there. Then, it's time for the "yankee swap" Note: I had never heard of a "yankee swap" before. Someone told me it was similar to "White Elephant" (which I always played where you bring a gag gift or a used gift from home). So I asked several people in my CG what were the terms of the aforementioned "Yankee Swap" I was informed that you bring a gift that is $10 to $20 in value. Cool, I thought.... I'll get a good gift in return. So, being the giving person I am (insert eye roll here if you choose) I went to Best Buy and bought a $15 gift card. We begin the gift swap, I'm right in the middle (#14). I open a gift: it's a $5 gift card to STarbucks and a candy bar. So I swap my gift with one that had already been opened: A 5-disc Sufjans Stevens Christmas Album. Sufjans is not my favorite artist ever, but I was definitely excited about getting his album. I had the album in my hand for a total of 2 minutes before it was stolen from me and I was left with my gift that I would ultimately take home as my "Yankee Swap" gift: 5 toothbrushes of various brands and a sample size of Crest pro-health toothpaste. (Long pause as I continue to dwell on the suckiness of it all). Call me Bitter and Ungrateful (which I can be), BUT I BOUGHT A 15 DOLLAR GIFT CARD TO BEST BUY AND ALL I CAME HOME WITH WAS 1-FREAKIN' TOOTHBRUSH AND A SAMPLE SIZE OF TOOTHPASTE!!! (i gave the other 4 brushes away since, currently, i only have 1 set of teeth)
What a bum deal. That's all i have to say about that.
I miss Chivalry. I miss polite cowboys. I never thought I'd say that.
That's it.
I'm off to brush my teeth,
E
4 comments:
Thanks for posting the visual. I chuckled a bit. I hope you have thawed out to the point where you can too.
Enjoying the Texas "winter,"
Nina
Heh ... although arguably I'm not sure if your chances would have been better or worse at other church's single groups (Park Street's Cafe, Grace's Fire, Grace Street, Christ the King, Cambridgeport Baptist).
Nominalism at least doesn't occur quite as often in New England, but the double-edged sword of that is that at least popular biblical culture can sometimes have weird peer pressure side effects. At least some people end up having some Christian effects (like not swearing). One pastor put it he believes that most people in churches are "doing remedial Bible reading and Bible application."
Aw, Em, that is one terrible party...I'd like to give that guy a good punch to the face...alas. good story telling though : ). I miss youuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just chalk it up to experience. Even Bible Study group persons (to remain anonymous) can be rude, crude and socially unacceptable. If this is all you encounter in your search for "un" singleness, then count yourself very fortunate. I well remember two dates in college where I requested to be taken home (dorm) and didn't see either guy again (thankfully) because I made the choice to depart. Ah, life's experiential learning is sometimes painful. But hang in there, daughter, HE is OUT THERE, and he's worth the wait! Keep those high standards. Don't 'settle'. Momma Mia
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