Tag Archives: problems

When It Rains

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When It Rains

Jun09-2My birthday was May 26.  His birthday was June 5.  We thought a trip would be the perfect way to celebrate both occasions.  We found the perfect resort, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and made plans to be there June 2-9.  I was ready to eat what my heart desired.  I was ready for continually warm weather.  I was ready to relax and worry about absolutely nothing.

And then I looked at the news!  Toward the end of April the talk of the Swine Flu, H1N1 virus, sweeping through all of Mexico was all over the airwaves.  People were wearing face masks to go everywhere and many tourist locations in Mexico were closing.  I intently watched the news and researched the path of the disease.  As the calendar progressed to May and the flu spread to the rest of the world, I realized I was just as safe in Mexico as I would be anywhere else.  Toward the middle of May, the precautions of Mexican travel were lifted and Cabo called our name.

I woke up bright and early on June 2 to head to the airport for my 6:30am flight.  With little sleep the night before, I was ready to lean over in my window seat and get some shut eye during my flight.  (I feel asleep before the plane even completed boarding.)  I woke up 50 minutes later and looked out the window.  I noticed that we were still at the gate in Louisville.  What?!  The pilot talked of a problem with a part that they were trying to fix.  About 15 minutes later he said they couldn’t fix the problem and we would have to de-plane and take another one – that wasn’t going to leave until 8:45am!

Are you serious?  My 2 hour layover in Houston was now down to about 20 minutes (maximum). Although I think I have track skills, I doubted they would get me through the Houston airport before they closed the gates for my 10:00am flight.  I called my boyfriend (who was meeting me in Houston for us then to both fly to Cabo) the news.  I asked him to beg the people to hold the plane for me.

As we fly into TX I text him to say we landed.  He responds that they closed the door five minutes ago and that we’d have to fly out on the next flight at 6:00pm. When?  6:00pm?  I’m supposed to be laying on the beaches of Cabo by then!

While waiting to de-board the plane I check my work mail.  There is an email stating that my secretary is laid up in the hospital with congestive heart failure and fluid on her lungs.  You have got to be kidding me!  I let out a large sigh to anyone that will listen and just felt like the day could only become worse!

But, with faith, I had to realize that once it gets worse, it will always get better.  I was greeted in the terminal by my boyfriend and his simple kiss let me know everything would get better.  We spent the 8 hour layover driving around and visiting some places that could have good future implications.  We arrived safely in Mexico that night.  Although it was dark, when we checked in, we were the only ones there are were given great treatment and a choice of rooms that best fit our preferences.  And, the best thing was waking up the next morning with the sun rising and the sounds of the ocean right at our balcony which all symbolized the start of a bright, and new, wonderful day!

M.Y.  June 2009

Bad Attitude or Something More

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‘Bad Attitude or Something More?’

Apr09-3My washer recently started leaking so my friend took a photo of where the water was dripping and suggested I go to a home improvement store to try to fix it.

I then threw on some sweats, pulled my hair back in a ponytail and headed out the door.   I entered the store and was immediately greeted by two people.  One walked me back to the appliance section where I was introduced to Mike H.  When I told him the issue, he said that I would need to go to an appliance parts store.

I asked which ones he would suggest.  Mike said to look it up in the phonebook and find one close to where I lived.  Excuse me!  I stated that I live just around the corner and asked if he would write some down.  He then placed a piece of paper and pen in front of me.  Wow! I wrote one down and he said it was two city blocks south of I-264 on Newburg Rd.  I asked if that was near the School Board.  He rudely said, ‘I said two city blocks’.  I once again kindly reminded him that I live in the suburbs of Louisville and have no clue how far two city blocks are.

At this point I felt belittled and asked Mike H. if I were taking up his time and should instead find someone else that would better serve me.  An older female customer standing close asked me what my problem was and started talking to me.  She told me about her recent washer problems, made suggestions if I had to get a new one and helped me more than Mike H even attempted.

I pulled out my camera to show the other customer where the water was leaking at Mike looked at it.  He then said, ‘So, what part is that?’  Really!  My response was, ‘I am in education, if I knew what the part was then I wouldn’t have come to this section for assistance.’  I told him that my friend suggested possibly putting putty in to stop the leak.   He told me I would need to go to an automotive store to get that.

I walked out of the store hurt at my experience.  I felt some very disparaging remarks were made toward me and felt that nobody should be treated that way.  When I arrived home, I called to speak to a supervisor.  The next day, I also went into the store and talked with the store manager.  He was very disturbed with how I was treated and apologized.  We first walked all through the store to try to find Mike. After we couldn’t, I was introduced to Gary who gave me the type of service that one would expect.

You know, people talk about being discriminated against and I am not sure if this was one of those situations.  Yes, the employee (Mike H) did have a very nasty attitude – but was it racially motivated?  That I will never know.  I do know that he was just one employee and not a reflection of the entire store.  I actually went back to the same store several times that week because I did end up needing a new dryer.  Each of the other times I was treated wonderfully from the time I entered to the time I left.  Lesson learned: Don’t let people treat you less than you are worth and don’t assume that one person’s attitude is a reflection of those around them.

M.Y.  April 2009

Happy New Year 2008

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Happy New Year!!  I wish you all the blessings for 2008!

Jan08-1The year 2007 started out horribly for me.  My desktop computer crashed.  I attended the funeral of my grandmother in Fayetteville, NC.  I then traveled back to Louisville to attend a second funeral for her (family drama).  While watching the news I saw that there was a car accident where a man running from the cops crashed into a car ejecting seven kids.  Two of these kids were my former students.  I went to the hospital to see one of their precious souls on life support.  That sight went straight to my heart.  Then the heat in my house went out and I had to purchase a new heater.  Then my laptop crashed.  My boyfriend and I broke up. Oh, and did I mention that all of this occurred before January 20, 2007?

I prayed daily that this would not be how all of 2007 existed.  Luckily, my bad luck ended there.  On January 26, I went out on an outing that would change the rest of my life.  Renee Murphy, Shannon Maxey and Tioka Ivory entered my life.  I was never one to be a part of a girl group or a ‘chic clique’ but these women have become my best friends.  It is simply amazing how God puts people into your life.  I didn’t ask for them to be placed there, but he knew it was what I needed in my life.  These women have been there for me through thick and thin and I am truly blessed for their existence.

The rest of my year went pretty well.  I was able to travel to North Carolina, Cleveland for the Women’s Final Four, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Arizona, Virginia, Detroit and who can forget Puerto Vallarta.  I expanded OnyxLouisville and have met many wonderful people in the Louisville community.  I was able to join several Boards and also became a volunteer ‘Big”.  I was fortunate to see a plethora of top notch plays, concerts and performances here in the Ville.

December 31, 2007 ended with an odd twist, but I do believe everything happens for a reason.  I’m still waiting for genuine, true love to enter in my life.  I know it will happen when the time is right.  It’s going to be great in 2008 and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

M.Y.  January 2008