Black Eyed Spot

So are you dying to find out if I passed or not?

I'm sure my blog is THAT interesting, right?

I woke up this morning not feeling nervous. I sat in the shuttle not feeling nervous. I stood in the hallway not feeling nervous. As soon as I walked through the door to re-test...I got nervous. That familiar rolling stomach and pounding heart threatened to blow my calm outward exterior.

I smiled at Jackie (one of our instructors).

She asked how I was feeling. "Great!" I said with much enthusium.

She made another comment on how I was feeling and it dawned on me that she was talking about my face. It's easy to forget that I have a huge bruise covering my entire right eye.

One of my classmates has even taken to calling me "spot." That made me laugh...and laughter is medicine.

"Oh, my face...yeah, I'm fine."

Next came the question on everyone's lips right now, "Have you heard about your blood test yet?"

"No, not yet", I replied.

I like Jackie. She is a very nice instructor. I like all of the instructors. They can be rough and tough sometimes, but that only makes them better teachers and me a well trained flight attendant .

So, did I pass? Yep. I did. I get to stay...at least for now. However, two of my classmates did get sent home. That makes 4 lost since I started. It sort of shook me up and reminded me that I need to stay focused.

After re-tests, the real bulk of today's lessons got started. Security. I can't talk about that.

Back at the hotel, our class got together for dinner. Catherine made a lasagna and salad. I had salad. I did manage to get in 3 miles of running first.
It was nice sitting around and talking with the girls...and Lamaar (our one male classmate). I think I offended him by asking if he was gay. He isn't. Opps. Sorry Lamaar.

Knowing that I had already completed my homework, I took the rest of the evening off. I wondered around The Gateway Plaza (very nice outdoor mall). I knew right where I wanted to go. The Planetarium! I bought a ticket and waited for the doors to open. Unfortunately, their computers had crashed and I was unable to watch the show. All is not lost...I was comped a new ticket and tomorrow I am going back with any of my classmates (friends) that want to tag along.

On the way out of the theater I came upon a tragic scene. A lady was sitting in her car crying. She was trying to fill out some paperwork the police had just given her. I wanted to go up and give her a hug. I felt so bad for her. I watched as the parmedics loaded a man into an ambulance. She hit him. He was riding his bike. She was just coming out of a parking garage. How many times have I done that and come close to hitting someone? Probably several times. Lives are changing all around us.

I walked back to the hotel. It was dark and this town is full of strange folks. People talking to themselves, walking funny, flapping their arms in all directions, mumbling incoherent things at me...

I had bought a jar candle in one of the shops. I fastened it around my wrist and decided that if anyone messed with me, I'd knock them out with it.

Fortunately, the moment did not present itself. However, a very primal attitude empowered me with each step...

"Don't f**k with me, I'm a flight attendant!"