Life throws a lot of curve balls and at times it really feels like the “firing squad” game, aka Dodge Ball. The balls sometimes are thrown with just enough force that tickle and startle.  Sometimes they are thrown with such speeds that just whirl my head into spins. Sometimes the throws merit my jumping and skipping. Sometimes, to dodge the balls, slight, quick realignment of the shoulders would do the trick. Bottomline, the throws necessitate reaction and movement, which to my lounging mind, are always good.

Last Saturday, coming from the fancy schmanzy affair found me and the car I was driving kissing another car unnecessarily. I lost control of my car and watched in horror as I slid into the taxi legally stopped at the intersection. It was one of the longest 2 seconds of my life. If I did not consider the money I was sure I would spend on repairs of the other car, I would have called out, “here we go!” as I very slowly but (alas!) slid into the other car.  I used to be scornful of overtly dramatic slow motioning of movie scenes, but after this ordeal, I know that slow motions can happen.

My car made a small dent to the other car. The estimated cost, nearly a thousand dollars. I was so frustrated when I heard of the damage. I am going home to the Philippines, darn it! I have an ongoing project that badly needs precious funding. I am going to school in January, I needed that thousand for tuition.  And taxi driver, this probably isn’t the greatest time to ask me out for coffee sometime. J

I am meeting the man tomorrow to hand over my payment. Darn.

Yet I am still thankful. Most important, nobody got hurt. I am still going home in 6 days. My employers graciously offered to pay half of the damages.  I am not hurt. I am alive.