Oops! I'm still here.
Oops. I missed my train because of major bloopers on my part. First off, I ended up leaving school a few minutes late, so when I took the el (short for the "elevated train" that is a major part of Chicago's public transportation system) to the Union Station (where I would board the Amtrak train bound for Grand Rapids, MI), I was panicking like anything. Secondly, I ended up transferring to the wrong train--that is, instead of transferring from the Red Line train to the Brown Line train, I ended up boarding the Purple Line train by mistake. Because I was rather sleepy, I didn't realize I was on the wrong train until several stops later (duh! Katangahan to the max, I tell you). I got off just in time and transferred to the Brown Line without any hitches. However, by the time I got off the train, I had less than 15 minutes left. I literally sprinted for the Union Station (two or three blocks away), and I did get there before the train took off. However, the guards refused to let me through because I got to the terminal gate three minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. I would have made it if they had only let me through, but they wouldn't budge.BWISET!!!!
I was so frustrated at that time, but I figured it would be senseless to argue with them. So I just asked them if I could get my ticket changed, which they said was possible. So I headed to the ticket counter and asked them to rebook my ticket. Since the next train wouldn't leave for Grand Rapids, MI, till 5:20PM tomorrow, I asked the ticket agent if there was an alternative route. Sure enough, she said I could take the train to Kalamazoo, MI, then take a bus to Grand Rapids. This train leaves at 7:50AM tomorrow. God. I hope I make it this time around.
I just talked to Sr. K, the nun I'm visiting this weekend, and she offered to pick me up at the Kalamazoo station, so I wouldn't have to take the bus to Grand Rapids anymore. That way, we'd have time to catch up before we get to their convent. That's so nice of her. Bless her heart. She just made my day...este, night na pala.
***
Even if I missed my train, somehow, things still worked out. I was able to do some shopping in downtown Chicago--and it's about time I got started on my Christmas shopping, since I have less than two weeks to prepare for my trip home. I passed by Rampage, and it turned out that one of my students works there. She was behind the cash register when I paid for the stuff I bought, and both of us were so surprised to see each other at this department store, of all places. It was so hilarious.
For what it's worth, I can also get some work done tonight. I can work on the final exam and upload the study guide, once and for all.
Oh well. Despite my missing my train, I still have a lot of things to celebrate today. I had a great class today, another "teachable moment." My students had a lively, passionate discussion about the ongoing war in Iraq and the involvement of the United States in the affairs of other countries. They had different opinions and perspectives, but no one put anyone else down for their views. It was a healthy discussion, which I'm thankful for. For an undergraduate class, what I witnessed today was so impressive.
Before they broke up into groups for their last collaborative learning group activity, one of my students commented: "That was fun." She also approached me after class just to tell me how much she enjoyed the discussion and how she recognized that it's really difficult to talk about the war without challenging or undermining others' views and beliefs--and the way they've been socialized into embracing those views and beliefs. I told her I felt the same way. I was really touched by the brief conversation we had. Whew! At least may binatbat pala ako bilang teacher, hehe :)
I love my students. Really. Even if some of them barely come to class and turn in their papers late, and even if a significant number fail to keep up with the readings, I love all of them. I'm so blessed to have such good students this semester. None of them gave me a major headache, so even if teaching 42 students takes up a lot of my time and drains me of my energy, I'm not complaining about my load. I just realized that I'll miss them dearly after this semester ends. Hehe, teacher na teacher ako, grabe. I can't believe I just said that.
I'm typing this in one of the computer labs of my school, and I gotta go home and get some sleep or do some work (whatever comes first). Good night. Hope you're enjoying your weekend in your side of the world. Take care, everyone!
found herself @ 9:42 PM
8 Comments:
natawa ako dun sa part na namali ka ng train na pinag-transfer-an. kasi, madalas mangyari sa akin yan sa new york. hindi kasi ako talaga sanay mag-train. eversince na natuto akong mag-drive, i didn't want to take trains anymore unless it's rush hour (mag-stay ako ng four hours sa kalye ng ny pag nagkataon!). si ate ko, expert yun...kaya pag mag-train ako, kada station, tawag ako sa office niya to make sure i'm on the right path. meron din naman silang maps and everything...pero for some reason, ndi ako confident. pero when i'm behind the wheel, i'm not scared of getting lost or missing my turns/exits.
re: amtrak...sobra naman yung mga guards. ang higpit! when i took an amtrak train from maryland to new york, i got there when the train was already on stop and was about to leave when i was paying for my ticket. nag-send lang ng message yung person sa check-in counter sa operator ng train para intayin ako for a few seconds (the counter was about 25 feet from the track). i guess, depende talaga sa lugar, ano?
anyway, hope you have a safe trip. God bless you always!
Lady Di! Bloopers nga! LOL!
Hope that you won't miss the train tomorrow, and, before hopping in, check first if it's the right one ha!
Take care and have fun!
yan, nahawaan ka kc sa tama namin ni melai, pati train di mo na nahabol.
titser, kung ako siguro istuyante mo baka mag-resign ka kaagad! hehe
enjoy ur trip. gute reise!!!
Haha.. na experienced ko rin yan Di, lumagpas ako sa Luxembourg umabot ng Belgium kaming dalawa ni Churchill, nakatulog ako at isa pa mali ang train na sinakyan ko :) Haay grabeh nakaka pagod ang araw na yon.
teacher Di am proud of yah! muaahh
Take care!
Hi everyone! I didn't have internet access in Michigan and I had to teach shortly after I got back, so I only read your comments and/or messages on my tagboard this afternoon.
Des: Hehe :) *Appear* tayo. Ewan ko ba, more than three years na ako dito pero naliligaw pa rin ako minsan, haha :) Pero mas maliligaw pa ako kung mag-drive ako. *wink*
You're right about Amtrak, mukhang depende sa lugar. Masuwerte ka at hinintay ka nila. Kakaiba sila dito, ang higpit nila. Thanks for your comment. God bless you always rin. :)
Darlene: Thanks. Hehe, alam mo ba muntikan na naman akong sumabit nung Saturday. I planned on waking up early, but I slept through my alarm. I had half an hour to get ready before rushing to the train station. Nag-taxi na lang ako kahit malayo, only to find out that my train was delayed by half an hour this time around. Sus ginoo. Well, natuloy rin naman ako sa Michigan. Oops, napakuwento tuloy ako. Anyways, as you can see, andami kong bloopers nitong nakaraang weekend.
Laurentina: I know. Yeah, we should meet up sometime. I live on the north side, too. I live less than two blocks away from Loyola. We probably live in the same neighborhood. I'll e-mail you soon. Take care!
Mommy Neng: Korek ka dyan, haha :) Kakaiba impluwensiya niyo ni Melai ha, ilang araw rin 'yung tama ko, hehe :)
Natawa ako sa comment niyo. Siguro kung naging estudyante ko kayo, ang saya ng klase, puro kulitan at tawanan.
Thanks for your messages. I enjoyed my trip. Nakapag-relax ako doon, nawala rin tama ko. Nasa tamang wisyo na ulit ako pagbalik ko, joke joke joke :) Ingat po kayo!
Nang Ethel: Hahaha :) Kakaiba adventure niyo ni Churchill. Tawa ako nang tawa dito. Pareho pala tayo. *Appear* Ilang beses na rin akong nakatulog sa train at lumampas sa stop kung saan ako dapat bumaba. One time, nakatulog ako tapos paggising ko, lumampas na kami sa stop kung saan ako dapat mag-transfer sa ibang train. Naglakad tuloy ako ng 10 blocks papuntang office. Maginaw pa naman dito noon tapos naka-heels pa ako, hehe :)
Thanks for being proud of me. Touched naman ako. *HUGS* You take care, too. Love you!
Laurentina (again): Nope. I'm back in Chicago. I had a long day, though, so I didn't get to update my blog till tonight. Will e-mail you shortly. Take care!
magandang experience yan noh! i wish i knew how to take public transpo. kaso yun nga lang, sayang sa time yung pag miss mo sa train, pero ok yan! hehe.
i cant relate on your train experience, kasi naglalakad lang ako from my flat to work.
goodluck sa bakasyon mo sa pinas.
Fay: Hehe, I've had a lot of interesting experiences with the public transportation system here. Oh well, I learn from every experience--even if it involves missing the train. Oo nga, hassle nga lang 'yon.
Mommy Lei: Naglalakad rin lang ako sa work ngayon kaya hindi na ako masyadong nagte-train.
Thanks for your note. Oo nga, malapit na uwi ko. Ingat po kayo.
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