Open Road

I have always loved long car rides. They have never been a hassle, with my longest drive being 12 hours. Last week I was able to take a quick 2 hour drive to Madison, WI and visit my grandmother. This had to have been my favorite car ride I have taken. 

I am happy to say she has had a successful kidney transplant. She is also recovering remarkably well. She was up and moving that same night, her color has returned, and she is rightfully scolding her children and grandchildren. 

My grandmother has endured a lot in her lifetime, more then most people I have known.

But I think that has made her into that strong women she is today. 

BA DUNK, blink, DING

BA DUNK

BA DUNK

BA DUNK 

BA DUNK

This is the best way to describe the noise I heard as I was driving in the middle lane of the highway. I decided to take the next exit, just to double check my car. 

"Ok let me pull over slowly." 

"Alright I can go into this well seen parking lot with lots of cars and close the road so everyone sees me" 

"It's probably just a nail in my tire."

"OHH WHAT THE.......!?!" 

It was in fact, not a nail, but a bolt. A big, rusted, dust covered bolt (the image below was the closest example).

"Ok, well I am about 40 minutes from my home, and 50 minutes from my parents home, so I should just take the side streets, drive slowly, and go to my parents."

blink, blink, blink, blink

My hazards are on and I feel as if I am going over a speed bump each time my tire turns, but then all of a sudden its a smooth drive!

"Awesome, I just gotta make it home and I can take care of this!" 

DING

DING

DING

LOW TIRE PRESSURE!

Welp, there went my plans, I pulled over to the gas station, tried to fill the tire with air, and it was no use. I slowly kept driving, avoiding the Chicago potholes, railroad tracks, and apologizing in my head to all the drivers as I am going unbelievably slow.

"Finally! I made it!" 

Except now all I smell is burning rubber, and all I see is a shredded tire. My typical 50 minute trip to my family has now turned in 1.5 hours, I need to now change my tire, all these lights are dinging like crazy in my car, and I just wanted to surprise my family on a weekday. 

Ready

"I need new pajamas for after the surgery"

"Oh, new slippers as well"

"I need to get some stuff for the house, since I won't be able to for a while"

These are the things my baba (grandma) is worried about, all before her kidney transplant on Thursday. So to help her ease the worry, I decided to spend the day with her on Friday, getting things in order. We went to her second favorite store, Macy's. Carson Pirie Scott has always been her favorite, even after they closed down. We found her new pajamas, slippers, a robe, and comfortable clothes. Afterwards, I helped clean up her house and we enjoyed a lunch together. 

It may not seem like much, but spending time together like this makes the world of difference, not only for her but for myself as well. 

Guilty as Charged

I swore I was never going to do this.

It is just ridiculous, why would anyone do it?

I mean what's the big hype anyways?

I guess I should just do it once, can't knock it until you try it.

Oh..... 

Well this is hilarious......

I can't believe that happened.

What are these people thinking?!

OMG how can you do that?!?!

Well........ 

I have experienced my first season of watching the Bachelor, and I loved it!

Little Things

given the option as a student, what would you choose?

a.) extra gym time 

b.) dance party

c.) coloring time with Ms. K

I figured the first two would be the majority vote, but surprisingly my students chose C. 

and these little moments are why I became a teacher

Unexpected

I saw my phone light up, and the notification from my mom to our family group chat. I thought nothing of it, thinking it was a link to a silly video. When I finally checked my phone, I read the text.... and then reread it again, and again once more. 

BABA (grandma) GOT A KIDNEY!!!

My jaw dropped and my fingers began moving. I started asking questions such as: When?! How?! do we need to leave for Milwaukee right away?! 

Minutes pass before my mom begins to reply. She does not need to leave right away, they just received a call, and the most shocking news, it was a living donor. 

I had mixed feelings; confused, excited, worried? 

My mom explained this amazing person is part of an organization called livingorgans.com and the match has been made. 

I have had a lot of doubts about our world, if there is truly good people, and how come I always encounter the rude ones. But this individual has decided to help make my family feel complete again. 

Reminiscing

With my day off yesterday, I was able to think about how much I have grown these past few years. Much of my growth is thanks to my folklore group, Croatian Vines. I was lucky enough to join this group in elementary school, and continue it throughout high school. Being part of this group, I was able to learn dances from various regions of Croatia, as well as how to play a musical instrument from Croatia. These memories have always been with me, and I have truly learned how special they are. They have shaped me into who I am today, and realizing all this yesterday made me appreciate my culture so much more.