Don't Be Intimidated By My Maturity.

So I went into Boston this morning. By myself. Like the city Boston, not outside of Boston and I'm calling it Boston. While you may be thinking, "what a pathetic loser", I am willing to admit that yes, when it comes to the city I become 5 years old again. I am not a fan. And I also must admit that some most fantastic friends (holla Nicole and Ryan) wrote step by step directions for me to get to my destination. Literally. The last couple of steps for the way home, because yes, I needed help getting home too, said: "get into your car, drive home, sleep." Well things turned out differently, as I got a ride home from a woman who lives in Beverly, but I still had to get myself there.

I started the day at 6:30 because even though the kick-off didn't start until 9am, it's me. I don't know what I'm doing. And then even though I THOUGHT that it was a kick-off BREAKFAST (wouldn't that make sense though? I mean, they would have at least coffee and maybe some small muffins of sorts...) I fueled up with some cereal. I drove to the Montserratt T station and put my $5 (one more dollar than it called for but since I'm an idiot I only had a 5) into the wrong slot for my parking spot....I put it into slot #22 instead of #21. And because of that stupid-you-don't-know-what-you're-doing move, I have to pay $5. IDIOT! But it was mostly smooth, smooth, mature sailing from there. Other than the part where the green line inbound to Park Street closed its doors and instead of getting on, I asked a girl if it was going to Park Street. She bluntly responded, "they all go to Park Street." Duh. I laughed out loud at myself to seem confident in my stupidity and walked away, happy that she was too occupied with her iPod to have the chance to analyze what an idiot I was.

I stood on the T going to Commonwealth Ave, with my default face on (because I've realized that although I see it as a negative thing most times, it comes in handy when I want to fake being confident and a tough guy...no putting money into the wrong slot here...) glanced at the map of stops nonchalantly, as though just a glimpse was all I needed. Even though truly I was looking every stop to make sure I shouldn't have gotten off at that last stop. When my stop was coming I watched the neon sign like a hawk and listened to the automatic lady tell me over and over that the next stop was St. whatever. Obviously I'm home, so I don't need to remember what stop it was.  Well I was amazed and altogether thankful for the massachusetts transportation system for placing a stop right smack-dab in front of the building where I wanted to go. Thank you MBTA. And thank You God for creating the MBTA and You're just so smart!

I was dreadfully disappointed when I realized there was no breakfast at this thing. Again, though, doesn't it make sense? I'm getting up at 6:30 and traveling into Boston for a 9am start and they won't provide me with the re-fueling I need for my long journey? It's okay; I forgive them. I DID score what seems like a lifetime supply of Power Bars. Which, might I add, are not inexpensive. No but really it was a good cute little event. It was shorter than I thought, and again there was no food (it should be no secret to you that food is close to my heart), but it was great to meet my coach and mentor again and see the faces of the people I will definitely get to know better in the very near future. 

AND I found out that one of the mentors lives in Beverly. So I got a ride with her. Now, let me set the record straight. I paid a freaking $11.50 for a ROUND-trip ride on the commuter rail, I paid another freaking $10 (which I obviously thought was half that before the fact) for parking, and had added to my T card. Not to mention I had stellar directions for my way back. Including to go to sleep after the expedition. But the 2 reasons I decided to go with her is that #1 I didn't want to miss a chance to get to know one of the TNT people better, and #2 The commuter rail wasn't leaving from Park Street for another 2 hours. Honestly, the latter reason had most say on my decision but that said it was nice to talk with this nice girl.

I am now officially trying to think about fundraising more. I hoarded "coin cans" and stashed them in my backpack (it's like I've done this before or something...I swear I haven't) which I will ask to place in random businesses around here. I need to write a support letter and send them to all the amazing people who gave me their addresses, in addition to those suckers whose addresses I got from the Hubbard christmas card list. Muahahah.  I was told I shouldn't run at all this next week (ironic huh?) because my left knee was a little sore after I ran 14 miles last weekend. I was told I shouldn't do runs like that out of the blue. So I am already the misbehaved of the group. You know me, always getting into trouble.

I know this is a long one but I guess that sub-consciously (no longer sub-conscious?) I'm trying to make up for lost time as a blogger. That said, let me continue. 

On the way to the T from the commuter rail...I know, I'm even TALKING like an experienced Bostoneer now!...I was thinking about life. Commuter rail equals deep thoughts? I guess to remedy my blogger situation (that's for you, "Doodles") I should ride the commuter rail more often. Who wants to go clubbing in the city tonight ladies!?!? Haha that's real funny if you are a faithful reader and read about my "night at the bars".

Whoa tangent. Anyway, my thought. And this is something I'm aware of more than just today, but there is nothing like learning through experience. Last night I was FREAKING OUT about this morning. Actually, I started freaking out about going into Boston a week ago. But once I was doing it, and I wasn't even done, in fact I was only on the commuter rail at Beverly Depot, the next stop after I got on....I felt so mature! And I felt totally confident about the next 1.5 hours or so. Well, and then some seemingly sketchy people got on, and we passed Salem and Lynn, and then I got a little nervous. But that was short-lived. I secretly (secret's out now) really enjoyed myself! And I could totally see myself doing it again. I'd probably need Nicole's step by step directions again, but I could do it again! And, while I'm talking about her directions again, let me set another record straight. Ryan wanted me to fail right from the start...just kidding RYAN:) Or am I?

Then I thought about other things that I once freaked out about doing and now do it without thinking twice about it....

-Driving long distances by myself (I guess I haven't done it a second time but I would be more confident about it next time...I drove 15+ hours by myself one way than again back, when I visited my brother and his family in NC 2.5 years ago).

-Getting lost in the Bronx (okay, the title of this list is totally off, because I think about getting lost in the Bronx and getting sworn at by a pedestrian again and get scared but...if it WERE to happen again, oh crap never mind I'd probably pee my pants.

-Pumping gas into my car.

-Using a debit/credit card.

-Asking a store clerk for help.

-Making mature phone calls.

-Paying bills.

-Driving standard.

-Running.

-Being in front of a classroom of kids.

-Driving the activity bus full of girls...okay fine I'm officially scared all over again; I had a stressful ride home last Thursday from a game and hate the activity bus. But give me another chance, I'd probably feel better again.

So anyway, DOING something has been shown to be the best way to learn something. I actually learned this in class. They compared reading, hearing, seeing, and doing something....and then measured how much of the information exposed was retained. DOING something showed the highest retainability. It's so true! Whether we're talking DOING something academic or DOING something wicked mature like going into the city on your own.

Shoot. Put me on a plane to LA or something. I'm set. But Nicole, could you please write down directions?

PS That reminds me. I am famous. Nicole requested that her work use my idea about "hugs and high fives" rather than money for something. I highly recommend that any of you adopt ideas from my blog for your everyday experiences. And if it gets big, make sure you let me know so I can patent it real quick.

Nicole you are freaking FAMOUS in this blog!