Today is Monday, July 13, 2009. What seemed like a typical Monday, turned out to be an inspiring day. As most of you all know, I used to be a High School Spanish teacher and now I teach little ones at the Navy Elementary in Honolulu. (changing your job comes with the territory of being a Military Spouse) I have been wanting to blog about my latest adventures in cycling to work. I was held back by the shear negativity of the many faces that I have encountered the past weeks. First of all, I would like to say how disappointed I am. Personally, I ride my bike for the physical activity and exercise. As many of you know, I try to jog and I am not a marathon runner, but I try. Here lately though...I have been starred at for riding my bike as if I had two heads or something, maybe WORSE. Geez! I have been asked if I can't afford a car. Quite honestly, yes my husband and I can easily afford a second car. (I left my civic in Dallas for my little sister, bc I think she needed a better car, long story...short version - I LOVE MY SISTER)I have been ignored at the crosswalks waiting for the walking white cartoon pedestrian and better yet, when it pops up cars try to beat it and put the pedal to the fall and drive off without a care and could have ran me over if I didn't know that some ppl were just being a jack@$$.
One of my favorite questions: Don't you get hot riding your bike? Ugh, yeah. I am not that big of a princess, I plan for it, like change my shirt and wash my face at work and then apply makeup or who cares if I am going home. I've been lucky though the trade winds have been awesome and makes for a pleasant ride. I even venture to Target after work with my bike or the exchange and even picked up a few groceries at the commissary, only to be starred at by some wives with the pitiful .... oh my gosh look. (now I know what the poor homeless people feel like being starred at, because you would have thought I was digging through trash and I organized my backpack with groceries) I personally thing the pity should be given to them for wasting their time on staring at me. Lastly, the poor Target security guy who thinks I am going to steal because I carry a backpack instead of purse well, because have you ever tried to bike with a purse?
Well...
Despite every rant I just typed and negative look and feeling...
TODAY IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!
One of my little girls in class wanted to be just like me. (PLEASE, don't think I want my kids to be like me, that is not it AT ALL! I want them to make good choices and think about their future)
She rode her scooter to school.
High 5 to the mom!
This mom bikes with her kids to school regularly, I think that is AWESOME!
I ride my bike to stimulate my body, clear my mind, save money (hey...more $ for me later at Target) and.....
HELLO help the environment!
In the grand scheme of it all, I have helped make a positive impact on one of my students and that to me is a sign that I am doing my job!
I can't explain the pride I felt when the little girl came up to me today before class and said Mrs. ........ Can I park next to you?" "Or course you can sweetheart!"
Her mom told me, she wanted to be like me...
What an inspiration! :)
