Mello Yello

As I sip on Mello Yello today, I was reminded of a story that I decided to write about:

For my readers who have known me from high school to college will know that I have a liking for Mello Yello.

I remember one summer, perhaps the summer of 2001, Dad asked me to do a odd job for him, haying. This was the first and the last time I ever done haying for Dad.

Dad showed me how to work with the John Deere tractor (Dad is loyal to John Deere tractors like I am loyal to Mello Yello).

The engine speediness (that stick that goes toward the rabbit makes the engine run faster, hence the rabbit- the other way is toward the turtle, makes the engine die slowly); the shifting from gear 1 to 2 to 3 to Neutral to 4… something like that. It is now vague to me as I type this.

After repeated instructions, I finally grasped the concept of driving the big machine. Dad nervously let me go and I was haying the field.

While haying, I remembered how growing up that I would see Dad talk on the radio, and within matter of minutes, he got a candy bar and a Diet Coke.

You see how I was inspired by that, after few rounds, I decided to try it out myself. I picked up the farm radio in the tractor and said (at least that’s what I thought I said), “Mello Yello please!”

Sure enough, within minutes, I saw Dad’s blue pickup coming flying down the road with dust billowing behind the truck…

He is coming a little too fast.

The pickup pulled up in the field, and Dad jumped out of the pickup and ran up to the tractor.

Oh boy, now I have to stop this big machine. How do I stop it? The frail skinny farmer’s daughter self tried to bring the machine to stop by putting all her body weight on the two pedals (crutch and the brake, I think?).

Tractor stopped.

Dad climbed up, panting, “ARE YOU OK?”

I smiled sweetly, “Yes, I am OK” while searching Dad’s hands, pockets… “Where is my Mello Yello?”

Dad was taken aback, “Mello Yello? Mom thought you called for help, so did Grandma, so they both radioed me and told me to go and help you!”

Needless to say, I got a good laugh out of it, and clarified Dad’s misconceptions, and told him that I remember him getting pop within matter of minutes after asking for it on the radio.

Dad sighed and left, no dust clouds this time behind his blue pickup.

20 minutes later, Rachel came in four-wheeler and gave me Mello Yello.

Bad Day?

I was feeling pretty grumpy...



Then, I saw this:

http://laughlines.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/as-luck-would-have-it/

Needless to say, it put me back in perspective.

First Job

Remember reading about famous people in PEOPLE magazines sometimes, how they had a crummy first jobs? Not that I'm having a crummy job... I actually do enjoy it.

I work for a privately owned vending company who had several sites within Sioux Falls and Harrisburg. I basically drive a large van around, praying that I don't get in an accident, and stock machines with pop and snacks.

Just yesterday, I had my first day on my own. It was pretty scary.

For those who know me very well, I am very lousy at giving directions, but I am too stubborn to admit it, because I want to improve that particular quality of myself. Now, with that in mind... vending job has me to remember different sites and have me to drive there.

Um. That is a challenge.

And my challenge starts at 7am.


To establish it better for you, my lovely readers, the weather was very icy (remember that clunky big van?) and cold (hence, 7 layers for me on the top, and few layers on the bottom).

I started my day off to go over to the warehouse. I was welcomed by this:

The tire tracks were my van's when I tried to go up there initially. I took the picture out of sheer frustration and sent it to Jared.



This was my hurdle (along with the snow and icy roads and lacking GPS). I needed to stock the van up with pop and candies so I can continue with my happy route.

I decided to just go ahead and go to different routes and do the best of my abilities.

whine

I went over to one of the stops and tried to remember where their break room were, and the secretary was glancing up at me, wondering what this awkward looking stranger in layers doing in the prestigious office. It was early in the morning, I started telling her that I am from vending company... by gesturing with my checklist from my boss, and doing gestures for pop-drinking and munching on candies.

Needless to say I got this:

So, I typed in my pager with two-layered mittens:

I anmn weituh vbermnsdnfg, wejhereruia uyourt vberasjk vberioionm? (I am with vending, where is your break room?)

Man came in and took pity on me and recongized me when I was with Jared for training, and he gestured me to the break room.

Whew.

Then, an shy geeky guy came up to me, gave me this paper that he typed up and printed out:



"Two additonal machines are in next room. Shall I show where they are?"

I laughed and motioned that I remember where it was, just didn't remember where this first one was. He chuckled painfully, and departed quickly. I wonder if it's because I forgot to wear deodrant?

I did few other stops, then I decided to try the warehouse again.

Same thing, still not plowed yet. Silly me, I thought I would try again to get through.

This was the conclusion.

I looked around frantically for SOMETHING that I can dig out the snow, and I found a metal rake. I went ahead and used it, trying to get the snow out under of the van, behind the tires, etc.

Reverse.

Drive.

Reverse.

Drive.

Reverse.

Drive.

No such luck.

I sucked my ego in, and texted my boss.

"So, I got stuck at warehouse. Grrr. What can I do? I tried getting snow out of the tires area- reverse and drive back and forth- any suggestions?"

He texted me back.

"One minute. The guys is coming to help you."

One of the worker at the storage area came out and shoveled me out. Farmer's daughter in me squirmed, wondering what I can do and what should I do to help. He gestured me to get back in the van and back up.

He pushed a bit and wahla! I am out!

I continued with my remaining stops before my j-term class.


What a first day on my own with my very first job!

J-term

As much as I've enjoyed my Christmas break, I'm trying to get myself back in gear to get ready for school again. I will take two classes: Capstone- Religion and Politics in Film and Reading Theory. We'll see how it spins out.

On a different note... my college roommate, Alissa is off to great places, namely, AFRICA! She is keeping her own blog: www.alissainafrica.blogspot.com. She will keep it updated (yes, pressure on HER! grin) during her 11 weeks stay in Africa.

Keep her in your prayers! :)

Cheers, happy VOOF! (Fingerspell it to yourself and figure it out!)