Saturday, September 29, 2012

two of the real-est jobs.

This is going to be double feature blog. I started it last night.  I wasn't even going to blog last night seeing as how it was 1:02 am when I started.  

It doesn't matter anyway because I fell asleep and had to continue today.  


So I am going to tell you about my job...s.  I know if you've been following me for a while, you'll already know about where I work and that I like it a lot.  It is no secret I love serving AND love the kiddos.  I often get the well-meaning question, "So when are you going to get a real job."  *sigh*  Sorry peeps, serving IS a real job.  I work REAL hours, and make REAL money, have REAL bosses and REAL coworkers.  crazy.   Watching kids is a real job too.  REAL children, REAL meals and dirty diapers, REAL naptimes and bed-wetting and REAL cuteness.  

 I am proud to say that I may or may not have convinced a good friend that serving takes more talent than he first realized.  He kept making off-handed comments about how serving/my job is a mindless job...until I told him what the job included.  Even he admitted it might be challenging for him due to certain aspects of the job-- and he's a pretty smart fellow! (I rarely win arguments with him, so that one felt good!)  =)

As for the kidlets, well people always say, "Awww good for you! that must be SO fun!"  so that's good, I guess. 

On to the actual blog.  Things I like about job #1-Serving:

-We have this dishwasher named Bob (which is ironically my nickname from working at Mimi's in California) and he comes up with random ways to remember people's names (came up with the system after he forgot his girlfriends name and had to call her "Sugar" so she wouldn't get mad).  So he calls me...are you ready for this?  "Suzy Chapstick."  Well it stuck. Now the executive chef calls me Suzy Chapstick or Suzy-with-her-chapstick, since I carry and use chapstick frequently.  it's awesome. and a little strange.

-The lady who hired me recently went to work at a different restaurant and we got a new lad in to join our management team.  I'll be honest, I wasn't sure how things would work out with him.  Mainly because I like to be friends with my managers...and I wasn't sure we'd be friends.  But turns out, he's pretty swell.  Let me tell you, this guy has got the largest repertoire of punny jokes of anyone I've heard besides my Grampy.  And you wouldn't know it by looking at him.  If I ever come to work in a down mood (or even if I don't...), he give me his version of a pep-talk--which consists of him telling me a few of his wonderful jokes.  And low-and-behold...it works. Dad, I'll have to tell you some of them, cuz I think you'd love them and actually implement them into YOUR joke bank. 
Anyway, all that to say, he might be one of my new favorite people at work.  ;)

-One of the night cooks moved to days and so I rarely see him anymore.  On occasion he works a night shift if they need him to.  The other night we worked together and aside from the fact that he says I'm 22% fanatical about being a Christian, we had a lot of fun.  By the end of the night he said working days was so different cuz it wasn't as exciting as working at night.  and he ended saying, "Yeah I miss working with you Suzy.  In fact, as I think about it...you're probably only 14% fanatical about Jesus."  I asked him why he thought I was fanatical and he basically said that I have a narrow set of beliefs and I don't budge on them.  and I always willing to talk about Jesus or have other Jesus-type discussions.  I told him that was just believing in something and sticking with it 110%....which wasn't a bad thing, last time I checked.  He just laughed and walked away.  

-I have co-workers who give me parts of their dessert.  I got a nice piece of key lime pie the other night and last night, part of a Pear Bread Pudding.  It pays to be nice to people. and say please.  

-One of my absolute favorite people at work (and I think most people might agree with me) is C.B.  (since he's my favorite, I'll protect him and only use letters for his name).  This guy holds the position of Server Assistant (SA).  Not sure what his actual job description is, because he does pretty  much everything.  Grabbing waters and bread for tables, clearing and wiping and re-setting tables, carrying dishes to and from the back, being everywhere, ALL the time for ANYTHING you need.  He is just ridiculously focused, hardworking and the most even-keeled person I've ever met.  He's also really quiet...like a Phantom Worker.  Doesn't get involved in the work drama.  Well I decided I wanted to get to know CB a little better.  So I started asking him a question a night.  Trivial things like, "Do you ever eat?" (never see the guy eat).  Or  "What are three random things about yourself?"  Or "What's your favorite and least favorite thing about working here?" 
And That was the question that gave me the most insight into the behind-the-scenes of CB's life.  Sometimes because he is so focused on working, and he's so darn good at his job, and NEVER complains, I forget he's a person with a life and experiences and feelings and such.   Point being, I now know a little bit more about him.  And it's neat--he's a neat guy.  
Which leads me to my next point.

-I know that most people view work as work and not a place to make friends...but a place to make money.  Which is totally fine.  I just choose to view it different.  In a restaurant, you get such a wide variety of people.  Whether it be guests or co-workers, everyone is unique and has a story.  might as well get to know them, eh? So along with doing the basic take orders, run food, give awesome service...I also make a point to connect with my coworkers and guests.  I have found out the most interesting stories, worldviews, lifestyles, and even people with whom I have several things in common.  I find it fascinating, exciting and it makes going to work every day really fun.  =)


OK. Job #2:

I'll let the pictures explain it!


Since Karlina isn't allowed to touch Ender without supervision, she constantly asks to give him kisses.  It's her favorite thing.  He's always a little apprehensive because sometimes she gives really aggressive kisses.  It's a work in progress.


 This is the happy little face we see most of the day.  He's getting such a fun personality!



We do lots of snuggling, cuddling, kissing and hugging.  Doggone it if these kids won't be affectionate kids.  


I know this isn't of a kid. or of a job.  But c'mon...it's classic.  Sierra has clean water in her bowl not two feet away, and yet if given the option, she always chooses the toilet.  I finally gave up training her.  It's just too convenient.  And it reminds me to keep my toilet flushed and cleaned! =P 



I would apologize for being that Auntie who shows WAY too many pics of the cute kids.  But honestly, I'm not sorry.  He's cute.  I know it, you know it...so lets just enjoy the pics together, eh?


 See what I mean?  I know you're smiling too.  Cuz his smile is JUST that contagious!  


 Sierra is getting SO big.  Also such a fun personality.  Crazy, spazzy, sweet, ornery, and my goodness, just look at that tongue.  


 They both love playing on playsets at the park.  Sierra is just like a little kid, going down slides, following Karlina all over...it's fun to watch.  


 She also thinks she's bigger than she actually is.  Her favorite thing to do at the dog park is find oversized things (normally branches and logs) and attempt to carry them at high speed wherever she can make it to without dropping it.  This was tuesday's attempt. 




Last weekend, my friend Tanya invited us to her family's Berry Farm for a family day!  It was so fun and Karlina LOVED it.  

This is my friend, Jen.  Karlina just climbed right up on her lap and made herself comfortable. She's just like her auntie--loves people. 



 This beautiful girl with Karlina here is Crystal.  Crystal is my dear and sweet friend--and also nannies Karlina one day a week (she nannied for them too before I got here...so I met her through J&K).  She is probably one of the most compassionate women I've ever met, and has such a heart for Jesus.  J&K did well when they found her to help watch their kids!





 SUCH a beautiful farm. 


 So part of the farm is a corn maze.  Really fun.  But Karlina is such a prankster!  I was looking at the map, trying to find where to go next and she was walking behind me.  All the sudden, I turn around and she's nowhere to be seen.  It was a fear of mine that she'd get lost in the corn maze and I had visions of me racing around and around in circles getting lost and trying to find her.  Well I got a twinge of panic as I bolted back down the path the way we had just come calling her name.  I saw a flash of blue out of the corner of my eye.  She was in the corn off the path a good 10 feet. An impish grin on her face, she then started laughing and pointing at me making a fool of myself running wildly and yelling her name.  It was really cute, and funny...after the initial adrenaline wore off, that is.  She's such a goof.  I love that she's becoming a jokester.  


On the way home, she was trying to tie her shoes.  I noticed it got quiet and at a stoplight, snapped this picture.  



 Cheesos.  


 Ender's first swing ride (with me, anyway)



 "Gee-Yupp Puppy!"  Sierra was so sweet and patient to let Karlina sit on her back and "gee-yupp" and jump up and down.  


 But when she needs to be, she gets a little hardcore.  This is a friendly wrestling match between Sierra and Bandit.  They were perfectly matched and loved horsing around.  



 Ender can hold his bottle all on his own now!  



Karlina likes hoods. And aprons.  And "washing" dishes.  
Gangsta' baby homemaker.  so cute.  


Well folks...i think it's pretty apparent why I like my other job.  
Two real jobs...which I love so much.  I find many moments in my day when I shoot a little "Thank you" up--because jobs like these can only be a gift from Someone who delights in blessing me.  


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

we must go.

This is a story post.  Lots of words, few pictures.  enjoy!

Disclaimer: Names of the kids in this story have been changed, but it is a real story and these are real kids.  Also, there are some parts with violence and implied swearing...I'm just quoting and relaying the events as they happened.  

Prologue:  A family from church mentors two kids from some rough neighborhoods in the Cities.  They are kids who are underprivileged and come from broken or poor homes.  the one boy has a paraplegic mother and so his brother and/or sister end up tagging along, even though they aren't officially mentees.  I am sometimes around my friends' house when they're watching the kids, and here is a little bit of what I witnessed the other day. 

"Stop right there or I'm gonna blow your head off!"  Little Ronnie had a wild grin on his face as he held the play gun to Evan's head.   Feet spread apart in a sideways stance, he held the gun in one hand at arms length, cocked to one side.  I was struck by how much he looked like a street thug...a 4-year-old street thug. 

Evan looked at me worriedly then back to Ronnie, "Hey, don't point that at my head.  you're not supposed to point that at people.  we don't play like that!"  He looked back at me for some support.  I realized I had been frozen in that moment.  Caught off-guard by the little scene that had just played out.  Just as I started to address Ronnie, his 5-year-old brother, Wyatt bounded up the stairs and began running around Mary's nice living room yelling, "I'm gonna shoot you!"  As Wyatt tore past the high glass-topped side table, his shoulder hit the edge and all the pictures wobbled, threatening to fall to the hard-wood floor.  Ronnie was momentarily distracted from his attack on Evan and watched his brother with a hint of pride in his eye.  I could see that soon Ronnie would feed off of Wyatt's energy and the situation would snow-ball out of control...psh, as if it wasn't already. 

I went to grab Wyatt but he slipped out of reach and stood behind the chairs.  As I moved towards him, he ran away.  I could tell that if I kept chasing him, he'd keep running and I'd look like a fool and he'd never get caught.  Finally he brushed past Evan, and Evan grabbed his arm and held him until I could reach him.  Even though he is 9, Evan is only about the same size as 5-year-old Wyatt.   When I finally caught Wyatt, I knelt down, took the gun out of his hand and gently turned his chin toward me.  He carefully avoided eye-contact and got a blank look on his face as he attempted to tune me out.  I found his eyes and said, "Wyatt, do you remember what Mary said about running in the house and especially pointing guns at people? What did she say?"   He looked at me briefly and said sullenly, "She say don't do it."   "That's right.  So don't do it, ok?" 
"Ok."

A little while later, Wyatt was downstairs contentedly watching a batman video on the computer, Evan had gone home for the day and little Ronnie was wandering around the kitchen.  "Whatchu got to eat, I'm hungry!" 
Mary responded, "What are you hungry for, Ronnie? Grapes or yogurt?" 
"Nah, I want a cheese taco. Ya know like last time!"
She prepared him a quesadilla and he sat at the table to eat it. 
"Hey white lady!"  He points at me, mouth full of food.  He loves talking, and loves eating and won't let the either stop him from doing the other.
"Ronnie, don't you remember my name." 
He gets a big smile on his face, his teeth brilliant white against his dark chocolaty skin, and slowly nods.   I am struck at how beautiful this little boy is. 
"Ok, what is my name?"
"Iiiiii dunno!?"
"It's Suzy, remember?"
"Oh yeah, Suuuuzy."
He's quiet for a moment and then says, "My daddy in jail. He done some baaaad things."
I wasn't quite sure what to say, so Mary stepped in, "We know we're not supposed to do bad things, right? Instead we do good things like say nice words and be gentle to each other."  
Ronnie set down his cheese taco, "Yeah, he broked her wrist one time."  He held out his wrist and pointed to show us where it had happened.  "He no good." 
Then he went back to eating his cheese taco.  Just like that.  As if talking about your dad being violent and in jail was normal table talk.  Mouth full he looked up at Mary and said, "Can I have 'nother one?  Just one more, please?!  I'm still hungry!"
I teased him, "Your little belly can't hold any more cheese tacos, Ronnie."
"Oh yes they can, I can eat a hundred of them and still eat more!"
 Mary went to make him another, and I sat there and looked at this little boy, wanting to wrap him in my arms and hold him close and never let him go. 
"Hey Ronnie can I give you a kiss?"  He buries his head in his arm and nods shyly.  I sneak a kiss on his smooth cheek and say, "Can I have one back?"  He grins and throws his arms around my neck and places a cheese-taco kiss on my cheek.

Oh, sweet boy.

My heart was breaking. 

When Mary announced it was time to pack up and go, Wyatt exclaimed, "But I ain't done yet!  I don't wanna go home!"  And little Ronnie yelled, "I ain't goin' nowhere B****!!"  Both Mary and I's mouths had dropped open as we looked from Ronnie to each other in disbelief.  Had his sweet little four-year-old mouth just said what we thought it did? 
Wyatt, who had been around a little longer and knew that the word Ronnie had said was bad immediately ran up to his brother and said, "Hey! we don't say those things here, remember what Mary said?  Don't say bad words like that here!" 
I was struck by his emphatic usage of "here."  Because at home, it was apparently okay.
Mary went up to Ronnie and said, "Ronnie those are naughty words and we don't say them.  You can't say them at my house, or at school or in the store or anywhere." 
Ronnie nodded innocently and said, "Okay."  And walked away. 

I was bewildered.  It's not like language and rough backgrounds are new to me.  But I had only really dealt with teenagers and some adults.  I was so not used to hearing children say those words and talk about things they should know nothing about at their age. 

As we got in the car (took forever because they were trying to delay going home), Ronnie would not get in his seat.  And when Mary asked him to buckle up, he said, "I don't wanna, B****!"  Wyatt again immediately set about correcting his brother, saying that he was going to tell Auntie or Momma when they got home.  Ronnie looked at him with a mix of concern and doubt, "You gonna tell on me?" 
"Yup, you ain't supposed to say those words here and I'll tell on you if you say them."

I had an overwhelming sadness fill my heart as I realized that Ronnie has no idea what he's saying.  He merely repeats what he hears at home.  Words that flow off the tongue so easily of those he's with become normal and sprinkle his conversation without a second thought.  I want to be optimistic for this boy's future.  I want to say that despite his circumstances, he'll be fine.  But another part of me knows deep down that this boy's future is bleak.  statistics don't lie.  I've worked with teenagers who were raised very similarly...and it is a hard road they are traveling...and it is not easy to turn and go back. 

Sometimes we talk and wonder if having these kids a few hours a week is doing any good.  Between Mary, Kallianne, Kent, Micah and I, we have a huge heart for helping these kids and staying involved in their lives as much as we can.  But is it even worth the investment?  As much as it may seem like it isn't, I really think it might be.  These little boys are being exposed to another way of life.  "Rich people" who are actually kind to them and give them hugs and kisses and food whenever they need it.  People who are white, but aren't like the white people their family members talk about.  As Wyatt said, "I don't like white people!"  Mary challenged him, "What about me, Wyatt, I'm a white lady."  He thought a moment and said, "Well, you different than those other white people. You a nice white lady...and so is that one girl [referring to me] and Kallianne... she my favorite white lady. And her boyfriend blake is nice too.  And Kent is a nice white man."

The day after that, I was listening to a song I had learned a few years ago in college and it fit:

We must go, live to feed the hungry, stand beside the broken
We must go.  Stepping forward, keep us from just singing,
Move us into action.  We must go. 

Acting justly
Loving Mercy
We must go
To the broken and the hurting
We must go...

You have shown us what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out, Lord

[God of Justice-Tim Hughes) 




So these sweet boys are on my heart and mind this week.  If you think of it, pray for their little lives and hearts.  Pray that those of us who have contact with them can be used to show them the light and love of Jesus.  May they become boys and eventually men who seek after God.

 Evan


 Ronnie


Wyatt

I think I speak for Kallianne and Mary too when I say, I've come to love them.
And even more than that Jesus loves them.  
We cringe dropping them off at home, knowing that when they walk through the door, it's chaos, darkness and lingering hopelessness. 
But thankfully Jesus specializes in hopeless situations, he brings peace to chaos and his light has triumphed over darkness.  
So we won't stop loving these boys.  We must go...stand beside the broken.

Monday, September 17, 2012

48 reminders.

 

This post is a picture-post.  Because I have such a varied audience, I try to keep my posts diverse.  I have some people who enjoy reading my musings on the deeper-ish things of life.  Some use my blog as a way to keep in touch and see kidlet updates etc...so they like lots of picture.  Some people I went to high school with and they are curious if I'm still the same crazy home-schooled kid they remember. Some people don't know why they read it.  They simply use my blog as a means to delay the inevitable homework, chore, list, relationship break-up or whatever it is they are procrastinating on. 

All of that to say, this is a picture post.  Of all the fun things I did on my trip to california.  And while this might be self-explanatory, I shall explain it anyway. There will be captions to describe what is going on in each picture.  the title is inspired by the fact that there are 48 pictures.  mhm. that's right.  And my biggest dilemma right now is whether or not to put the captions above or below the pictures.  Hmm...I shall choose, but if you have any preference in the matter for future posts, please let me know.  Because I'm pretty sure we've all had those moments where you're not sure which caption belongs to which picture and you finally just pick top or bottom.  And it may actually work for a while. But then the words say something that is totally not happening in the picture and you have to start at the beginning with the OTHER option.  All the sudden, you see clearly that "Jane and the Cow" wasn't a metaphor for that picture of Jane and Aunt Gertrude, but it was actually for Jane and a cow...in the picture below.

For your convenience, I'll tell you, the captions for each picture are UNDER each picture =)
disfruta.


FINALLY ARRIVED IN CALIFORNIA.  Normally I fly into LAX, but it was fun to mix it up with Ontario.  


Glorious view of the mountains.  I sitting there just trying to soak it all in.  It was warm..but a DRY heat. love it.



Yay!  finally time with my Mumzy!  I love her a lot.  She picked me up from the airport and where was our first stop?  THRIFT STORE! found me some winter boots, a few tops and a scarf!  my mumzy is a pro thrift store shopper.


 
FIRST dinner with mom and dad on the back porch.  I requested Carnitas, because it is a favorite that I haven't had since I moved here.  It was a lovely evening.



Got to enjoy our delightful backyard.  My mom enjoys her plants and flowers.  And our pomegranate tree is actually bearing a lot of fru-its this year!  (if the squirrels don't eat them all, I told my mom to mail me one in November when they're ripe). 



YAY!!!! Los Angeles County Fair!  
I had just experienced the MN State Fair, and really needed to compare the two.  In fact, I sort of built my trip home around when the fair would be going...which isn't hard, since it lasts for a month.  I have gone to the fair in CA for every year I can remember.  The last few have been with just my parents and brother, and it's become a fun family tradition!



Joey and I getting ready for a day of FUN! 


Mumzy and Dad also ready for a good day!  


In MN they have Butter carving where they carve girls' faces into blocks of butter.  in CA, we have cheese carving.  And I may be a little biased, but I feel like cheddar cheese would be far harder to carve than butter...  


If you notice the tractor says, "Minneapolis Moline." 
No clue what a Moline is...but I felt I could identify with it in some way because we both have some sort of connection to MN.  



Really, there's not much to explain here...except maybe that city folk like to pretend they're from the country every once in a while?


This is the one event we schedule our day around.  The PEKING/CHINESE ACROBATS!!  Super much fun to watch.  We've got it down to a science.  Don't go to their first performance, cuz they're just warming up.  Don't go to their last performance of the day cuz then they'll be all worn out.  Pick a middle-of-the-day performance...and they are FANTASTIC! 

 
Guy on a stack of chairs balanced on four empty bottles on a table. none of it is permanently attached to anything else. the guy is not even tied off to a bungee rope or anything.  


They just kept handing him chairs.  until he does THIS.  


and...THIS!  
People in the audience kept gasping and these kids were covering their eyes. 



This is Dad and Joe listening with rapt attention to the guy doing a cooking demonstration in what he says are the best pots and pans ever.  Let me insert here that we already own these pots and pans...bought them at the fair a few years ago.  But they still go and listen.  And somehow, these demo guys always make the most amazing things.  Every year, we leave the fair inspired and determined to make pineapple upside-down cake on the stove.  and every year, it never works out.  I think those guys have a set of magic pans just for demos at the fair.  


This guy is a LA County Fair staple.  Same guy. Same stand. Past...who knows how many years.  He has the same routine. Says the same jokes.  Shows the same tricks.  I think Joey bought a kit one year.  He doesn't know us.  but we know him. (that sounds creepier than it really is...)  We were gonna ask to take a picture with him...but figured the old "stand-right-there-and-I'll-pretend-to-take-a-picture-of-you-while-I'm-really-taking-a-picture-of-him" trick would be better and less weird for everyone involved. 



THE QUEEN.  Our plants/flowers building had a London theme this year.  These are made out of....(refer to picture below.)


Ingredients of the portraits.  Due to the Rose Parade, I think we have the best mastery of plant-material-for-artistry ever. 



GLORIOUS fair day.  Love the palms sticking up above everything.  Two of the three Ferris wheels  


I was amazed and a little shocked that the MN state fair didn't have Footsie Wootsies.   They are a LIFE saver.  Best usage of $0.25 since the jawbreaker. 

 
Music building...Joey mixing some beats on the electric drumset
 
 
 

La Wheel Grande.  The only ride we do at the fair.
 
 
 

waiting in line.


I love the views from the top of the Ferris Wheel.  Carnival area. 


looking out over the Grand-stand and the city beyond. 
 
 

The people masses...and the city lights...I love Los Angeles! 
 
 
So in conclusion...the two fairs are not really comparable.  They are just too different.  Different foods, different events and activities, different grounds, different people watching...They are each unique and fantastic in their own way.  (But LA county fair will always have a special place in my heart!)
 
 



This is my mom's new favorite store.  Super King.  Supposedly it's been here for a long time and we only just discovered it.  It is packed all the time.  The food and patrons reflect Hispanic, Asian and Armenian influences.  Such a fun mix. 
 
 

Bins of peppers...fresh and yummy.
 

Love the color and amount of bell peppers and other vegetables. 
 
 

The...not even sure aisle.  rice, beans, grains.  Bags and bags stacked on top of each other.  Things I've never eaten or heard of before. 
 
 
 

The meat...oh the meat.  Animal parts that I would never dare put in my mouth.  bleh. 
 
 

Armenian and mexican nuts and candies.  People go by with bags and make themselves little mixes.
 
 
 

The piñatas!!  fun and bright!
 
 
 

more bins of nuts and random muchy mixes...unlike you've ever seen before. 
 
 
 
 

In this picture I am standing at the front door of my cousins' little apartment.  Jon and Kali have the most ideal location...three doors down from the beach.  Cannot explain to you how amazing it is to play their piano by an open window while listening to the waves crash and watching the sun go down and being caressed by a cool seabreeze. 
 
 
 

Driving back from Santa Monica at night...love Downtown LA with all the lights and cars. 
 
 
 

Breakfast with my friends Jerod, Jess and Nick at IHOP.  I like them. 
 
 
 
 

Verses about light all around the Biola Library.
 
 
 

Sitting on the patio of the Kincaids in Redondo Beach.  So I love DT St. Paul's location and everything...but this is kind of amazing.
 
 
 

Redondo Beach. 
 
 

Redondo Beach Wharf.
 
 
 

So I'm driving along alone, singing with my music, soaking in the day, thinking lots of thoughts, and all the sudden I find myself on the overpass......or in the carpool lane, rather.  I have gotten so used to driving this way with people, it felt like second nature. 
There was no one behind me, so I slowed down a bit and took a picture. 
Pretty clear days for summertime.  105 overpass to the mountains...with DT in the sights. 
 
 
 

 
NOTE: This is the caption for the following three pictures.  
 
So I was at my friends house a few blocks away and decided to walk home instead of getting picked up.   These are the three Armenian bakeries within two blocks of each other.  Past my street a little ways there is at least one more.  Mmmm baklava, lahmajun, cheese boreg...Oh how I miss me some tasty Armenian baked goods. 





Back to previous captioning.


Oh yeah, my dog.  She was having a grand old time...I got an email update, a few text updates and this one picture.  The bottom dog is Sierra, and the one above her is Nan.  She belongs to a family from church who graciously agreed to keep Sierra while I was gone.  Apparently things didn't go too bad, since Sierra is happy and the family is still talking to me.  It was good to know she was taken care of. 
 
 
Well, there are my 48 reminders.  Someone else's 48 excuses to procrastinate.  another person's 48 random pictures of people and places they know or care nothing about.  And my grandmas', family's and friends' 48 ways to keep up to speed on my life.
 
Thanks for sharing this time, these pictures and all the memories with me, whatever the reason is you're here. 
=)