Fast Food Friendly

The best way to end the day is with a good laugh, and tonight I found mine at the local Taco Bell. Drive-thru food is a treat for me, and I am always in high spirits to eat after a long day of work and school.

My Taco Bell cashier today asked me if I wanted sauce. I replied with a definitive "hot sauce, please." He continued to ask if I was sure that was what I wanted. So, I jokingly threatened with a "if I find a mild packet in my order, there'll be some words." He gave in and said that he'd better not pull anything or I'd call the customer complaint hotline on him. I had to smile when I got home to find a mix of mild and hot sauce in my bag.

Tonight I realized that my drive-thru orders typically involve some bantering and joking with the cashier. Either I don't know what to order or I know exactly what I want, which is all solid premise for a little conversation fun. It is reassuring that people working in fast food still have the playful attitude after a day of dealing with demanding and hungry customers.

This situation should not be confused with flirting either. It is being friendly. Let's accept friendly conversation and human interaction as an exhibit of a healthy communication foundation. Judging others who have conversations with their grocers or while standing in line is easy to do, but a one minute conversation could brighten someone's day or even make them smile and laugh.

To paraphrase an insightful professor: Sharing true laughter with people is experiencing a moment with one another. It is a moment when no one is thinking about the past or the future, but only enjoying that very second.

Dream Book

I sat in the lobby waiting for my group to arrive. Out of habit of not knowing how to relax, I fidgeted through the nearest magazine on the coffee table. I dizzily scanned the photos of houses in New Home magazine while I thought about what I need to do an hour from now, what I need to do tonight, and what I need to do this weekend. My racing thoughts were interrupted by the security guard asking, "You looking at the dream book?" I looked up completely confused and noticed he was chuckling to himself. He was obviously joking. Looking back down at the magazine, I realized he was referring to the home magazine as a dream book.

My first thought was, "Are the items in this book that unattainable?"

My second thought was, "I wouldn't call this my dream book, but that's interesting that he sees it that way."

For most people, buying a home is a huge decision and sometimes an accomplishment. The ability to purchase a home can be a sign of discipline in saving money and the ability to provide comfortable shelter for yourself, a family, or a dog. As a fan of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I understand the positive impact a home can have on people.

... but this is not my need or dream. This is not for everyone right now.

Buying a home is a lot like being in a relationship. As my friend, trinity garcia, explains, relationships require 50% work, 30% timing, and 20% compatibility. Owning a home is no different to me. Although the market tells me it's time, I know the timing is all wrong.

That leads me to think what is my dream book? I am not sure. It could be my growing lack of imagination or a sign of being where I want to be in life. I also like to entertain the idea that my dreams cannot be described with photos of materialistic products. My dreams are ideas, adventures, experience, and strong relationships.

Making a list of To-Do items or a list of life goals is easy. Making a list of dreams is much harder than expected, but it is still worth considering.