American ignorance

Posted on by JustAskMaia

McRush and I had were getting a few groceries with the children and by the time we were done it was late, as usual, so that night (yesterday) we decided to stop for pizza for the children….. Pause….

I have recently accepted the fact that I need to get a better grip on my eating habits so no, the pizza was not for me.

While at the pizza joint McRush asked what I wanted to eat, I said I would go home and make a salad meanwhile I’d ordered him some chicken wings so I ran into the China Town restaurant and ordered his food while he ran in to order the pizza (they are beside on another) we stood outside chatting while waiting on the food. McRush suddenly notices that a man we’d saw earlier was laying on the stairs of an establishment a few stores down. I looked in my wallet but I didn’t have any cash, he didn’t either. I remembered that I had a few gift cards that I give out at my meet and greets in my wallet. I instinctively began to walk towards him. McRush catches up and said what are you doing? I said “I’m going to talk to him.” When we approach him his eyes were closed but I didn’t care, my heart was aching for him.

“Excuse me, Sir.” I started, he opened his eyes and I smiled at him. “Are you alright?” I continued. “Yes.” He said. I opened my wallet while explaining to him that I did not have any cash to give so he would not get his hopes up. “Do you think that if I gave you a dollar you could go get me a tea or something to drink?” He asked. “Do you want something to eat? I can buy you a pizza.” McRush said happily yet concerned. The man sat up slightly excited and said, “If it isn’t too much.” The idea he had was to go buy him a pizza and drink but the pizza joint was now not taking orders, so McRush offered to buy him something from the China Town restaurant to which we could tell he was okay with by his smile.

He got up and slid on his worn plastic shoes. I handed him my card and told him when he needs me, call. I also handed him a Walgreens gift card and the two Payless gift cards I had. In my mind I was wishing I’d seen him 20 minutes ago because I just used my two Walmart gift cards. Never-the-less, I gave what I could.

He, Tim, and I walked into the restaurant just as McRush had finished paying. When we walked in the workers of the restaurant stared at the man, not as if they knew he was homeless but like he was worthless of entering their restaurant. The woman even came all the way from the back with a look on her face as if she could not wait to demean him and make him leave. (In my mind I was thinking, I wish she would so much as breathe his way and she will quickly see the Philly side of this converted city girl). She stood there as if she were better than him but quickly took notice that he humbly stood at my side. I said to McRush, be sure to give him the receipt so they know he paid for the food. The cashier politely replied, you can keep the receipt if you need to, I will know you paid for him. I was hesitant to leave him there but I had to tell myself that I did what I could do and it is in God’s hands now.

We sat outside for a moment to watch and see if he was treated right. The cashier came and sat beside him after bringing him his tea. As we pulled of, we glanced back in the store and noticed the other lady who’d came from the back was now sitting in the booth behind him. Why? Did you think he was going to steal or cause a fuss? All he wanted was something to eat.

That reminds me of the everyday prejudices so many people experience. It is so important to some people that they demean or belittle someone daily just to make themselves feel more powerful than they are. They clearly came from another country to ‘Live the American dream’. They did not even bother to fluently learn the language but have already adapted the nastiness and ignorance that so many of us have.

America is like that cousin that you are embarrassed of, yeah, I said it! You know they know better but will not do better, rather REFUSE to do better. They have so much potential to be great and be a role model…a BETTER role model but do not want to. Instead they spread lies and embrace selfishness instead of selflessness. They see the differences instead of the likeness. They would rather tear down instead of pick up. But why? Sometimes I do not believe I am even a part of this country, I feel like a lost sheep in a herd of wolves. But I promise you, as long as I have breath in me, I will help every person I can because I believe that is why I was created. I have decided to answer my call of greatness and I am trying to bring everyone with me. #LetsGo

-Rush

image

Family vacation my FOOT!

Posted on by JustAskMaia

So I have been off of here for a few days and there is so much that I would like to share with you guys, my thoughts, interactions, and goings-ons, that I am going to have to post a few blogs tonight just to catch up.

Let us start with this “family vacation” we have recently gone on……..

I do not even know where to start but let me first say that whoever came up with the term FAMILY vacation was obviously delusional in every aspect of the matter. At no point during our trip to Myrtle Beach did I feel or have the remote inkling that I was on vacation. There was nothing that I did that said vacation. I will admit though that everything said, family.

We were blessed to be able to get a room for a very reasonable rate that had a kitchenette in it. There was a pool right outside our door and the beach was like a 45 second walk. The customer service was awesome. The keep was exceptionally pleasant and I even messed up a plate and they did not charge me for it (mostly due to the fact that I was honest and brought it to their attention first). The best part is they were a family and couples only hotel which meant everyone was civilized and respectful of one another. The best part was they never one time turned their noses up or turned us down once they found out that we have 9 children; this is especially a rarity for us when we travel.

Now, the trip. While I felt very extended while away because i was not only doing the same everyday things that I do at home, I had to do them in tighter living quarters and if you know me you would know that I hate clutter and cluttered situations but I digress for the good of the trip. I still had to get up and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I still taught school and created daily lessons, I still worked for one of my clients (which I will not do ever again), and I still had to pack, unpack, and clean. This has brought me to the sad conclusion that no matter where I am I will always be slave, er, I mean mom.

My children are spoiled to the max and I am okay with that sometimes; on vacation is NOT one of those times.

I am just whining. Although I still felt like the nanny-cook-housekeeper-slave, the smiles and enjoyment from my children makes it all worth it. We went to the beach that my children beg to go to all the time but when we get there, they remember that they are deathly afraid of the water. The laughter I get from that alone makes the trip worthwhile. Lol. Likewise with the pool. Sai almost drowned in 3 feet even though he is 4 foot 2 inches tall. I laughed so hard at his dramatics that I almost forgot to save him (so his brother jumped in to do it). I kept yelling stand up but he was too busy being dramatic. And before you flood me with the fact that it is possible for him to drown in three feet while being over four feet tall, yes, I am well aware of that but if you knew Sai you would totally see why it was funny.

In the end (and even some parts of during) I did thoroughly enjoy the trip <—— (notice I didn’t say vacation). It was fun plus I got to hit some cool Thrift Stores on the way home.

 

-Rush