Thursday started off . . . a little rocky. I woke up in plenty of time, ate breakfast at home
(never happens), and had a nice chat with
Summer before heading to work. But, sometimes I can be a little oblivious to the forecast. So when I put on my cotton maxi-dress
(that's too long for me btw) and canvas Toms, let's just say I wasn't prepared for the apocalyptic weather awaiting me outside.
Seriously, y'all, it was torrential. And I couldn't find my umbrella. Because of rain-induced traffic, I arrived at the high school just in time . . . with not a parking space in sight. Literally not within any reasonable distance. After driving around and around and around, and with the late bell ringing, I finally parked in front of a gate (NO PARKING ZONE), put my hazards on, and prayed that if Balboa decided to tow, that they'd figure it was a teacher's car and make an announcement:
"White Honda Civic about to be towed! Get your shit together, Ms. Kiefer!"My plan was to teach class
(while praying the whole time that my car wasn't being towed) and then run out and move it to a legit spot immediately. Which is what I did . . .
but the damn thing wouldn't start. Perhaps because I'd left my hazards on too long. By this point, I was DRENCHED. I called AAA and sat in my car awaiting help. At last, help came, in the form of a former-Balboa-student-turned-AAA-driver. He jumped my car, and off I went . . .
only to hydroplane across 6 lanes of freeway. I am not exaggerating when I say that my car began to spin out of control, and did multiple donuts all across the freeway. Probably four complete circles, from the left lane to the right exit ramp. At one point, I was staring in the face of a semi-truck heading in my direction
(head on). This was certainly the closest encounter I've had with death, and it was only a miracle that the semi-truck could see far enough ahead to understand what was happening and slow down in time. He
(and all the other cars) stopped completely on the freeway while I spun. I've never experienced anything like it.
My stomach was in knots for hours. And I went straight to the tire place and replaced my back two tires. This was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me. So thankful I'm alive.
And then today I overslept and missed my plane. But all is well in the world now, as I sit in 24A writing this blog post, browsing twitter, and sipping my vodka tonic. ;)
Speaking of twitter, I'm new to it! Come find me, as I need more awesome/funny people to follow.
@clairekiefer
I hesitated for a couple years but then realized that if I jumped on the twitter train, I could follow the Jersey Shore cast. And why do I want to do that? To see the Sitch tweet about #GFI
(Grenade Free Italy) and to get updates from Vinny like this:
Happy Friday, y'all! You'll be hearing from me
(and Summer!) soon!
