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My way of Familiarizing the US CurrencySince the 1st time I took the bus, I always made sure that I had a bunch of quarters in my purse, to make it easier for me to pay $1.25 fare. But when I started to work again, I had to find an easier way for me to pay the $1.55 fare, and also make use of the other coins we have at home bec we use the quarters for laundry. So what I did was, I prepared exact amount and packed them individually and tagged them from Monday to Friday. Also, in case a coin falls off, then I have extra dies & nickels with tag on the paper saying which is 5 & 10 cents ( I get confused w/ these coins bec 5 cents is bigger than 10 cents). In that way it'll be easier & faster when paying the bus. I was actually thinking why don't other passengers try to straighten their $1 bill while waiting for the bus, so they don't make several attempts when putting their money in the box. Then they would look like dancing just bec they're getting off their balance while stood infront.
Now, I can already recognize 5 from 10 cents just by feeling its shape. Well, everyday is always a learning experience for me.
Like now, I have a new way of knowing if I'm near my stop just by looking at my watch. Bec normally buses stop at the time mentioned, then I alert myself that I'm about to get off. I would say, I am now enjoying taking the bus, unlike before, I was really scared & it takes me a lot of psychological conditioning. But now, well, I am indeed having fun. My way to Long BeachMy 1st job was based in Long Beach (a live-in caregiver for 5 days). My travel would be, someone from the agency tries to pick me up from home & drop me off to work. And during my off, Black picks me up. So, I didn't have any problem with my ride.
But there was a time when noone could take me to work, so I had to take 2 bus transfers & a train. I checked from metro.net to get exact time for stops & transfers, then I started early planning to arrive workplace an hour earlier. During the 1st 2 rides, (bus to train-train to station), everything was smooth. But when I got off the train, trying to look for the next bus stop, I can't find it. So, I went to walk a few blocks hoping to see it somewhere, til I kept walking & walking til I reached Atlantic Ave, looks like an isolated area for me. I tried calling the people from the agency but they were not answering their cell. Called Black but he don't seem to have a signal. I kept on walking & I don't know where to stop. I am not seeing people around so I started crying while walking, stumping my foot (could you imagine how a lost child reacts?) I saw a cab coming, I was trying to stop ot but they wouldn't stop. So that made me cry more, feeling so helpless.
As I was continuously walking, (I don't know how far I walked, but pretty far bec I was already grasping my breathe), I found an old woman in an intersection & asked her how to get to Bixby Knolls (my destination), she replied, she don't know bec she used to drive. & I learned from her that u have to call the cab company for u to get a ride. I asked her the number, but she don't know. I found a waiting shed assuming that it was a bus stop, but it already took me almost an hour & still not seeing a bus coming. Still attempting to call the agency, when they answered, a bus suddenly came. Then, I got relieved. I was already thinking of going back but I don't even know how.
Getting lost in a country you are not familiar with is trully scary, but it's the only way for me to learn. As the saying goes, "Experience is the best teacher". Taking the BusI remember when someone asks me where I live, they would right away be silenced after I tell them where. And there are a few who would say something behind my back & some who are brave enough will tell me to take extra care. I was not paying any attention to it at first. But I learned from Black that places here tells what racial enviroment you are in. Like where we stay right now, it's so called a Black community.
When I started my part-time job last week, I had to travel 16 miles therefore, that's an hour & a half travel by bus. But I only have to make 2 rides that's why I took the job. The day before I started, Black drove me to the place so I'll know exactly the path to take. No problem in going back because he picks me up, & we go home together. (now you know what I mean when I say that my Black is supportive?)
But there was a day that Black had a meeting to attend, so I had to take the bus going back. When I'm on the bus for long hours, I tend to notice everything that passes my sight. Also, I've got to pay attention to where I am going. First thing I've noticed, when I got to the 1st bus from work, that's in Monterey Park, passengers were mostly Asians or White. Now on the 2nd bus, I've noticed that passengers were predominantly Hispanics until we reached a portion of Huntington Park. Then one by one, Black people are starting to come in. When I started seeing Black men & women, then I knew I'm near home because I'm now in the hood.
Now, I found ways to alert me so I don't miss the stop. :) |
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