Road. Rage

I have never been pulled over by the police in my life. 
Because of this fact, (in my mind) I have ruled the streets of Santa Barbara. I could speed, bump my loud girly music, drive with a tale light out, accelerate through yellow lights; you know what I mean. You either have one, of two mindsets about this type of thing. 
a. it has never happened, so it is bound to happen sometime soon.
or b. it has never happened, so maybe it never will!
Don't worry Mom (because I know what you're thinking even all the way in maui)
I'm not reckless or anything, but in my dream-world mind, Cops just didn't exist. 


Saturday was one of the best pre-summer days I have had. We all went to Miramar beach around 12, paddle boarded, ate Cheez Its, swam, played volley ball, experienced all the good beach activities until around 4. And if it couldn't get any better, a friend was having a big burrito dinner party that night with all of our buddies. 
I LOVE social night gathering that someone else plans. You feel me on this? I am a huge planner and organizer of events, always wanting people to gather and conquer (because any time spent with good friends is the best time!) But my biggest let down is when I plan this grandiose deal, and either no one texts me back, or I show up along with one other person. So when someone else takes the burden of planning, I am there. 
"Cupcakes is what I will bring. Cupcakes and burritos.... yea perfect."
So I make the 30 cupcakes, frosting, raspberry and all, and load up my car. I'm late of course, so I'm joyfully jammin on the 101 with my music and positive attitude. 


"La la laaaa yea yea yeaaaaa. Op red lights. Wow they're really flashing....No.  No way is this guy coming for me. Maybe if I change lanes he just wants to get by. (Change lanes) OMG nope he's definitely pulling me over. Oh no."


Okay. If this moment ever did come, I always envisioned me balling my eyes out, handing the man my license and registration without heaps of cupcakes around me. But here it finally is. The moment I would interact with governmental authority. 


At this point I am pulled over right next to Fairview. Feeling like a complete criminal with all of those bright lights on me. Utterly embarrassed, wondering how many of my friends are buzzing by my car laughing. And am scrounging for my license amongst the closet of clothes in my back seat. 
"You were fully speeding Jenna. Awesome, this is it. This is your time. Just keep your cool."
I am FRANTICALLY retracing my thoughts onto where my bloody license is (so I can be semi prepared before this man starts interrogating me).
Then it hits me. I left my whole wallet in Kelly's car while we were at the beach. Cool nothing to show for myself except for my talent of baking, which will do nothing for me. 


Oddly I'm not crying at this point, and am actually kind of excited to be really nice to this police man, despite my fate. 


(window rolled down)
"Hi Sir.."
-"I pulled you over because your left tale light is out." 
my thoughts: Oh my Jesus, you really love me.
"YES YESS it is!" (over joyed that was his only reason for pulling me over).
-"So you knew about this?"
"Yes. Yes I did, I'm sorry." 
-"Looks like your providing dessert for some get together tonight?" He says, as he eyes all my cupcakes with his extremely bright flash light. 
"Ha yes I am. Not trying to smooth talk you or anything...but would you like one? They're actually pretty good....???"
-"It's against the law for me to accept anything."
"Oh. right. Yea I guess that makes sense... my apologies."


And so our lovely conversation went on. With me giving him all my information, finger prints, and smiles. And him leaving me with a fix-it ticket, excusing the extra fine of driving without a license, and the end comment. "You are really nice." 


I drove away with the feeling of experiencing a very successful pull over. 
And now I am convinced that THEY ARE ALL OUT TO GET ME. It might be a bit healthier though because now I am very cautious, looking around each corner.... and frantically reacting to any sound of a honk, screech, bird, etc, expecting the lights of doom haha. 


But this interaction just confirmed my thoughts. That people are very pleasantly surprised by someone showing them simple love. I am convinced that showing extra amounts of love to everyone you come in contact with, is the wisest and best action. It's this type of love that goes beyond circumstances and the emotion you might be feeling at that moment, that really makes people think and plants a little seed in their soul. 


Drive responsibly, Love outrageously. 

pickles

It has been a while, and I apologize.

Life has been so simple and good I just don't have much to talk about! 

Did you know that our brains don't fully develop until age 25? 

Did you know that owning a cat makes your whole apartment smell different, no matter how clean you are?

Did you know that an owl can hear a mouse step on a twig 75 ft away?

Did you know that red flags aren't pink, they're red!

Did you  know that pickles are cucumbers?

Did you know that your heart beats over 100,000 times in one day without you even thinking of it?

Did you know that love is patient and kind. It is not jealous, or boastful, or proud, or rude. It does not demand it's own way. It is not irritable and keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice over injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins. Love never gives up, never looses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance? 

Now you know. 

Twice a week at the Elementary school I work for, I get to be out with the kids at lunch time. So we play for 15 minutes and then eat for 15 minutes, and once all the little classes have migrated into their little pods to eat with their friends, I can't help but sneak over by the Kindergarten boys and just listen to their conversations. I just sit there pretending to be a fly on the wall and OH MY, I hear the funniest things. 

But one day I was feeling creative and asked them.

"Hey boys, what do you think love is?"

-"Umm... your heart?"

-"Love is God!" (bingo)

-"I think love is um, your spirit."

Me: " Wow yes, yes I love those answers. But now I'm wondering how you show someone that you love them?"

-One boy shouts out, "make them a card!!!"

-Another, "you share kisses." hahahahhaha (they all thought that was great)

-"Um, you like make them a cake when it's not their birthday or they're not celebrating anything."

-the final toe headed boy said, "YOU DO A BACKFLIP WITH A BASKET BALL, AND THEN A SLAM DUNK!!!"

Clearly everyone has different views on what love looks like :)