Downtown

I love Downtown Phoenix. I know what you're thinking:

"Zo. That's gross. There's homeless people and prostitutes there."


And you would be right. Yes. Yes there are. But I feel like such a boss!! My 18-year-old self struttin' her stuffs in the city with my head held high and my anatomy books in tow. I ride the light rail every morning and night; BY. MY. SELF. I just feel like such a big girl! And it's like "OOOOO my time of brief independence!" Seriously though. Downtown I can navigate myself where ever, go shopping at Urban (my poor POOR wallet), and just rock it in the city. Essentially, it's my replacement for not going away to college...

I was originally gonna head away to good ol' Logan Utah for school with some girl friends and we were gonna take over Utah State Uni. But. That pesky spirit sent me a prompting that I shouldn't leave and I had to explore my options here and stay at home. Devastation. I was like "Are you serious?" And he was like "Yep. Logan, Utah? FORGET ABOUT IT!!" (said like Cake Boss)   *angry grumbles*      I listened though. Which is why I'm still here. But that spirit sure knows his stuff. Despite my previous bitterness I'm so grateful to be here, to still be working at my fabulous job, to have a comfty bed and a full belly, so thanks. Even though I didn't wanna hear what you had to say.

I digress

Back to Downtown

I know I'm a silly wee lass for thinking this but I dunno. I CAN'T HELP IT.

The other day for example. I was walking back to campus from eating yummy lunch at Chipotle (Oh. Chipotle.) and this older African American man walks out of this barber shop that I was passing (I only add his race because it helps to understand how he was talking to me which is why this story is so great). So I say him and he say me and I'm not a rude person so I gave a friendly, polite smile to him and then BOOM. He starts talking to me. The conversation wen something like this and for the purposes of entertainment, we will call him Leon:

Leon: "OH boy! Now that's much better sweatheart!!"
Me: "Excuse me?"
Leon: "When you walking with that straight face of yours people passing see that you pretty. But when you SMILE at the m child, that's when they see that you beautiful!!"
*oh gosh*
Me: [polite laugh] "Well in that case I will smile forever."
Leon: "Yeh, that's betta. Now what's a girl li' you doin' down here."
*I'm in jeans and a collared shirt wearing floral flats and a bun. I'm obviously a floosy looking for some weed. Silly goose*
Me: "Oh I go the ASU campus down here."
Leon: "Oh well that's god girl! What you learnin'"
Me: "I'm studying nursing."
Leon: "Very good child, so you gonna help people who need help."
Me: [pleasant chuckle] "Yep, that's the plan at least."
Leon: "You know what you should do girl."
Me: "What's that?"
Leon: "You should teach people. The idea of going to school is to help people. You could teach people about the ways to be healthy cause when you naturaly healthy everything is betta! Like you tell people they can improve they sex life they gon listen to ya!"     *please oh please don't go pervert on me Leon*   [Leon smokey laugh] "The idea that you leanr is that you teach others that they can help themselves. Leanr what you can so tha way you can help others and they can learn and better themselves through you."

Liiiiight Baaalb! Leon just shared a small piece of profound wisdom. He was so great. And kind. The people down here ARE crazy. I'm not at all saying they aren't. But good golly the are so fun!! Yes the 11 total of school and commuting is a pain but it's a wee adventure mate! And I do love me a grand adventure.