The Wheels on the Bus

I used to be a non-believer; one of those people who would scoff at spending time on the computer “for fun.” What was there to do on-line other than to quickly Google where I needed to go or what time a movie was playing?

My life today has taken a much unexpected turn. Thuy’s effort to get the three of us to stay in touch by starting a blog introduced all of us to a world that we didn’t even realized existed; a place where a laugh is shared, a story is told, and friendships are formed.

And what’s not to love? The friendships that I have formed through blogging, with people I have never seen nor met, mean the world to mean. As I go about my day, I will catch myself thinking, “Pooba would totally think this is funny” or “I know I am not alone. Helene is facing the same challenges I am.” Even as I sat in front of my computer on Saturday night, eating my Ben & Jerry’s and chatting with one of my lovely blogosphere buddies on Facebook, no less, I had to laugh. I had become one of “them”…those people who meet others on the Internet and enjoy it.

Over the last few years, as I made my weekly trek to and from school, my thoughts were on Meg. For quite a while, her blog chronicled her adventures riding the Triangle Transit system somewhere in the South. Her encounters with the bus drivers and the wacky passengers always made me smile. As I sat in traffic and stared out my car window for the past few years, I often wondered what Meg would think of the area that I live in...

Passing the “massage parlor” was always a highpoint during my trip. I’d try not to make eye contact with the patrons. After almost a year of driving by this place, it finally dawned on me that maybe the “X” was a part of business name for a reason.


On the days that I had to take Giancarlo with me, driving by the liquor store would usually evoke some type of reaction from him. “Look, Mama! It’s the ABC store. Let’s go there.” Sadly for my son, my response was always the same. “Not today, baby. I think it is closed.”


Finally, my favorite shop, the Ice House of Grillz and Custom Jewelry. I was endlessly fascinated by this place. First and foremost, there was the picture on the wall of a child with a set of grillz.


Good times! What mother wouldn’t want this for her little one?

There were also rows upon rows of options pictured for adults. After carefully considering my choices for at least a year, I finally settled on:


I think it is important to “represent” wherever I go.

I’d like to believe that Meg would think so too.

-Francesca