There are little events that just give a little giggle to me. You know the ones, they seem rather inconsequential but one just keeps thinking about how in-the-moment it just brought great laughter. Here we go! Arigato! Arigato! Arigato! AVE-SA!

Wal-Mart Derby
I had to venture into the local Wal-Mart this week for two items. The self check-outs are being done away with so I moseyed through the front end clothing section scoping out available “fast check out lanes”.

Well, a woman was going through with her big cart of groceries in a manner that appeared to be doing the same. This was the second smile exchanged between us through our Wal-Mart derby dash. As I lifted my head, I spied a fast check out lane and did a self congratulation dance in my head saying, “Arigato!”. As I am getting my change and receipt from the clerk, I look over to see who’s been filling the belt; it was the woman! I leaned over and said, “it was nice to see someone smiling going through the store.” Her immediate response, with a smile and some gusto in her lungs says, “well, that’s cause I don’t work here anymore and I get to talk and help who I want.” Go on woman! Speak your truth and keep on smiling.

Office Talk
There’s nothing better than a friend stopping my to see you at your place of work. Do a little catch-up. Maybe get some coffee. Wipe away any remaining sleepies from your eyes and bullshit for a minute before knocking out the paper and word trails of the day.

On a glorious day this past week, my friend did just that. “Rachel! I applied last night for my graduation! I’m walking the stage in May and you’re invited cause I wanna piss my mom off.”

I just looked at her and busted into huge laughter! Her shock lasted a second or two till it sunk in what she had said to me. Naturally, the conversation went to a few “sorry for that…” and “you know what I mean…” or my favorite, “you know how she is and you could do it… keeping her away from me.”

Granted her mother is not a favorite person of mine, respect for her line of work, yes. Even in this moment though, I’m giving some love and arigato’s for the experience I no longer have to experience since removing myself voluntarily/involuntarily from the situation. I mean come on one just knows an experience is up when the other party says, in a team meeting, “I don’t need to hire XY since I don’t like other dominate women” and the entire team looks at you.

So, diving into the conversation further and exploring options, I’ll be watching her live graduation via You Tube. May the force be with you darling – always and in all-ways.