The last time I got on here, the post editor wasn't working, so you've been stuck with this for ages. Sorry 'bout that.
Life has continued as usual, with its ups and downs, good and not-so-great moments, but continuing on, none the less. The kids have been out of school for a week now, so I'm in a new routine with them, as in an all-day routine with them. It's been an interesting change of pace, and I find it hard to keep up with it sometimes, but there's six weeks of holidays, then more months of school, so I can get through anything, right? (This sounds like I'm totally complaining about it all, which I'm not. There are moments I love, but 12 hours is pretty full-on after 6 hours spread out over the day.)
But, on to the point of this post. My faith in humanity has been restored today.
I was out with the boy, re-filling the gas tank for travels around town, at a station where I could use my 15-cents-off voucher. I get out and try to fill up, but no gas is pumping, so I walk inside to pay. The boy is definitely distracted by the ice-cream cooler and candy bar display, but I keep his attention long enough to be told by the cashier to try filling it up again so I can use the card and not pre-pay. (That was my original plan, but no gas was flowing out.) So, I return, and it magically is working now. I fill up, walk inside with my voucher, hoping the boy would be obedient enough to resist the temptation of the candy sitting out, just begging to be eaten. I let him work for Maltesers (the American version is Whoppers), and he is good and patient. I try using the PIN 3 times on the boss's card, and then it is unaccessible. That's the safety feature here in NZ. Three strikes and the card is useless. The cashier asks me to wait as she rings up the next person. I feel bad for making her wait, and try to think if there's 64 bucks in my wallet in the car. I'm standing, waiting, trying to figure out the best option with the boy (as it's hard enough going in and out once, let alone twice or three times in a row). The lady behind me asks me what the problem is, and I mutter something "about the PIN" and she offers to pay for my gas. I look and say, "you don't have to do that" and she says, "No, it's all right. Merry Christmas." I'm stunned. The cashier rings her bottle of Diet Coke up, and says "no gas?" and she says, "No, just the coke and his gas," pointing at me. I'm fumbling for words, as she swipes her card. I try to find the words to say thank you, so I say just that, two or three times, and she says "no problem." I thank her one last time, still in disbelief of the situation, and smile on my way back to the car.
That was the most expensive 600 mL bottle of coke she's ever bought, I'm sure. Whoa!
I do believe it when people say Kiwis are nice.
