Waiting

I got a new job. Hooray! I got a part-time, short-term job translating Apple rebates in Korean. I think it'll be fun. At the moment I'm just waiting, though. Technically my shift starts at 5 PM which is why I'm here now. Unfortunately they've decided that the training should start at 6:30 instead. So I'm here an hour and a half early and they were kind enough to let me use the computer to entertain myself. The catch to this kind gesture is that the computer runs the original Windows XP. Yes, that old operating system that I used to run on my computer in MIDDLE SCHOOL! As a result, this computer cannot possibly compute fast enough for the average modern computer addict's vices. Facebook loads so slowly that we may start training before it actually loads the login page. This rightfully eliminates the possibility of using any game sites and even, yes, Homestar Runner. For shame! So, my next best bet is blogging.

Hmm, since my last blog:
I got married.

That is all.

But wait, there's more:
I suppose the best story is part of the wedding story. After an absolutely perfect wedding day that was delightful in every sense of the word Scott and I took off for a wonderful but brief vacation in the mountains of Colorado. I've never had so much fun on a road trip before. I just like existing with him. We visited some of the most secluded corners of the Colorado mountains for a stay in a cabin and then we woke up too soon to realize that it was already the day of our second reception in Utah. Wishing we had planned everything differently (and made time for a month-long honeymoon) we took off down the west side of the mountain passes.

Our first sign of trouble crossed our paths when we decided to go through the DQ Drive Thru in Grand Junction. Whilst in the line at the drive thru, the temp light came on. I decided that we'd get our food and drive to the nearest gas station to remedy the problem. As time went on the car just didn't feel happy. I didn't want to turn it off for fear it wouldn't start again. When there were traces of smoke coming from the hood I gave up and turned the key off. Finally the window opened: two hamburgers and two blizzards. Turn the key and...nothing. Again. Nothing. One last time. Nothing. I turned and looked at Scott with that "You know your husband duty!" look and he got out and pushed me the rest of the way through the drive through.

We ate inside, then came out an hour later, assumning the car had cooled enough to at least start it and get it to a gas station. No luck. So we begin to check the cooling system. The reserve tank (overflow tank?) was full and all of the tubes were attached properly. THere was, to our eyes, no reason the cooling system should fail. Then Scott opened the radiator and...well, it was a geyser of green. Thank goodness he wasn't hurt. At this point we know that the radiator HAD plenty of fluid, but no longer. Luckily my Dad likes to over prepare for trips and he had deposited fluid and water in the trunk. We refilled it, and obviously being filled with completely new fluid the temperature had dropped and the car started fine. We stopped by and bought more fluid, topped it off, and took off again on the wing of a prayer down the highway.

Things went great for a good long while. But the light came on again. So we pulled over and this time when we got out to check it the fluid was boiling. Yes, coolant, boiling. Ethylene Glycol. Boiling. Not good.

We call Dad, but it's obvious that nothing can be done to get us to our reception in Provo on time. So, with "Just Married" painted on our rear window I grabbed my weddding dress, he grabbed his tux and with whatever cash we had we stick out our thumbs. I even made a sign on the only piece of paper we had, the printed receipt of the cabin from the night before, that said "PROVO FOR OUR WEDDING RECEPTION," which was, of course, too small to read from the highway.

Finally, someone pulls over. Not what you'd expect though. Not a mini-van with lots of extra seats. Not a sedan with a few college students. No, a semi-truck pulls over. We are astonished to find that the man who had pulled over to help us was an Iranian man who had left his homeland because he had been chased out on account of his conversion to the Baha'i religion. We had a very fascinating chat about the marvels of America and the harmfulness of irrational hate. He took us as far as Green River where he continued west to Las Vegas and we had to turn north towards Provo.

There we were, stranded at a gas station, so close, yet so far from our reception. "Please, sir, our car broke down on the highway and we just want to Provo for our wedding reception..." "Ma'am, you wouldn't be headed north would you?" It was worse than proselyting at a Buddhist temple. I would know. I asked one man for help and he said defiantly "No, call the police!" and I, not expecting that response said "Are you sure? We just want to get to Provo!" with pleading in my voice. He responded "Sounds like you need a divorce." Yeah, never did figure that one out.

Finally, after talking with everyone and looking discouragingly at the clock, I hear a voice behind me, "Can I help you?" I turn to see a relatively tall man with sandy blonde hair and quite the suntan standing there. I began to explain and he cut me off "I heard you before. We left, but I felt prompted to turn around. We don't have any seats in our van because we've been camping, and we have a dog, but we're headed north if you want to come with us." Relieved to find anything we hop in a mini-van which is packed to the ceiling except a little 3'x3' space by the sliding door where a gorgeous yellow lab is sleeping--seeking respite from the heat of the sun. Sitting on the floor of the van we had no idea how fast we were going, or even if the driver was taking the right road.

We got well-acquainted with this couple abnormally fast. Chris and Mikel really struck a chord with us. We learned a lot from them and I can only hope that they learned a lot from us. The drive from Green River to Provo has never been shorter. This may or may not have something to do with the speed that Chris drove to get us to our reception as soon as possible.

Worn for wear, sweaty from the desert sun and greasy from fixing cars all afternoon, Scott and I meandered into our own wedding reception a bit over an hour late. The applause was better than I could have imagined and I was shocked by the number of people who waited for us. OUr families had constructed a shrine of sorts under the arch that consisted of our pictures and a candle. It looked suspiciously like a memorial at a funeral. It was fantastic. Chris (Scott's brother, not our angel on the road) had recorded each person's well-wishes on video camera (which I have yet to see). It was glorious.

Well, my job should be starting soon. Have a great day!

~RR~

PS The blog title is Railroad Itinerary because my initials are now RR. Like a railroad. Didn't I say I'd tell you when you are older?