Some of my favorite things

Do you know what some of my favorite things are?  I mean really, truly favorite things. Not things other people say and I think, "yeah, I like that too." Not things like caramel  popcorn (which I love and am probably going to eat tonight for my late Sunday supper). But things that really, really fulfill me.

Flowers

People

Maps and navigation.

I think you understand the first two; let me explain the third.  I learned this about myself on my mission. I love--like one of my most favorite things that makes me SO giddy happy--to get an address and get out a map and find that place.  I love figuring out the geographical and demographical patterns and the 6th sense of knowing that allows me to find something that's not mapped just right (or is a new subdivision built within the last 3 months, hello Bakersfield, CA, I'm looking at you). I am absolutely my father's daughter in this respect. It's why I loved geography in college. It's why I enjoy traveling. It's why I don't like GPSes much. Etc.

So, how do I get to combine these happy things?

Become a florist delivery person.

When I made a trip to EJ to look for housing, I noticed a florist about a block from my house. And I thought--I should go see if I could work for them for Valentines Day (florists hire a ton of extra people for a week or two)--before I start work and then the first few days of my new job. Perfect timing.
So back in Boston I looked up florist on EJ's craiglist job page. And I found a part-time delivery person for 3 mornings a week. Very part-time and in the day (so it's hard to find someone who wants it). Perfect for me and my second shift, full-time job. I email the contact. I mean, hello, I've applied for dozens and dozens of jobs in the past years and I haven't gotten most of them, so it can't hurt.

Long story short, within a few hours I had the job. (I think most of you know I worked at a florist for 3 years in high school, plus a few months in college, so I'm clearly the best out there. Well, and the fact that the schedule works and I must sound like an honest person--not like she met me.)

Then things got crazy because I couldn't move in the 1st and then I had to work 1st shift for two weeks (good-bye Valentines). But she still needed me, so I got the job a month later.

Started last week and it fills my emotional tank big time. I get to deliver beautiful flowers to happy people (SO fun, you guys. So, so fun!). I get paid to drive around and get to know the area. And I get to play with maps. (And I have a real job--oh, so blessed--so I can afford to do this.)

Life is good.