Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still buzzing from it. So, I woke up in Papanui, right? The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and I thought, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I had a gig at the Papanui High School. You know, the one on Langdons Rd? Yeah, that place. I was all set to interpret for this big assembly. Kids were hyped, teachers were stressed. Classic combo. I get there, and boom! The fire alarm goes off. Like, really? At 9 AM? I’m standing there, trying to keep my cool, but inside I’m like, “What the heck, Papanui?”
So, we all pile outside, and I’m trying to sign to this group of students. They’re all like, “What’s happening?” I’m like, “Dunno, just roll with it.” Then, I see this kid, right? He’s got a skateboard, and he’s trying to do tricks on the grass. I’m thinking, “Dude, not the time!” But he lands one and everyone cheers. I’m like, “Okay, maybe this isn’t so bad.”
After the alarm fiasco, we finally get back inside. The assembly starts, and I’m in my zone, signing away. But then, the principal starts talking about the school’s new recycling program. I’m all for saving the planet, but the way he was going on, you’d think he was announcing a new theme park. I’m trying not to laugh while signing “reduce, reuse, recycle” like it’s the most exciting thing ever.
Then, during the Q&A, this one kid raises his hand. He’s like, “What if we recycle our homework?” I almost lost it. I mean, come on! But the principal took it seriously. He’s like, “Great idea!” I’m just standing there, thinking, “Papanui, you’re wild.”
After that, I had a break, so I hit up the local café on Papanui Rd. You know the one with the awesome flat whites? Yeah, that place. I order my coffee, and the barista spills it all over the counter. I’m like, “Dude, it’s fine, just give me a new one.” But he’s freaking out, apologizing like he just set the place on fire. I’m like, “Chill, it’s just coffee!”
So, I grab my drink and head to the park nearby. It’s a nice spot, with all those trees and the playground. I sit down, take a sip, and just breathe. But then, I see this dog running around, and it’s got a frisbee in its mouth. It runs straight towards me and drops it at my feet. I’m like, “Is this dog trying to be my friend?”
I throw the frisbee, and it goes flying. The dog bolts after it, and I’m cracking up. This is the highlight of my day. Just me, a dog, and a frisbee in Papanui. Life’s simple pleasures, right?
But then, I get a call. It’s my next gig. I gotta rush to a community center on Sawyers Arms Rd. I’m like, “Great, more interpreting!” I get there, and it’s a whole different vibe. This time, it’s a workshop for parents with deaf kids. Super important stuff, but man, the energy is intense.
I’m signing my heart out, and these parents are asking all sorts of questions. One mom starts crying because she’s worried about her kid fitting in. My heart just breaks. I’m trying to sign comfort and support, but inside, I’m like, “Why can’t people just be kind?”
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted. I head home, and I’m just thinking about all the wild stuff that happened. Papanui, you’ve got my heart racing! I love this place, but some days, it’s like a rollercoaster.
So, yeah, that was my day. Full of surprises, laughter, and a bit of chaos. Just another day in Papanui, I guess!