Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I wake up in Papatoetoe, right? The sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill. First off, I’m a refractor, which sounds fancy but really just means I fix glasses. You know, the whole “I can’t see without my specs” vibe. Anyway, I’m cruising down Great South Road, and I’m already late. Classic me. I swear, if I had a dollar for every time I was late, I’d be rich enough to buy a new car instead of this old rust bucket. So, I’m stuck in traffic on St. George Street. Like, come on! It’s a Tuesday! Who’s out here causing chaos? I’m tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, trying to keep my cool. But then, I see this dude on a skateboard zooming past. I’m like, “Bro, how are you moving faster than my car?” I mean, I get it, skateboards are cool, but c’mon, I’m just trying to get to work! Finally, I make it to the shop, and it’s a madhouse. Kids everywhere, parents yelling, and I’m just trying to find my zen. I swear, if one more kid asks me for rainbow glasses, I might lose it. But then, this little girl walks in. She’s got these big, bright eyes and a smile that could light up the whole of Papatoetoe. She says, “Can I have glasses like a superhero?” And I’m like, “You bet, kiddo!” That made my day, honestly. But then, outta nowhere, my boss, Mr. Thompson, storms in. He’s all flustered, waving his arms like a madman. Apparently, we’re out of stock on the most popular frames. Great. Just great. I’m thinking, “How am I supposed to make these kids happy now?” I mean, it’s Papatoetoe! We’ve got a reputation to uphold! So, I’m running around like a headless chicken, trying to find alternatives. I dash down to the back room, and guess what? I trip over a box. Classic. I’m on the floor, surrounded by frames, and I’m just laughing at myself. “This is my life,” I think. But hey, at least I’m not in the middle of a rugby match, right? After a while, things calm down. I finally get a breather. I step outside for some fresh air on the corner of East Tamaki Road. The smell of fish and chips wafts through the air. I can’t resist. I grab a quick bite from the local shop. Best decision ever! Those chips are crispy, and the fish is fresh. I’m in heaven. But then, I see this massive storm cloud rolling in. I’m like, “No way, not today!” I rush back inside, and just as I do, the heavens open up. It’s pouring! I’m watching people run for cover, and I can’t help but chuckle. Papatoetoe weather is wild, man. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s a monsoon. As the day winds down, I’m exhausted but happy. I helped a bunch of kids find their perfect frames, and I even made a few parents smile. I’m packing up, and I hear this loud bang outside. I rush to the window, and there’s a car accident on the corner of St. George and Great South. Ugh, just what we need! But thankfully, everyone’s okay. Just a bit of a mess. Finally, I head home, and I’m reflecting on the day. Papatoetoe is a wild ride, man. It’s got its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I mean, where else can you have a day filled with kids, chaos, and fish and chips? So yeah, that was my day. Intense, emotional, and totally worth it. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!