graduation and a close call

On the way home today, Heather and I took Bus 58 to avoid a twenty minute walk. We were so busy congratulating ourselves on exerting as little energy as possible that I somehow didn't notice a huge, huge mistake...

I left my camera bag on the bus.

not just my camera bag. the school's brand new yearbook camera bag. with a $1400 camera and accessories. oh, and my phone, house keys, school keys, credit card, debit card, driver's license, insurance card, and about $100 in cash.

I realized it just as the bus was pulling away, and we took off running, beating on the windows and yelling. And the bus just drove away.

I love my roommate -- Heather threw off her shoes, yelled for me to watch her stuff, and took off. She ran after the bus, trying to catch it at the next stop. Meanwhile, I stood on the corner and tried not to cry. I tried to use Heather's phone to call mine, hoping someone kind would pick it up -- but I couldn't figure out what in the world I could say in Hungarian if someone did answer. Hungarian also could've come in handy when a cute little old lady saw me and asked very sweetly if I needed help. I don't know what she thought had happened, but I'm sure I looked strange crying on the sidewalk with a random pair of shoes on the ground!

The bus disappeared around a corner, and Heather got to that street just as it started to drive away from the next stop. Totally exhausted, she doubled over and tried to catch her breath... and then the other Bus 58, going in the opposite direction, stopped in the middle of the road and shouted at her.* She had no idea what he was saying -- but then he held up my camera bag!!!!!

Apparently, the people on the bus realized what had happened and gave it to the driver, who stopped to give it to the other driver on his way back to where we were. Miraculously, everything was there. I was amazed. and thrilled. and relieved.

so, thank God for Heather and kind Hungarians! and so much for Heather being too tired to walk :)

also today -- the ICSB graduation. It's so strange to be in a room and know that I'll never see some of those people again. I somehow managed not to cry, but it was a little difficult at times. It helped that I got a special secret tribute at the service today. The cheesy 80s song "The Final Countdown" has been a little inside joke with my AP class ever since my phone accidentally went off in class and they discovered that was my ringtone. They thought it was hilarious, and after that, every time my phone rang, they would all stop doing work, sing along, and do a dance. During our last class, they got my phone number and called me just so they could do it one more time! So I was completely touched when their recessional today was -- you guessed it -- The Final Countdown. I will seriously miss those kids.

*Proof that English teachers are just as terrible at writing as everyone else is: I just reread this entry and realized that I wrote very poorly. In case you were wondering, Bus 58 did NOT yell at Heather; however, the driver did! Normally I don't bother to edit my blog -- but that was too ridiculous for me to ignore... :)