Arbitrary

[gogbuehi]

A recent series of events has led me to be working across the street from my alma mater. This also puts me in close proximity with one of my less appealing employers, Safeway. While I would not say that working at Safeway was exceedingly wretched, nor was it in any way stressful, I personally found it to be unfulfilling.

Today, I set out to gather ingredients for making my own chai tea. Safeway being the only local grocer, I made a list of spices, prepared my bicycle, and rode down to the store. It is nice to walk in Safeway, years after my employment, and not feel nauseous at the prospect of trying to find food there. I attribute that to the remodeled look the store has, as well as my distinct avoidance of substantial food products in the store. I made my way for the spice section and went down the list:

• Cardamom
• Ginger
• Cinnamon
• Black Pepper
• Cloves

I would have preferred to pick up fresh ingredients. However, I firmly believe that a first go at anything should be done cheaply. With my basic ingredients in my basket, I whisked to the milk section. Reaching deep into the milk refrigerator for a quart of Silk Soy Milk, I got a hearty inhaling of freezer air. However many years that milk has been spilt in those cooler boxes, I have never known a single time they have been cleaned. The chilled tinge put the scent at the edge of repulsive. It brought back memories.