In case I haven’t posted this yet, my work week is Sunday through Thursday and my weekends are Friday and Saturday. My “weekend” started off on a great note when I was confronted by one of my named geckos (Laverne or Shirley). Let me be clear-these innocent creatures freak me out! And seeing a very large one on my bathroom wall is not how I wanted to start my weekend.
When I discovered the unwanted guest I immediately sent a text to two of my work colleagues (Sherri and Nigel)…both of whom came to my rescue. Sherri came over first, she tried to catch the gecko but it immediately escaped and went under the door into the hall where I was waiting for her and let out a major scream. Nigel came over next and after what seemed liked HOURS of searching in my bedroom (the only place it could have gone since it DID NOT follow my screaming self down the stairs) decided that the poor thing was frightened and decided to leave on its own accord. I was not buying this suggestion but it was getting late and Sherri wanted to go out for dinner. So I told Nigel we had it under control and we went out to dinner.
After dinner I asked Sherri if she could scan my bedroom one more time…just in case the gecko had decided to NOT leave. We searched high and low, looking in the closet, behind the curtains, the dresser, the comforter…when Sherri calmly said to me…you need to leave. Alarmed I said…”What?! Is it in here? By my BED?!” She calmly answered again, Yes, and you need to leave. Anxiously waiting in the living room below I heard Sherri slam my bedroom door and then thump, thump, thump…minutes later Sherri appears and says “sorry, I can’t get it but its trapped in your room. I shoved your Micheal Kors dust bag under the closet door and a towel under the bedroom door. You can sleep at my place if you want?” Mortified the thing was still in my bedroom I still opted to not go to her house but sleep on my couch instead…of course she had to go up stairs and get my pillow and comforter for me.
The next morning Nigel came over with a long handled broom and with the shoe box handy after 20 minutes of loud thuds and moving furniture FINALLY had the gecko trapped. Once he got it under the box I gave him a piece of cardboard to slide under the box and he ever so carefully dragged the box across the carpet to the bedroom patio door and released the gecko…BUT not so quick-the damn thing was clinging for dear life to the top of the box and wouldn’t let go! Nigel was great…and in his lovely Capetown/British accent said…”Kate…come take a look…see here it is, it is very frightened and doesn’t want to come out!” I am seriously wrenching on the inside. Nigel shakes and shakes and it still won’t release and had to throw the box over the balcony down below (don’t worry its only 1 story) and my nemesis scurried away. Nigel saved my day.
I am still shaken up and a bit skittish. Baby steps folks…baby steps. I have only been here 3 weeks and it takes time!
Kate's Mulligan 