X, Y & ME: Day 8: Mini Mart, Mini Page...Mini Mayhem

For as long as I can remember, our store has been a big part of my family's life and mine.

The store went through several phases. My grandpa first bought it when the family moved over from Korea

It was an army/navy surplus store at first.

Then my grandpa made it into a deli/mini market called Mini Mart. It was that way for 30 years.

Note: That haircutting place next store was where I got my failed Shirley Temple perm..

Then when it became a Cell Phone/Beeper Store. It was called Mini Page.

Then Boost took it over completely.

"ya lose T-Mobile..muahaha" jk..

But the Layout has stayed the same.

The store is located in the northern part of Staten Island, a ten minute walk from the Staten Island Ferry, which connects the island to Manhattan.

This part of the Island is called, Tompkinsville, and over the years, it has become an eclectic community.

I had my first job here. When I was tall enough to sit on the stool and look over the counter, I ws made into a security guard/energy efficient alarm system.

It was my side job as I grew up, sitting on the stool and watching the different drama's of the lives that walked in here. Many people have walked into our store, but they seem to be the same cast of characters each time.

This area is also known for its homosexual community. It was at the store when I learned that a man, can be just as beautiful as a woman. It was really fascinating to my young mind

My mom loves talking to them, giving them compliments when they walk in, and they in turn loved talking to this crazy Asian woman. From them, she developed a strange accent that is half Korean, half Ghetto.

Her best friend was a man named Jacob, also known as Melanie. Melanie was beautiful.

Some men ...had a lot of self confidence.

For some reason, they call her Ms. Lee..I think its b/c its the most common name for Koreans
... or Manicurists.

My parents have been working in the same store for several almost 20 years. The neighborhood and its inhabitants know them quite well. My parents are known to help people who come in asking for money and such. Its really nice to watch people talk and laugh with my parents who have come in for years.

Of course not a lot of people are friends with them. Most of them kept cursing at my mom, calling her every name in the book. Threatening to burn down the store and such. It was for really stupid reasons though..

I remember one memorable day at the store. I was 16-17 at the time. I was promoted to cashier, yeaa..movin' on up the ladder, My mom needed to run to the bank and my dad was in the basement fixing up a water boiler.

It was a rainy, summer day. Not a lot of people come into our store on rainy days. Only the people who want to stay out of the rain as they wait for the bus.

As usual, that day there was a family waiting for the bus.

On that day, I brought Spanky, my African Grey Parrot, to keep me company.

Who knew..that he would be the reason that I almost got my ass whupped.

They were quiet, I was getting drowsy..

Then...her phone rang...She picked it up...

...

She had the loudest voice I've ever heard. I thought it was an earth quake and I fell off my stool.

She wouldn't shut up, but it was rather amusing for me to listen to her conversation..

(how can I not listen to it..)

her voice eventually woke Spanky...and thats when my life would be in danger..

You see, African Grey Parrots are known to be super intelligent birds with excellent mimcry skills.

He learned to mimic a lot of things...

Including "Shut up! Be Quiet!" in my mothers voice...

And the fact that he said this..at this very moment..was pure coincidence.
On that day..I really wished he was a non-talking Parakeet,Chameleon,Camel..anything.