Today I woke up and realized I'd be doing nothing until 6.30PM that evening, when Anna came to collect me to go to her graduation. She was supposed to bring me to Mall of America 3 weeks ago, and now I only have 15 days left here and I still hadn't gone. SO I decided to take matters into my own hands and put the bus pass my aunt gave me to good use.
I'd forgotten how big Mall of America really was. I mean I was there from 12.30pm to 5.15pm and I still haven't been around the whole thing.
For those of you who havent been there, let me try and briefly describe it:

* As it vastly approaches it's 16th year, Mall of America has become globally recognized as one of the largest entertainment and retail attractions in the United States. On any given day, you may find visitors from all 50 states and nearly every corner of the world!
*Mall of America is the largest, fully enclosed retail and family entertainment complex in the U.S.
*Seven Yankee Stadiums would fit inside Mall of America.
*Mall of America’s 13,300 short tons of steel is nearly twice the amount in the Eiffel Tower.
*Walking distance around one level of Mall of America is .57 of a mile.
*Spending 10 minutes in every store would take a shopper more than 86 hours to complete their visit to Mall of America.
*More than 4,200 couples have been married at Mall of America since opening in August of 1992.
*Mall of America is located on the former Metropolitan Sports Stadium which was home to the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. Home plate can be found in The Park at MOA™.
*There are 30,000 live plants and 400 live trees planted in inside theme park Nickelodeon Universe, which used to be known as Camp Snoopy.

So there's my *ahem* "brief" description. I think you get the point now
So anyways, I did some shopping and just wandered around. By 2.30 my feet were killing. I took a break and leaned against one of the (many) railings that looks out into the theme park. Then, this black guy came up to me, looked a couple years older & he said "hey how are you, enjoying the mall? etc etc" he chatted to me for like 1 min, then he said "well I gotta go, but i just wanted to come over and say hi and to tell you that - no strings attached- you're really beautiful" and then he gave a little wave and walked away! Not many guys- or ANYBODY in general for that matter- will walk up to someone and just say that! I have to say it totally made my day!
Then, a few hours later I befriended a guy for a day called blake for my last hour there. He was pretty friendly, 19, from Arizona. Not doin anything with his life, just hoppin' trains all over the country apparently. Interesting character really...
Ironically he came over for a chat while I stood at a railing! Something about them railings....

When I got back, Anna was there at the exact same time to drive me to her graduation which was being held in the St Agnes church. It was a nice ceremony. They gave out awards and diplomas and announced who was getting scholarships to what colleges. Brought back memories of my own graduation... how different they are to that... (remember, Niall, our enthusiasm of having to sit on the other side of the church from the rest of our year and having to write our own names in our Leaving Cert scrolls that we got out of a box? Wasn't it just something you never want to forget?!)
When it was over, everyone went outside and the seniors stood on the steps and threw their hats up and everyone took pictures. Then to the Church Hall for cake and punch (I FINALLY got that punch I was lookin for! XD ) I was photographer for Anna and her friends until I had to go. Her parents were dropping me off at Mo's house as Anna and her fellow graduates were having a lock-in in the school, which I thought I was going to but her principal said NO. (Grrr stupide principal... oh well...) I lent her my new digital camera I got for my birthday (my old one broke). I'm slightly worried she will break/lose it but I couldn't refuse her the camera when she asked. I'd feel awful!
When I got to Mo's then Hansi, Irene and I watched Atonement. It was a very good movie I thought, though I was slightly uncomfortable watching it with Irene there as she is only 10 (11 on Tuesday) and the movie is rated R (18+) for "Disturbing war images, language and some sexuality". Nevertheless, it was a good movie and I enjoyed it!
And nevertheless, it was a good day