The Commute

Is there a word for the Study of Commuting? I’d probably have my doctorate by now since I’ve been studying this subject now three hours every day for the last nine months. Ok, I realize that’s not nearly as long as a seasoned commuter, but for me, that’s longer than I would have expected.

The first leg of my commute is a 30 minute drive to West Falls Church metro station. That is if the traffic is relatively light. I have a routine music schedule as soon as I jump in my jeep. 1. Check the radio for either a Christmas song (‘tis the season) or a song I can sing along with, if there’s nothing then 2. Listen to numbers 1, 6, sometimes 7, and 8 on my mixed CD that’s currently playing. Once that cycle finishes, it’s back to the radio.

Arriving at West Falls, I wind up the ramp four times, usually behind someone putting on their turn signal at every corner. There is no other option other than turning left up the ramp, so you don’t have to tell me by turning on your blinker. Thanks for being so thoughtful though.

After touching my SmartTrip metro pass to the touch pad and going through the little blockade, I walk down the escalator (you think watching TV is a waste of time? Try standing on the escalator) take a quick turn to the right and walk to the end of the platform. It’s such a treat to get a seat on the train, but if none are available, I snatch up the coveted (coveted in my mind) standing room against the metro map right next to the door. This way 1. You don’t have to touch the germy poles in the center that smell weird, 2. You’re not in anyone’s’ way, 3. And you can slip out when it’s your stop.

This (should be) 20 minute ride is my study time. I have tried to make categories for all the people I see.

There’s the perpetually perturbed female big wig who is wearing a kaki trench coat, stands at about 5’3’’ with a scowl on her face. Don’t even think about accidentally bumping her with your bag…just don’t.

Next are the “ipod people.” They’re both sitting and standing, with Bose earbuds muffling the metro, and their fingers scroll like crazy through songs the entire commute. What exactly are they looking for? That perfect song to get them started?

Next are the couples who don’t talk, but just stare at each other, lean heads, hold hands, stroke legs, share whispers, and giggle together. Gross.

there are those creepy men that you catch staring at you…the entire ride.

And finally, there’s me. I change my personalities. I’m either the brooding mysterious woman or the “can’t-read-enough-want-to-be-nerdy” girl.

Well, it’s 5:30. Time to make the trek home…and that’s a whole different story.

Lunch on the Island

We all wanted 2nd lunch. Even though it was dependent upon each student's schedule, it seemed all the "popular" people were there. First lunch, which, beginning at 11:30 was too early anyways, was always boring and quiet. You could hear your conversation echoing throughout the tall-windowed, double tiered cafeteria, and everyone just sort of looked. I was blessed to have that ever-coveted 2nd lunch through most of my four years at Mercer Island High School. When the clock switched to 12:10, (we didn't have bells), the shuffles of papers, backpack zippers, and scuffing of sneakers crescendo-ed as half of the 1400 students basically ran or tripped to the cafeteria.

Most students didn’t bring lunches, but would stand in line to be spoiled by the chicken fingers Mondays, broccoli and cheese soup Wednesdays, or sushi Thursdays. We were from Seattle ok? There was also the "Tully's" line, where cute Asian lady Lily made us Italian Sodas. But I won't ever forget Smiley Smoothly Lady. Her eyes were always closed. After grabbing your lunch, then the important decisions were to be made as you frantically scanned, making sure your "group" was sitting at the table.

The freshmen, all restricted to the lower tier, sat at the ketchup clad tables or on the oversized steps, always craning their necks to see above the railing at the cool upper classmen. Once a sophomore, you either decided to remain the dominate species on the steps, or make the move to the lower section of the upper tier. By junior year, you really didn't care about who sat where as long as you sat in the upper upper tier. And by senior year? You owned the place.

The right side of the Tier sat the Athletes, their Girlfriends, the Boozers, their Girlfriends, and the Smart Ones and their Girl Interests. (They never really had girl friends). The left side was reserved for the Not-so-"cool" and the middle was the Band kids and the Floaters.

I was more on the Floater side of the spectrum. Even though I was in the Jamaican Steel Drum Band, I soon realized that didn’t really count. Lunch consisted of copying someone’s homework, gossiping about the latest homecoming drama, or complaining about the teacher who gave too much work. You'd sit there, eating your bagel, cream cheese, and flipz pretzels, until the 40 minutes were up. By 12:50, you knew where your latest crush was sitting, and coordinated walking to class together…without him knowing of course. Usually this happened by walking obnoxiously fast or awkwardly slow in order to intercept, bump into, or make eyes with him. If this didn’t happen, the entire lunch break was a complete waste of time, and you thought about what could have been, for the rest of the day.

But then, there was always tomorrow’s lunch.

It's April?

Where did that come from? Things have been busy. My sister got married (more on that later) my other sister is ready to have her baby boy named Wolfgang (well at least that's what I've decided), I landed a new job downtown D.C, my brother, the man that is, made the varsity lacrosse team as a freshmen, and today marks my parents' 31st wedding anniversary.

need I go on?

I will for the sake of details.

First, the wedding. I don't want to sound corny or cliche, but the wedding was perfect. All

aspects really. The colors looked great together, my sister wore a great-gatsby-like feather in her chignon, the ceremony was emotional but meaninful, the reception was a good time, and they left at 3. I for one wasn't so "good" after that. To say I was weapy was an understatement. I will try and paint the picture of my dramatic debut. That evening my family got together to relax and eat pizza. I came in, laid on the floor, and cried. Very uncharacteristic of myself, although very refreshing. I couldn't even tell you why exactly those emotions came out, but all I'm saying is that it was necessary.

Don't be mistaken, I definitely wasn't crying about my new brother-in-law. I couldn't have asked for two (both sisters' husbands) better pseudo-brothers. Although very different from each other, these two men add some pretty incredible character and fun dynamics to our family. I told the newest addition that our plan worked, that he just had to marry my sister so we could be related. Victory.

Second, my pregnant sister is a trouper. Not only was she 8 months pregnant during the wedding, but she did it without complaining, and looked absolutely adorable. Already outstanding parents, my sister and brother-in-law will knock this one out of the park. (That probably didn't go with "parenting" as nicely as I would have liked). Nonetheless, props to all moms who know that the only way out of their pregnancy, is to have the baby.

Third, my new job. I commute about an hour and 8 minutes to work every day. I'm one of those girls who wears tennis shoes with their work clothes. I'm pretty sure I used to make fun of them, so once again, jokes on me. I'm a receptionist. You may have remembered that I love office supplies, and now I have access to them anytime I want. I'm living the dream.

Fourth, my brother is the man. Not only did he make varsity as a freshmen, he made varsity on the East Coast. That's big time. Not that his ego needs any more help, but I will brag about this accomplishment until the next big thing.

And last but certainly not least, my parents are celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary today. They've been married more than half of their lives. To quote the Impressive Clergyman from Princess Bride, "wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva, so tweasure your wuv." Thank you to mom and dad for always treasuring your love and commitment to each other and being an example we can hope to emulate.

Love is in the air....and so is snow

I lived in the midwest for a combined 5 years (another 3 if you consider Utah on the west side of the midwest) but have never remembered a blizzard like this one. School's have been closed for almost a week, the airport shut down, the grocery store's shelves are bare, but ultimately...we still have managed to make the most of the conditions.

My brother is 14 years old, and with his adolescent and brilliant mind, he invented what we call "hillbilly sledding." Placed on my jeep's tow hitch are two ropes. One has a hammer connected to the end, the other a wrench, for handles. Sitting on two saucer sleds, my dad dragged my brother and I up and down our windy road most of the afternoon. He lasted much longer than I, but nonetheless, we enjoyed the snowy conditions.

I'm excited to see what else my brother comes up with while we're stuck in the snow.

New Titles

Things have started to pick up. By "pick up" I mean I don't just sit around looking forward to perusing the drugstore shelves and waiting in anticipation for my favorite show to come on.

First, I recently began working at Lululemon Athletica at the mall, and today, I learned the Cash Register. Ever since I can remember, I've had an infatuation with registers and office supplies. I'm talking memo pads. So to say this was my major highlight of this year to date would be an understatement.

Second, a major part (and perk) of working at Lulu is attending classes at any local gym in the area. Rough right? A few days ago, I attended the "Skinny Jeans Workout." (Translation; Abs, legs, and arms and trying not to laugh while staring at yourself in the mirror) Today I went to my first Crossfit class. My arms and legs were shaking so badly that it was a bumpy ride home with a stick shift car.

And third, my sister is getting MARRIED in two months and my other sister is PREGNANT and due a month after the wedding. Very exciting. Although both of these are not in the least about me, I am honored for the title MOH (maid of honor, not to be confused with matron of honor), Aunt (two times over), (to-be)sister-in-law, and babysitter (for my niece and nephew...when he is born) I am thrilled to be apart of these huge life changes for my sisters and look forward with an open mind and a prayerful spirit to what that next major experience or circumstance will be in mine. In the meantime, my titles as cash register guru, workout class attendee, museum volunteer (or docent), friend, sister, brother (as my own brother sometimes refers to me..thanks Isaac) and daughter suit me just fine.

My sisters and I in New York City