Rolling suitcase gliding through the turnstyle as I maneuver the coffee hand-off/MetroCard swipe seemlessly to the tune of Rihanna's "Only Girl in the World."
After 4 1/2 years I think I have finally mastered, and perhaps grown to appreciate, the commute. For contrary to most things in life, it's NOT about the journey - but about the destination. When a New York Girl is psyched about where she's going, the commute is much more tolerable. Today I wasn't bothered by the smelly homeless man, the crying baby, the kid playing his iPod to club music at 8:30am too loudly, or the overweight man sitting in the seat that could be mine. I wasn't bothered by the bumpiness of the train that splashed my coffee onto my hands or the sudden halt at 72nd St. Or the rush of angry, late commuters who bumped into the girl with the rolling suitcase as they piled into the same car as me, appearing to think "if I can just knock her over then I could take her spot!" I wasn't bothered by the wide Sombrero-wearing Mexican mariacche band that decided it was a good idea to march up and down the subway cars with their guitarras serenading the sleepy, angry commuters with their rendition of La Cucharacha. I wasn't bothered by the beggar trailing behind the band competing for change with his talent of shaking a cup.
Because this morning I wasn't going to my tiring job uptown. No, this morning I'm on my way home for a little vacation spent with my family away from the noise and smell and speed of New York. A little weekend getaway in the green pastures and rolling hills of Western Mass. So as I sit here on the Metro North train north east, I've compiled this list for:
A New York Girl's Guide to Commuting with a Smile:
1. Make sure your iPod is fully charged. This first act alone ensures a peaceful ride uninterrupted by crying babies, mariacche bands and people who think their ride is more important than yours. Update your iPod frequently to include new mood-lifting playlists with empowering titles such as: "Good Morning Sunshine," "Go Get Em Girl," and "Livin for the Weekend."
2. Always bring a beverage according to the time of day: Morning iced coffee, afternoon iced tea, evening bottle of water (time to climb down from your caffeine high).
3. Carry napkins in your bag (for when the beverage inevitably spills).
4. Invest in a good-quality large umbrella that does not fit into your bag. Your rainy days will be considerably sunnier.
5. Have your MetroCard ready at an easily-accessible, safe location such as your coat pocket so you save 2.7 seconds off your commute time.
6. When a train car door is closing DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SQUEEZE THROUGH. Remember: It is better to be late and look amazing than early with your arm chopped off.
7. Look for a seat on the train towards the center of the train car. People tend not to bother you here. If you are close to the door you will be pushed and shoved more times than you expect.
8. If you are sitting but a pregnant woman or an elderly person or a child is standing, offer them your seat. You'll make their day easier and you'll feel like a model citizen.
9. Avoid making eye contact with anyone who gives you a funny feeling.
10. If someone or something smells, casually get up at the next stop and move to the next train car. It is more worth it to give up your seat than deal with unsatisfactory smells during an already unsatisfactory experience.
Oh and finally,
11. Know thy destination.
Sometimes it feels like we'll never get there. But when we know that where we're going in life will be worth it, the arduous journey is that much easier to endure. Tough times don't last, but tough people do.
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