Routine

Since I was 18 I've been going to school and working in Manhattan. I'm going on 24 so I've developed quite the routine. Ask anyone who commutes, we all have our own routine which we don't like to be disrupted. You feel that your whole day is ruined if one thing goes wrong, maybe it sounds a little OCD, but it is what it is.

I have the luxury of taking three different forms of public transportation to get to my destination. I hope you can sense my sarcasm! Here's a little idea of what I go through every morning and afternoon. Sometimes it flows and my commute is flawless, but other times I feel like it's me against New York City Public Transportation.

Here we go...

7:10 (most days)...Walk down the block to bus stop, usually I'm lucky enough to catch the 98, which is a limited bus and is only two stops to the ferry (ideal), but when God doesn't like me he sends the 48 my way. This bus is always packed and makes a good 12 stops before it arrives at the ferry! I love when you get on the bus and people look legitimately pissed at you, because the bus had to stop and pick you up. I'm sorry that I was standing at a designated bus stop and have to get to work as well, now I am screwing up their routine. So I get on the bus, squeeze myself in trying not to bang into anyone but that's useless. You always run into the usual suspects; the lady who should of called out from work because she is coughing up a lung and is grossing everyone out, the high school kids that find in nutritious to eat Doritos at 7:15 in the morning, the smell of cool ranch in a tight space is just so amazing. The man with the huge backpack on that always manages to be standing right next to you and every time the bus stops you get hit in the back with his ginormous bag. The crazy guy who is singing Michael Jackson while listening to his iPod, thinking that he is Michael Jackson. I finally arrive at the ferry terminal, exiting the bus I always pull out my hand sanitizer and de-germify.

7:35...Get to the ferry terminal and get my first coffee of the day, I wait on a line where people can never seem to find where the line ends and just cut the people who can actually form some sort of line. I actually really look forward to my morning coffee, I'm such a regular at this little spot that the two men actually see me on line and have my coffee waiting for me at the counter. I give them a little smile and say thank you, give them their fix for the day and I'm on my way. It's the little things like that in my routine that put a smile on my face.

7:40...Walking into the actual terminal is another experience in itself. Every morning there is a man who stands by the door and quacks like a duck. The first time I encountored this I actually thought there might actually be a duck in the terminal. You have your cops that stand there and do security chatting about the pretty women that walk by, then you have the pretty women that have to stop a pet the drug sniffing dogs, just to bring attention to themselves.

7:45...Ferry loads, this is funny to watch as people rush the doors, I'm actually included in this rush. It is just something you do, but one thing that drives me absolutly nuts is when people are walking so close to you that they step on the back of your shoes! Another thing that is rather annoying are the people that are texting, reading or having a phone conversation and can't manage to walk at the same time causing people to get real heated. Get on the boat and I get my usual seat, if it's an old boat I sit downstairs but only in the blue seats, the yellow ones make me naucous. If it's a new boat I sit on the second level towards the front of the boat, always on the New Jersey side. You'll see people have their usual seats and are visibly upset when some newby takes their spot, we get very territorial. I cozy into my seat, send by boyfriend a text to let him know how happy I am to have my coffee, grab my book and turn on the iPod. If one of these three elements are missing day is not quite the same. I actually enjoy the ferry in the morning, I find it hilarious that I take a boat to work, and really look forward to my coffee and my read.

8:00...When I see Ellis Island I know we are approaching Manhattan, I pack up my stuff, take out my metro card and head towards the front of the boat. Yes, I am one of those people that like to be the first off the boat, but I will argue my case. If I don't get off the ferry quickly I'll miss my connecting train so that's why I do what I do. But there are those certain people that once people are situated at the front of the boat, they'll wiggle themselves through letting us all know that their commute is obviously more important then all of us who are patiently waiting for the boat to dock.

8:10...Boat Docks, I briskly walk off the ferry and head down to the subway hoping that the R train will be there first, because the W is so slow. I get down to the platform and stand where I know once the R train arrives the doors on the second to last car will open right in front of me, I see the same people every morning and they still can't get their positioning right, which guarantees me a seat. Once on the train, I always try and get and end seat, so I don't have to squeeze between to other people. After I sit, I again pull out my book and turn on the iPod. On my ride uptown I think about what I am going to get for breakfast and what my second coffee will be of the day. On the train, you get your usual bums, who have been saying the same thing day after day for as long as I can remember. One lady has been pregnant continuously for the last 4 years, she should definitely go get that checked out.

8:35...Get up to 57th and 7th Avenue, I like my two Avenue walk to work. I usually get a quick phone call in to the boyfriend, and head to Starbucks. The Starbucks on 56th and 6th is always packed, line sometimes actually goes out the door, but that won't stop a true coffee head haha. I walk in and once again they know who I am and usually know what I order, but as of late I've been switching up my drink and it kind of messes with them a little bit, leaving my feeling guilty for wanting change. I order my drink then wait at the bar which what seems like a hundred other people, who seem so miserable and all that will cure them is there coffee. It's super busy but you always get those customers complaining, "I have to get to work", "Are you making my drink I ordered a latte." Patience my friends, the coffee is worth the wait. When I get my coffee, I always try and tell the barista how amazing it is, to put a smile on their face as they are hounded by crazy New Yorkers.

8:45...I arrive at my destination, most days safe and unharmed. Some days I'll complain how I hate my commute but in actuality it's part of me, of who I am.