On Moving Out - From suburbs to skyscrapers

What would you do with 3 hours of your life back?

This is the question I ask myself as I have finally made the big switch from the suburbs to the city. After months of talking about moving, searching for a place and drinking my body weight in commuter espresso, it finally happened. 

This past week I was a mess. The first morning I realized I didn't pack spoons so I couldn't eat cereal. I tried to open a can and couldn't figure out how to use my roommate's IKEA can opener, even though she did a full demonstration the night before. The other day, I went to work and left my wallet on my bed. I said to my co-workers, "Hmm...I may be falling apart. I lived away for 4 years at university and yet somehow, I can't get it together?!"

There are also moments when I think of my family and dog all together in my old house and I get a little bit homesick. Cue the Full House sap song. I tell myself that people are continents away from their families and I can see mine with a hop over a highway. It's all part of growing up, I tell myself.

But wait, did I mention that I can walk to work in 5 minutes? 5 minutes! With the move, I have more time to sleep, write, exercise, socialize, live, breathe, relax and just be. I already love living with my roommate Farah who is superwoman and can assemble anything while simultaneously finding me the perfect belt to punch up my outfit. Oh, and I also inherited a cat (Horton) who has decided to fall in love with me and my bedroom. I already find myself leaving for work in the morning with a smile on my face and a hop in my step. I don't recognize my morning reflection anymore, I mean who brought the annoying happy girl?

Cue the musical montage. Look out city, I'm home.

How to Avoid a Meltdown in a Traffic Jam

When heading into a big city, I prefer public transit. As long as I get a seat, I enjoy reading a book, or listening to my ipod, while someone else gets me to my destination.

With my current school and interning situation, public transit just isn’t feasible. I am forced to get in my batmobile, mom’s car and try to make it on time.

Today I was in a jam so bad that not only did I miss my first orientation session, but I nearly burst into tears until I noticed the creepy men staring at me in their pickup truck.

So here are my Top 5 Strategies to Avoid a Meltdown:
1.    Get Comfortable- loosen your tie, unbutton your pants, take off your watch, let your hair down. Note: try not to take off too many garments, because in a jam people can look right into your windows.
2.    Pick your tunes wisely- this is not the time for death metal, hip hop, or house music. Slow tunes, slow jams, classical, Spanish flute- anything to calm those nerves.
3.    Roll down the windows (weather permitting) or at least take the time to check out the view, or talk to your traffic jam neighbour. Maybe you’ll meet a friend. Maybe you’ll find a date for Saturday night. Who knows, it’s better than talking to yourself.
4.    Avoid turning the news on. All you’ll hear is people telling you to avoid the road your one. No shit, it’s too late for that.
5.    Smile. Just try it. Smiling to yourself may put you in the “crazy” category, but it will definitely make you feel better. If not, scream bloody murder? 

Whatever you do DON’T: cry, curse, rip your hair out, bang your head repeatedly on the steering wheel, or get out of your vehicle!

Happy Commuting!