I remember the days when I had to do was drive to work. Yes, there is a thing called traffic. And sometimes, it's not as bad you think. In retrospect, I was used to it. Just you and the open road. Windows up, air conditioner on high and blasting your favorite song. Which is the best! 

In NYC, you can have a car but you're asking for trouble. Have you heard of defensive driving? Drive at your own risk; I think it's going to take a little bit more than that for you to survive. There are ultimately 3 to 4 things that can ruin my peaceful commute in MTA.

Let me set the scene so you can understand. Every morning, I walk down to the subway. I make my way down into the cellars of the mole people. And I pass the Soldier of Jesus stating, "Jesus said REPENT for your sins." I greet him every morning. He really is a nice guy. (One of these days I'll actually have a conversation with him.) After I pass him, I stroll deeper into Mole Land and pass the booth. I swipe my card, walk pass the gate and I wait. If I'm lucky, the train will come within 5 minutes of me entering the train station. I get a corner seat and wait for my stop. Everyone is pretty quiet. I put on my earphones and listen to tunes. Sometimes I eat my scone and drink my coffee. I'm comfy on my ride downtown. The trains run smoothly and I get to midtown in about 40 minutes.
How many times does thay actually happen? Maybe once a week. There is always something that could ruin my commute or just make it terrible.

1.) Being loud and obnoxious at 8AM. If there is a person sitting right next to you, why do I hear your whole conversation at the other end of the train. Be courteous. Some people may just want to rest their eyes before they start their day. Nobody wants to hear you. So, just shut up!

2.) Holding the doors. If the doors are closing and you rush in trying to hold the doors, I'm going to ferociously hate you. If the doors are trying to close and you're holding them open because it's funny, I'm going to push you on the tracks. When you hold the doors, it creates "Train Traffic" meaning that trains are going to run behind because of your stupidity. Don't do it.

3.) Certain grooming activities. I see people put on makeup or maybe take down their hair. I don't mind if you do that. Especially if the train isn't crowded. But shaving, clipping your toe nails and even picking your nose?? That should only be done at home. It's gross. The train car is not your bathroom. Stop being gross.

What annoys you about your morning commute? I want to hear all your stories and woes! 

"But alas, it's just another manic Monday

I wish it were Sunday

'Cause that's my fun day

My I don't have to run day

It's just another manic Monday."

As I walked through the streets of West Village, I have never felt so much love. Marriage equality is finally legal all 50 states. All the haters want to move to Canada, but the joke's on them. And the fashion, rainbows and unicorns were at an all time high. If you couldn't tell, I'm a proud ally. The idea of marriage equality is a no-brainer and SCOTUS put that into law. Marriage, above all things, is about love. I was so blessed to witness this celebration in NYC surrounded by people who are just as supportive as myself.

There were floats, DJs and companies that were supportive of the cause. The most exciting part of the parade was seeing some of the cast members of Orange is the New Black. Are you #TeamBoo, #TeamMorello, or #TeamBlackCindy? I saw them all and I had a heart attack. On top of that, I saw the Prancing Elites. They were on fire! Unfortunately, I was so excited my photos didn't come out great. Le sigh. But overall, I wouldn't change it for the world. Everyone was so happy. All I could hear for miles was, "All 50 states!"

Love won in all 50 states.

You hit your snooze alarm 3 times before you roll our of bed. You drag yourself to the kitchen, turn on the coffee machine and make your way to the shower. Before you know it, you're all clean and awake. You head to the kitchen, prepare your coffee just how you like. May grab one of your homemade morning glory muffins? Scrambling around the house, you find the perfect suit and heels. Something that screams, "Hire Me!" But you are not just anyone; you print out your resume on special paper, write notes about the company, research your possible interviewer and look up recent articles to get a feel for what's happening in the industry. Making your way to the subway, you get the perfect seat. You grab your phone and blast some tunes to pump you up for the interview that you've been waiting for. Getting off at the stop, you turn on Google Maps making sure you got the address right and walk to your destination. Walking to the office building, sometimes you have to show your ID, maybe not. Either way, you go the elevator, make your way through those doors. And might I say 15 minutes early. Bam! You did it. How can you not be the happiest person in the world? You got it all right! You sit and wait. You have paperwork you have to fill out or they appreciate you coming early. You are ready to be interviewed.

That's the perfect scenario.

It doesn't always happen that way. 

Please employers, just hear me out. Professionalism is a two-way street. It's the basis of respect in an office setting. If I don't get it when I give it, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Here are a couple situations where I have been left in awe and irritation.

1.) I get to the interview 15 minutes early. I have to wait an hour for you to interview me. Bonus: You act like its okay how my times has been wasted.

2.) I'm sitting in the room where I'm interviewing. You bring in a full-course meal and eat it in front of my face.

3.) I am in the middle of answering an interview question. Instead of giving your undivided attention, you feel the need to check your email, take a phone call or even worse, nod for no reason.

Trust me, I understand. Every field is different, sometimes things happen. Maybe you need to eat or answer an email. Some industries are more demanding. I get it.

But sometimes an explanation or apology can go far. You are representing your company. I don't want to work for an unprofessional company, because your reputation can rub off on me. Remember, guilt by association? Just as much as employers would like their interviewees to take their opportunity seriously, we expect the same. 

People, I beg you. Please be professional. Respect each others time. You never know what you've lost or gained by presenting yourself in the wrong light.

"But alas, it's just another manic Monday

I wish it were Sunday

'Cause that's my fun day

My I don't have to run day

It's just another manic Monday"

"You know you like it but it drives you insane

Only 'cause you know that you wanna feel the same

You know you like it but it drives you insane

What you want, what you gonna do?"

I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to spread the word that it is NOT a new song. Only to us Americans. Sure, it's okay to be obsessed with it. But realize this; DJ Snake is going nowhere. I'm sure he'll keep surprising us with his new direction of music. And I'm excited for the next round of hits.

Being healthy is best thing that you can do for yourself. You only have one body and you have to take care of it well. Food should be used as medicine, not abused as a drug. There are so many things that I could say about health. I've read all the tabloids, books and online articles about weight loss. 

I've watched friends lose weight. I've watched friends gain it all back plus some. The fact is that our bodies were made to be worked. Back in "the mother land", food was prepared each day. Now, we are constantly on the go. It seems to be harder to eat right and exercise. Being in a big city can help, it's walkable. You don't drive. For one, it's a waste to have a car. And for two, think about all the beautiful things you are passing by like a hole-in-the-wall boutique.

Let's say you get on the saddle. You did good for 3 weeks and now you're starting to slip back into your old ways. When you are changing habits, your body being rewired. It's like when you wear your part on your right side of your head. After a while you realize, the left is actually your good side. Or when you change your cards in your wallet, everything is in a different place. However, they way it's organized, it better for you. That hump you feel, is your body rewiring itself to want or crave exercise or that healthy choice of broccoli over french fries. 

What do you do? How can you get back on the saddle or start our way toward a healthier life style?

Nike had it right: Just do it. The worst thing you can do for yourself is to put off your health. It's easier said than done. You work all day, come home, throw something in the microwave, watch Netflix, sit on the couch with your kids... I get it, you have your days set. But this is something you can incorporate into your life. Instead of watching Netflix tonight, take a walk around the park for a half hour.

I'm not perfect, I am still trying to get back on the saddle. I fell off in April. Although my eating habits are still in tact, I need to exercise more. We can all motivate each other. And to start, I give you this. A stretch workout to do every morning.

Courtesy of Darebee.com

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither can abs. It's like those color blocks from elementary school. Just take it one block or habit at a time. You build too fast, they all come crashing down. But I believe in myself and everyone else. We can get fit together. We will be healthy together.