Another Interruption: An Update on Life as Usual

So, what with going to work and all, we're actually starting to settle into a routine (at least I am...Ben's out of class at the moment so he's taking it easy).

I stumble groggily out of bed WAY too early (6:15-ish if I can manage it). Ben usually stays in bed until I get out of the shower (although that may change when his classes start again). Then he gets up to make sure I've grabbed a banana or something for breakfast (which I sometimes even eat :P ). I stagger out of the house around 7:15 and make my way to the subway.

It's about a 4-5 minute walk to the subway if I remember to take the shortcut through the apartment complex behind us, or a little longer if I forget and go around. Either way, I consistently dodge just barely in time to avoid losing an eye to the weird bit of rusty metal sticking out of the gate to the construction site by the subway. I go north on the number 5 subway line for 3 stops. It's generally not crowded. I often even get a seat. The trick I've noticed (shhh...I don't want everyone to find out!) is to head for the entry lanes furthest from where the steps to the platform come out. Most stations have entries/exits at either end of the platform and naturally people tend to bunch close to where they arrive on the platform. If you get on the subway elsewhere on the platform you've got a better chance at reduced crowding. This isn't so important early in the morning on the 5 going north, but when I change to the westbound 13 it becomes critical. West on 13 is rush hour in the morning and it's crowded...no, it's CROWDED. I still have a bruise on my ankle where from when it got caught between the platform and the train as I was shoved forward by the mob of people trying to pack into the car. Moving to the middle of the platform is ESSENTIAL for health and well being when getting on that train in that direction at that station in rush hour! So, no more getting trampled, but the train's still crowded. I've yet to get a seat on the 13. Standing isn't so bad, though, at least not for the first stop or two. I go 4 stops total on the 13. Starting at about the 2nd stop things get crazy. Looking out the window, you can see the line which runs off the platform, down the stairs, through the station, down to the street and through a series of switchbacks on the street. I don't even want to think about how long it would take to get on the subway at that stop or the next. Crowding becomes uncomfortable at the second stop and almost unbearable at the third. Thank goodness I get off after that. It's really pretty manageable so long as the air conditioning works. The day the air conditioning was off was...well...let's just say we all might as well have swum to work. A quick walk through a parking lot (look out for cars!), up a little flagstone path, a game of Frogger crossing the street and I come to my building where I settle in for the day (see my last post for more about work).

Most days I get to work around 8 and pull myself away between 5 and 5:30 (generally closer to 5:30). I repeat the train operation in reverse (although it's not usually quite as crowded on the 13...I think I leave just a bit early for the worst of the traffic) and come through the door around 6:15. As I walk in the door I hear the sizzle as ayi heats the wok up in the kitchen to prepare whichever dish has to be seared at the last minute. A few minutes later we sit down to dinner.

We try to finish up by 6:45 since ayi always stays until we're done so she can wash up before she goes home. She's supposed to get off at 7, although I fear I've tended to keep her a bit late since I've started work.

Relax for a bit (or call up to read to Zoe), to the gym for a long swim and a cleansing sit in the steam room, sauna or hot tub (unless I'm too tired to drag myself over there or the weather outside is too miserable), a little reading or part of a movie, a little Chinese TV just for the extra exposure to the language and I'm usually asleep by 10.

Thus pass the days...