NYC RUSH HOUR

In your small town, EVERYBODY knows the time frame for the Rush hour because of the bottleneck traffic, impatient drivers, and a big sea of people "Rushing" to God knows where. So its an accepted norm within that time frame. Now, in New York City, every Minute is a RUSH HOUR!!! If you are a visitor or a tourist, you will not grasp the idea of "Walk Slow at your own Risk!" This concrete jungle is made for people that know the meaning of time & money and understanding the meaning of BOTH. I already walk fast so I fit into the fast paced lifestyle and I actually enjoy it. I get very irritated when I see tourists that take their beautiful time crossing the street or taking up the entire sidewalk so they can crank their neck to see a towering skyscraper. People, please move. We understand NYC is a beautiful city but trust me, doing all of that neck movements with your camera in ONE day wont possibly capture it. And of course, you have those tourists that are lost for days and will rather not do their research before they step out...WHY? As funny as it sounds, they hold up the NYC Rush Hour (at least in my book, they do)

Another funny thing about NYC rush hour is the look on people's faces when they are trying to swipe their card to make it to the train that is clearly about to leave the station. They are so determined that they look like wild animals making their way through a sea of people and not caring if they trample anyone. The stampede is hilarious and sad at the same time. You see people with heavy bags and funny costumes rushing to get on the train...especially when they know another train is on its way. The best thing to do is to stay out of their way which most of the time is hard. I keep wondering where are they rushing to? Another important meeting? All the same, the sight of the rushing crowd bewilders me.

I wont say I have never been among the rush hour crowd. It only happens on a day that I have appointments at school or if I'm running late to a class (which rarely happens) but when it does, I can understand the sense of urgency that some New Yorkers feel when they are trying to catch the train.
Something funny that also happens is when as they are approaching the door, it shuts in their faces and keeps moving; the face that is behind the glass door is comical like they ran a marathon and were not able to finish in good time.
Then again, some of these people rushing to get on the train are not "FIT" but will rather compete with those that look like they are and end up all out of breath when they make it on the train. They tryNa look at everybody on the train like "Hell Yea!! I'm a Big girl but I can get my Nike on." Nobody cares. You are sweating profusely and nobody wants to see that.

In conclusion, please only partake in RUSH HOUR if you have an IMPORTANT business to tend to!! Dont Run and trip over a stair u clearly missed out on or have the contents of ur purse spill out en route to the train. Better yet, dont engage in a RUSH HOUR if you have a baby or child with you!!! It's not that important to endanger your child because you have somewhere to be at. There are many forms of transportation; use them.


Love,
Jennifer

My Mother's 1st trip on NYC Subway

My mother has her internal fears of getting on the escalator, elevator, and subway. I have tried to understand it but never did. I always found it comical when she starts throwing tantrums and making us feel guilty for leaving her behind. We never laugh in her face but we always end up rolling at the end of the day's adventure with her. When my mum called me recently and announced she was gettn on the train to NYC, I gasped and automatically, my protective instincts kicked in. I don't want my mum riding in a train or been around strange people. I know it contradicts my lifestyle as I enjoy that a lot but knowing my mum, this was goin to shock her. When she got into the city, the first lap of her journey was completed; now its time for her to board the #2 train heading uptown. My sister went down to the station to pick her up because my mum wouldnt know where to begin.
My mother described her experience as a very interestn one; she talked about what people were lookN like, sounding like, & overall attitudes of NYC subway riders. Usually when I get on the train, I dont smile at people; I keep a straight gaze and mind my own business. On the otherhand, I do smile sometimes. It depends on the situation. My mum (been the friendly & outgoing lady that she is) smiled at everyone that looked her way, she sashayed her beautiful tall figure into the train, & sat down like the lady she is. My mum is a beautiful woman! So without a doubt, she had alotta of the men in the subway car staring for a while before they realized that they were. That's the type of presence my mother has. She takes her time to get ready and refrains from buying cheap jewelry. It did not take a genius to point out that she is not from around here...thats the type of presence and effect my mum has on people.I had an opportunity the next day to take her to Harlem the next day and we spent the whole day together. She bought fruit from a vendor (that definitely duped her & did not give her everything she paid for) and we went down to Fashion avenue and did a light shoppn. My mum had a great time while she wasin the city but I have to share this really funny scene that took place. As we were about to cross the street (32nd 2 be exact), the light went green, knowing NY traffic I wasn't goin to make a run 4 it...she said come on and sashayed across the street mid traffic and all the cars stopped for her...she isa show/traffic stopper indeed. We ended the day gettn on the train again and with the rush hour traffic, she was standing for a long time & I was worried about her. Eventually, she got a chance to sit down. A man standing in front of her proceeded to ask her if she was ever a model? I shot daggers at theman because all he wanted to do was talk to my mum. Many times, I caught a man or two staring at her and if eyes could tell a story, mine was teLLN them to look away. Funny! :) Even on the way home, every man was still lookN at her...her presence is easily noticed/felt. I always observed my parents and the way they both walked into a room and everyone took notice. Its about holding your head high even when all is not right, putting a bright smile on ur face will make people love u and are curious to know all there is to know about you. Thank you mum for teaching me and I learned and acquired this presencewithout knowing. I thank God for her everyday. Her first train ride with her daughters was definitely one to remember.

Love,
Jennifer