I commute daily and my commutes are frequently pretty miserable with all of the type-A personalities (not me, of course) on the roads. Not to mention that traffic in the Washington, D.C. area exists rain or shine. So, when I moved across the river to Virginia, I discovered some interesting things.
1. When you live in Virginia and work in Georgetown, you have to cross the river to get into the District and you only have 3 choices. Each bridge is like a choose your own adventure book where each ending results with you in traffic and adding a new gray hair to your head.
2. Drivers on toll-roads are scary and do not know how to yield to merging traffic.
3. Leaving early, late, in between does not change your chances of hitting traffic.
4. If someone is signaling, it's a miracle. If they keep signaling right, expect that they are going left.
5. Owners of foreign cars think that they are on the autobahn and expect respect.
6. You can usually tell the ego of the driver by the make of their car.
7. Patience is a virtue.
I have also learned:
1. There is something to be said for the saying, "Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride."
2. Many memorable conversation have been had with members of my family and friends while I am sitting in traffic (on a headset, of course).
3. Singing really loudly in the car to the radio is fun and hopefully makes people think that you are a superstar!
4. Commuting gives you time to think, pray (with your eyes open), plan and learn. (Lately, I have been downloading podcasts from the Mormon Channel. My favorites so far are called Conversations which are interviews with prominent Mormons. They have been a life-saver and exactly what I needed to add some daily inspiration.)
5. It only takes one nice person to let you in a lane.
6. Oh, and patience is still a virtue.
1. When you live in Virginia and work in Georgetown, you have to cross the river to get into the District and you only have 3 choices. Each bridge is like a choose your own adventure book where each ending results with you in traffic and adding a new gray hair to your head.
2. Drivers on toll-roads are scary and do not know how to yield to merging traffic.
3. Leaving early, late, in between does not change your chances of hitting traffic.
4. If someone is signaling, it's a miracle. If they keep signaling right, expect that they are going left.
5. Owners of foreign cars think that they are on the autobahn and expect respect.
6. You can usually tell the ego of the driver by the make of their car.
7. Patience is a virtue.
I have also learned:
1. There is something to be said for the saying, "Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride."
2. Many memorable conversation have been had with members of my family and friends while I am sitting in traffic (on a headset, of course).
3. Singing really loudly in the car to the radio is fun and hopefully makes people think that you are a superstar!
4. Commuting gives you time to think, pray (with your eyes open), plan and learn. (Lately, I have been downloading podcasts from the Mormon Channel. My favorites so far are called Conversations which are interviews with prominent Mormons. They have been a life-saver and exactly what I needed to add some daily inspiration.)
5. It only takes one nice person to let you in a lane.
6. Oh, and patience is still a virtue.
