commuting top ten.

i live about fifty miles away from school. i got accepted to a school north of where hubby and i live right around the same time he got a promotion at his job south of where we live. and, since school is two years and jobs are forever, and because he works many twelve hour days, we decided to live closer to his work.

the commute is rough. i have to leave two hours before class to leave ample time in case of traffic, road closures, parades, space ship landings, etc. usually this sucks. but today on the drive, i decided to create my first ever 'TOP TEN' list-

*drum roll please*

TOP TEN REASONS WHY COMMUTING ISN'T AWFUL!

10. excuse to shop/get a nice lunch-whenever hubby is like 'oh my goodness! you went to panera again?' i can be like 'well, i had to eat before the long drive home and he's like 'cool.'

9.excuse not to study-typically, other drivers on the road frown upon seeing someone read while driving. thus, for the hour plus it takes me to drive to school, i have no excuse not to blast the radio, sing and dance all the way to school. or better yet, have an in depth conversation with my mom or bff.

8.no chance of running into people i don't want to see outside of school- my first day of grad school, hubby and i went out to dinner and i told him every annoying thing about everyone i interacted with that day. and i didn't once have to look over my shoulder. no more worries of running into a professor on a tampon run or seeing my clinic clients while i'm acquiring taco bell in my pj's. sweet.

7.listening to the radio-when you only have a twenty minute drive or so, you can keep one cd in your cd player forever almost. i get tired of a cd after about two days worth of driving so i spend a lot more time listening to the radio. the other day, i heard old school brittney spears and nsync. plus, it's a good chance to hear new music that you would be completely unaware of otherwise.

6.people feel sorry for you- whenever i'm too tired/lazy to make dinner, do laundry, clean house, i tell hubby i'm just too tired from the commute. 'traffic was horrible and it took me an extra hour to get home' and he says he's sorry i have to go through that and leaves me be. it also works on professors who want you to do extra stuff and clients who want make-up time.

5. scenery- i live in southern california and it is beautiful. my commute allows me to see and appreciate so much more of it. from the distant, snowy mountains, to the beautiful buildings of downtown la, the last thing i can complain about is the view from my rear window.

4. double store inventory- sometimes, i go to target or walmart and fall in love with an article of clothing or a piece of  home decor that i must have. but the last one isn't my size or i want two or the lady walking in front of my won't give me the last one from her cart. no worries 'cause i'll hit up the store by school and have a new inventory to pilfer from. and it they don't have it  it just wasn't meant to be.

3. instant days off- if i sleep in on accident, i can't really throw on jeans and run out the door and expect to be on time. instead, i have to succumb to the fact that if i don't leave on time, i will be late and spend the day at home.  guilt free.

2.less embarrassing for the multiple starbucks trips- i am a grad student, and it can be tiring. some days are just a two latte day. and instead of facing the shame and embarrassment of the possibility of seeing the same barista behind the counter with a witty remark about how he recognizes me, i hit a different, equally convenient starbucks near school and nobody (except me) is any the wiser.

1.i could not possibly appreciate my home more- after an hour in the car, possible traffic situations and usually at least one idiot who attempts to change into my lane while i'm still in it, seeing my kittens, putting on my pj's and watching tv is the greatest part of my whole day. and i couldn't be happier.