Commuting blues
I don’t know how many of you guys live in overcrowded/congested cities and mutli-state areas but if you do, you have an idea of what I go through. Yesterday in the DC area there was an ice storm. I left work at 4pm. Mind you I left early b/c I had to pick up both sons since hubby had something to do in the evening. I did not realize that there was supposed to be a bad ice storm. Anyway, I’ll apologize in advance for those who have no idea what areas I’m about to describe. I left from Falls Church to head to Springfield area to pick up my 5 year-old. This drive should have taken about 20 minutes. I was then going to get the baby who is aound the corner from home. I have to get him by 6pm. If all had gone according to plan, I would have been home by 5:30 with both children. Because nothing ever goes according to plans…at least our plans…
How about I did not make it to pick up either child. My husband picked up my 5 year-old around 7:45 and then the baby around 8:30. Guess what time I made it home? 10pm!!!!!! It was a nightmare. Streets had been closed due to ice, the interstates basically shut-down, all of the backways and shortcuts overcrowded, etc. Everyone was sleep when I got home, the house was A MESS since hubby was just trying to maintain his sanity with the boys. The ate ooddles of noodles for dinner!!!!!!
On Duke St. in Alexandria by Telegraph Rd., people were literally getting out of their car, walking to the Du.ncan Donu.ts and getting back in their car. I had to go to the bathroom soooooooooooooo bad and I was famished. I was close to tears. I had to stop for gas and people who pulled in looked like refugees. Everyone looked down-trodden and beat. I grew up in NYC and this traffic is by far worst in my opinion. God forbid if there’s a natural disaster or other catastrophe…we will really be crippled.
Duke St? I used to live on Duke St. in Alexandria in an apartment complex with my first husband. I love Alexandria.
I tell you what… I have been spoiled to where I currently live. I am a 5 min drive from work ( I can walk it in about 20-25 min which I sometimes do when the weather is nice) and my children’s after care program is two blocks from my house. I never have to get on the highway to commute and I love it. The traffic here doesn’t even compare to the DC Metro area even if I did have to get on the highway.
I am moving back down there though this summer and I do not look forward to the Beltway traffic!!! It is enough to make me want to stay where I am but my whole family is based in DC and I miss being with them.
I’m sorry you had to go through that last night… does that mean you didn’t vote? LOL… just kidding, you don’t have to answer that.
Peace Sis…
Tru3
LOL @ your voting question! Insha’Allah maybe I’ll get to meet you this summer. I have been loving my commute as of late since I no longer work in downtown DC. However, something like this just reminds me of how it can all go to “you know where” when a chink gets in the chain.
Comment by Tru3Woman — February 13, 2008 @ 7:53p
That is so crazy it’s unreal. You probably could have walked home in the time it took you to drive. I was dying at people walking to get donuts and coffee. I would have been like you, sitting in the car to scared to get out to go to the restroom for fear that the line would start moving as soon as I was halfway there. LOL
Thanks for linking me!
Comment by Muslimah In Training — February 13, 2008 @ 8:54p
I know exactly what you are talking about! I live in NY and it was pretty ugly over here too!
Comment by Miss Muslimah — February 13, 2008 @ 9:10p
I only drive when necessary. How about the wind on Sunday? I was on 495 being blown around like a flimsy piece of paper. It is a well-known fact that it cannot be too windy, too sunny, too rainy, too snowy or too icy for traffic to move on the beltway. I think the only part of VA I could live in would be Arlington because its suburbia, but very accessible. VA has a bit more of a rural feel to me, things are a bit more spread out- meaning to have to drive pretty much everywhere.
Comment by Muslim007 — February 13, 2008 @ 9:12p
When I read about the refugees I fell out laughing. But I know how you feel. Did the babysitters have a heart attack cause the kids were picked up late? Our afterschool care charged us $50 for being 15 minutes late!
My 5 yo afterschool babysitter is real cool. I will probably give her an extra few dollars on Friday. The baby’s provider is another story. She is fickle. I told her I would pay the fee on Friday and she said ok. It’s gonna be like 60 bucks. I am praying that when I hand her the money she says, “don’t worry about it”. I mean it was a area-wide problem that even her husband was affected by. But…money is money!!!
Comment by DJ Diva — February 14, 2008 @ 2:39p
Oh girl, I don’t miss DC in bad weather. I lucked out yesterday and didn’t have to go anywhere I couldn’t get to via the Shoe Leather Express. Brooklyn was a mess, but not as bad as DC. We had some flooding (as always in the subways after a hard rain/snow/sleet/whatevs), but nothing along the lines of what you guys got. I’m glad your whole fam is OK. Even if they did eat oodles of noodles for dinner.
Comment by Melissa — February 14, 2008 @ 3:46p
Safa could you please email me the article written by a scholar of Islam about being able to eat certain foods. Thanks in advanced!
http://muslimahintraining.wordpress.com/
IT’S BEEN SENT
Comment by Muslimah In Training — February 15, 2008 @ 2:28p
Poor Safa…Know that I have prayed on your behalf that humanity prevails and your baby-sitter declines the “late fee” that in my opinion would equate to stealing if accepted when an act of nature and not you was at fault.
I’m glad you ALL made it home safely at last
Comment by Sharon — February 15, 2008 @ 5:39p
Safa,
could you please email/send a link to the article about the permissibility of certain foods as well.
Jazakallah Khair
Comment by gazelle du sahara — February 16, 2008 @ 12:36p
Sounds awful, but at least you were mobile. When Katrina hit here, it was as if we were living back in the times of Little House on the Prairie.
Comment by Nikki — February 18, 2008 @ 1:54p