Morning Habit

My alarm goes off at 4:30AM everyday. Then I hit the snooze button and I wake around 10 to 30 minutes later. After that, I'd do push-ups, crunches and some stretching to wake up myself more. I'd sweat a little and the shower won't be that cold like it's supposed to be. 15 minutes.

Closet. Pretty much what I'd wear for that day is already planned and I just have to blindingly insert my body parts into those holes and smooth them fit. 10 minutes. The longest part of the morning is devoted to styling my hair, taking 15 minutes at least (so much time for something that never achieves much attention as it wishes it should). Then breakfast and toothbrush and socks and shoes. 10 minutes. I leave house at 6:10AM.

Actually, more like 6:15AM. Those 5 minutes meant big as it almost seals the fact that I am running late. Again. Unless I'm lucky I had a reckless jeepney driver who'd cut it by 10 minutes, I'd spend the first 30 minutes of my morning travel silently cursing innocent people.

The MRT ride from Quezon Ave. to Magallanes is a different story. The train runs exactly 25 minutes. Between packed bodies, my morning shower just lost half of its after-effects. I rarely get a seat but whenever I can, I pray to thank God for such a wonderful morning.

I'd catch some sleep. Yes, I am good at sleeping while standing or standing while sleeping. If I won't, I'd stare at people, make stories out of how they look. Stereotyping. Hundreds of people riding inside the whole train system collectively and simultaneously silent. That should be a world record.

At least once a month, the MRT train system would break down leaving hundreds of us stranded with the next trains packed more than twice the normal packing of late Filipinos. Those mornings, my brain can only process two words: FUCK MRT. Like an electronic marquee: FUCK MRT FUCK MRT FUCK MRT drifting from right to left.

I'd walk 6 minutes (I timed it before) from Magallanes station to the bus stop. The bus would then take me to Alabang (around 20 km) in just 15 minutes. Unless some dumb driver crashed his truck in the middle of the highway during rush hour instead of say, lunch (which usually happens considering the general recklessness of Filipino drivers), this part of my morning commute is the best. Speedy, smooth and generally traffic-free Skyway. The buses fly here. No stops. No delays.

Then I'd ride the company shuttle that would take me to the office comfortably in 5 minutes - normally twice a week. The other days, I miss it. During those unlucky days, I'm one of the many bulls of South Station, Alabang who would fight for his life just to get onto one jeepney. The morning rush hour is worst in Alabang. The rest of the ride would involve my eyes constantly shifting from my phone's clock to the traffic lights and the road at front.

I'd get off at Madrigal Business Park. 2 minutes before late. Run as if I'm running for my life. Run Leo Run. My legs would ache and temples would soak wet with sweat. I'd run faster, seeing some people ahead of me, funny also running. The palm tress, the smooth 10-story building, the automatic sliding doors, the pretty receptionist. The morning shower now totally lost its after-effects, I'd tap my ID on the scanner: 30 seconds before late. Yes!

My total morning habit (preps and travel time) is 2 hours and 45 minutes plus/minus 15 minutes. After I received two memos because of my excessive tardiness, I have reduced chances of morning races to once a week. I think I deserve that pat in the back.

No, I don't record time when I go home from office.