One Small Step

I was determined to venture out on my own yesterday, so I decided to take the train to the small grocery store located in a sister building one stop up the line.

Before I left the apartment, I made sure I had my key fob, oh, like a bazillion times.  I don't know where I thought it would go after each check - if I thought it would jump out of my purse and run off or what.  I apparently have a touch of OCD because I have always done this - check multiple times to ensure I have my ticket/keys/wallet before heading out the door.

I managed to get turned around trying to find my way out of the building but eventually, I just went down to the ground floor and found the exit we've been using.

Tapped the reader with my transport card (called a Leap card) and got aboard the train.  We're the last stop on the line, which is great because the train is typically empty or near to empty when we board.

There was a group of young people in the seats behind me, rattling on about this and that.  It amuses me when Irish-accented folks cuss the "big one" because it comes out "fook."  😀

After a trip of about a minute, I jumped off and tapped the reader again to tag out.  That's something I've had to drive into my brain - the need to tag on and off when you take the train.  With the bus, you simply swipe your card once and let the driver know where you're going but you don't have to swipe it when you get off.

I wandered around the store for a while, still not feeling comfortable.  I'll be so glad when all of this seems like second nature, but I know that's going to take time and practice.

Bagged up all of my purchases and walked across the street to the train stop.  It was a grey, breezy day and a little chilly, but being from Minnesota, I appreciated the coolness in August.  I chuckled a little to myself because there was a mother and young child at the stop, and he had on a heavier coat and stocking cap while I'm sitting there in short sleeves.

Got back to the apartment (and yes, I still had my key fob - and it worked) and put my groceries away and felt proud that I had taken this small step.  I still felt jangly and uneasy but, as I said earlier, I know that feeling will pass at some point.