Lessons Learned

1. If there is the slightest chance of rain, bring your umbrella no matter how sunny it is in the morning. Otherwise, you will be running from work to the train station in the pouring rain while everyone else stares at you from under their umbrellas. After too many blocks in a downpour, the homeless woman waiting for the blue line train will exclaim from the sight of you, "Damn! It must really be raining out there." Yes, Captain Obvious, it is raining.
2. Don't ever make room for the seat next to you on the El for someone else, especially men wearing too much cologne. Unless you enjoy the overwhelming smell of rubbing alcohol resembling a hospital utility closet, then you should just stay put and make him stand. My nostrils are still stinging from that wicked scent.
3. No matter how nice of a day it is, don't walk to Target to get anything. Everyone knows that a list for shampoo and conditioner turns into a whole cart of everything else you didn't think of. It doesn't take but two blocks to figure out that walking there was a bad idea. Who knew how heavy bags full of dish soap, milk, fist sticks and more could feel after several blocks? Thank God I only got half a gallon of milk.