Little Bubbles

People always say the year they turned 30 was the best year they had.  I can truly say that I agree!  It’s only been six months and I am so excited to see what the rest of the year brings.  I had the biggest awakening of my life a few weeks before my 30th birthday.  Making a decision that would change my life forever and having the courage to make a big step and do something for myself.  With no one other than the help God, my dad, my sister, and my Earth Angel.  Others look at my life and feel like I have accomplished so much; although I have, I was never complete.  Being in a relationship that was failing and making me lose touch of myself, I thought it would take a lot of recovery to come back from.  I stopped enjoying life, enjoying my success, going to church, listening to gospel music, even wanting a family of my own.  When you are in a relationship and think you are in love, you will change who you are to appease your significant other.  Once you realize that you are better than that and you deserve more, you start living for yourself.  It’s funny because at the time you don’t realize how much you have sacrificed.  You keep pushing on trying to make the best of it because you feel you are getting older and have the stress of your family pushing you to get married and have children.  It’s once you figure out that no matter what you do you can’t seem to please your mate or find happiness within yourself.  It takes a strong, persistent, confident, family-orientated, God-fearing, loving man to bring you back to reality.  To show you that you too can be happy, there’s a possibility that you too can be as happy as the couples on TV.  That you can you have your happily ever after, that fairy tales do come true, and that you can have the family you always dreamed about.  When you step out of you comfort zone, do something you never thought you would and step out on faith, the blessings are insurmountable.  I never dated someone more than two years older than me and never wanted to date a man with a child, and in the end I realize I never thought of what I could be missing out on.  My man is truly a blessing from the Lord above…

These are the little bubbles above my head….

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone

So today I received the news that my auntie died.  My aunt was a phenomenal woman who fought a very hard fight.  She was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to her brain initially two years ago.  She was very private about it and did not want many people, especially distant relatives to know about it. This of course is a challenge because as those relatives are now presenting they are saying they wish they had known so they could have spent more time with her.  I’m assuming that’s the reason it is good to stay in close contact and check in with your relatives often.  There are so many of my relatives that live in MI who I am not close with, nor do I see.  I am tired of taking the approach that if my parents didn’t talk to them, I won’t make them a priority. I vow to learn more about my family, where I came from, and keep in contact with them.

My aunt was always a very strong and strict woman who did not accept half-stepping.  She was my second mom and was just as hard on me as she was with her own children.  I made her very proud and that is how I am able to gain solace during this hard time.  Her last few months here were very hard for her and she was in a lot of pain, so knowing that she no longer has to suffer helps also.  A lot of my successes are as a result of her being in my life and the role she played in raising me.  My aunt spent her life seeing after her parents and siblings.  My dad and uncle were a product of the streets and could not resist living a life of crime.  My grandmother had Multiple Sclerosis, which ended up claiming her life, and my grandfather who was at least 20 years older than my grandmother required someone to look after him of course.  Once my grandfather passed away, my aunt thought it would finally be her time to live her life because her children were grown and her parents were gone.  However, this is when she was diagnosed with cancer and began falling ill.  It’s disheartening the way things turn out, especially when you are in the audience watching and have no control over the way things are going.  My aunt spent majority of her life caring for others and always told me to not allow something/someone absorb my life as she did.  Her last years here were nothing short of painful to watch.  She did not feel she had the support from her husband or daughters that she should have had.  To some extent I think that aided in her decline because she was very upset about it.  I remember when she was first diagnosed, my dad vowed to me there would not be any more arguing or sibling rivalry amongst them and he fulfilled that promise.  The relationship that blossomed between them was beautiful, and I wish they could have established that a long time ago.

If it were not for my aunt taking me in when my mom fell on hard times, providing me with support all the time, and coaching me at this thing called life I would not have made it.  She made my life much easier and was always there when I needed her.  She is the greatest lost I have yet to experience. I pray that I can one day be the inspiration to my niece that she was to me.

-Written on June 9, 2016.

Long Time No Write

It’s been a long time since I actually posted something on here.  I’m actually disappointed in myself to say the least because once again I have fallen short on something that brings me joy…writing.  Needless to say, my life has been so busy lately.  I have been on vacation for a week which meant no working from home and no flying out of the state.  With the exception of late in the evening I have yet to enjoy this “vacation”.  There has been no sleeping in, vacationing somewhere exotic, or really visiting family and friends.  All I have been doing is packing, cleaning, unpacking, and more cleaning over 2700 sq ft of new house.  SMH!

I have just moved into what some call a dream house, but I refer to as my starter home (sorry my dreams are bigger).  Things have been going pretty well for me.  It’s an understatement to say that I have been blessed.  Of course, I still have writer’s block in regards to my Masters Project.  I tried to submit a paper that I knew would be reviewed and considered my final Capstone Project, but for some reason my professor considered it to be an extension of my Masters Proposal.  I ‘m at such a great loss I almost regret taking the Masters courses.  I am almost at my goal of reaching six figures before the age of 30, so what do I really need it for at this point??  However, when I look at the amount of student loans I have I feel that I must complete the degree!

I am also in the process of planning a wedding that I’m hoping will actually happen.  I know that my “fiance” who has yet to propose is on board, but when I talk about it the excitement factor that I expect is not there.  He is much more laid back than I am, but is he really on board??  I know that he wants to marry me, but am I moving too soon?  It’s been five years and we both know that we want to spend the rest of our lives together, but how long is long enough?  I don’t want the proposed date to come and we have not made plans.  Due to it being a proposed destination wedding we have to plan it at least a year in advance so will he be more excited closer to the date?

Another thing grinding my gears is the time I put into trying to help others and them not returning the favor.  I know that you are not supposed to do things expecting others to do the same for you, but some time it would feel good to know that others are there for you.  With my moving and requiring help from others it has really opened my eyes to who is there for me when I need it.  Of course my Bestie Sandra has been there for me, but none of my other “friends or family”.  My future sister-in-law even offered and actually showed up to help me.  The people who never ask anything of me are the ones who are there to help me.  This has really been an eye opening experience.

Through all the recent trials and tribulations I must continue to pray, strive to pray more than once a day, and pray to God for guidance.  I just hope that He answers and I am humble enough to listen and follow His commands.

To conform or not?? That’s the real question…

It all started when I first graduated from high school.  My mom would always say if you were to get pregnant I would raise your child and let you finish school.  Little did anyone know that having a child was the farthest thing from my mind.  With there being ways to protect yourself from getting pregnant if you are sexually active, I had the mindset that I’m not having a child until I am ready.  Once I graduated from college a new question was added, which was “When are you getting married?”  For the life of me I cannot understand why it’s so honorable for women to get married and have children when they are young.  Should it only be expected of a man to desire finishing school and be secure in his career before he has children.  Why is it that as a woman you must put your life on hold, get married and have children??  Why am I judged by my peers for choosing my success over starting my own family?  So my question is am I wrong for not conforming to the liking of my peers?  Those same peers who are struggling and deep down are wishing they had made better choices within their own life…  In no way am I saying that I don’t want children, nor do I think it’s bad to have children young.  Nor am I passing judgment on those who chose to make different choices in their life.  I just think there’s a time for everything and as long as I am of child bearing age I can postpone this segment of my life.  I have heard that there is never a right time to have children or that no time is ever perfect; however I really believe that there are times that are better than others.

 

 

When I first heard Flawless by Beyonce the truth behind these lyrics stood out to me:

We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
“You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man”
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don’t teach boys the same?
We raise girls to each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes

 It upset me that these lyrics had so much truth behind them.  This double standard has to come to an end; we cannot continue to raise our children in this way.  I should not have to hear “Why don’t I have a grandchild, when everyone else does?” I should not have to hear “When are you going to have a baby?”, I should also not have to hear “Are you taking shots at me?” when I give my reasons for not having children.  I am in full support of a person’s decision on how they choose to live their life.  When will they understand that they are living their lives, and I am living my own?

Say what you want, or what makes you feel better about yourself.  At the end of the day I choose not to conform!

Why??

 

They say that all things happen for a reason but I will never understand the reasoning behind it. I am a full believer in when it’s your time that’s just what it is. Knowing that every person is put on this Earth for a purpose and once that purpose is fulfilled He calls you home, but what if you really aren’t ready. What makes subject to illness or injury, but pass over the next person? With my working in the cancer field I understand the science behind it, but for some reason I still can’t accept it. There are some people who die of lung cancer, but have never smoked a cigarette. While on the other hand, you have habitual smokers who have never even had a cancer scare. Who chooses how we have to go?? Not all of it is based upon our standard of living, or free will.

At this point in my life I’m wondering if it is better to just live life, not trying to achieve too much in order to have longer days here. I’ve always wondered if it is true that we are living in Hell on Earth? Knowing that there is no one who can tell you what the after life is like all one can do is have faith. When my grandfather was here I prayed for God to bless him everyday just as much as he had the day before. Now that he’s gone I ask God to bless my grandfather while he’s up there with Him. I would bet my life that my grandfather made it to Heaven, but what about those who didn’t. What does one have to do to not “make the cut” or if you are saved, is everything just forgiven?

I’ve always been taught that you are not to question what God does, and that you are to accept everything for what it is.  I just don’t understand how it is possible to live on this Earth helping people and then to have your life cut short.  To spend all your days assisting others and taking care of others then to fall terminally ill; when you put your own physical and mental health on the back burner to care for someone else?  Who makes the rules, and will there ever be anyone who can explain to me why these things happen?

The news that I received from a family member two weeks ago has completely torn my life apart.  It angers me that it takes the possibility of not having a family member here physically for you to realize just how much they mean to you.  How come I never realized what my life would be like without you here before?  If I had I’m sure I would have cherished you being around a lot more.  All the time we spent together would not have been taken for granted.  Feeling this way and knowing that you are not gone yet makes me feel like I still have an opportunity to tell you how I feel.  Even though you aren’t gone yet knowing that I never took advantage of every opportunity we had together in the past hurts me.  I don’t know f I am supposed to feel sad or angry, at this time anger is overcoming all and any emotion.  I just don’t know who I should be angry with exactly.  For this reason all I can do is pray and have faith.  I will continue to come and see you as much as possible without you feeling like I’m only trying to be around so much because I feel you are dying.  However, before it is all said and done I will make sure that you know just how much I appreciate all that you have done for me my entire life!

Strength

I’ve found that one of the hardest things for me lately has been having strength.  It’s surprising that one of the main things one would think should bother me i.e. my disability isn’t the thing that bothers me most.  Maybe because deep down I know that is something I cannot change and I think it’s been my motivation to do better in life.  My lack of strength comes from current events, my relationship, the way I allow others to control my emotions, as well as the decisions my loved ones make.  

One of the most unsettling things is the way that African Americans are viewed. This is something that may never change here in the U.S., or at least while I am here in the physical form.  We are viewed as unequal, less than human, ignorant, thugs, and a species to be feared/hated.  After all that we have had to endure in history it really hurts me to see that people view us in this way.  I am aware that some of this is as a result of what we reflect; however we should not all be viewed as such.  I once heard somewhere that we are the only race who takes ownership of what other African Americans do, or feel shame for what others we identify with do.  I am not exactly sure of why we are that way if it is at all true.  I get angry when I see the media portray us as short-tempered, ignorant, or less than although it happens every day.  Seeing the verdict today in the case of the “Loud Music” trial brought me to this.  Time and time again, more recently than in the past there has been more coverage of what I feel are “hate crimes”, and the aggressor has had their actions justified while the victim is not here to defend themselves. 

As far as my relationship goes, by far it is better than most my age.  However, as with every relationship be it heterosexual or homosexual, every two persons have different views.  My boyfriend is the new millennium’s “Renaissance Man”; meaning he is skilled in many attributes and uses these to his advantage to capitalize from them.  This is one of the things that attracted me to this young man, but at the same time it pushes me away. With my traveling every week for 3-5 days at a time, I feel that every moment I am at home we should be together.  Of course, that’s not always possibly and I find myself either getting extremely upset or angry.  It takes a great deal of strength to not let these emotions consume me.  This is an area that I myself can actually improve on if I become determined to do so.  

Lastly, I have never claimed to be a person who knows everything; however of the things I know I can be very resourceful.  When someone consults me for advice I expect them to take it into consideration, even if they do not take heed to everything I am suggesting.  It really grinds my gears when I see a loved one experiencing a situation that could have been completely avoided if they had taken my advice, or considered the cause and effect of their actions.  My assumption is that although these thoughts may seem self-centered, I just choose not to see those that I love going through distress.  I am confident that there are others who may feel the same way, but don’t express those feelings.

…Just my thoughts, Man….

Richard Sherman, Thugs, and Black Humanity

Thank you for this beautiful post! I’m most definitely reblogging it!

Olivia A. Cole

Today I’m wondering what it takes for a black man to be regarded as human in America.

Today Richard Sherman is being lambasted for his animated post-game interview in which he dared to express emotion outside of the cubic centimeter men of color are allotted. A cornerback in one of the most physically demanding sports in the country—after a game in which bodies were injured and crushed; after a game that required players to be helped off the field—wins a critical game and has a microphone stuck in his face. He says what he says, and suddenly the nation is clutching its pearls, tutting and making pretend-concerned remarks about sportsmanship and graciousness. Today, Tom Brady criticizes Richard Sherman for his lack of “graciousness.” Today, Richard Sherman is being called a thug, and I’m wondering what that word really means.

Does it mean foul-mouthed? After all, Tom Brady was never called…

View original post 828 more words

Everything I’m not, made me everything I am

Recently, I was listening to Pandora when Kanye West’s song “Everything I Am” came on and made me reflect on my life. There are so many things that make me who I am as well as so many things I’ve had to endure that I would never change. Due to my traveling weekly for my job I encounter so many people from all walks of life. The most intriguing are those seated in first class with me when I get upgraded. I’m not sure exactly why but the majority of people sitting in first class are older white men. So when I, a young black woman gets upgraded as in the words of Tupac ” All Eyes On Me”. I’ve had many variations of the question all want to ask posed to me in all sorts of ways, which is “How did YOU get to sit in first class?”.  Some may have been offensive; however once I tell them a little about myself and what I did to get where I am a look of admiration comes over their faces.

I grew up as a typical inner city African-American statistically characterized child. I AM a product of a single parent home. My mother was a single parent, my sister and I have different fathers, whom were both abusive. Due to the struggles I witnessed my mother having to endure I knew that I had to make a better way for myself, and my future children. My mother felt the same way so she always enforced education, and told my younger sister and I that we had to go to college. She didn’t care where we went, but we had to have higher education. I’ve heard plenty of times that children pay for their parents’ sins. I’m not sure if I understand or agree with it. I AM considered disabled, but too determined, independent, and educated to get disability. At the age of eleven I was hit by a car and run over by a truck, which almost cost me my life. As a result, I do not have the usage of my left arm below my elbow and although I am down because of it sometimes, I have to admit that I believe it has been my motivation to succeed.  I AM a product of the Detroit Public School system, and although I feel there is more that I could have learned at a private institution there are circumstances that I witnessed and experienced, which I wouldn’t change for the world.  I do not feel that I was ill-equipped for college by the time I made it there, but it could be because I chose to go to a HBCU. I have heard that HBCU’s are not always up to par, and that they support you a lot more than other institutions.  I graduated from Wilberforce University with an undergrad degree in Biology.  I’m not sure if my university places in the top rankings when compared to large universities or not.  If it doesn’t, I wouldn’t be surprised.  I can say that I AM no longer considered a statistic. I am 28 years old, do not have children, am graduate-level educated, free of any and all addictions, not trying to be something I’m not, can relate to ghetto persons as well as the 6-figure individuals, and will never forget where I came from. I WILL never be ashamed of who or what I am. I WILL never be a model. I WILL never lower my standards to make someone else feel better about themselves. I WILL never bite my tongue if I feel there is something that needs to be said. I WILL also never stop talking about my accomplishments because I feel that if I made it out and did something better it’s possible for anyone else to do the same.

I have been called snobby, stuck up, selfish, mean, self-centered, arrogant, conceited, judgmental, you name it!  However, from those that know me I have been called beloved, determined, loving, caring, giving, selfless, a lifesaver, beautiful both in and out, etc.

Your perception of me is what you make it because I always remain consistent. Just always remember, everything I’m not made me everything I am.

The Liebster Award

A while ago I was awarded the Liebster Award by a fellow blogger!  What an honor!  With my level of inactivity, I never thought I would even get recognized as a “blogger”! Although I have many thoughts streaming through my mental day in and day out, it is very hard for me to find time to just sit down and put those thoughts in writing.  I’m in high hopes that I will get to a point where I set aside a certain amount of time each day to at least visit the site, which will encourage my own postings.  Anywho, I have a huge tendency to digress, I would like to thank: http://shunpwrites.com/ and tend to the responsibility at hand.

The Rules:

1. Each nominee must link back to the person that nominated them.

2. Answer the ten questions given to you by the nominator.

3. Nominate 10 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

4. Create 10 questions for your nominees to answer.

5. Let the nominees know you have nominated them by going to their website and notifying them.

Shun P’s.10 questions

1. Why do you write, is it because of passion?

I write because it’s a past-time that I have always enjoyed.  Every since I was in middle school I used to write in a journal daily, poems, and short stories.  About two years ago I started writing three different novels, which I have complete writer’s block and have not found time to continue writing them.  Partly because I feel guilty when I try to continue writing the novels knowing that I should be focusing that energy on my Master’s Project, which has been lingering for about three years.

2. What could you quit cold turkey, without a second thought?

If I had to quit something cold turkey without a second thought, it would probably be talking on the phone.  I do not like talking on the phone and get aggravated when my phone keeps ringing. Majority of the time I get aggravated when I get too many text messages, and don’t feel like being bothered.  I can tolerate email, hand mail, and sometimes video messaging when I’m in the mood just not talking on the phone.  I understand that some things would be more difficult to do without talking on the phone, such as paying bills and making doctor’s appointments but most of that stuff I do online.

3. What is your biggest pet peeve?

 My biggest pet peeve is people taking advantage of and wasting opportunities that are given to them.  For someone who grew up without that “silver spoon”, I don’t understand why people who have it so easy don’t take advantage of their situation.  If I were born with some of the blessings of those around me, I really think I would have done things different from they did as well as used those advantages to be further along in life.

4. What is the most selfless think that you’ve ever done?

I have a really giving spirit, and I feel that I have been blessed to bless others. Although, I sometimes give so much that I end up having to go without, which is something I’m trying to improve.  One of the most selfless things I’ve ever done was to open my one-bedroom apartment to my male cousin who I had just met.  I knew he was having a hard time finding his way while working as a DJ at an adult entertainment nightclub in Southwest Detroit.  When I picked him up from work and dropped him off at home one evening, I had an inkling that his utilities were off at the house where he was residing.  The house was not in the best condition to begin with, so I decided to allow him to live with me in Harper Woods.  Might I add I was his only means of transportation, but I would do it all over again if I had to.   FAMILY FIRST!

5. Do you hold grudges, why or why not?

I am the queen of holding grudges!  I try so hard not to but I am also very stubborn and I think it is a learned behavior, because my father’s side of the family is guilty of it as well.  If I am wrong, I will admit that I made a mistake, but if I am not given a chance to right my wrong in what I feel to be an appropriate time frame I will not go to extreme measures to repair a relationship.  It’s even worse if I feel I was the one wronged.  If I do not feel that you are going out of your way to make things right, or I do not feel that you are genuinely apologetic you can forget it!

6. How would your epitaph read?

Here lies Robin Ezell —-, she was a beloved granddaughter, daughter, sister, mother, wife, and friend.  She had a very bad attitude, but no doubt a giving heart and a selfless spirit.

7. What has been the biggest honor of your life?

Thus far, the biggest honor of my life has been being promoted to Sr. Clinical Research Associate.  Many were happy for me, and thought I was excited about the tremendous pay increase that came with the promotion.  To me, it was more about the title.  Here I was at the tender age of 27 receiving the title of Sr. CRA, when all those around me with the same title were in their mid to late 40’s and older.  I felt like I had made great decisions career and education wise in order to accomplish this so early in my career history.  The best is yet to come!

8. If you had access to a time machine, what would you change?

If I had access to a time machine, and I could change something about someone else at a specific time in my life I would go back to when I was a toddler.  I would make sure that both my parents and both sets of grandparents were affectionate towards me.  My father and paternal grandfather always told me they loved me and kissed me.  My mother and maternal grandparents hardly ever did.  Although, I know they loved me and I don’t feel that they neglected me in any way. I believe that’s why I have a problem with being affectionate, do not enjoy kissing at all, and am totally uncomfortable when it comes to PDA.  I would have also liked for someone to notice my anger issues early on and get me the help needed back then.  Having a different way of dealing with my anger would have prevented a lot of the issues I have found myself dealing with as an adult.  Learning to cope with my anger is something I have yet to deal with.  I guess it will have to go on a Bucket List!

9. What is your dream job and how far are you from realizing it?

Sad to say that I don’t actually have a dream job.  When I was younger I always thought I wanted to be an Anesthesiologist, then I realized the actual job description I wanted to do was that of a Nurse Anesthetist.  By the time I realized that, I had graduated from undergrad with a Bachelor’s in Biology.  I was told that I would have to go back to school for nursing, and after obtaining a nursing degree I could specialize in Anesthesiology.  I was so discouraged because I felt that I could have just gone to school for nursing, and not suffered through as many Biology and Chemistry courses (even though I enjoyed taking most of them).  I never attempted to go to nursing school initially because I knew that some of the functions I could not perform, due to my left arm being paralyzed as a result of the car accident I suffered from as a child.  So I decided to make use of my Biology degree and joined the field of Clinical Research.  As misguided as I was, I thought I needed a Master’s Degree to perform the job that I am now doing.  So I decided to go to school for a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research.  I finished my coursework a year and a half after starting the degree; however I have not finished my Masters Project and I’ve been working in the field now (as a CRA, which I thought I needed the Master’s Degree for) going on four years.  At this point, there are lots of avenues I have thought about taking but I’m not sure which one fits me.  My next step will be Project Management in a few years, because there is no way that I can raise my future children from a hotel room in another state.

10. What single person in your family has impacted you the most?

The single person in my family who has impacted me the most I would have to say is my paternal grandfather.  Although by the time I was born he was already retired I heard from everyone who knew him that he was a hardworking man.  On the weekends he was binge drinker (I get it from both sides of the family), but come Sunday he would be sobering up to prepare for the work week, and would not take another drink until Friday evening.  He was a provider for his family, and stepped in as a father to me when my own was out on a hiatus. He was 20 years older than my grandmother, but took great care of her until she passed away from Multiple Sclerosis in 2004.  My grandfather that I speak of is the person of whom I am mentioning in my post titled My Angel.  He just left us physically on December 30, 2013 at the age of 95.  I thank God every night for allowing him to be here for so long, and for the beautiful life that he lived.

**Below are my nine inquiries: 

1. Why do you blog?

2. Who has had the biggest influence on you?

3. What makes you laugh out loud?

4. What is your biggest accomplishment?

5. What do you do to earn a living?

6. What has been your proudest moment thus far?

7. What is your favorite movie or TV show?

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

9. Who is your favorite author and why?

10. When you aren’t blogging, what are you doing?

My ten nominees are:

http://lynzeeleigh.wordpress.com/

http://ltbcomedy.wordpress.com/

http://theeldertree.wordpress.com/

http://jessicadelellis.wordpress.com/

http://magshaw.wordpress.com/

http://elizabethkatherinehazel.wordpress.com/

http://askmeaboutyourlove.wordpress.com/

http://amandasrandom.wordpress.com/

http://otmym.com/

http://lilyklynn.wordpress.com/

Airport Etiquette

With the holidays and losing my Granddad it’s been a while since I’ve been on the road. This was my first week back to my second home (the airport), and I can’t say that I’ve missed it that much. Traveling and being away from home is stressful enough without the ignorance of all the other travelers you encounter along the way. Reminiscing on some of the issues I’ve had to deal with made me consider an airport etiquette book and/or course that some should adhere to before traveling. Hopefully those that will never research the topic are bloggers, and will run across this post!

1. While waiting in line at the security checkpoint, please adhere to what the security guards are saying. Have your ID and boarding pass out, and ready to be handed over to the security guard! It’s not a joke; you will need to show these forms of ID before proceeding. If you see everyone else getting those documents ready before approaching the security guard, why wouldn’t you do the same?? If you do not have “status” with that airline, do not stand in the priority line trying to see if they will let you slide! You are holding up the priority line, as well as skipping the line for the “regular” travelers when they have waited in line longer than you have. The security guards are specifically telling you to make sure there is nothing in your pockets, be ready to take your shoes, belt, and coat off! Sorry to break it to you, but you are no more special than the person in front of you who had to do all the same things. If you have a computer in your bag it must be removed, as well as your toiletry bag. Under no circumstances are they going to allow you to bring in liquids that are contained in bottles larger than 3 oz., so don’t hold up the line trying. If you see someone who has their bags open, belt and shoes off and look as if they are ready to slide their belongings through the metal detector but you are standing there fumbling, let them go ahead of you! There is no use in holding up the line and upsetting them because you aren’t a frequent traveler or did not come prepared!

2. Most airlines have a specific order of boarding their planes. For example, Delta allows any military personnel or persons who may need extra time to get down the jet bridge to board first. Next up is First Class (if the plane has first class), and then its Sky Priority proceeded by Zones 1-3. If you do not need additional time to get down the jet bridge and you are not seated in First Class, or Sky Priority you should be seated in the waiting area at this time. There is no need for you to crowd the boarding area when you are not even allowed to board yet!

3. If you are seated in an aisle seat and you make it to your seat before the person seated in the window seat; you might as well take your seat, and not get comfy. There is no need in putting on your seatbelt or beginning to dose off. More than likely, you will have to get up to let the other person get to their seat. Do not get an attitude when they say “Excuse me, I think I’m sitting on the other side of you”. If you don’t want to be bothered once you sit down, don’t rush onto the plane knowing you may have to get up if your “neighbor” isn’t there yet.

4. When storing your luggage please by all means place at least one, preferably the smallest bag under the seat in front of you. Yes we all would love to have some extra leg room, but just how you didn’t want to check ALL your bags, there could be a person who needs space for one bag after they placed one under the seat in front of them. Also, there needs to be more adherences to the one personal item, and one piece of luggage rule! If you have more than two bags you are violating this rule and need to be punished!

5. After taking your seat, please use the arm rests unless the person sitting next to you is someone you know! Raising an arm rest to give you more space because you do not fit in one seat is not right!! You are taking the space of the person sharing a row with you and causing them to be uncomfortable due to your obesity! I am aware that airplane seats are small, but if you are aware that you may not fit in one seat don’t make someone else suffer!

6. Number 6 has been alleviated due to the FAA changing its guidelines towards electronic devices having to be turned off prior to the plane taking off. Under the new guidelines you have to make sure that your phone or tablet is turned to airplane mode prior to takeoff, but they can be used throughout the duration of the flight.

7. Once the plane lands, everyone likes to jump up out of their seats with nowhere to go! Unless you are in the first couple of rows, you might as well stay seated. If your flight was only 45 minutes (which most of mine are), you are not that restless from sitting down! If there are people sitting in rows ahead of you, give them a chance to get off the plane before you come bumping down the aisle with all of your bags! If you had to place your bag a few rows back because you boarded the plane late, wait for others to get off to retrieve your bag. Asking people five rows behind if they can pass you your bag can be quite disturbing and unnecessary.

Not being a crabby patty, but just wanted to share my thoughts on how you can be a complete nuisance without knowing it at the airport!