I spent my two years in the classroom chronically dehydrated. As a teacher, my bathroom schedule was pretty much like clockwork and perfectly coordinated with my prep hour and lunch. My water intake was calculated to avoid any unplanned bathroom visits and I consumed about 12 ounces of water a day. Now, in the office, I keep a 24 oz. water bottled on my desk throughout the day. I refill it at least three times a day and I can use the restroom whenever I want! I am so hydrated all the time! This is truly like a fantasy world.

In the office, most people stream Pandora or Spotify through their headphones over the course of the day. It is a way to tune out distractions and focus on work. Everyone sits silently while their playlists play on. In my classroom, I had Shakira and Selena Pandora streaming all day with my students. I would often belt out the lyrics to “Como la Flor” or “Rabiosa” and would even bust a move from time to time. In the office, it’s been extremely difficult to control my desire to sing along to Beyonce and Motown at the top of my lungs. I’ve resorted to symphonies and orchestral music instead, which definitely yields more productivity.

Before working in One Detroit Center, I had only ever seen Campus Martius fairly empty, apart from the seasonal ice skating or summer concerts. I saw Potbellys, Starbucks, and Coney Islands closed in the evenings and wondered how they stayed in business. Now that I’m downtown for the lunch hour, I see exactly how they remain open. Campus Martius and downtown are jam-packed between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm. Instead of eating a sorry excuse for a lunch in the teachers lounge, (with my great coworkers–shout out to Wasmer, Oh, Martorana, and Martin!) I have a variety of soups, sandwiches, salads, and Coney dogs to choose from. All while enjoying a relaxing fountain view. It’s not a bad upgrade.

I’m torn on this one. As a teacher, I woke up in the dark and drove to work in the dark. I even recall starting my first hour in the dark for a few weeks of the school year. On my way to school, I shared I-94 only with truckers and fellow teachers. I was often in the building before 7 am.  Now, my commute happens two hours later and I wait in a long line of cars on M-10 to get off at Jefferson. The sun is typically shining on my morning commute and my mornings have evolved into a relaxing cup of coffee and light reading. Still though, being a part of the rat race is no fun.