A funny thing happened on my way to work. :)

Happy Miercoles everyone!

We are half-way through a busy week and I hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

As for me, I was almost left without my lunch today, which is a protein shake because I got tired of my usual PB&J and I always carry a baggie of two scoops of protein in my bag. Just in case, I guess. In case of what I don't know but at least I have it.

Anyways, we always have police officers around South Ferry, my last stop on the train, searching bags that look suspicious, or overly large bags that look suspicious. This morning I thought it was a good idea to take my large grey bag because it was raining and I have an interview today that requires me to dress up. Obviously, I can't show up wearing my fabulous yellow rain boots, so I had to pack my heels, my notebook, planner, some makeup, keys, and whatever else I threw in there. My bag was quite large but nothing looked suspicious about it or me.

I stepped off the train and started my usual sprint towards the ferry so I wouldn't miss it. I had my purple jacket on with the hoodie over me to shield me from the rain. As I was passing the turnstalls, an officer screamed, "Ma'am, stop! Stop right there!" I could hear him over my earphones so being the metiche that I am, I glanced back to check and realized he was chasing me! So I stopped mid-glide and waited for him. I thought I might have dropped something or he wanted my phone number. :)

No, he asked me to accompany him to the terminal station so he could check my bag. I asked why and told him I was going to miss my ferry if I showed him my bag. He informed me that they do random bag checks and my bag was picked to be checked and that I ignored him and ran off. He became more suspicious as I started running up the stairs. I started smiling and that didn't help and he escorted me to their table. There, in front of all the other metiches, they began searching my bag. People must have thought I was the Latina Maria Poppins because they pulled out my shoes, my makeup, animal crackers, planner, markers, notebook and finally, my snack size pack of white powdered protein shake. He took it out, examined it and as he did, I couldn't help but smile my cheezy smile because I knew what it looked like! Or so I think I know from seeing it on tv. He looked at me and said, "Ma'am what's in this bag?" "Protein mix, for lunch!" I replied. He opened the bag, and I'm sure he could smell the sweet smelling vanilla aroma of the pack. He laughed, and asked where my protein cup was, and I said, "It's in the bottom of the bag!" He looked at it, smiled and confiscated my protein mix, just in case I somehow managed to create explosive devices or snort it I guess. I apologized for the inconvenience and explained that I carry it for lunch or for yoga and that I ran toward the stairs because my ferry leaves exactly at 9am and not a minute later and that I always run after my ferry. I think he thought I was an idiot, so he quickly packed all my items back in. I thanked him for his fine service to NYC and I ran off towards the ferry. Of course, I missed it, so I sat there waiting for the next one.

As I sat there, I realized I should probably not run in front of police officers like that and should probably carry a smaller bag. Maybe I should label my protein as well and stop wearing a long coat with a hoodie that covers my face. Or maybe I just looked like a hot mess and he thought I was up to something. Either way, I couldn't stop laughing at the situation and now I am sitting here wondering if he drank my protein shake?

God bless the men in blue.. for better or for worse, they keep us safe. I just never thought I'd look like the menacing type. :) Excellent morning adventure.