My job requires me to get up really early, around 5:30 a.m. every morning. If I want to take the bus, I even have to get up about 15 minutes earlier than that. This is simply cruel, don’t you agree? Who the heck gets up that early?
FYI, I am not a morning grouch at all, lest you suspected otherwise. I like the early morning hours. Everything is so quiet and peaceful. Still, (physically) getting up that early is hard for me.
I remember back in College when I worked for the (German) Postal Service during the semester breaks. I would usually start work around 5:00-5:30 a.m.
Most days I would ride my bike to work (especially in the summer) and the ride was just beeeeautiful. The whole town was still asleep, the sun just came up behind the horizon and just a few birds were already busily chirping away. I really enjoyed those 15-minute-rides through the downtown area of my home town. I usually passed a couple of bakeries on the way, able to smell the fresh bread that was being baked right then and there. I also got into the habit of greeting a few early-birds (mostly older women, what’s up with that?) who were sweeping the front porch at 5:30 a.m. and usually the newspaper guy who was also working that early, and while these are all pleasant memories, I always knew that I would never ever get used to start work that early.
Still, I always envisioned that one of those days, when I was not working for the Postal Service anymore, I would intentionally get up around 5 a.m. to take a nice bike ride through the sleeping town and then return home to snuggle up in bed under the blankets again. It sounded like such a wonderful perfect idea.
Yeah right, as if that ever happened.
I just couldn’t get myself to get up, if I didn’t have to… but believe me, I tried. I really tried. I set my alarm for 5 a.m. numerous times, only to turn of the alarm thinking “Ah, screw it” and turn around to continue my beauty sleep.
Ridiculous, I know. Severe lack of self-discipline.
Little did I know that I was eventually going to get a job that would require me to get up (almost) that early again. I have to say, you do get used to it after a while. It has also taught me that on days like today when I really didn’t want to get up I know how to appreciate the early morning hours before the whole city gets busy and loud. To make the best of it, despite the urge to crawl back under the blankets.
Kristi
November 3, 2009 at 9:49 pmAh, I have a hard time getting up at 6:30, although your description of when you were younger sounds absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
I LOVE how you clarified GERMAN Postal Service! LOL
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..Me So Literary =-.
Steffi
November 3, 2009 at 11:27 pmI have to get up at 05:45 and in summer that is not a big deal.
On some weekends I even have to get up around 4 or half past 4 to go to a riding show and that’s fine.
But in winter, especially after the time chance, when I have to get up when it’s dark and come home from work when it starts getting dark again – it’s awful.
I could sleep 10 hours each night.
But I agree, it’s beautiful outside when you are the only one around and the sunrise starts.
We used to meet at the stable at 5 and go for early outrides during summer when it was really hot and humid as this is the only time you really can enjoy an outride around July/ August.
When we came back from the ride we used to buy fresh rolls and Brezen from the bakery and have breakfast at the stable all together. That was great!
Antje
November 4, 2009 at 3:55 amI agree, it is such a special atmosphere in the early morning hours. The only time I had to be out before 6 am though was when I did my traineeship at a hotel in Paris. It was wonderful to get some fresh air before the heat and humidity took over the city.
.-= Antje´s last blog ..Protected: DAYS LIKE THESE =-.
Tanja
November 4, 2009 at 6:01 amI love the early morning and I don’t have a hard time getting up. My routine….every morning at 5.30 am walking the dog, one cup of coffee, 30 minutes on the treadmill, shower, another cup of coffee and when I’m on my way to work I feel like I already accomplished a lot ;)
.-= Tanja´s last blog ..Trick or Treat – a lot of candys for us ;) =-.
Stefanie
November 4, 2009 at 6:17 amRecently I started getting up at 5am every morning to make Collin’s sandwiches for work. Sometimes I stay up and exercise, sometimes I go back to bed for another hour. It all depends. But I agree, early morning hours are the best and waking up early makes me feel like I have accomplished a lot more.
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Like a deployment. =-.
kim
November 4, 2009 at 6:35 amyeah, probably won’t ever happen to me. the getting up early just because thing i mean. i just don’t function at all that early. i guess if i had to maybe i could adjust (for a job or something) but it’s hard to imagine. plus, i’d have to go to bed early but i really can’t usually go to sleep much before midnight…
.-= kim´s last blog ..i should be at home right now =-.
Jess
November 4, 2009 at 6:38 amWow, that is early. What time do you go to bed?
Did you live at home during College or in D?
ilka
November 4, 2009 at 6:54 amyeah for me it also is more like a hate relationship to getting up early. i mean there are a lot of people who have to get up at 5 or even have to start work at 5 but they are home around 2, which is kinda need. but i guess i would fall asleep during the afternoon. i wonder if my body would get used to it;-)
i remember when i worked for wella i had to work sundays and i remember hating it that i was the only one on the streets. and to having to start work on a sunday at 7am is not funny.
doahleigh
November 4, 2009 at 7:28 amMy fiance gets up at 4am every day. He has to for his job, poor guy. It still feels like the middle of the night to me whenever his alarm goes off.
.-= doahleigh´s last blog ..Eructation, still =-.
ute
November 4, 2009 at 7:41 amdamn girl that is early. I get up at 6 and I HATE it. but what can i do. haha. too bad it is about 3 am where you are when I wake up otherwise I could text you. haha.
kaylen
November 4, 2009 at 9:35 amI think we adjust and adapt to most any situation. I too hate the early mornings, but for about 5 years, I had to get up at 6am, and then after getting ready, had to take a bus for 40 minutes to get to work….and I fully adapted and it was no big deal, but the idea of doing either of those things, much less both, is absurd.
I get to sleep in until 6:40am nowadays and that extra 40 minutes is like a hug from earth. I love it!
.-= kaylen´s last blog ..Random Thoughts Tuesday – Just the Randomness, Nothing but the Randomness =-.
Maribeth
November 4, 2009 at 11:09 amI have been getting up that early since Anneliese’s pups and it continues. Of course they will be gone very soon and for another 10 months I can sleep in a little. Like maybe 7-8 o’clock!
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Learning =-.
Susi
November 4, 2009 at 11:16 amthey were sweeping the porch? Really?
Alison
November 4, 2009 at 5:05 pmWhenever I have woken up that early, I’ve thought how wonderful it was, and that I should make a habit of it. I never have.
.-= Alison´s last blog ..On Health Care =-.
Carolina
November 6, 2009 at 10:34 pmI HATE waking up early with a passion! And as you know I have an insomnia problem which doesn’t help!
I’m a total morning grouch…boo!!
.-= Carolina´s last blog ..“Half of My Heart” =-.
Terra
November 7, 2009 at 6:24 amI totally agree. There’s just something so special about the early hours of the morning. I recently had to take a friend to the airport at 5 AM and it was so nice to drive back and be alone in the quiet.
.-= Terra´s last blog ..Ouch. =-.