Originally Posted Jan. 29, 2021

This year, I’m wearing a neon safety vest, oversized black cargo pants, and steel-toed boots as I work in the Middle East. Although I work for the same company, my responsibilities have drastically changed.

I volunteered to temporarily transition from technical editing to inventory. Stacks of cardboard boxes, rolls of bubble wrap, and kits of tape and box knives are oddly familiar to me. Growing up, I helped my dad with his gun business inventory. Wearing my pink pajamas at age 15, I’d sort through ammo so that he could situate it on the shelves. When I was even younger, Jacy, Makayla, and I made the best use of the leftover bubble wrap—we either stomped on it or gave it to our Barbie dolls (they could always use another bubble wrap bed).

This inventory, however, includes 48” x 32” pallets, which I learned how to successfully mount on the tops of shelves by using a forklift. Instead of having tired eyes after work, I leave with sore feet and 3+ miles on my FitBit.

But the on-the-clock exercise doesn’t put a halt to my after-work workouts. Last week, I clipped on my runner’s funny pack, turned up my earphones, and headed down the sidewalk and over the crosswalks to West Bay Park, where my work friend and I met to run.

The sun shined orange-pink as we ran a couple miles along the gray brick trail. The setting reminded me of what one might see on a video game—the “city view” setting for a race. Countless skyscrapers stood in the distance as car engines roared down the street beside us. Maverick City Music in my earphones drowned out the noise as I focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Halfway through the run, my work friend pointed out an area where there was outdoor workout equipment, including a non-electric treadmill, stationary bike, and leg press. “If I were to design a park, this would be it,” I thought to myself.

After my work friend headed back to the hotel, I decided to continue exploring the area—and I stayed until the sun set. On my way back to the hotel, I passed the pink-lit Rainbow Roundabout. My brown eyes reflected swirls of pink as I paused to take photos of the arch. As I continued to walk back, I noticed the endless flow of traffic. This city is always awake.

Back at the hotel, I went on a quick swim. The cool air chilled my arms and legs, but my goosebumps disappeared as I entered the warm, steamy water. I was the only person in the whole pool on the 46th rooftop floor.

After finally winding down for the night, I bundled up in the hotel white robe and checked my FitBit, which recorded over 8 miles for the day. I set the bar high on my first day of work, so I decided to modify my FitBit step goal from 13,000 to 17,000 a day.

At 5 a.m. the next day, my alarm went off, and I began again—each day starts with that first step.