I started a new job and got so busy!

Back back back to the blogging. This is what we call a catch-up post!

Paul is racing at CycleSmart in Massachusetts this weekend and I didn't make the trek - so I have a free weekend to get a few things checked off my to-do list.

An oil change, a library visit, some deep cleaning, a visit to IKEA and some blog catch up.

Here is what I have been up in the last two weeks aka since I started working full-time with a 2 hour a day commute and barely having any free time.

First up, a new job is the best news, but also hard saying goodbye to some of my first (and still some of my only, haha) NJ friends.

Including JOE! This guy comes into the OG twice a day every day. Lunch and Dinner. Soup and Salad with Pasta e Fagioli for lunch and Chicken Parmigana for dinner. Don't worry - he requested me on my last day and tipped me extra (that's a big thing for a man who does the same thing everyday!)

Then nice friends got me a cake, cards and a balloon!

And I decided it was time for a group picture of sorts.

I then bestowed my good upon some of my friends.
My button to Heather...

A tie for Cierra...

And an apron for Jess.

Then I walked out those doors, me and my balloon... and drove away.
(until I realized I'd forgotten to grab my free pumpkin cheese cake and I drove right back!)

But now that I don't work nights and weekends all the time, I get to do lots of fun things like normal people.  For example, Paul's flag football games!

My new job is going so great! One of the best parts is the occasional lunch time field trip.

To... the Sacred Grove!
(Almost, but not really actually the Sacred Grove - just one state away!)

 

We found this pile of feathers which was sad/gross and totally awesome at the same time because the feathers were really cool! Bright yellow, lots of different patterns... and the little down feathers had hearts!

On my drove home this little Hymonoptera hitched a ride on my windshield. Such nice company!

Every time I see this huge field full of geese on my commute, I think of my dad who hates geese because they ruin his golf course.

Another day at lunch I stopped by this bakery to get a treat for the Diwali party we were going to that night. I loved the bread! I bought a baguette for my spinachi! (Marie, the baguettes, hurry up!)

Then I realized I work about 5 miles from Princeton University and I thought I had just enough time to take my bakery cupcake to Princeton and check out the campus I had heard so much about.

It was awesome.

Ivy League indeed.

This cupcake was also very awesome.

England or New Jersey? Same thing almost?

 More castles!

Princeton you are sooooo fancy.

Then I headed to the Diwali party. Diwali is the Indian holiday that celebrates all sorts of things, but mostly it's the Festival of Lights? I'm pretty sure most people know about it thanks to Kelly from The Office. Did I want to be a cheerleader? Kind of. Did I wish I had my Sari from Ryan Martelly's mom? Definitely.

The food was so good! Craving it still.

A bit of Henna to feel more legitimate.

Did you know that red dot is paint made from rose petals? 

The religious ceremony part of the evening was (a little long)/very interesting and I like experiencing new cultures!

The next night was more parties at our Ward's trunk or treat - but guess what? SNOW! (As seen in my cyclocross report). So... we had it inside, and instead of transforming my car into this great monster thing, I used the doorway. (Thanks activity day girls for helping me make the decorations!)

I think this little Woody enjoyed walking through the mouth of a monster... muaahaha!

And here are some more photos of a few of my lunch breaks this week. I just take an hour a day to explore the new city I work in, find pretty things, and eat my Jello Snack Packs. YUM!

And aren't car washes one of the more fun things in life?

Ok that was great! I'll try to stay more up-to-date but no guarantees people.