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.

Army & HPCX

A couple Saturday's ago we drove up to West Point in New York for Paul's CX race at Army and I loved these rolling hills of color.

And I got to use my favorite new lens to document some of that up nice and close.

West Point had this dreamy lake and I was imagining summer days jumping off the doc. Lets go back in mid-July, alright?

This bridge was part of the race course. How lucky!

This racer was part of the race too. And also he has some nice legs! Go Paul.

So proud of this guy.

(our photographer reminded him to be excited because...)

FIRST PLACE! PAUL FRANDSEN #1!

I'm so glad I captured this triumphant return with the Gold Medal of Glory!

Gold medal photoshoot by the lake.

Just pretend he's on a podium since West Point didn't provide one...

And look how much this Odonata loved the Entomologist.

The next weekend was cold and miserable for Beacon Cross (in South Jersey) and HPCX (Rutgers' "home" cyclocross race).

I sat in the car until the absolute last minute...

Actually so did Paul. hahah

It was rainy and muddy and blurry.

Gravel face slash so tired.

But I had to have a post race picture with the man. Doesn't he look like John Wayne or some old-fashioned hero tough man?

The truth is he was showing several signs of hypothermia so I decided to stop taking pictures and let him warm up!

The drive home from Beacon was scary Turnpike snowy bad drivers etc.

And we arrived in our parking lot to mucho snow. I texted my family and said "New Jersey is pretending to be Utah right now." You see, last year - the first snow fall here was Dec 24.

But we had to rise and shine the next morning for more racing and lots of snow.

Good thing Paul is from Idaho and he did terrific in the snow.

Terrific as in first place for a lap or so which is hard and a big huge deal especially when you are being a snowplow for the 70 people trying to catch you.

Way to go IDAHO!

The snow quickly turned to mud...

But I loved the snow for great lighting!

Maybe it looks like I'm going snow skiing but being a scout leader has taught me to be prepared. :)

yeahhhh cyclocross...