I am happy to report that I have an awesome new job that I’m eager to start tomorrow! I’m excited because it’s a real next-step in my career, not just a job to keep me busy and pay my rent. Like almost everyone else, I’ve had highs and lows in my relatively short professional life; I’ve made mistakes and learned so much, and I’m really looking forward to proving myself and succeeding in this position. This is starting to sound like I’m writing a cover letter, but I really am excited and I feel so lucky to have been offered something in this kind of economy.
My new hours will be a little bit longer and my commute is further, so I’ve decided to incorporate running into my commute. This way, running will be incorporated into my day, not something I’ll have to do AFTER a longer day and a longer commute. It’s about a 4.5 mile run to my train, but I’ll probably extend that to 6 or 7 on a couple of days. Fiance and I have been talking about biting the bullet and buying a place downtown (we’re further south in the suburbs right now), but until we do, I may just have to stick with shorter-to-middle distances given my schedule now (I should also mention I have a prospective, second part-time job I can do from home). I’ve been looking at some good running backpacks so I can haul my stuff back and forth – if anyone has suggestions, holler at me!
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This weekend brought in the second year of Restaurant Week in Chicago. Huzzah! For those who don’t aren’t familiar with this, a lot of local restaurants offer a promotional prix fixe lunch and dinner menus for $22 and $32, respectively, during the week. It’s a great chance to try a 3-course meal at the fancy-schmancy restaurants I can’t normally afford. Fiance and I went to Aigre Doux last night, and their prix fixe dinner included an amazingly comforting roasted cauliflower soup and a luxurious maple flan for dessert. Today, I had a late lunch with some friends at Cafe Spiaggia.
Tagliatelle Bolognese
Tiramisu at Cafe Spiaggia
We realized that the recently opened More Cupcakes was just a few blocks away from Cafe Spiaggia. So a bunch of us cupcake connoiseurs trotted off in search of cupcake perfection.
Shelves of Cupcakes
Forever More Cupcakes!
More Cupcakes is famous for offering savory cupcakes. They had a BLT cupcake, a tomato-ranch cupcake, and a cupcake take on mac & cheese. I stuck with the sweets this time – lemon, chocolate champagne, mocha, and red velvet. The cupcakes have an airy, slightly tangy cream cheese frosting that provides a great pairing to the moist richness of the cake. I tend to prefer cream cheese frosting, since buttercream can be too much for me – like eating straight out of those tubs of frosting in the grocery store. The search for exceptional cupcakes continues…
Foursome in a Box
I read this post as I was eating breakfast, so for possibly the first time ever, I’m not drooling as I look at the pictures! It does look extremely tasty, though
Be careful about moving downtown – you still need some space to run!
Another great read Kai. So does your new job give you a shower option or are you stinkin up the joint after your 4-7 miles? “what’s up with the new girl, she always looks like she’s been playing in traffic!” Haha. Good luck breaking in your new coworkers.