Alright alright alright! Happy Monday, everyone!
It’s always tough to jump right back into posting about everyday life so let’s just play a quick game of “get you up to speed”. As many of you know I started a new job last week. I still work in public relations as a paid intern, but now at a global agency downtown. Yes, I’m still an intern, but you know what? These days you gotta do what you gotta do. Plus I’m finally getting paychecks after eight months of 9-5 work with no money so who can complain? I certainly can’t, not with this view:
There are a ton of perks of working in the John Hancock building. For one thing, employees have access to a gym and grocery store. I could basically sleep under my desk and be just fine, no need to leave. And that picture above? That’s North Avenue beach you see. I’m telling you…this summer is going to be pretty perfect. I’m pretty sure working the whole day is a lot easier when you know that there’s a beach waiting for you only a few blocks away. Plus, look how official I look:
Another perk of this city when the sun finally comes out? Beautiful runs. I’m so happy to report that this will finally turn back into a running blog thanks to the Lake Shore path. I didn’t get much traction on the blog until late in 2013 so I’m sure many of you don’t remember, but I actually do like to run haha. However, I am NOT a treadmill lover. I can knock out maybe four miles on the treadmill before I feel like a hamster on a wheel. So the minute I saw the Lake Shore path full of runners last week, I absolutely HAD to join in. I mean look how beautiful it is?!
I’ve also been able to spend much more time with Zain and my friends on the weekends now that I’m not working a second job. Weekends are now spent how they are meant to be spent: getting brunch, playing freeze tag, sitting on rooftops, going to trivia nights, drinking fruity drinks, and eating fro yo.
Of course it’s not all fun and games. Working at an agency as huge as the one I’m at is quite the change from our 10-man team over at my last job. It’s one of those places where you can easily get lost in the shuffle, so it’s definitely going to be a challenge for someone like me, someone who is pretty shy until I get to know people on a personal level. In this case I’m going to have to be outgoing from the start in order to even begin to get to know my coworkers. But it’s an opportunity to grow.
Well it looks like rain today, but do we expect anything more from a Monday? I just hope it stops in time for me to get a run in after work, otherwise I have a date with the treadmill. I’m looking forward to this weekend because I’m going home to the suburbs for Easter weekend! We’re having brunch this year (so obviously I’m not disappointed in the least) and I’ve decided what I’m going to contribute:
The Pioneer Woman’s Individual Key Lime Pies! I had a mini-Food Network binge this weekend and Ree is officially one of my new favorites. I used to be a Giada-fanatic but Ree now has my heart. These little individual pies are adorable and I’m hoping I can find some mini mason jars to put them in. It may be a small family gathering but why not make it as Pinterest-y as possible?
Questions:
- What’s your favorite spring dessert? I’m all about the citrus once it starts warming up
- What was the best part about your weekend? Mine had to be the fro yo and biking throughout the city with Zain
i had a big lunch 
Congrats again on the new job! I’m starting my new job as an RD in less than two weeks, and I hear you on the overcoming-shyness-and-getting-to-know-your-coworkers business. Definitely a little intimidating at first but pretty dang important
That’s exciting! Yeah it’s just one of those things where you have to be brave and just do it. No way around it
Love all the pictures! Such gorgeous views and I know what you mean about being able to run outside in the summer– I’ve slacked so much on exercising but it’s so nice to be able to just run outside– and it looks like you have a pretty sweet back drop 😉 I think my go-to dessert in warmer months is probably ice cream– that’s actually always my go-to dessert, haha But I also love a good strawberry shortcake!
I know I’ve definitely slacked on exercise in the past few months, and I feel it in my body. The sunshine just brings out the best in us I guess 🙂
Yay, so great about your new job! I’m glad you’re enjoying it and absolutely cool pictures! You look SO great! Mmm, fro yo is so good!! I love it, too! I’ve also really been loving Joe-Joe’s from Trader Joe’s! I couldn’t stopping eating them this weekend!
The vanilla Joe-Joe’s are like crack! I haven’t tried the regular ones but I’m only guessing they’re just as good.
Oh they are just as good!! I can’t stop eating them!!
Congrats! Love me some TJ’s wine!! 2 buck chuck!!
Exactly! It all tastes the same to me anyway 😉
congrats on the new job! love the beautiful pic of the run along the water (scenery is everything, i agree!), and totally with you on those TJ snacks.
All those dips from TJs are heavenly. They have too much good stuff! And yeah, scenery is everything. It’s a struggle to run four miles on a treadmill but I bet I could run eight miles at the same pace if I just had a good view
I swear you just make Chicago look prettier and prettier as your blog goes on!
You are so right about what ‘weekends should be’ – in fact your weekends sound amazing! Hanging out with you would be such a blast!
It makes a complete 180 when the weather changes! winters are miserable but summers are PERFECT!
Congrats on your new job and heck yes to that Lakeshore path! That is amazing and I would be out there all day everyday! 🙂
I know I’m praying to the sweet lord baby jesus that it stops raining today so I can get out there after work!
That view omg! Sounds and looks like your new job is going awesome, so happy for you!! My favorite spring dessert is key lime pie and I love this blueberry pudding bread my mom makes too. Can’t believe it’s going to be Easter! Have a great week girl!
Congratulations on your new opportunities! Also, so jealous about the fro-yo. It’s my favorite!
The best part is all the sampling you get to do before you even buy any haha
I am SO with you about the treadmill, I just start to mentally S T R U G G L E when I’m on that thing for more than 4 miles! What a great new adventure you’re on, I loveee it!! AND I LOVE THAT SONG.
It’s weird how much mentality has to do with it!
Ahh those views and the new job to boot? epic! It’s always good to see your hard work rewarded- as nice as experience is, a paycheck trumps that!
Weekend sounds like an absolute blast! Best part of my weekend was realising that froyo is overrated. :p
Paychecks trump all haha. And I’m really not quite sure about this new froyo revelation of yours…I mean I accept taste bud diversity but I just don’t know if I can overlook this…… 🙂
That is some beautiful scenery to run-in jealous, it’s snowing here today ha.
I love fruity and citrus desserts too this time of year. Definitely going to be making some lemon bars this weekend!
I forgot about lemon bars! Maybe I’ll make some of those for Easter too. Yum!
Oh yes, they are so easy and good to make. Here’s the recipe I use: http://icrashedtheweb.com/2013/01/03/lemon-bars/ but if you have another I’d love to see it.