Living in Transit

Strangely enough . .. my commute doesn't even involve a highway. Or a car.

As I was sitting on the train today, I thought about how I've made the labeled transition from "College Student" to "Member of the Real World". I think my membership card is in the mail...takes 3-5 business days. I love my job (even though I haven't really started doing anything yet. . . my supervisor just started last week and the other member of my pillar is out on a food shoot), but I can't quite say the same for my 2hr morning adventure.

If GoogleMaps could connect the local commuter bus to the train to the city busses, it would look something like this (detailed info like my bus routes and home address have been omitted):

[The little public transit button would be highlighted]
A. My House
B. The Office

Transit Directions to The Office
A. My House
-Walk to Gateshead & Copperfield (about 2 minutes)
-Wait 5 minutes for the bus
-Take Pace Bus to Naperville Station (30 minutes)
-Arrive at Naperville Station
-Wait 15 minutes for the train
-Take Metra Train to Chicago Union Station (34 minutes)
-Arrive at Union Station
-Walk outside to Canal & Adams
-Wait 0-8 minutes for the bus
-Take CTA bus to Michigan & Ontario (25 minutes)
-Get off at Michigan & Ontario
-Walk 1 block North to Erie
-Make a left turn
-Walk (about 2 minutes)
-Destination will be on your Left.
B. The Office

So, all in all its better than driving into the City, but not nearly as awesome as my 20 minute walk down the Magnificent Mile last summer. The current plan is to stay at home for the next 10 months to save money, then move downtown in May. I love Chicago summers too much to spend almost 4hours going back and forth. Plus, friends may start charging me rent if I crash on their couches too frequently.

To help speed up the feeling of the inbound commute, I started reading a book. (The Crush, by Sandra Brown). I've always been a fan of romance/murder mystery/drama esque books (so different from my normal carefree life) and figured that I liked her two other books I've read, The Switch, and The Exclusive so why not start another one.

After the Bus-Train-Bus, I found myself already on page 118. The book has 474.

At this rate, I'll finish a book in 3 days. Maybe even 2.

So, in addition to needing to get a library card, I can't wait till I have the money to buy myself and ipad.

It's...so....beautiful!

Yesterday as I waited for my friends to join me downtown Naperville, I wandered on over to the Apple Store to play around with my much wanted toy and pass the time. Before I knew it, it was no longer 6:30, but 7:09. Man did time fly. This will bring me games, TV shows, books, news, and fun photo applications. Its gonna be great!

Now, I just have to be sure to not get too excited about the cooking game and miss my stop on the bus. That'd be no fun.

Counting down the days till my paycheck won't have to immedieatly go towards paying for something.

~Jenna