A Whole New World

A new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no, or where to go....

Oh, sorry. "A Whole New World" came to mind as a title for this post, and I got caught up in it. It's a whole new world becaaause I've started a whole new life since my last posting!

I've gotten a new job as the theater technician at Princeton University! While I learned a lot, and made some great friends during my time at the park, it was definitely time to move on. I've been with the University for about a month now, and so far it's fantastic! Salary, benefits, normal work hours, enjoyable work. I finally feel like I have a "grown-up" job, and that my life is starting.

I have an office, I get vacation/personal/sick days, summers off, and let's talk about the area. I'm pretty much right smack between New York City and Philadelphia; I'm about three hours from my hometown (instead of 7!), and I'm still only about 45 minutes from the beach. It's pretty much my perfect geographic location.

Along with the new job, I have a new apartment in Levittown, PA. I was looking to rent a house, but they were few and far between. I feel like this is the best bet while I get settled in the area and at Princeton, anyway. I don't have to worry about yardwork or upkeep. Plus, this complex is so much better than the one I was at in VA. I can't hear every little thing that my neighbors do and say... in fact, I haven't really heard them at all. I was leery of a first-floor apartment, but I can't hear the people moving upstairs at all... and it was SO MUCH easier to move into than a second-floor apartment!

It's a one-bedroom, but I have an extra little "den" space that I want to get a futon or pull-out sofa for, so I can use it as a guest room. The kitchen is a little small, but the bedroom and living room are huge! There are plenty of closets, and even an extra little storage space outside of the apartment assigned to me. I have a patio big enough for a little table and a couple of chairs, my own mailbox, enough yard for some potted plants and a decorative flag. It's great! And in a few years when I know the area, job demands, and my money situation better, I can look into buying a house. Until then, someone else can mow the grass!

Levittown is a pretty great area in itself. It's closer to Philly than NYC, but I wanted to live in PA. Mostly because taxes, car insurance, etc. are cheaper. Partly because I've been trying to move back to PA for years, and I finally could! Every store or restaurant you can think of is close by. There are tons of independently-owned businesses, as well as chains, so anything you could possibly need is right here.

Across the street from my apartment complex is a community park with jogging/walking/biking paths, picnic pavilions with charcoal grills, a lake that you can fish and boat on, playgrounds, a dog park, a beach volleyball court, a skate park, soccer fields.... I've pretty much fallen in love with it. This summer, I want to have a picnic in one of the pavilions so I can barbecue!

I've started jogging again, around the lake. It's easier to workout when you have a beautiful area that you want to go to, instead of staring at the wall of the gym. When it's rainy or too hot/cold, my complex has a fitness center that I can use. I haven't been there yet, but at least I have the option. I've been trying to get back into yoga, too. I will lead a healthy lifestyle if it kills me, dammit!

So, sorry this whole post was just me bragging about my life. I had to share all the awesomeness. I'm finally proud of where I am, and happier than I've been in a long time. Hopefully, I'll start this blogging thing more regularly again, but no promises! 

On My Own Again

I am officially moved! I have been for a week, actually... I've just been going through phases of busy and lazy, and blogging took a back seat. I started this blog when I was out "on my own" in South Carolina for my internship. When that ended, I was back with my parents, not so on my own. Now I'm in Virginia, once again... on my own. It's rough this time because my dad was just diagnosed with untreatable bone cancer. If I hadn't already had the job, apartment, insurances, etc., I probably wouldn't have moved. Since everything was lined up, though, I pretty much had to. But. I'm half the distance from my family that I was in SC and I can go home whenever I have a couple of days off in a row, and hopefully my parents will get down to visit me before my dad gets too bad. It's all still just pretty unbelievable.

Aaanyway, I start at Busch Gardens on June 4th, and I go in the weekend before that for orientation/training. I had to go in the other day to do paperwork and get my drug test done. Weirdest drug test ever. They use hair instead of urine, and since there's none on my head, they had to take it from my chest. My first experience as a Busch Gardens employee was some little old lady named Betty shaving my chest. I feel like this job will be... a unique experience.

I absolutely love my apartment. It's just as big as my duplex in SC (if twice the rent...). I have yet to spot a roach inside. Although, I took the trash out after dark last night and there were quite a few scurrying around the sidewalk. As long as they stay out there, I'll just be sure not to go outside after dark! My appliances are amazing. My stove/oven is almost brand new, and way high tech... especially compared to my 80's reject oven in SC. So be prepared for lots of baking!

Well, I don't have a lot else to say. I just figured it was time for an update. I leave for the Outer Banks tomorrow to stay for a week, so I'll definitely have some beach posts coming. For your viewing pleasure, I'll leave you with some pictures of my amazing new apartment!

Living room/dining room. ^

Kitchen/laundry. ^

Bathroom. ^

Guest bedroom. ^

Master bedroom. ^

Ignore the messy desk in that last one. That's the only thing I have to tackle yet!