New Jersey :o

I have lived in New Jersey now for just over two months and I continue to find cultural idiosyncrasies that baffle me.  So I made a list and I will probably update it as I notice more.

• 1.  You can't pump your own gas!

It took me four weeks to figure this out.  Every time I want to go get gas I was looking form the self-serve pump but I kept on ending up at the full service pump.  I finally mentioned it to someone and they looked at me like I had lost my mind.  I of course was thoroughly embarrassed.

• 2.  There are no left hand turns on highways and major roads.

I'm tired of going in circles.  Every time I want to take a left hand turn I have to turn right, go in a really big circle that takes me around and if you miss your U-turn It will take you an extra 5 minutes to get to where you are going.

• 3.  Coleslaw and Pickles.

I have enjoyed exploring the local dinners and I've noticed something strange.  If you order a cheeseburger you don't automatically get fries with it.  You get coleslaw and pickles.  If you want fries that is a deluxe meal.  I have never thought of coleslaw and pickles as a natural combination.  I like coleslaw and I like pickles but what is their obsession with serving them together.

• 4. Littering!!!

There is more litter on the side of the freeways then I have ever seen before.  However; I have seen more evidence of recycling than I did in Utah.  If they are concerned enough about the Earth to recycle why can't they throw away there trash in a proper receptacle?

Check out my Homework

http://eden.rutgers.edu/~ccanfiel/home.html

The Trip.... Part 1

Sorry this is long overdue.  I have no valid excuse unless you count taking 15 credits and I barely have time to sleep let alone blog.  So a little about my trip out east.  My Mom and I left at around 6 am on the 4th of August.  The first couple of hours were nice the traffic light and if you could ignore the semi trucks not too bad.  Then we hit Wyoming and we were stuck on I-80 for approximately 2 hours.  Mom had a blast telling everyone about where we were going and why.  As much as I appreciate her being proud of me, it was a little embarrassing. After that we encountered rain and as we drove into Nebraska we drove along the storm front there was a clear line of sunshine on one side and dark clouds and lightning on the other side.  It was gorgeous.  I will try to post a picture.  Wyoming was pretty very hilly and Nebraska was flat and featured corn lots and lots of corn.  There were also quite a few wind turbines, Mom found that very interesting.  By the end of the day we were ready to get to the hotel.  We were so excited because we thought  that we would be reaching the hotel by 7pm.  Just before we get to North Platte we passed a sign telling us we were entering a new time zone and lost an hour.  I wasn't happy but we were both just grateful to have day one over with out many problems.  Mom thought the Hotel was fine it was call Oak Tree Inn.  I didn't like it.  I thought the hotel smelled funny, had funky green carpeting and was too humid.   Stay tuned for Part 2 hopefully soon.

under the weather

Hi, 

I finally have Internet so I can start posting again; However I have been taking it easy because I have shingles.  Its a painful rash but I am doing okay and It hopefully won't slow me down much.  So expect some new posts in the next couple days.   I miss you all.

Connie.

Ahhh..... you made me cry :(

I expect to be sad this week as I say goodbye to all of the friends I have at Myriad; but I didn't expect to get so emotional so early in the week.  It's Tuesday and I've already cried twice.  The first incident was when Tammi gave me a beautiful Willow Tree figurine.  Tammi was one of the first individuals I meet at Myriad and I will miss her very much.

The second time I cried today was when my fellow receptionists gave me a beautiful watercolor of my name painted by Karyn's daughter-in-law.   My name art is perfect.  I found myself looking at it all day and smiling.

I will miss everyone but I will especially miss my fellow receptionists.  Thank you again.

PS.  If you are interested in getting your own name art the artist is Camille Grimshaw and her website is http://home.comcast.net/~camillioncreations/nameartstore.html 

New Opportunities

I will be moving to New Jersey approximately 2500 miles from family and friends to attend graduate school this fall.  If you are reading this blog, and I haven't told you yet sorry.  I've been a nervous wreck getting ready to move.  I am planning to use this blog to update everyone on my adventures back east.  I Love you all.