Habitual

I have started to settle in and it is a relief to feel some sense of normalcy again. My life has been so consistent for the past several years that this new adventure really threw me off. I cried for days leading up to my departure and I cried each night I got here. The crying has since stopped (thank goodness- amiright?!) and I have started to feel comfortable. A couple weeks ago grocery shopping seemed like a daunting task- too much to handle and it took what I believe is a modern-day miracle to get me out of my house. I googled how to get to the store and how to get home, I googled about three alternate routes, I checked to make sure my purse had my metro card and keys about three times. And then I went grocery shopping. And I didn't die. I tried to find a bakery I had heard about but I couldn't find it so I scurried back to the train and went home.
But when I got home I was a little more confident, a little more secure. So I ventured back out the next day to find that bakery. I was bound and determined. And I found it! And I was so happy that I found it that I didn't even mind waiting in line FOR 20 MINUTES. Ok-I minded a little. But it was divine!

 

 

Now that I am more comfortable I have really gotten into a routine. I take the bus to school in the mornings to give myself a little time to wake up and then I get to walk home. I try to take different routes home so I can get to know Harlem. However, the first time I walked home I walked past the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. It is the 4th largest Christian church in the world and it is beautiful! Oh- and a 5 minute walk from my house. I have yet to venture inside but I think that is next week's activity.

 

Funny signs outside the church grounds (mostly just that last one):

 

An train stop above ground. It smells 100% better than those underground nasties.

 Lunch with some of the people in my cohort. We went to this great little Italian place in Harlem called Lido. It was divine. And-Bonus!- it was restaurant week!

 This beautiful building is on a different way home. I love the ivy!

 Met up with an old coworker for dinner one night at Jacob's Pickles. You read that right. I, Jenna, went to a pickle place. Cam ordered some spicy fried pickles that were actually quite tasty. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth. I think it was the spicy that sold me. This place had such a fun atmosphere and dining Al Fresco on the streets of New York? I could do it for every meal!

 This really great bridge connects two sides of Columbia campus and offers a really great NYC view.

 Another grounds shot because I just love it so much. Seriously. I love UVU and everything but...they got nothin' on this place.