I have been working at my new office for about a month and a half now. How to spend lunch still totally alludes me.
After being at my former employer for so long, I took advantage of the small amount of flextime they gave us and just took half hour lunches in order to leave earlier and beat rush hour traffic.
Ok, let’s get real- beat the REALLY bad traffic. The traffic itself is always bad and will never cease to exist.
But the point is, I have an hour lunch again. And I sorta like it.
Not to mention, the company encourages it. They even have walking clubs for people who want to be organized about how they spend time away from the cube world.
Sure, this means riding the el home in prime commuter traffic. But we’ll call the “hmmm, wonder what kind of unique individual will sit next to me today” an adventure.
It’s all about the glass being half full, folks.
Especially when it’s a glass at a discount. Like my lunch.
Had to pick off the tomatoes and cucumbers because I neglected to inform them of my tomato/cucumber aversion while ordering the half soup/half salad deal. My bad…
Or really… it wasn’t the lunch at a discount. My Panera Rewards card had a “birthday surprise” loaded onto it last week. So obviously I went to cash it in. Such tricksters!
Panera knows me so well. Because it was for a free cookie.
Star of the show. When asked what kind of cookie I wanted, I pointed to the pan of cookies cooling behind the cashier and said “THAT ONE”. There is no substitute for freshness, friends.
BAM.
Plus, since I had to cut back a little on how much time I get for my morning workouts, lunch has been a good way to add in a little extra walking here and there.
And yes, as I watched kids and adults splash through the fountain, I may be a wee bit jealous of all the peeps who don’t have to work during the week or summer or during one of the lovely days of weather we’ve been having.
Sigh. 
At least I get my hour of lunch, right?
Oh hey Bean…
I assume most days when the air doesn’t threaten to melt my face off will be spent wandering through downtown in a tourist-like state. Because I’ll never tire of taking it all in. “Obnoxious” is the only way to describe my love for this city.
It’ll be interesting to see what winter will bring.
But we’re clearly not worrying about that one. Yet.
Filed under: Places to See Tagged: | being a tourist in my own city, how I spend my lunch hour, Panera is my favorite, walking workout, work lunch
I love squeezing in little walks on my lunch break. It feels good to stretch the legs!
And all your pics make me want to visit Chicago. I mean – it’s already on my list, but still… One day
Yeah. If anything, the walk energizes me for part of the afternoon. Win win!
I want to see the bean over my lunch! And I get to take my pup out over lunch, so very very lucky.
Birthday treats continue, as they should!
I miss Chicago
And Chicago misses you!!!
So glad you posted about your Panera lunch. I totally forgot about my birthday reward on there. Need to get that redeemed stat! We have taken weekend trips to Chicago the last two falls. There’s not one in the plans yet this year, but these pics make me want to start planning! I love Millennium Park! and I LOVE Chicago!! I’m totally jealous of your location.
Yeah public transport commutes have their ups and downs. Most days I don’t sweat it, but then there’s that one day when shit hits the fan and I question the meaning of life. We don’t technically get a lunch at my new job, but we can go run errands or get food, which I usually do to get a few extra steps in. Also kind of scared about the winter though, although I’m sure yours will be much more legit weather wise.
Oh, and I want that cookie.
I used to do a lot of shopping at Nordstrom Rack over lunch. Dangerous!
The Bean! I miss visiting Chicago.
I rarely take lunch..well rarely as in never. I am too eager to blast through my day. Though getting a walk outside would be lovely!
I do miss having an hour lunch, especially since I don’t get to snuggle with my dog mid-way through the day now
I only take half an hour for lunch because I honestly don’t know what I’d do with an entire hour. My office is in the middle of nowhere, so there’s no place fun to go.
And you should know, now I really want a cookie.
I would’ve eaten those cucumbers for you…Glad you’re taking advantage of having an office downtown!
Such a beautiful city you live and work in to be able to enjoy during lunch! I’m sure the people watching is amazing!!!!!!!!
relatively new reader here and fellow chicagoan – i know what you mean about soaking up the downtown views. i’ve been here for years and spent all day sunday walking around gazing like a goofy tourist. it never gets old!
I’m glad you see your rush hour CTA commute as an adventure – there really is no other way to describe it! Still, I have to imagine it’s better than dealing with gridlock traffic…Besides, downtown is people-watching mecca!
Way to take full advantage of your hour off. While leaving later is kind of a bummer, it’s pretty nice to have some time to relax in the middle of the day. Enjoy the sunshine!
If I worked that close to downtown Philly I’d do it too. Except in this humidity we’re currently being oppressed with.
I love Chicago!!
It is nice to have an hour when you can walk around and explore a bit. Near my work, the area is really unsafe. And there is only a 7-11 near by..not the best place to walk.
That cookie looks amazing!!!
No, no, it is definitely a city to love! I can’t wait to come back! I want to take the kids to that science museum there! Enjoy your time. I hope the hour refreshes you! Cookies! Always a pick me up!
Oh! I get a lunch hour now too, and I make sure to take every minute! It is amazing after so many years of shoveling food in at my desk whilst being super stressed. Enjoy it!
I’ve never been to Chicago but it’s definitely on my list of places to visit!
And gotta love panera… talk about carb heaven!
When I lived in Chicago, I used to take the EL down from Rogers Park to the Loop. I often times slept in the morning, and then read a book in the evening. I read so many books those semesters! Plus the book generally helps fend off potential weirdos from talking to you (unless they’re super weird and just start talking anyway. HELLO! BOOK!!)
oooh, I love when I get a free little surprise at Panera!
At the risk of sounding like a weird stalker… It seems like I might live relatively close to where you work. If you’d ever like to spend your lunch hour meeting a new friend – I’m totally up for that!
I love a stroll by the Bean at lunch hour- you’ve just reminded me it’s important to get out of this cube from time to time!
sugar cokies with m&m’s are my fave! And one the size of my face would be even better!
Those Panera cookies are the best! I head in earlier to work so I can beat the REALLY bad traffic as well. You are very lucky to be out of that mess!
I am so jealous of your long lunch break! I recently joined a new team (new project) and no one there takes a lunch! They just eat at their desks and since we all sit in one room I’m often forced to do the same. AWFUL
I purposely DON’T leave work during lunch because I’d never return. I get insanely jealous of the weather outside and everyone not working, which by the way, seems like way too many people.
I hope the new job is going well!!! And the el….always an adventure!
I think that it is great that your company encourages healthy habits – such as taking a nice long lunch break & walking!! awesome