what is it about New Jersey?

We've owned a home in New Jersey for one month now. People ask me how I like it, how I'm adjusting, how it compares to Maryland, etc. etc. Here are just a few things about the new life that I love.

• I love the two old men that meet up every weekday morning at the church parking lot near our home. They set up their lawn chairs (on the asphalt) and shoot the breeze. For hours. Everyday.
• I love the carillon of the church (St. Thomas the Apostle) which play lovely hymns everyday... oh alright, I love them less at 7am on Saturday morning, but they're still nice.
• Italians are everywhere.
• When we enrolled at a local bank, we were welcomed to "the family". (How else could they pay us 4.01% on our checking account?)
• No more pumping gas for me - all service stations are full service. Aparently there's a law requiring gas to be dispensed by "professionals" you know.
• When you ask for paper bags at the store, they put a paper bag inside of a plastic bag. I guess so you have handles to hold the bag with, but what's the point of the paper bag inside then?
• Shoprite has had ice cream on sale every week for 1.99 or less since we got here. This has kept baby very happy. That and the 99 cent Tastycakes at the Arnold bakery thrift store... (Would you believe I actually lost a pound between my last two doctor visits?)
• I get to see the Manhattan skyline everytime I drive east on Rte 3. Somedays its smoggy, somedays its clear, but its breathtaking every time I realize NYC is right there!
• The Manhattan Temple is so gorgeous.