Great job! I have started commuting to work two out of the three days that I work. I can relate to a lot of what you said. Particularly the freaking out the co-workers part...lol.

Our commutes sound similar. Mine is 20 each way because I designed it to get some mileage in. There's actually a direct route that is 8 miles each way, but I don't get any climbing in that way. On Thursday nights I ride south on the coast a bit to meet my boyfriend who is commuting home and we ride the last section together. That's fun!