Leaving Raleigh

With a week to go until we officially move out (and I can't say I'm not looking forward to it...given the half-packed, cramped, mouldy, and currently being re-roofed status of my apartment, I can't but be glad to leave).

But, I have been thinking about things I'll miss (and NOT miss) about Raleigh, and the Triangle in general.

So, here goes:

What I'll Miss:

• The variety of food, in particular my favorite restaurants Jasmine's (Lebanese), the Tangerine Cafe (Thai), and Tandoor (Indian).
  
• All the performing arts in the area, in particular DPAC and seeing the Nutcracker at Memorial (even if one of the candy canes DOES always drop his hula hoop into the orchestra pit).
• Being here in the fall when the leaves change and the air gets crisp
• UNC in the spring, when the azaleas bloom
• All the libraries to choose from
• Downtown Raleigh and its very urban feel (but impossible-to-drive one-way streets)
• Having a hairdresser I like
• Being able to tell where someone is from in the state just by hearing them speak
• All the plants I'm used to (pine trees being only one example)
• My family being close
• Southern Season
  

What I WON'T Miss:

• The traffic! (even though I've come to learn to drive like a maniac in rush hour traffic, I've never learned to like it)
• Harris Teeter (my brief foray into Publix has me already looking forward to shopping there)
• It being cold in the winter
• Living inland,and the resulting terrible seafood

All in all, I'm sad to leave...but don't worry, I'll be back.

Married Life

Since Brian and I have now been married for 2 weeks, I thought it was time to write a post on how all the stress is gone and how wonderful it is.

*crickets*

Well, of course that hasn't happened. Primarily because a.) we've crammed all our stuff into my already-tiny one-bedroom apartment and b.) said tiny apartment flooded with water when my neighbor's water heater burst, and still has industrial fans in it trying to dry it out.

Plus this week we have to start packing up to move to Florida in 2 weeks, and as this is the third time in 3 years that I've moved, I'm not terribly excited...but I am more and more ready to leave the tiny apartment because of lack of space, and because the carpet is starting to mold.

I have to say though, it's fabulous to walk through the store and see wedding magazines, and go "I don't have to read those anymore!!!". I'm nearly finished writing thank-you notes for the truly fabulous wedding gifts we got, and once we move I'll actually have the space to use them.

Although it'll be strange to be 14 hours from family, instead of the 2 we're so used to, in a way it's like an adventure. That comes with a great townhouse. So I think I'm excited...now all I need is a job.