Google says it's been two months since I posted. I guess that speaks
to how insane my life has felt and currently feels. Besides not really
having a moment to breathe much less type, I've been hesitant to share
my true feelings. Because, after all, Russ has a new job, I live sixty
miles from NYC and all the other many things I should definitely be
happy about. Plus it's not "the thing" to do anything except portray how
absolutely perfect your life is. But I just can't do that, because I
want to be authentic and I'm helped so much when others are real..
North
Carolina was amazing, is amazing and I miss Durham. I was lonely and
adjusting when I first got there, but I fell in love with the place
right away. Here, I'm working on trying to figure out why they do a lot
of what they do. We are renting. We have a pool, but we don't have A/C.
Instead we have two crazy, ghetto, white trash window air conditioning
units. Our house was hotter than, well you know where, and that right
there is enough to make me crazy. Who decides to put in a pool, but
doesn't get A/C in a place that hits 90 and 80-90% humidity day after
day? Seriously messed up. And our house is just one of the many that
have this "charming" paradox. I was amazed how many houses had a pool
and had no A/C. I think I had almost convinced myself that it was cool
here in the summer, but that was short lived once we arrived and I was
sweating to death and sleeping in my skivvies every night.
Next,
this place is still living in old time America. Have you heard of
heating with oil? Yeah I hadn't either, but that's basically how they do
it out here. We have this industrial revolution, mammoth metal tank
that waifs a hint of lamp oil smell and costs a whopping $1000 to fill
up. By all accounts we'll likely be filling this bad boy up three or
more times this winter. We also have well water, which tastes so yummy,
but well water? What? If the power goes out, which happens frequently
(again back to the dark ages reference), we have no water.
I
hate mosquitoes, but the land harbors those and one worse--ticks. Poor
Luna has already fallen victim to three feedings and we are hoping that
she doesn't get Lyme disease or worse. I'm really scared about the
kiddos or Russ and I getting them too. I've been to that exhausted, sick
place for years and I really don't need to go back there with Lyme's
disease.
Everything is expensive here: preschool, housing
(try three times that of what we're used to), gas, groceries, taxes,
babysitters, restaurants---everything.
I don't think I'm a
small town girl. All my necessities are too far away. I need somewhere
to get bread no more than five minutes away. It can't take me forty-five
minutes to get back with a gallon of milk. I like lots of parks and one
close that I can walk to. Our town has one park. I need streets with
sidewalks and walking trails. Most roads don't even have a shoulder--I
swear I'm going to die. There are towns or cities that are closer to the
necessities, but then you have to give up living in the "nice" part of
the county to live in. Welcome to the ghetto.
I must say
though that our ward is AMAZING! People have been so incredibly
welcoming, helpful and kind. They have made everything SO much better.
Also, this is a great place to be living to visit all kinds of cool
places that are close by. NYC is only sixty minutes south. Flights are
cheap from here to Europe. There is so much to do and see in this part
of the country. So I guess what I'm saying is it's an awesome place to visit, so
take advantage of us living out here and come and visit! Your bed
awaits and you are welcome anytime!
P.S. I'm still giving myself time to fall in love, let's hope it doesn't take too much longer.
3 comments:
Oh Vhari, I could've written this exact post not too long ago. I will say that I still struggle with a lot of what you mentioned, but I hope that as you're here longer it'll get better. I wll say that the thing that I have gained the most joy in doing while here has been traveling. The first time I went to NYC by myself with my boys I felt like, "Okay, this can be fun...I can do this!" :) It really can't be better for proximity to some truly amazing places. The lack of sidewalks is something I've struggled with also. We've discovered that hiking at Tarrywile Park in Danbury is a welcome alternative. We spend a lot of Saturdays there as a family. Other than that, I have taken up mall walking and you're welcome to join me if you ever want to. I know it's sad and makes me feel like a 70 year old woman, but I was going crazy (I moved here in February when it was too cold to do much outside). Anyway, let me know if I can ever help with anything and thank you for sharing your true thoughts. I think we need more of that :) *Cherie Musick*
ha! I guess I was still signed in under my husband. That was from me. :)
Vent away, girl. Moving to new places is rough and it's okay if you don't fall in love right away (or ever). Unlike you, it took us almost our two years in Durham to finally get used to it and the jury is still out if we actually liked it when we left. Chin up, you'll find ways to adapt. We always do!
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