In Virginia

I have been down in Charlottesville for the past few very busy days, and overwhelmingly it has been wonderful! While I definitely love (and probably overall prefer) living in Boston, I'm realizing that there is something important about leaving for awhile -- an ability to get a fresh perspective on things and the chance to transition in and out of my crazy work life so that I feel like I am not just a cog in some piece of machinery that keeps me moving whether or not I am well rested. Every time I have left the city, and especially every time I have left to head down South, I have felt this way. And so, in honor of that, and because I often spend a lot more time writing about things that make me unhappy and need to spend more time focusing on what I am thankful for, here is my list of the top 10 things I love about being in Charlottesville:

1) Springtime. It is a season here, not just a day.

2) Flowers that are blooming everywhere, and that I can enjoy without paying money for them in the grocery store. (This has been my replacement for spring in Boston, and it is good, but not quite the same.)

3) Driving all the way across town...in 20 minutes.

4) Seeing all of the pastel sundresses and pearls. This is actually strange because I did not appreciate this when I lived here; I couldn't ever pull off that look (let's be honest -- I love my sweatshirts). But it is very different taking it all in but feeling no need to participate in it. It's pretty and youthful and fun, even if it is at times overwhelming. (My friends are also maintaining that there are more attractive people in the South. I'm not ready to fully validate that thought, but it's an interesting theory...)

5) Great coffeeshops! There are not enough in Cambridge. Someone explain why, please?

6) Christian's pizza. I actually squeeled when I walked in the door. The poor man behind the counter did not know what to do with me.

7) Catching up with friends! This really should be #1. Every time I am down here, I am awed by how many people I know and love, and that so many of those people actually know and love me back, in spite of years and distance and how well they know me and how crazy I am. Very, very thankful for all those people.

8) Familiarity. I love Boston, but am not to the place where I feel like I know it like the back of my hand. Even almost a year later, I still feel "new" to Cambridge. I think it just takes time. But it is pleasant to walk/drive around a city that I have not been to in almost a year, and feel like I know exactly where I'm going, and five different ways to get there.

9) The Lawn. I never once got nostalgic for it while I was at UVA, but now that I'm back, it really is quite lovely.

10) Knowing I can always come back. I really don't see myself moving back here, but I know I could, and the thought occasionally crosses my mind. I also know I can always come visit. There will always be someone I love here, and that is a big blessing.