I realized yesterday I have officially been in Raleigh for six months and thought I would write a quick list of some of the things I’ve checked off so far and things I’m still figuring out… for those of you who may care.

Things I’ve Done in Raleigh (So Far)

  • Visit the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden
  • Saw one of the Escher Murals (at Videri Chocolate Factory)
  • Visit (and at chocolate at) Videri Chocolate Factory
  • Restaurants:
    • Lilly’s Pizza
    • Happy + Hale
    • The Pit
    • Irregardless Cafe
    • Bida Manda
    • Lucettegrace
    • Raleigh Raw
    • Humble Pie
    • Chuck’s
  • Went to a pug meetup at Compass Rose Brewery that was heaven on earth
  • Went to the State Fair
  • Went to my first NHL game (Hurricanes v. Sabres)
  • Went to the Cary Flea & Food Market
  • Started yoga teacher training at Bliss Body Yoga
  • Said goodbye to my Virginia license plates & drivers license and said hello to a single North Carolina license plate and horizontal license
  • Went to Charlotte for a Panthers game
  • Tailgated & cheered on State at three home football games
  • Cheered on State at one basketball game (from box seats, too!)
  • Eaten at 3/4 Gonza’s locations
  • Saw The Second City perform in Durham (Hi Hannah!)
  • Managed to get downtown without using my GPS and didn’t get lost
  • Figured out which Target is closest to me (it’s also on my way to and from work which is convenient and also super dangerous)

Things I Still Haven’t Figured Out

  • I still have no idea how to explain where I live
  • Why rush hour traffic starts at 4 pm and is bad until at least 6:30? Why does it start so early and how is it still SO BAD at 5:30?
  • How some people have never heard of JMU
  • Why Kroger here only sells some gluten free foods/brands and not others
  • How people can park whichever direction they want in the suburbs and everyone is okay with it
  • Elementary school kids get out the latet here… it always throws me for a loop when I see a school bus at 9 am
  • Did Raleigh ever really experience fall this year?

It honestly doesn’t feel like I’ve been here for six months. It feels shorter than that… I still feel like I’m trying to get settled. But at the same time, the transition period is dissipating. I’m starting to feel more at home here.

I’ll always love the River City, but now I love the City of Oaks, too.

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