A Few Things of Note

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We are slowly adjusting to Raleigh. The move down here was kind of a nightmare - I got food poisoning halfway through and we had to spend an extra day at a hotel in Wytheville, Virginia. Then as soon as we arrived I got knocked by a cold that quickly turned into a sinus infection. I only started feeling normal again a few days ago.

Our apartment is nice, if a little bland, but it's the newest building I've ever lived in and we haven't run into any problems yet, other than our eternal need for more bookshelves. We've had mixed feelings, though. The cons:

- the climate here is subtropical. Hot and muggy alllll day, then torrential thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings. The first three times we went out - to WalMart, Target, and the grocery store - we walked in to sunshine and walked out in deluges that soaked us to the bone. I find the heat wearying and it keeps me from wanting to go anywhere.

- the bugs are prolific and enormous. Mosquitos in droves, two wasp nests on our deck, cockroaches the size of my thumb, spiders large enough to frighten dogs. In 12 hours something mysteriously built a long mud tube on our door jamb that we had to knock away with a broomstick. Do they go away in the winter? Does Raleigh have winter?

- I see now why the area is nicknamed "Sprawleigh." It doesn't feel like a city, just like one giant suburb with very little character. Greg particularly hates driving here.

But there are some good things, too:

- the NCSU camps is lovely - leafy and green, and even though it is large, it's worlds prettier than BU. The campus bus system is great, and very convenient for me.

- everything we could possibly need is a very short distance away, including Whole Foods, a couple of great bookstores, coffee houses, and restaurants galore.

- the air-conditioning. God, I missed air-conditioning this summer. Also: SWEET TEA.

Also, Greg started a new job this week, which has been a huge relief. He seems to like it so far, and it's another work-from-home position, which is ideal. Meanwhile, my orientation begins a week from Tuesday, classes start a week from Thursday, and I'm equal parts excited and terrified. Me! A graduate student!

I also have an audition for the Raleigh Civic Symphony in two weeks. I've been practicing some on the music building on campus. Frankly I sound awful right now but I'm hoping I can pull it together enough to get a spot. I have missed playing horn more than I thought possible. Just the physical sensation of having it in my hands again makes me feel better. Now that it's no longer the focus of my career ambitions, it's actually a huge stress-reliever for me. I can't wait to start playing and performing regularly again.

So onward to my last week of summer...eeek!