On my way to work this morning, the DJ's on Q104 (my new favorite radio station in my new home) were asking their Cleveland listeners to call in and tell them something they miss from their hometowns. I found the topic somewhat ironic as I am spending my first week in my new apartment in my new city. As listeners were explaining trivial things they miss such as candy and pizza, I started thinking about really important things that I miss about my previous home:
1. Roommates: I never thought I'd be saying this since I was so eager to get out there and be on my own but I really do miss having roommates. I've spent the past 24 years with roommates and I really took it for granted. I felt so much safer knowing someone else was in the house or apartment and it was nice to have someone to talk to.
2. Knowing my way around: It's hard for me to remember what it was like in Bowling Green before I knew my way around. It's been a period of adjustment for me lately in my new city. I know how to get to about three places. My apartment, my boyfriend's apartment, and work. I guess they're the three most crucial locations for me to know at this point but I'm really looking forward to the day when someone asks me how to get somewhere in Lakewood and I can actually give them an answer.
3. Turn signals: I miss people using their turn signals when weaving in and out of the lanes around you. Driving is much more enjoyable when these features are utilized. Now that we're on the topic, a little common sense when driving would be nice too but I don't think they have that where I come from either.
4. My sister: Wow... I honestly never imagined myself saying this one either. I really do miss her though. She was in Shelby with me most of my life and then only 20 minutes away in Toledo for my five year duration at Bowling Green. It was really comforting knowing that she was so close and she really is one of my closest friends.
5. My nephew: Boy was I spoiled for the first 6 months of his life. I got to see him every week if not more. Now I think I'll be lucky if I get to see him every month! I'm going to be the Aunt that he knows he has, but doesn't know what she looks like. That makes me really sad. I love that little boy more than I thought possible.
6. My family: The reality is, I've actually moved closer to my family than I was in Bowling Green but for some reason I feel so far away. Maybe it's because I'm so unfamiliar with my surroundings or maybe it's just because I feel so isolated from everyone here.
7. Feeling safe: I'm sure this comes hand in hand with not being aware of your surroundings but I miss feeling safe. When it comes to city life, I've lived a pretty sheltered life. Shelby, Butler, Bellville, and Bowling Green aren't exactly big cities. It's a whole new ballgame here and I'm not sure I know the rules.
8. Properly marked street signs: Bowling Green was known for their ridiculous parking situations. But looking back, it wasn't that bad. Sure the rules were strict and heavily enforced, but at least they made the rules clear. If you weren't supposed to park somewhere, they put up sings that said: NO PARKING. It's as easy as that. Not Lakewood, however. Lakewood prefers to use signs that are open to interpretation. Instead of saying No parking, they would rather say No Stopping and let you figure out what that means. I for one thought it simply meant, don't stop to turn or parallel park. When I went to leave for work the next day and realized my car had been towed, I found out I had interpreted the meaning incorrectly. $125 later and 3 hours late to work, I now know what "No Stopping during rush hour" means.
When thinking about what I miss from home, these are just a few that came to mind. What I don't miss, however, is my boyfriend whom I now get to see everyday. I don't miss being in a long distance relationship for the past year and four months, and despite the harshness of waking up at 6:30am for my "real world job," I don't miss grad school either. And obviously, I don't miss complaining because I'm still quite good at that. :)
1. Roommates: I never thought I'd be saying this since I was so eager to get out there and be on my own but I really do miss having roommates. I've spent the past 24 years with roommates and I really took it for granted. I felt so much safer knowing someone else was in the house or apartment and it was nice to have someone to talk to.
2. Knowing my way around: It's hard for me to remember what it was like in Bowling Green before I knew my way around. It's been a period of adjustment for me lately in my new city. I know how to get to about three places. My apartment, my boyfriend's apartment, and work. I guess they're the three most crucial locations for me to know at this point but I'm really looking forward to the day when someone asks me how to get somewhere in Lakewood and I can actually give them an answer.3. Turn signals: I miss people using their turn signals when weaving in and out of the lanes around you. Driving is much more enjoyable when these features are utilized. Now that we're on the topic, a little common sense when driving would be nice too but I don't think they have that where I come from either.
4. My sister: Wow... I honestly never imagined myself saying this one either. I really do miss her though. She was in Shelby with me most of my life and then only 20 minutes away in Toledo for my five year duration at Bowling Green. It was really comforting knowing that she was so close and she really is one of my closest friends.
5. My nephew: Boy was I spoiled for the first 6 months of his life. I got to see him every week if not more. Now I think I'll be lucky if I get to see him every month! I'm going to be the Aunt that he knows he has, but doesn't know what she looks like. That makes me really sad. I love that little boy more than I thought possible.6. My family: The reality is, I've actually moved closer to my family than I was in Bowling Green but for some reason I feel so far away. Maybe it's because I'm so unfamiliar with my surroundings or maybe it's just because I feel so isolated from everyone here.
7. Feeling safe: I'm sure this comes hand in hand with not being aware of your surroundings but I miss feeling safe. When it comes to city life, I've lived a pretty sheltered life. Shelby, Butler, Bellville, and Bowling Green aren't exactly big cities. It's a whole new ballgame here and I'm not sure I know the rules.
8. Properly marked street signs: Bowling Green was known for their ridiculous parking situations. But looking back, it wasn't that bad. Sure the rules were strict and heavily enforced, but at least they made the rules clear. If you weren't supposed to park somewhere, they put up sings that said: NO PARKING. It's as easy as that. Not Lakewood, however. Lakewood prefers to use signs that are open to interpretation. Instead of saying No parking, they would rather say No Stopping and let you figure out what that means. I for one thought it simply meant, don't stop to turn or parallel park. When I went to leave for work the next day and realized my car had been towed, I found out I had interpreted the meaning incorrectly. $125 later and 3 hours late to work, I now know what "No Stopping during rush hour" means.When thinking about what I miss from home, these are just a few that came to mind. What I don't miss, however, is my boyfriend whom I now get to see everyday. I don't miss being in a long distance relationship for the past year and four months, and despite the harshness of waking up at 6:30am for my "real world job," I don't miss grad school either. And obviously, I don't miss complaining because I'm still quite good at that. :)
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