Tuesday, June 22, 2010

9 Years in the 'Ville

This week marks 9 years since we moved to the 'Ville. Ryan and I departed Dallas where we left Brian & Cliff who would be following us in about a month. I'll have to admit that I shed a tear or two (maybe more) about leaving all of our friends and family behind but yet I felt in my heart it was the right thing to do for our family. As much as we have missed our family and friends - we do love it here and have considered it 'home' since the day we moved in.

9 Years in Louisville and here’s what I’ve learned

1. People in Kentucky are incredibly nice and genuine. You just know that what you see is what you get.

2. Louisville is a very social town and it must be bad manners to have a social event that doesn’t include food because we have yet to be to one that hasn’t. Hence the, hmmm – upward trend in the weight department.

3. You’ve heard the term ‘6 degrees of separation’ … here in the ‘ville, it’s more like 2.

4. Really good salsa is hard to come by, but a local dish called ‘The Hot Brown’ is to die for.

5. Compared to North Dallas traffic, the commute is a lot less stressful. But the natives, well – they brake for mirages. Drives me nuts. Come on people, they’re just changing a tire, it really isn’t necessary to hit your brakes and slow to a crawl.

6. Speaking of traffic, you have to lose or change your Dallas Freeway driving habits because many people do not drive the speed limit and are completely oblivious to the line o’ traffic behind them. When you find yourself behind a slow driver on a curvy two lane road, it’s much more therapeutic to just slow down and enjoy the scenery. You’re gonna be there a while.

7. No, there isn’t a Braum’s – but man, the Homemade Pie Kitchen may just be better! On the ice cream front, it was cause for celebration the day they started selling Blue Bell here!

8. Don’t even think about going to Wal-Mart if you are in a hurry. It’s just a slower pace of life here and it’s not at all unusual for the checkout clerk to strike up a conversation. It took me a LONG time to get used to that.

9. We’ve found more than groceries and items at Wal-Mart. In fact, we have become very good friends with some people we met – you guessed it, in Wal-Mart.

10. In Texas it's football, in Kentucky it's basketball. 9 years ago I didn't know who Rick Pitino was, now I know WAY more about him than I care to.

11. When people are discussing which school they went to, they're not comparing notes like Harvard vs Yale, nope - nor UK vs U of L ... the who's who is determined by which high school - St X or Trinity. I think the rivalry is right up there with OU / Texas.

12. Derby Time may as well be a national holiday.

13. The signs you see when you are getting on the interstate say "No Farm Implements. No animals on hoof". I kid ya' not.

13. Pretty much the way you pronounce "Louisville" is telling as to whether you're a native or not. But as the sign so perfectly says it ... any way you say it, it's a great place to live!








4 comments:

Unknown said...

Believe it or not, I have heard of Rick Pitino! In fact, I think I read his book from the library.

Having recently experienced Dallas traffic, I can only imagine how different it must be.

So, if I come out next summer, I'm bringing salsa, or at least a good recipe for some...

Donna Beach said...

I identify with so many of your points :0) What do you mean Derby should be a national holiday....it isn't already?? I've been here 12 years and it truly was a new start...never thought I would consider it home but here I am!

Marla said...

Ahhhh Carolin, I'm lovin #9! I love your post, heck if I didn't know better I'd swear you where born here too. :o)

Leslie said...

Such a cute post Carolin. Love it...and I'm so glad #9 happened the way it did. All in God's Plan!!!