I’m moving to NYC! My last day in Richmond is this Thursday. Today is my last day at Martin! There’s still a lot to be done, but I’m trying hard to keep it all under control. Thought I’d take a few minutes out of my totally busy work day (not really, I’ve done one thing today) to write about some of my favorite things about Richmond, things that I will miss when I leave. So, this post is kind of a personal thing, not usually what I write about.
Friends! It was hard to make new friends at first, when I moved down here almost two years ago. I didn’t know a single person, or know really anything about the city. Nicki was my first good friend in Richmond. We were both new to the city and didn’t know anyone. Then one day, I spotted Jamie interviewing at Martin. Jamie and I were in a drawing class together freshman year. We didn’t know each other really, but I recognized him. He introduced me to his roommate Andy (also from RIT), and then his girlfriend Katie, and Katie introduced me to her best friend Rachel. They’re usually my go-to crowd for weekend fun, they’re always down to do something. Then Whitney started working at Martin soon after that, and I became good friends with her. It all sort of happened at the same time, and I’m so glad I met and became friends with all of them. If that didn’t happen, I probably would have left RVA much sooner.
This may sound kind of silly, but I’m REALLY going to miss Padow’s, my favorite VA deli. It’s a local place, but I think they have locations in North Carolina, too. It’s delicious. Best rueben I’ve had in my entire life. I would eat them every day if that wouldn’t make me gain 20 pounds in a month.
The beach! I love day trips to Va Beach. It’s only an hour and half away, and last summer Nicki and I went I feel like almost every weekend. Whitney came along a couple times, and once Katie did, also. Nicki and I had some *ahem* innnteresting adventures at the beach, and met some very interesting people. Very memorable! I definitely have to plan a beach weekend to come back down here in the summer sometime. Maybe I would bring some NYC friends!
I don’t know if you’ve ever been to the south, but both the weather and the people are nicer. It’s much slower and hotter down here, and that’s most likely related. I am not looking forward to the shock of a six-month-long winter, even though I lived through 21 of them. I didn’t even have to take my winter coat out of the closet that past two years! I did definitely miss the snow, but it’s so nice when I can go out in a tank top and jeans at night in April. 
Today it’s 90 degrees!
I’m sure I’ll think of other things to add, but that’s where my thoughts have taken me today.
