On-Post Parking

I don't think I've ever had my own special parking space before. At the commissary, there are the handicap parking spaces, the expectant mothers and mothers with toddlers spaces, and then these.

These are as good as the generals' parking spaces. It's nice to feel appreciated every once in a while :-)

I'm Practically a Canadian

I've come to realize that people don't know how close to Canada I really am. When I say I'm just across the border, people either downplay it or are genuinely surprised. So I would like to clarify where, exactly, I am. I took this picture not long ago across the street from Cracker Barrel where I eat lunch nearly every Sunday.

"Man, lunch was really good today"

"Yeah it was. Hey, do you have any plans for the afternoon?"

"Nope. You want to run up to Canada?"

"Sure."

I can't say that I've done it because, apparently, nobody else has a passport. And why would I want to go to Canada by myself?

Flowers

Sunday afternoon was just beautiful here. It was still chilly enough to need a jacket, but I couldn't have asked for nicer weather for this time of year in New York. I drove all over Watertown taking pictures in the park and by the river, but my favorite ones were actually of some tulips growing by the side of the road near my apartment. I'm sure the people who live there were wondering what I was doing lying in the grass on the side of the road, but nobody said anything to me. Here are a few of the pictures.

The first one is my favorite.

I'll post about the rest of my picture-taking excursion a little later on.

Things about New York

**Blogger's Confession: I wrote this post back in March, so some of the details have changed. Daffodils have, in fact, bloomed. My point remains valid that they weren't in bloom in March, though. And I scammed some pictures off the internet. I'm a bad photoblogger :-( Also, for the sake of this post, I'm including Texas and Florida in "The South." If you've ever had this debate with me, you know that I generally consider Texas more Southwestern than Southeastern and Florida is its own thing, but they still apply toward proving my point in this case.**

Before we moved, I had no idea what to expect once we got to New York. Would I recognize the plants and birds they have? Could I find a normal burger joint anywhere? Would I even be able to understand their accent? As it turns out, New Yorkers aren't TERRIBLY different from Southerners. I don't mean they're the same, by any means. I'm just saying it isn't like I up and moved to Kyrgyzstan (which, as it happens, is the stopping off point before Nathan gets to Afghanistan).

Here are a few things I didn't expect to find...

1. Seagulls.

Yep. Seagulls. I'm assuming they're here for Lake Ontario, but I never would have guessed. What I want to know is how the seagull leaders decide who gets to go to Destin and who gets stuck at Lake Ontario. I'm just saying somebody is getting seriously gypped.

2. Sweet Tea.

I guess I really did expect I would be in a whole other country. We got lucky, though. They have sweet tea at Cracker Barrel, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bob Evans, in the food court at the PX (post exchange - see this post for more Army nonsense), and a local place called Shorty's Diner. And, of course, I make sweet tea at home and drink it pretty much all the time there. And yes, I do have the complete unabridged list of what restaurants serve sweet tea memorized.

3. Lack of Daffodils.

So this isn't really a "thing" that we found. It's just that everywhere I've ever lived has had daffodils blooming by mid-March. I find myself wondering if anything ever blooms here, though.

4. Big trucks.

I really thought Nathan's truck would stand out more here, but I see a lot of trucks that look like his. I forget not all New Yorkers are city-types.

5. Other Southerners.

I really should have realized that I wouldn't be the only transplant. Karin and Sarah are both from Texas, my friend Becky from church is from Arkansas, and Shannon (Congratulations, Mrs. Walker!!!) is from Florida (and went to Mississippi State). I guess what surprises me more is that I actually don't know any locals. Everybody I know is here because of the Army.

So that's my quick run-down of what I hadn't expected. I promise I've got more blog posts in the works and it won't be this long before I post again. See you next time!

What's the Sweetest Letter You Ever Received?

I think one I got today easily made my top three.

A few weeks ago, I wrote to my seven-year-old nephew, Drew, in Tennessee about what things were like here in New York. I told him about all of our snow and about the giant snowman. I got his response today. He wrote it all himself and even added stickers because he wanted it to be pretty for me. He said,

Shellaine, :-)

Sorry that it took me so long to write back.

I'm sorry Nathan had to leave you. :-( I also hope you get to come back for your birthday. What are you doing at home when Nathan is gone? Is there more snow!? I know you're going through tough times, so that's why I'm writeing to tell you I (heart sticker) you.

Love (heart sticker) - Drew

Now, is that not one of the most precious things you've ever read?