Here we finally are in Durham (one word, not two, by the way.) Mike and I made the trek in two days, stopping off in quiet Charleston, WV. We thought we were staying in the happening downtown district, but there weren't any people or places to be seen at all. We did notice a busy liquor store and a currency exchange nearby the next morning and quickly decided we didn't need to see much more. The drive (after Ohio) was beautiful and the weather grew progressively brighter the closer we got to our destination.
We arrived on Tuesday and picked up the keys to our new two bedroom apartment. Some would argue that our living space has doubled in size from Chicago. I guess that depends on if you count the deck or not. Check out our view of the courtyard and pool. Most of the people living in our complex seem to be young professionals, although I've seen a few old-timers and some kids about. There's also a guy who swims laps everyday in a full wet suit and SCUBA mask. Our first interesting NC character.
The move seemed to be going a bit too smoothly when something finally went wrong. After a winter in Chicago without catching a single cold or flu, the head cold from hell struck. I'm finally breathing with my mouth closed again after the smorgasboard of over-the-counter medications. It's somehow more pleasant to suffer a cold when it's 77 and sunny outside. Also note we now have double sinks in our bathroom. I can finally make myself pretty without Mike's hour long hair rituals getting in my way.
Mike headed back to Chi-town for the weekend to play the role of the Godfather in an
off-off-off Broadway show known as Dominic's 1st Birthday Party. I haven't read the reviews yet, but I'm sure it was a smashing performance. I spent the weekend sleeping off medications and visiting the Super Target across the street every hour on the hour for "necessities." Among them, this new shower curtain (sorry it's sideways, I'm a new blogger.) Is it too girly? It doesn't have flowers or anything, just stripes, but seriously, will Mike be mad? I suppose that's the price he'll have to pay for taking off while I get us settled here. That, and he'll get to break down all of the boxes I emptied while he was gone and take them to the trash compactor.I have also claimed our new IKEA chair as my official place of residence. It was my final
purchase there before moving to a place where the nearest IKEA is 250 miles away. I'll miss you, IKEA, but it's better this way. Our love/hate relationship needed to end anyhow. I'd never take you back unless you fixed your shaky, unstable floors and chronic screaming children problem, and I wasn't about to wait around for you to change. We'll both be happier this way.Stay tuned for Mike's first impressions, our shopping experience in the furniture capital of the world and updates on what the heck I'm doing with my life now. (I'm as anxious to find out as you are.)
