Baton Rouge.

I always surmised I'd live in Jackson, Mississippi, for a couple of years. No more, no less.

Don't worry, though; I was there NINE years. NINE. That, as my wise, 6-year-old nephew would say, is a LONG time.

Nine years, however, taught me how to appreciate the familiar, and the comfortable, and the unfamiliar, and the newness that comes with a new place.

I was more than ready for the Red Stick when I moved here. I love it. Its flavor, sites, and sounds feel like home, and the people and personalities seem to fit the coast of Mississippi so well, so I constantly feel relaxed. That's nice.

Tonight, at a community/benefit outing, I realized something new: I know people. I recognized peeps across the room, and never felt alone, and never felt new, even though it was my first time at that venue. That was nice, too.

I like being "new" (ish). I like having things to discover and explore. But I also like the familiar and the recognizable.

So I might just be in the perfect stage in the Red Stick. There's tons here to discover that I haven't touched yet, but still enough that I'm familiar with to be comfortable.

:: happy sigh ::

Maybe there are some gypsies in my geneaology?

Our Town

There's nothing to remind you of how much you like where you live than to have someone visit you there.

I have sincerely enjoyed nearly every second of the past almost year (!) I've lived in the BR -- with the exception of a few pity parties ;-) -- but it hits home more than ever when peeps come to visit me.

This weekend, my sweet friend Rachel came to stay with me and explore the Red Stick, and we had a blast. It was fun to show her the sites and sounds of Baton Rouge, and even more fun to send her off while hearing her praises of my new city.

This may sound obvious, but it definitely makes a place feel more like home to be familiar with it enough to show people around it.

That said, I love our town. And am so glad I'm here right now!

Bethanie
Wow. Has it almost been a year already??? Time flies...Miss you, girlie!
Posted by Bethanie on August 18, 2008 - Monday - 6:08 PM

Skye
Yay! I love that you love my hometown! It is a wonderful place. The sights, sounds, the FOOD, the people, the accents :) Gotta love Baton Rouge, baby! It'll always be home to me.
Posted by Skye on August 18, 2008 - Monday - 6:44 PM