As promised, here is a much more upbeat post. I miss home (A LOT), and as you can see, the Jerz will always be home to me. But I am very happy in Florida. I have felt very off this weekend, and I still do, but I think writing this will help me feel better.
So, I am proclaiming all of the things I love about living in the Sunshine State!
1. It's the SUNSHINE STATE. Sun. Sun. SUN. Most of the time. The rainy season is just around the corner, and it will rain every day around 5pm for about an hour, but then it will clear up, and beautiful rainbows will fill the sky! And then there are hurricanes. But that's just an excuse to party, much like northern blizzards (and much NOT like Hurricane Sandy. Florida is a bit more prepared for gale-force winds than the Jerz was :( )
2. It is summer every day! There are a few cold spells, and by cold, I mean I've seen the night time low get into the 30s only twice this winter. 39 degrees. It is, on average, mild year-round. I never feel cold to the bone, so cold that I can't warm up or get out of bed.
3. No one cares what you look like in a bikini. It's bikini season year-round here. Everyone is busy boating and beaching and drinking in all of their spare moments. Ya can't be perfect EVER, let alone every single day of the year, right? People are more concerned about having a good time, not about what they look like in bathing suits, because, guess what? EVERYONE has to wear a bathing suit here, year round, no matter what age or shape you are. Unless you want to be lame and sit inside all year, in which case, you should not be in Florida.
4. What I just said about boating and beaching and drinking in all spare moments. That.
5. Beautiful scenery. Palm trees, mangroves, and hibiscus flowers will never get old to me.
6. Beautiful wildlife. This morning I saw a HUGE black bird at the lake in my complex, with its wings spread completely open. And a white one, too, and a gray one flying. And my pelican friends who I see at the beach and while boating are so cute. They travel around in a group of about 10. Sea turtles, manatees, alligators, snakes, cute little lizards, BIG lizards... all just chillin in the wild. It's all very interesting to me.
7. Clear, blue ocean water.
8. Being able to spend time with one of my best friends who I only saw like 4 weeks over the course of the past 10 years, because she was kidnapped away from me and brought to Florida. But now I kidnapped myself and brought me to Florida, too, so that worked out well in the end.
9. Making new friends. I like meeting people, hearing their stories, and being introduced to new places and ideas because of them. It helps me be more open-minded, and everyone has been very nice and accepting of me here. It never hurts to make more friends. And now I have friends literally all over the country. I feel very loved :)
10. Publix. That's our supermarket here, and it's awesome. I don't know why I think it is so awesome, but it is. There are about 500 within the 10 miles surrounding my house. They have great deals, beer and wine, a good produce selection, and their baked goods are surprisingly bangin. In fact, it is the only place I have found with delicious baked goods, as there are no Italian bakeries here. So, yeah. Publix is the shiz.
11. Dogs are allowed at the beach. It makes beach time relaxing AND cute as hell.
12. The most incredible seafood I've ever had. I used to not even like seafood before I moved here. Now, I'll eat fish over chicken any day. Nom.
13. West Palm Beach. It's not a huge city, so I feel okay driving in it, and it is beautiful. There is a lot of culture there, delicious food and drinks, and all the shopping I need. It may not have the history and character (and certainly not the attitude) of Philly, but I love what it has to offer.
14. I could take a ferry to the Bahamas if I wanted. Don't know if I'll ever get a chance to do it, but that's pretty cool.
15. Disney is within driving distance. Boom.
As I was writing this, I realized there are actually way too many things I like about living here to continue the list. It would take forever. This was really a good idea for me to do, because even though I miss the people and scenery at home, there are a ton of pros about living here. So many pros that maybe, just maybe, I can convince all of you that I miss to come live here with me! At least for the winter months, maybe?
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