Auburn: the rundown

Okay, things have calmed down. We are falling into a routine. Henry seems to have fully recovered from the fall, though he is still recovering from a mosquito attack. Henry is still acclimating to his new daycare situation, but we are hopeful he will soon stop crying every morning when we pull into the daycare parking lot. He is fine when we pick him up- we see him playing with the other children and toys- once he spots us though, he starts to tear up and clings to us when we lift him up to hug.

Max is enjoying his new job at Auburn University. The campus is immaculate. All of the grounds and building are beautifully kept. And there are images of Tigers everywhere mixed with images of the War Eagle; a tradition Max and I are still perplexed by.

Having only been here about two weeks, I am likely being solipsistic and little hasty in my judgments. I admit I may have an incomplete picture of Auburn.

But those qualifications aside, here is my take to date:

Our new townhome is comfortable and looks nice but was definitely done on the cheap. An improvement from 608 8th street but we are glad it is just temporary.

There are no sidewalks except on campus, around campus and off random streets for what seems to be erratic lengths.

People drive fast. Really fast which makes walking on the streets dangerous.

There are trees everywhere which makes driving and walking on the streets dangerous because you can not see beyond the buffer of trees that surround everything.

Alabama Public Radio-Stinky. Makes Nebraska Public Radio sound appealing.

Kiesel Park- A gift. This is awesome place for dog owners to spoil their loved, furry family members.

There are a ton of armadillos (perhaps Alabama's equivalent to Nebraska's raccoons) here, evidenced by the number of dead ones I encounter on a daily basis (driving of course).
The flora and fauna are quite a bit different here. Max explained to me that things seem smaller, he deduced (or maybe it is induced) because there is no biological advantage to being large like in the north where there is a winter. I love being married to a biologist/statistician/lecturer on most worldly things.

Groceries are expensive. Max almost had a heart attack when we checked out at the Win-Dixie. We have had to for-go our ice cream buying practices. Probably a good thing in the end. Oddly, there is not a Co-op...Max and I are anxious for this Earthfare store to open so we can buy bulk again.

But there is Toomer's Corner (near campus much like the Haymarket/downtown in Lincoln (though much warmer) because it is not a strip mall) which is the host of many college bars, Chee Chee burger (you make your own burger even veggie), Southern Exposure, tutti frutti (awesome yogurt bar), boutiques (yes!) and lots of cool restaurants like the Mellow Mushroom (a pizza place-we have not been but are looking forward to it) and this cool bagel place and a bakery that has a very friendly staff and fine sweets!

We were directed to spirits shop, "Fine Wine and Beer by Gus" (in a strip mall) by Max's lab mates. We went there last Friday night. The owners are from Chicago. They let Henry play with Mr. Potato toys and be a toddler. It is a great little shop with an awesome selection and super friendly staff.

We also visited a farm store to buy pet food. The store also sold John Deere equipment and parts. Henry was in heaven. There were live baby chicks, John Deere toys large and small, and a little girl who was trying to sell Henry up on toys. This little girl asked me with a look of disgust with a sweet, southern accent, "Why does he (Henry) have wet all over his shirt?" Henry still drools quite a bit. I explained that he was still teething and just slobbers a lot much like a dog. She replied, "Spit is uh-ck." She was darling.

Our new place did not come with a washer/dryer so Max and I have to go to the Laundromat. If you have ever been to one you know what it is like. I guess it is just hotter here. And people can smoke here. Odd. Really odd.

We have been to the library twice. The building, of course, is beautiful and immaculate. There are quiet zone signs everywhere. I have not yet cemented my thoughts about it. Henry seems to like it well enough but there board book selection leaves something to be desired. Ames's Public Library was "a gift"-what a tremendously, wonderful place. We miss it.

We are looking into joining AROTA (the running club) and attending the UU to try to meet people...so I will have more to report soon.