Week 33 Aug 12-18

Some Little Things about Richmond

 
Usually, I try to post about one specific topic, but this week there wasn't one specific thing that was really worthy of devoting an entire post to.  However, since moving to Richmond, there are lots of new things that we experience every day that are cool to us.  You know, the little things.....
 
If you ask anyone from Virginia, we are definately in the South, yet we live about 85 miles from Washington DC, which I would not consider the south.  So when I think of the south, I think about those southern accents.  Richmond must be the melting pots of accents, I think because there are so many transplants here.  The realtors who helped us find our house are from Alabama, definatley a deep southern accent.  Some parents on Aidens football team:  one from Illinois, one who lived in Detroit for 8 years (Wayne State grad), and a guy who move here 25 years ago from Fremont.  Yep, Fremont, MI.  A main toll road heading west is the Powhite Expressway.  I would call it "Po - White", and some people do.  Most locals call it "Pow - Hite".  The County to the northeast is Henrico.  I would say "Hen-ri-co".  Wrong....it's "hen-RI-co".  And a town to the west is Powatan.  I say "po-WA-tan".  Wrong again... it's "POWA-tin". 
 
People don't know what "pop" is here.  When you ask for "pop" and they actually know what you are talking about, they get this sympathetic look on there face as if they feel sorry for you and say, "Awww, your not from around here.  Where ya'll from?....Canada?
 
I do love though talking to the southern women.   They are so endering, but I dare you to try to get a word in edgewise when a southern women is talking.  Conversation is like a full contact sport to them.  I think they even keep score.
 

RVA stickers are cool.  "Richmond Pride".  It stands for Richmond,VA.  I got one for my car, but have yet to put it on.  Maybe this weekend.  The cool thing, I think about these, is that the concept is not that this is "official" logo of Richmonders, rather groups are encouraged to take this logo and modify it to make it there own. 

We made a trip to "Sweet Frog".  Not unique to Richmond...in fact they are nation wide.  It's frozen yogurt place where you fill up a cup with your choice of frozen yogurt, then top it how ever you want what seems like a hundred differnt toppings, then pay by the pound.

 

Another, not unique to Richmond, but otherwise new to us is Five Guys Burgers.  This is a simple Burger and Fry joint.  Nothing fancy, just great, greasy, sloppy burgers! 

 

Everything here is new to us.  We just don't know any better, and that makes it exciting.  Not everything we try is great, or even good, but it's definately from a differnt perspective that we experience these things.

The kids start their new school in a few weeks.  Drew in middle school, and Aiden and Morgan will go to JB Watkins elementary.  I am very nervous for them.  For Jen and I, we've experienced starting over in a new place throughout our lives, but for these kids, this will be the first time.  I am very nervous for them and will feel terribly guilty if it is a rocky start, although, deep down, I know it will be fine over time.