Hello, Pittsburgh!

[illustration by Andrew Holder via pinterest]

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.  --Confucius

We have taken the advice of Confucius and have gone into this move whole heartedly.  And I must admit, I am LOVING it here.  LOVING. IT.  I love my house, my deck, my neighborhood, the summer weather, the city (minus the confusing roads).  Granted, the Dr. has barely started working and the weather is still gorgeous.. So, ask me again in 6 months when its 19 degrees and the Dr. is working 80 hour work weeks.  Things may not seem as peachy. (;

This blog post is the counterpart to my "farewell" post.  Here I am going to list the things we are most excited about our big move to the 'burgh.

#1.  Change of Seasons.  Florida pretty much has two seasons. Summer and summer light.  I am so excited to actually see the leaves change in the fall, fall off in the winter, and the flowers come out in spring.  Just the thought of the coming seasons makes me happy.

#2. Trader freakin' Joe's. Good bye Publix, Hello Trader Joe's.  If my only options in Pgh were Giant Eagle and Shop n' Save I might cry.  Daily.  Luckily, there is a Trader Joe's about 10 minutes from our house.  And TJs is WHERE IT'S AT!  They have tons of inexpensive organic & vegetarian options.  And almond butter for $4?! What?!  At Publix, it's $7!!  

SN: There is one downfall.  Pittsburgh has no tax on anything in the grocery store.  Because of this, they do not sell alcohol in markets.  Therefore, no 2 buck chuck for me :(  

[Benedum Center for Performing Arts]

#3.  Culture.  Pittsburgh actually has a "Cultural District".  A 14 square block area in downtown Pgh consisting of six theaters, art galleries, restaurants, and shops.  They have a ballet, opera, and symphony orchestra just to name a few.  The Pittsburgh museums include the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Natural History Museum, Carnegie Science Center, ArtGardens of Pittsburgh and more.  There is also a zoo and aquarium, conservatory and botanical garden, and an aviary.  SO much to do and see. I will probably spend the next 3 years just trying to take in all the cultural greatness.  

#4. Mountains.  Not only are the mountains beautiful to look at, but the Dr. likes loves to snowboard.  In the past, we have taken trips to Colorado to hit the slopes (which is where the Dr. proposed!) 

After a little research, we have found the nearest ski resort to be less than an hour and a half away!  Yes, we will always have a special place in our hearts for the Rockies, but to be able to DRIVE to a ski resort will be super convenient and I have a feeling these old mountains will be much more to my 'bunny slope' liking. 

#5. City of Champions. And the Pirates.  Yes, we will forever love the Miami Dolphins, but I have to say...it might be nice to cheer for a football team that actually goes to the playoffs. And can beat the Jets. Besides, I think it's a sin to NOT be a Steelers fan in SIXburgh.  The 'burgh also has the Penguins who won the Stanley cup in '91, '92 & '09.  We're not huge hockey fans (yet) but we're really looking forward to learning more about the sport in the years to come.  In addition to these 2 championship teams, Pgh has the Pirates or "Bucs" as they call them.  They haven't won a title since 1979, but that isn't going to stop us from hitting up some games this summer.  What better than a baseball game for an ice cold beer and cheese covered carbs? Yum. 

[Jana Morgan photography]

#6.  These boys right here.  They are my everything.  The only two things that truly matter. I would follow these boys to the coldest, most remote place on Earth.  Or anywhere, really.  Because if they're there...it is home.