In Which I go Undercover....

I went undercover on Saturday. I spent the morning at the DMV, and now my car has Virginia plates. I no longer stand out like a sore thumb. When I drive badly, nobody will know I'm from out of state. Driving here is like being surrounded by Florida retirees. Everyone drives slowly, stays in the left-hand lane, and block other cars from passing. It's like I've entered the land of passive-aggressive drivers. It's probably safer than driving in Boston or Chicago, but not anywhere near as exhilarating. Occasionally, I freak out and have to drive 15 miles over the 25-MPH speed limit, just to remind myself that I am capable of maneuvering a motor vehicle.

It was very odd to take off my old liscence plates. My car looks different. And now I have to memorize a new liscnece plate number, not that I ever memorized the old one. I recognize my car by the steering wheel cover. But now I am less likely to get sworn at when I make three u-turns in a row. My old plates are sitting on my washing machine. I suppose I should turn them in, but for right now, I like the reminder that I'm not Southern quite yet.

In which I meet Natives

This evening, I met some Natives. While throwing out a microwave box (I caved in and bought a microwave. It was really hard to eat leftovers without one.), I ran into my neighbors, who were grilling. They are Natives to this town, born and raised, and filled me in on some of the local lore. One of them has an aunt who took the 911 call from the infamous Lorena Bobbitt incident. We chatted for a while, and they gave me the scoop about the fastest way to get across town, and the place to get the best cuts of meat.

So it turns out the Native wildlife here is friendly and helpful. And it's always good to know one's neighbors.

In Which I Explore the Civil War

Today the weather is sunny and in the high 70's. I'm not used to it. It should be frosty and gray. It's the middle of September, so I expect the leaves to be changing and to wake up to frost. Instead, I am lured outdoors by the sunny mild weather. It was hard to be at school this week when the weather was so nice.

In between filling out paperwork for the mandatory orientation session I have to attend on Thursday for work, and trying to organize my apartment in some fashion, and making data tracking forms for my students, I went out. I found the local farmer's market, which was great! It's small, but has a wide variety of produce. I look forward to going weekly.

I also spent two hours exploring the Manassas National Battlefield Park. It's only $3 for admittance to the museum and tours, and the park is free. I took one of the guided walking tours, and learned that this park was the site of the famous Battle of Bull Run. It was odd to stand on the spot where Stonewall Jackson earned his name, where the first major skirmish of the Civil War was fought, and where later there was another, much bloodier, battle. (For accuracy's sake, I believe the guide said the second battle was fought in a slightly different location) The park is really very lovely, with lots of rolling hills and trees. I took a lot of pictures that I will post eventually.

In Which I Migrate South

I have been here for a few days. Right now, there is a lot of new. My place is new, the neighborhood is new, the town is new, the maps are new, the grocery stores are new. Thank goodness for Wegman's and Barnes&Noble because otherwise everything would be new. I'm mostly unpacked. I have a new phone. New new new new.

I am mostly unpacked. Two pictures are hanging on the walls. The refrigerator is covered with pictures in magnetic frames. The computer is up and running. My clothes are unpacked. Tomorrow starts the new job. Let the adventure begin!