What a Difference a Year Makes

September 4th, 2008 was one of the most stressful days of my life. That was the first day of our 2 day move from Chicago to Louisville, and at the time I just remember thinking, “If I can just make it through these next two days, everything will be OK.”

And everything was OK. In fact, a year later on September 4th, I spent the morning at the spa and the afternoon at the movies with Mr. Martini. Basically, it was a complete turn around than the year before.

In fact, from here and into the future, when I think back to events that I experienced year ago, they won’t have taken place in Chicago. They will have taken place in Louisville. I can’t believe it’s been a year.

Since our move to Louisville, we’ve experienced a wind storm, an ice storm, a neighborhood fire and a flood. Thankfully, none of those affected our lives beyond some minor inconveniences. I’m no longer comparing my days to how they would have been spent up north in the larger city. I’m still getting used to having to drive everywhere, and park everywhere, but it’s getting easier. I’m learning my way around a little better, but I still have a lot to explore.

I think it’s a testament to our new city that when I told people in Chicago where we were moving, they all said, “Oh, Louisville, you’ll love it there. It’s such a cool place.” They were right. Louisville has a great arts scene, a great restaurant scene (which we have barely, barely explored) plus a great combination of city life vs. outdoor life. If you want to live in a suburban neighborhood close to downtown, that’s available, if you want to live in a trendy hip neighborhood close to the bars and nightclubs, that’s available too.

Yesterday, my co-workers and I went on a quick photo walk at lunch, and here are some of the pictures I took of my new downtown. It’s not as bustling, not as well-known, and not as HUGE as Chicago, but I still think it’s pretty cool.