Small Town Homecoming

So I have returned home to a small town. I grew up in a small town but it was still large enough to not feel small. Lebanon is very quaint. I met Maria and Chris at the library. Maria is the circulation attendant and Chris is the libararian. When is the last time that you knew the name of the person checking out your books! When my car inspection was done I got the cash price (with a credit card) because my parents grew up in the next town over from the mechanic. No one in New York cared if you grew up the next town over. This guy never met my parents but he gave me a discount! Ahh small town life. My DMV officer chatted with me (or I with him for those who know about my chatty moments) and he has his heart check ups at DHMC. I told him that it was better for me visit him at work than vice versa! He heartily agreed. Even people in the apartment building say hello. Certainly not a regular occurrance in Boston! So here is to small towns making a girl feel welcome!

Here are a few more snow photos for those of you needing a fix!

A License Plate and a Canidate

When I set out to get my registration and title I thought it would be a very boring activity to take up part of the day. I parked along the village green and there was NO parking meter or pay station. What a wonderful sight. I walked over to the traditionally New England spired building that has City Hall etched onto the side of the building, probably established in the 1700s. There were some news vans parked outside but after living in Chapel Hill and seeing the media swarm over our basketball team the vans didn't look out of place to me. Perhaps the news was covering the busiest mail day of the season or how well the roads are doing status post Nor'easter.

Now choosing sides in Chapel Hill consisted of which team were you cheering for...Carolina, Duke or State. Here in NH things are on an entire different league...since when you choose a side we are talking about which presidential candidate you support. I walked into City Hall and came face to face with Operation Edwards '08. There were banners, people with clipboards, buttons and stickers. One of the volunteers came up to me and wanted me to sign in perhaps provide a button or a pin so that I would blend in with all others milling about. This volunteer was surprised that I was there to conduct normal city business. It turns out that John Edwards was speaking in the Lebanon City Hall today accompanied by Bonnie Raitt. Even the folks in the city clerks office didn't know that the rally was going on today probably due to security reasons. After registering my car I registered to vote as well. You are able to vote in the primary as an 'undeclared' voter as well. I have never voted in a primary so this should be a fun experience. After all the political upheaval and business was done I finally got my Moose license plates!

Made It!

After interviewing in August, signing the contract in September and securing housing in October I have finally made it to New Hampshire in December! It has been a whirlwind of emotions. Leaving UNC and all of my coworkers there, leaving all of my friends that I have in North Carolina, and starting all over at a new hospital, knowing only one person! But then again I only knew one person when I went to NC...my blogging inspiration... Annie P. When I left North Carolina six days ago it was 80 degrees and today in NH it is 17 degrees outside with a freshly fallen 12 inches of snow. I will have my white Christmas finally. It was always a dream in NC but now a reality.

The movers arrived today after being slowed up by the noreaster that hit yesterday. I had warned them when they confirmed Sunday but they weren't worried. The poor southern boys weren't ready for the foot of snow, freezing rain and sleet that blanketed the northeast yesterday. They were quite excited to have their photo taken next to the snow bank! Nothing broken, speedy, and nice guys from previous experience I know that can not be said about everyone's movers. If anyone needs a mover in the future I would certainly recommend them.

Next up to make my transition complete -paying city taxes for my car so I can register it (NH has a very funky tax structure as there is no sales tax and something needs to support the educational system), getting a license (hopefully with a moose on it as the man in the mountain fell over four years ago), and obtaining a library card (so that 'fun books' will always be around). Now I need to find the one box that has my Christmas cards!