So, it's 2009. It seems like my summer in New York just ended yesterday, but now Jeremy and I need to start thinking seriously about getting ourselves back to the city.
The plan is for both of us to move this summer, so I can go back to the Esper Studio full-time in the fall. Luckily, Jer works from home, so a move is not all that unreasonable...provided we can rent our house here in Cleveland. (That's a worry for a whole different blog entry.) Aside from getting the house on the rental market, we're starting to research NYC neighborhoods, getting a head start on downsizing our stuff, ponder and prioritize the multitude of family/friend's weddings, football games and other big events we've been invited to here in Ohio between August and October...whew! It's a lot to undertake!
However, what's really on my mind right now is saying goodbye to Cleveland. I've lived here for 10 years, and so much has happened to me during that time. I met my husband, made some amazing friends, attended a lot of baseball games, finally made the decision to stop running from my dream and pursue it fully. Cleveland has been good to me, and I will always consider it my hometown.
Yet, there are so many "Cleveland" things I've been meaning to do and haven't done yet...and just as many Cleveland experiences that I have cherished and want to keep appreciating while we're still here.
Things to do before we leave:
* Neither Jeremy nor I have been to Lakeview Cemetary...Garfield Monument, Rockefeller Monument, Wade Chapel and (so we've been told) some of the best views of the city. We really should make it a point to visit.
* I've lived here for 10 years and have never been to Parade the Circle. Shame on me!
* I've never been to Whiskey Island. In fact, as much as I am embarrased to admit, I'm not even quite sure where it is. I know it's on the lake, west side, Edgewater Park vicinity. I live near there, drive past there often, but can't see it/can't quite figure out where it's supposed to be.
* I've yet to have Mamma Santa's pizza in Little Italy. In my defense, I lived most of my 10 years in Cleveland as a west-sider, and west-siders know the best pizza to be had in Cleveland is Angelo's!
* Speaking of Little Italy, I've never eaten at La Dolce Vita on a Monday night with the live opera music. That sounds like such fun!
* I've never eaten at Pier W to enjoy the fresh seafood and beautiful view of the city.
* I've never made it to polka happy hour at the Happy Dog. Although, the last time I talked to my friend Doug about it, he said it does not happen as often as it used to.
Things I will miss most about Cleveland:
* Indians games!!!!!
* La Cave du Vin (or affectionately referred to as simply, the wine bar.) Jer and I consider this "our place." When he and I first started dating, his roommate tended bar there. We're friends with the bar manager and have befriended several bartenders there over the last several years. We love the atmosphere there. It's the place where everyone knows our name...and our taste in wine, Belgian beer and really yummy cheese!
* The West Side Market
* The Diner on Clifton...especially the vegetarian pasta bake with goat cheese!
* Flower Child, the best vintage store ever! In my 6 weeks in NYC last summer, I did not find a single vintage store that I loved as much as I love this place. Flower Child has EVERYTHING! From deco to 1980's...great clothes, furniture, decor, jewelry, kitsch, toys...you could get lost in there for hours!
* Westlake United Methodist Church...especially our friends in the choir!
Of course, we'll miss family and friends as well, too numerous to mention. However, we're hoping that since we'll be living someplace as exciting as the Big Apple, many of them will want to come visit us!
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