Have you been to Shepherdstown? I hear it's nice in autumn...

Here I am. Stomach down on my fluffy white carpet, my favorite position to write, in my favorite dress. It's a beautiful 65 degrees in Shepherdstown, all of the windows in my house are open letting bug sounds in (I don't mind them when they're outside...). It seems like the construction has stopped for the day. It's nice and quiet (save some rumblings from my neighbor's kids running up and down her stairs). The breeze feels nice and smells so much better than air conditioning. Today will be a good day. 

Last night, we ate at Kazu for Neena's birthday. Kazu is a Thai/Japanese restaurant on German Street, and it's pretty amazing. Not a regular for us, though, as for a college student/recent graduate $12-20 a plate can be pricey. I had the shrimp pad thai, most everyone else had chicken pad thai or sushi and my boyfriend, John, had chicken pad see ew. Afterwards, John and I took Neena to the Mecklenburg Inn (to be known in the future solely as "The Meck") for a few birthday drinks. His cousin, Bret, joined us and after four beers (two apiece for John and Bret), a Long Island Iced Tea (mine) and three Sex on the Beach(es?) (one for me, two for Neena) we headed back to Birch to drop Neena off and head back to my house. 

As always, the company was wonderful. This is the thing about Shepherdstown, you're guaranteed to run into someone you know, be with people you like and have a really great time. There were eight of us indulging at Kazu and the waiter knew us all...once we arrived at the Meck we all new a few people and knew exactly what to expect. The outside patio area is, as I describe it, a fairy land. The stone tables, tiki torches and brick walkways similar to those that wind through town make you feel like you're at home only maybe slightly less afraid to spill a drink. The bar kitty was there, a friendly orange tabby with a stubby tail, and the whole scene of last night made me feel so happy to be here. 

Shepherdstown is one of those places that sucks you in so you don't want to leave. It's unlike any place I've ever lived or visited. A few years ago, I would have sworn that I'd never end up one of the Shepherd grads that scours German Street for a drink, swearing never to leave this town. It has that 'never-never land' quality to it. (Note: the land, not the ranch) I'm happiest here, wandering the streets looking in stores I've looked in before, sipping smoothies at Mellow Moods or coffee at the Lost Dog. It's just nice, especially this time of year when the temperature drops and the leaves turn over to match the bricks on the rumbly sidewalks. Oh so perfect. 

While at the Meck last night, on a trip to the restroom, I noticed a sign above each bathroom door. Where LADIES and GENTLEMEN were written, the sign read: City of Westminster. This was perhaps the first time I realized that had I gone through my original post-graduate plans I would have just arrived in London for my year at University of Westminster. Seeing those signs and realizing those facts made me realize that I made the right decision not to go. While a year abroad surely would have opened my eyes to other cultures and people and I would have received top-notch journalism training, it's not for me. Not now at least. There is something about this town and this country that needs me here right now...and the more I think about starting school, the more I get excited about teaching and learning about teaching. I'm in the right place this time. Train whistles and all. 

Also on a side-note, I registered with NaBloPoMo yesterday. It's a monthly challenge to blog every day for a month, so I figured that since I'm trying to turn over a new blogging leaf and bring in readers and do a bit more writing than I had been, it would be a nice challenge for me. I urge you all to check it out, too...

Thanks for reading.