the final countdown

I can't believe it's finally here. MAY! Moving month!

We made it. We survived graduate school, being engaged and then newlyweds, and the entire applying to PT school ordeal together all while we were in Raleigh.

I moved from Winston seven years ago, but when I left it's not like I was saying goodbye because I knew I'd be back there. Since my parents still live there, it's where I've spent countless weekends, vacations, time off, and holidays. Even when I left Boone I knew I'd be back - at least if not for one or two visits a year.

But Raleigh?

I just don't know if we'll be back. I don't feel any pull to come back here. I've made some really awesome friends while I've been here, and I'm going to miss them, and had some really great experiences as well. There are some things I'm really going to miss (mostly food related!). But I'm ready to move on.

In honor of our last month here the gamer and I are making our final rounds at all our favorite places/restaurants...Here's the list:

The Raleigh Farmer's Market
I love this place. We spent many a weekend with our totes stocking up on some awesome fruits and vegetables. And huge bags of peanuts. And fresh baked cinnamon bread. Yum!

Trader Joes
I am going to cry when I walk in here for the last time. And I'm definitely going to stock up on a TON of stuff. I know we'll be driving the extra distance to get to a TJ's every once in awhile, but here's to hoping they'll be opening up one in the triad soon!

New York Bagel Department
Dad and I found this place my first weekend in Raleigh. It's hard to find a good, authentic, NY bagel and my dad and I are always on the hunt for them. I've spent many a Sunday morning in this place. I was thankful that I found a place that felt a bit like 'home' even if the gamer wasn't a fan. I'm going to miss their poppy seed bagels. Screw you Brueggers!

Sweet Tomatoes
My dad had been to one on the west coast when he learned there was one here and took me on one of his visits to Raleigh. I love their salad bar! This is a rather large company, so I'm sure eventually there will be one in the triad. It's funny because over the last 3 years my dad and I have always raved about it, but for some reason we've never made it there with my mom. She's determined to go before we move!

PeiWei, PFChangs, and Cheesecake Factory
Again, all three of these restaurants are in other cities, but only PF is in the triad. Plus, these were literally 5 minutes from our house. I am going to miss getting celebratory cheesecake with the gamer anytime we made up an excuse to celebrate!

Tres Magueyes
On the recommendation of a friend we ended up at this local Mexican restaurant, and I still think it's better than any other Mexican place in all the cities I've been to! We're making it a point to get there on Cinco de Mayo next week for one last hoorah!

Noodles and Cameron Village
Cameron Village was so nice to walk around, a nice getaway from the ugliness that is the NCSU area. Noodles was a recent addition, but I've been there a ton of times since it opened. Another chain restaurant, I'm hoping this too will eventually reach the triad area.

So that's my short list of places I've got to go before I leave. Yes, it's all food related. Like I've said before, my mom always jokes that my next meal is always on my mind. And I agree - I just love to eat! I already know I'll be getting a hot chocolate chip cookie from the mall tomorrow in Winston. It sucks that the Cookie House is only a local establishment!

I guess everywhere I move there's going to be some great food place I have to leave behind!