Missing You (pt 1)

So as the time draws closer to our exodus of the great state of Florida (17 days), I have decided to start this list I've been meaning to do for awhile. So, without further ado, and in no particular order, I give you:

THE GIGANTIC LIST OF THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT FLORIDA/GAINESVILLE

1) Publix--God how I will miss Publix. Sorry Meijer, you just don't compare.

2) Setting your watch by the rain--every summer, you know it's true.

3) Salt water beaches--you can't drink it, you get sand everywhere, but there is something about the REAL ocean.

4) Number 15 Jerseys--Okay Gainesville, Timmy has been gone for a year now, so the 15 Jersey is kind of old...but it's still Gainesville-authentic. Which brings me to...

5) The Swamp aka Ben Hill Griffen Jr Stadium--sure, it's hot as the surface of a thousand suns during a noon game, and half the spectators are drunk. You still can't beat a game there.

6) Cool Restaurants--I know you can find these anywhere, but I will really miss the likes of Civilization, The Jones Eastside, Leo's By the Slice, Satchels, Maude's, and a few others I'm forgetting.

7) GCC Part Singing--LCC doesn't have part singers. I will miss hearing Sherwin sing "He Gave Her Water" and "I Hear God Singing to Me" most, I think.

8) Besty Summers Hugs--seriously, does this even need explaination? (I love you Betsy)

9) GCC Christmas Banquet

10) Troy Criss's animated preaching--you've gotta see it to believe it. See Also:

11) Frank Bogle's "being old" jokes.

12) My dad being within driving distance (this especially sucks).

13) Wearing shorts in December.

14) MY JOB. And my desk. With the dual-screen monitors. And the Starbucks around the corner.

15) Kelly Whittle visitng me at work. See also:

16) Getting "Dean's Office Coffee" with Alie. Which usually ends up being the latter part of #14.

17) Fresh veggies year-round. Local-grown.

18) Hurricane Days (I guess I'm trading them for snow-days)

19) Krishna Lunch

20) RTS--admit it, it's pretty reliable. I have no idea what CATA will be like in East Lansing. Plus, RTS has funny signs in the bus.

21) Ichetucknee Springs--and yes, I can spell it without Google.

22) Having any number of horse farms around (East Lansing has like, 2. Maybe.)

23) SUNSHINE IN WINTER.

24) The Independent Florida Alligator--the worst. news. reporting. EVER. But oh, the memories.

25) Alligators. They are so cool.

More to come, including the "Things I Will NOT Miss About Florida" list.