Athens.

After sleeping on the floor last night in my living room, I woke up this morning to the sunlight pouring through the windows and realized, I had much to do! We have our final move-out inspection at 4pm and though the furniture is gone, there's still a ton of stuff everywhere. I went to Jittery Joe's to pick up my favorite drink, a "Shot in the dark" and am now surveying the scene trying to decide what to do first. I have to clean out the fridge and pantry, clean the kitchen, clean my bathroom, vacuum the entire apartment, mop the tile floors, take a final load of stuff to the storage unit and pack up my car with the majority of my clothes and a few other odds and ends to get me through from now until I am employed and move somewhere...

As I'm moving today, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the things I love and will miss dearly about this small college town that is eclectic, charming, and a place I've come to call home.

So without further ado, here's to you Athens...

Here's to the many local restaurants that nourish and sustain the souls of local Athenians on a daily basis (Last Resort, The Grit, Brett's, Transmet, 5 & 10, Royal Peasant, The National, Clocked, Taqueria del Sol, Agua Linda, Ike & Jane's, Mama's Boy, East West Bistro, DePalma's, Cozy Yum Yum, and Five Star Day).

Here's to the many, many, MANY bars that keep us young professionals balanced and stress free after a long day at the office or in the library (Globe, Trappeze, All good, Aromas, Blue Sky, Little Kings, Magnolia's, The Winery, 8e's, The Loft, Copper Creek, and High Wire).

Here's to the local Athens coffee shops that I have fallen head over heels for and don't know how I will spend my weeks without you (Jittery Joe's and Two Story).

Finally, here's to the local Athenians who happily or not share their special town with the University and the 35,000 students who inhabit the Athens community year after year. You live in an incredible town and I'm very thankful to have had the opportunity to explore and experience this place with you over the past two years. You are very lucky to live in such a unique and spirit filled place and I will always think about my time here fondly.

You've been so good to me Athens and today, I salute you.

Cheers.