Packing Is Hell

Today is T-minus 1 day until the big move. I don't know if I should be excited, freaked-out, or depressed.

I have lived in Tucson all of my life. Nowhere else. Tucson, at its biggest, holds 1 million people. That's nothing compared to the big cities of America. NYC holds 18 million people, Los Angeles 12 million, and Atlanta with 5 million. That's like 5 Tucsons in one big city. I mean, the freakin' highway is 6 lanes across. How can you drive in that?! Not to mention the humidity. It might be cooler than Tucson, but if it's 95 degrees out with 9532% humidity...that's hell on earth.

I'm going to be living with my brother in his Decatur apartment. It's a nice, little two bedroom apartment just off the main street; there is green all around it. That's something I'm not used to! Also, it is just around the corner from Emory University. At least I know that if I have some sort of emergency, the hospital is just around the corner. The neighborhood is like restaurant central, so it should be easy to find a job (HA! yeah right. It might be easier to find a scorpion in my suitcase.). It's going to be nice to be away from the parental units. Most kids live in dorms to get away from them, but apparently I move across the country. :)

Culinary is truly the art of the kitchen. So many endorphins release when you taste a brilliant bite of food. It triggers memories, thoughts of when you were little and your mother made you chicken-noodle soup on a cold rainy day. There is a science to food cravings that most people don't know. Let's paint a picture: You're studying for exams and you're really stressed about making the grade for you to pass the class, and all of a sudden you start craving some chips or even toast with jam. The endorphins released when you are stressed turn on that junk food part of the brain and make you crave carbs. Chocolate is the best "endorphin releaser". Chocolate has a special chemical called "anandamide". This chemical has a soothing effect on the brain, making you relax and clearing your mind. Just a little bit of culinary trivia for you. More to come ;)

I hope you all (and by "you all" I mean...no one :D) enjoyed my random rants and culinary facts. Twenty-four hours until I'm no longer a Tucsonan. Have a good night, and try to cook some amazing food tomorrow! :-)

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Nick B.