The Romeros: Gator Nation

If I could only use one word to describe living in Gainesville it would be HUMID! I thought I had felt humidity before, but I hadn’t. It is draining, and horrible, but I’m hoping I get a little used to it, but everyone here says that you never do. Andy loves it because he served his mission in Micronesia and the climate is very similar. Even Ellie, who would rather be outside more than anything, wilts down here. Its no wonder the University of Florida came up with Gatorade, because it really does help with keeping you going.

The campus is so big, I’ve only a seen a small part of it. It’s very different from what we are used to. Everyone in Andy’s program thinks that it is crazy that not only is he married, but also he has two kids. At BYU-Idaho, not one would blink an eye at that. There are a lot bars, massive amounts of mopeds (all I can think of is Dumb and Dumber) , more blue and orange (the school colors) than I’ve ever seen in my life, and a huge condom display at Walmart (right up front), Toto we aren’t in Rexburg anymore.

"The Swamp"

Getting close with the school mascot

Playing in the fountain, on campus

We really like the ward we are in; they are very warm and welcoming. There a lot of kids Ellie’s age and they have weekly playgroups. The first Sunday we were there we were invited over to dinner and they are letting us use their air mattress while we look for a bed.

Speaking of furniture, can I just say how grateful I am that the person we are subleasing from left a kitchen table and a desk. I am not grateful that he smoked out on the balcony while he lived here, and now the living room/dining room stink. Any suggestions for getting rid of stale cigarette smoke would be much appreciated.

There is a lot of traffic here, and we live about 3 miles away from the building that Andy has class in. There is a great bus system here and it is free because a bus pass is part of you tuition. Another great thing is that there is a bus stop a few feet away from our apartment complex.

Ellie and I went to explore the city a little bit more. We went to Oak Hills Mall and she had a great time in the kid’s area. There were lots of kids to play with, and we didn’t have to be outside, huge plus! Ellie was starving when we finished so I took her to a southern staple, Chick-fil-a. She got a chicken strip kid’s meal, and she loved it, especially the fruit cup. It was a good fruit cup, with fresh fruit. They gave her a balloon, and she got a cow watch in her kid’s meal, so it pretty much made her day.