Five months out

I have officially lived on the east coast for five months. This is a strange feeling, because it both feels like it's been less time and more time. It feels like ages since I've seen some of my family although I know I've gone five months without seeing them before. I think the strangeness has to do with the fact that I'm unable to hop in my car and drive home in two hours. I can, however, do that with Bangor. Let me tell you, I'm not driving to and from Bangor in one day again. That was a lot of driving.

Since I've lived here, I've learned some strange things, interesting things. Many have little or nothing to do with medicine (thank God, a break is good).

1. Lobster roll is essentially a tuna sandwich with lobster instead of tuna. I don't get what's so good about it, but the locals go nuts. Maybe they really like mayonnaise.
2. Aroostock county, otherwise known as the Alabama of New England, is generally referred to as "the county." Apparently everyone but me knows what they're talking about.
3. "The City" refers to New York city. Always. No exceptions. Unless you're in Quebec. Then it might refer to Montreal.
4. There are two New Yorks. New York City is a completely different animal than New York State, something that you'll see rather quickly when talking to people from upstate.
5. Boston is south of where I live, yet people inexplicably say that they're "going up" to Boston. I think it has something to do with trade winds.
6. Part of Maine is called "Downeast." This is not the part of Maine that is furthest southeast. It's actually north. Somehow.
7. Being bilingual here is a good thing, but it's helpful to know French rather than Spanish.
8. Moose regularly cross the highway, to the extent that there are actually "Moose Xing" signs. No, really.
9. When talking about New Jersey, people tend to drop the "New."