Loo-uh-vull

I hate feeling like an outsider.

I hate not knowing my way around, where the nearest Target is, which mall is OK to go to, when the "Derby" is, or what aisle the peanut butter is on in the Kroger (that's the Northerner's version of Publix).

I've lived in two places my whole life. Orlando, and two hours north of Orlando.

I was one of the few who could answer that age-old question "where are you from" with a smirk and "here" as a response.

Now, I'm not from here. Im not even from close-to-here.

So, I've been trying my best to lesson the obvious-ness of being a Louisville outsider.

I've found a good way to accomplish this goal is to pronounce the name of this city like the locals do.

Louisville is loo-uh-vull.

However, when I wear my Gator t-shirt and drive around in my Rav4 with my Gator license plates, I think it kind of defeats my purpose.

My next goal is to learn local terminology.

Here was my first lesson:
We have what's called "Shotgun" suites in the hotel. They are basically like Embassy Suites' suites, where the rooms are long and straight, and you can see from the door to the window through the hallway.

They are called "shotgun" in reference to "shotgun" houses, which apparently are houses that are long and narrow, where you can see from the front door clear to the back door of the house. These are mostly located in the East End (east side of the Louisville metro area) with zero lot lines all in a row squished together.

We don't have these where I come from. I'm pretty sure my face said "why are you talking about firearms to me?" when they told me the name of our suites.

Clearly, I have a long way to go.

However, I would like to let you know that the nearest Target is up the street on Outerloop, Oxmoor and Mall St. Matthews are both ok, Derby is in May, and peanut butter is on aisle 4 in Kroger.

Still an outsider, but I'm working on it.

Love,
Josh, Kim & Abby