Here's a few things we've been noticing lately.

Here's a few things we've been noticing lately.

Some people in West Michigan have a very thick accent. It seems to be concentrated in the Jenison/Grandville area.

My, but customer service is good here. And my, but that fake niceness present in so many Midwestern phone calls, store greetings, and exchanged pleasantries is irritating.

I miss the train. Gas may be cheap here, and it sure is convenient to control your coming and going times, but driving in a semi-awake state in early morning traffic is frustrating for me and a waste of good mental energy.

Drip coffee = fantastic. And to think that nearly everyone has a coffee maker in their home!

People here/Michigan, generally women, put too many smiley faces in their emails. I know you're joking. People there/England, generally women, put too many xx's in their emails. I know you are sending a friendly email without a kiss by your name.

We really don't say please a whole lot here. Thank you is a must, but please is implied after a child turns about 14. Very curious.

Why is Grand Rapids too small a city for a subway/light rail system? I've heard this a few times and find it a strange logic.

In a small way, we miss the comraderie of holidays far away. When you have no family nearby and your friends have no family nearby either, you make family of each other, and it makes for awfully pleasant holidays. Of course, you are all (secretly or audibly) missing your family in one way or another. I think it just makes it more meaningful to finally be able to be here.