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Hey there, Philly:

So, um, I just renewed my lease.

I had the opportunity to spend my summer living in a cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Rent-free. I could sleep in, then go sit out by the river, and spend my day writing. Hike if I felt like it. Walk around the adorable downtown if I felt like it. I would have been reunited with my dog, Sophie (the adorable creature pictured above).

All sounds pretty perfect, right? So why didn't I pack up and head West?

I'm not actually sure I can answer that. I'm just... Well, Philly, I'm just not ready to say goodbye yet.

You and I, we've got a good thing going on here. We get each other. I know where to go for the best groceries. I can recommend a restaurant to any tourist who stops me on the street for help (it happens). I've got the hook-up for free tickets to most anything I want to see (thanks, Phillyist!). I have a few (dozen) favorite bars. I get to people-watch in Rittenhouse and Washington Squares. I have amazing friends. This is all you, Philly.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that you complete me, and I won't promise never to leave you. I will, someday. This Texas girl needs to get back to her homeland eventually. But for now, Philly? You're home to me. And I'm not ready to go anywhere else just yet.

(But, for the love of God, do you need to make it so hard for me to find gainful employment around here? Keep it up, and I won't be able to stay here much longer!)

Photo by Ma Phillyist.