So now that I have officially been here in the Lone Star State for five weeks (and I'm pretty sure I'll get kicked out for actually calling it that), I thought I'd let you know my thoughts on this place. I am a California born and raised girl through and through, so being here in the hottest place on earth (I'm sure of it) has been quite the experience.
(And if you're wondering how I got to this place, read here)
1. Let's start with the most obvious: the HEAT. I'm just gonna go ahead and say it—it sucks. Let's be real. No, but okay from time to time I may suggest that they put a dome over the whole state and keep it heavily air conditioned, BUT if I'm being completely honest, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Surprisingly. Some days are better than others though!
2. The clouds. I don't know what it is about them here, but goodness I am in love. They are just comforting and sprawling, not like in CA. They make me feel as if I could go on forever. Where that is, I'm not sure, but I'm okay with it.
3. The accents. My family members who live here only have maybe slight accents, so it is greatly entertaining when I am in public and meet people with fabulous accents. I just love them. It's quite endearing. I also think that "y'all" is a wonderful word. I mean, think about it. Which is better and easier to say: "Do you all know what you all want to do tonight?" or "Do y'all know what y'all want to do tonight?" Just admit it! ;)
4. Cowboy boots are acceptable. As much as I have been coveting a pair for myself, I just know that they won't be as wearable in CA. But here, oh go right ahead and have several bedazzled and embroidered pairs and wear them with jeans, shorts, dresses, and whatever else your little heart desires. Part of me is very jealous that I don't have the confidence to rock them in CA, but maybe, just maybe, I'll talk myself into it.
5. Pick-up trucks. Everywhere. Never have I seen so many people drive pick-up trucks. Like, as their everyday car. I guess that's just something we don't do in CA!
6. The mosquitos. Or bugs. Whatever the hell that has been eating me alive! At one point, I counted over fifty bites on myself. 50! They say that the mosquitos are the worst around dawn and dusk, so I try not to be outside during that time anymore, but gosh, I feel like they have gotten worse. Hopefully I won't have any scars!
7. People here actually have stereotypes of Californians. I never would have guessed! I mean, I suppose we stereotype other states, but I never realized that others stereotyped CA too. Pretty funny actually!
Examples:
- We only eat frozen yogurt, not ice cream
- We eat soy everything
- We are health and fitness nuts
- We only eat organic things and shop at Whole Foods
- We are all veg-heads
(These stereo types are courtesy of my cousin's husband's mockery)
I can't believe how quickly this summer has been going! I only have one more weekend left here in Houston, one weekend in Austin, and then I will either be going home the next weekend or heading to Florida for a week (I haven't decided!). And then, BAM, back to school. Just like that.
I will miss Texas, I must admit. It's different here, but I like it. I could perhaps even picture myself living here one day. In a place with a superb air conditioner, that's for sure, but yeah, maybe one day...
My roommate is from Dallas and we are talking about moving to Austin after graduation. Loved this post! I am a Georgia girl born and raised and Texas is like a whole other country. As for the mosquitos...make sure you buy citronella candles and keep them outside with you if you are just hanging out in the back yard. They keep the mosquitos away. That and wiping your body with a dryer sheet. It sounds crazy, but it is the best bug repellant!
What great observations! And I tend to do that, too -- think of California as kind of the default or neutral, so it's funny when people have stereotypes about us, too. Haha.
--Erika
http://www.chimerikal.com
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