Week 12 Theme

I love telling people that I’m from New Hampshire. Most Californians will ask “Wow, how the heck did you get out here?” I will also get “What brought you ALL the way out here?” The most simple and direct answer I can give is that I hated the snow and that I wanted to try a new way of life. Californians are usually pretty impressed that I made the trek from the other coast, provided they know how far exactly I made it from. People will often introduce me as “My friend from New York” and I’ll just smile and say hello. A for effort, its close enough.

I have made a couple friends from Chicago. I love hearing their stories and perspectives about life on the West Coast. Collectively it seems that they love being here, but largely dislike Californians (and they way they drive) and still regard Chicago as the bee’s knees in most scenarios. Better food, better art museums; better everything except for the nasty weather. Once we get on the topics of brutal winters they usually lessen their criticisms of our new home.  

One of my co-workers thought, for the longest time, that I am from Wisconsin “because of the way that you talk”. That was puzzling to me, but maybe it’s because I’ve spent some time in the Mid-West and know our accents are completely different. My boss will always look to me as the utmost authority on Ben & Jerry’s, our nemesis. “Is this as good as (insert cleverly named Ben & Jerry’s flavor here)?” I always answer no; but that is the truth. 

My family back at home used to think that Oakland was a ghetto war-zone. They provided me with enough mace to put down an army. My parents and little brother flew out here and quickly realized I was far away from any real danger. They were impressed with all of the little neighborhoods and public transit. 

The next set of travel plans I have will hopefully to be Europe, to visit a friend in Holland. Then I won’t be seen as an New Englander; but as an ignorant American. I can’t wait.