New Jersey

My name is Julie Garner, born and raised in New Jersey.

I know, right? New Jersey! That's disgusting! That's like admitting to being raised in a greasy pizza box under the Brooklyn Bridge.

I guess I am used to this prejudice about my deep roots. After all, traveling and living around the world these past couple of years has exposed me to some pretty ugly anti-Americanism. After all, the "arrogant fat American" comment just got old, and I soon began to embrace my stereotype. But being back home in the United States of America has made things no less complicated, just inherently different. You see I have come to terms with the fact that no matter where in  life I go, and I know I will go far, I will always be a Jersey girl. There I said it, I'm ready for the fake tan and high maintenance comments to begin.

A part of me is truly pained to say where I am from, since everyone of my Clemson friends, has grimaced at the thought that they are associating with a true blue Jersey girl. It is as if whenever I get introduces as Julie from Jersey, someone always inevitable pumps a fist into the air, snickers out loud, or says something stupid like, "New Joisey." Not to mention that this past year has put New Jersey on the map- and certainly not in a good way.

I was born and raised in a state with 4 seasons. Skiing in the winter, allergies in the spring, down the shore for summer festivities, and fall foliage in November. I have known what DTS for MDW means since I was in diapers. I feasted on Taylor Ham, tasty bagels quite possibly than those in Manhattan, delectable baked goods form the famous Italian bakeries in every town, and Jersey tomatoes that just can not be beaten. I grew up in an area, whereby with a free day and a sense of adventure, I could choose between climbing the Statue of Liberty, crabbing on a pier in Long Beach Island, hiking and searching for the Jersey Devil in the pine barrens, Revolutionary War study in Trenton, or just driving along the Turnpike and taking any random exit and exploring the suburbs and bustling towns of this great state. And, of course, if the weather is not so good, than there is always a shopping mall to hit up. After all, it is an 'unofficial' New Jersey law that every town must be within 20 miles of the a large shopping center.

To me, I love New Jersey, not because of the stereotypes, the fist-pumpers on the beach, the 'armpit of the US of A, a turnpike that takes up the length and width of the state, medical waste and repulsive disgusting beaches and towns, an atmosphere of constant rush and rudeness. What I love about New Jersey is the love that one has for the state and place that anyone has for their birth place. New Jersey has taught me that what does not kill me will only make me stronger, sometimes all you need is a little dts for things to make sense, and of course, why learn to pump gas when someone else can do it for you?