The other day as I sat outside, marinating in this all of a sudden heat, I found myself thinking about how much I love the place that I live. I thought about how lucky I am to be able to grow up in a place such as New Jersey. But with that, I also thought about how at school and just about everywhere else I have been to, being a New Jersian has almost been looked down upon. “You’re from New Jersey?”

“Are you going to be on the next cast of the Jersey Shore?”

“Does New Jersey really smell like garbage?”

Let’s get one thing straight people: do not believe every single stereotype you hear, because more often than not it is inaccurate and insulting. There are constantly revolting stereotypes that supposedly define us and I am here to put these to rest. I, as well as many others, can back me up on these as well.

1. Dirty Jerz

When I hear the nickname Dirty Jerz, I can’t help but cringe. The fact that some people actually think that Jersey is as ratchet and grimy as it is shown on the television disgusts me. New Jersey is not only clean but it is also an extremely pleasant place to live in. The place that you all think that it is could not be more inaccurate.

2. New Jersey Smells Horrible

Sure. Jersey smells horrible to you if you hate the smell of sun tan lotion, the ocean breeze, and freshly cut grass.

3. Everyone is a Guido

Let’s get this straight, not everyone in New Jersey is a fist-pumping, GTLing Guido. Yes, there are many Italians, especially from my part of Jersey, but that does not mean that everyone is artificially tan and talks with a fake “New Joisey” accent. Never have I ever met someone who looked like an oompa loompa and fist-pumped like a psycho. For the most part, everyone is down to Earth.

4. 'The Garden State' is a Myth

Unbelievably false. New Jersey is home to some of the most beautiful public gardens in the United States. Gardens such as Deep Cut, New Jersey State Botanical Gardens, and Grounds for Sculpture are only a few of the many highly-visited gardens in the state that never cease to amaze. Did you think that they just pulled the name The Garden State out of the air? I didn’t think so.

5. The Beaches are Dirty

I’m going to pretend that I did not hear this ever. New Jersey is home of some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast. Also, now that our beaches cost money, they are taken care of. Every beach that I have come across has been filled with excellent staffing that takes care of our beaches.

6. Jersey Shore set the Perfect Representation of the Actual Shore

Unfortunately, I did not make the cut for the show. Yeah, I’m a little sad about it. Just Kidding. The Reality show, Jersey Shore, is no way near a perfect representation of the actual shore. The Jersey Shore is aligned with beautiful beaches, peaceful beach-goers, and definitely not as much “ratchetry”. Although Seaside Heights is not the most welcoming and friendliest beaches on the shore, we have some of the most beautiful beach towns on the East Coast. Beaches such as Sea Bright, Long Branch, and Cape May are more our speed: easy-going and safe nightlife. Sorry to disappoint.

7. New Jersey Drivers are Terrible Drivers

We’re not terrible, we’re aggressive. Riding the shoulder on the parkway is just a formality, get over it.

8. Central Jersey Doesn't Exist

Coming from a girl who lives in Central Jersey, it does exist. Although the feud between North and South Jersey is alive and well, Central Jersey will always come out on top. Central Jersey is basically the place where you have the choice to be a Giants or an Eagles fan, you have the choice between calling it Pork Roll or Taylor Ham, and you have the option to spend the day in either New York City or Philadelphia. You get the best of both worlds.

9. New Jersians are Dumb

Just think about that and then go say that to a Princeton student. In case you don’t know what Princeton is, it’s a top Ivy League school located where? New Jersey.

10. Nobody Likes New Jersey

Nobody? Seriously? Well then if nobody likes it, why do almost 9 million people live there? Riddle me that. Although New Jersey is considered to be hated by the rest of the country (for who knows what reason), the people that live there make up for all the people that are severely wrong. I speak for myself and all the other New Jersians when I say that it is the best state to grow up and live in. And I say with confidence that when I grow older and have a family, they will experience this beautiful place the same way that I did.

Regardless of what all of “the haters” say, I have come to the conclusion that they are all jealous because they did not have the privilege to live in a place so beautiful. New Jersey is not only where my house, my beaches, and my friends are, but it is also my genuine home. Every time I come back from school, I am more than excited to be back in the Garden State, soaking up the summer sun.

So basically to sum it all up, New Jersey is so much more than meets the eye. It has beautiful beaches, gardens, an people, and I am so lucky to be a part of it.