Going to school out of state isn't easy. Those trips your friends make to go home every other weekend just aren't possible for you. You don't get to see your family as often as you might like and you probably get jealous every time your friend sends you a Snapchat at your favorite restaurant. When I chose to go to Florida State I knew I would be moving over 900 miles away from the place I have called home for the last 18 years of my life. It is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made, but that doesn't mean I don't miss home like crazy at times. The lovely sunshine state of Florida is a little bit different from my mid-Atlantic roots.
1. The trees don't change color here.
I miss looking out my bedroom window to a sea of red, orange, and yellow trees. The palm trees in Florida don't have that kind of color-switching magic. I miss watching the copper leaves fall from the autumn trees like snow, swirling into huge piles on the ground.
2. Your family is so very far away.
Snapchats and FaceTime's with your family don't stack up to the real thing. I miss joking around with my brother at dinner and making fun of the ol' rents. (Sorry mom and dad!)
3. Watching your BFFs Snapstory causes you severe pain.
Sometimes, I really wish I was Dorothy so that it was as easy as clicking my heels in order to get home to my friends. I will watch a snap story and see all my friends out and can't help but feel a pangs of jealousy and sadness all at the same time.
4. There's no crab dip in Florida.
I am addicted to any and all foods with crab: crab dip, crab cakes, cream of crab soup, crab legs- but not the ones from Publix (@ Jameis). I literally wake up and crave Maryland seafood covered in old-bay. Specifically, I can't get the extraordinary crab dip found at Phoenix Emporium out of my head.
5. Those hole-in-the-wall bars you used to frequent are miles away.
Florida State has an amazing selection of bars and nightlife, but occasionally I find myself missing the small dive bars found in College Park and Towson. Serious #fomo when I see that everyone went to Charles Village Pub, RJ Bentleys, or Kent House. Wait up for me squad!
6. It's still super hot in the South.
Forget about all the great things you can do with fall fashion. If you try to layer up your cute sweater and throw on a pair of booties when it's still 85 degrees and sunny you might have a heat stroke. I shouldn't be complaining about warm weather, but I'm still sweating profusely on my short walk to class -- not cool.
7. I can't drive by my high school anymore.
I was so happy to graduate and go off to college, but I do miss passing my high school every so often, just to make sure it's still standing. I had so many practices and games on those fields, it's a memory gold mine. It would be nice to check in and make sure the Lions are doing alright and that the major rivalries haven't wavered.
8. I miss the local fare from family owned restaurants.
I keep thinking about the first place I am going to eat once I get back to the homeland. Right now, it's between my favorite locally owned pizza place: Pazani and the best hibachi I've ever had at Sakura.
9. 30-packs of beer don't exist in Florida.
I didn't realize the difference that six beers can make until you move to a place where they only sell 24-packs. The horror!
10. I'm too far from the Ravens playing at M&T Bank Stadium.
I'll always be a fan of Seminole football, but I miss the huge purple stadium where my favorite birds play.
11. When I go out I can't see my breath.
I'll probably catch some heat for this one but it's cool being able to see your own breath against the night sky. The only thing I regularly see in my college town is flashing lights and someone spilling their drink all over the place.
Being this far away has taught me a lot and made me realize what I took for granted when I was home. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and they are right. I'm going to cherish every moment once I make it back to Maryland.
