Having been born and raised in Mississippi, I have never been able to experience the "big city lights" and buildings taller than my neck can tilt my head back to see. I have recently taken a trip to Wisconsin, staying in a city just 30 minutes from the largest city in the state -- Milwaukee. Passing through that city at 5 a.m. with the sun beginning to rise is something I had never experienced -- I was completely awestruck.

Since being here, I have come across many things that have confused me, and things that are just plain different from the way I've always done or seen things. I was inspired to compile a short list (I still have about a week left here!) so here we go!

1. Speed limit doesn't exist

In Mississippi, there are always those old broken down trucks in need of new paint jobs that leisurely drive down the country roads at 45 miles per hour. Those people usually get on my nerves, as I have extreme road rage, but it was just the opposite on my way up north. On the way through Illinois on the highways and interstates and into Wisconsin, the speed limit was normally between 55 and 70 miles per hour... There was literally no one going that speed except me. People were tailgating me, and some people zoomed passed me doing at least 95 miles per hour.

2. Toll roads = broke = you

Illinois sure loves their toll roads! My partner and I were not prepared for the number of tolls we would have to pay. The booths were confusing and exciting, up until the moment when the price rose from $1.50 to $2.90 in the five miles between the two toll booths. No one carries cash anymore (at least I don't), and I felt bad for the workers who had to count the numerous dimes and nickels I was able to scrape from the floor of my car to be able to make it through.

3. Stop lights aren't always above you

This was one of the hardest adjustments to make. It sounds crazy, but sometimes the lights are on the sides... right beside you! Now, I find this to be convenient when there are long lines or tall trucks that make it hard to see the lights above, but it's freaky to look around and not understand where the heck the light is and what color it is and there are constant cars honking behind you!

4. Their "Southern" food isn't really Southern

We stopped at a restaurant that claimed to have great Cajun food and BBQ... Boy was that misleading! That was when I realized that making jambalaya and BBQ pork ribs were truly an art! For an appetizer, the waitress brought out cornbread and my Southern heart fluttered with happiness... that was, until I bit into it. The cornbread was so sweet; they might as well have called it cake and slapped some icing on it! I was slightly hurt that their take on Southern food wasn't what I expected, but I did realize that they have great beef jerky, cheese, and beer here in Wisconsin!

5. Great weather (during the day)

The first day I walked out of the apartment that I stayed in during my trip, I nearly cried. The weather was incredible! The humidity was nonexistent, and for the first time in May, I didn't feel like I was suffocating and my glasses didn't fog up! A cool breeze was blowing, but even if the breeze wasn't there, the weather was to die for... until the sun goes down. When the sun goes down, the north turns into what I could only describe as Antarctica. I felt like I was on an entirely different planet, and I woke up every morning with a sore throat.

6. Allergies are nonexistent

Public Service Announcement: I haven't sneezed once!Pollen in Mississippi is a nightmare. It covers the cars with its yellowness, and my sneeze count gets up into the double digits. My eyes water and itch, and I immediately regret stepping foot outside during Mississippi's summer. But I have literally not sneezed once during my travels to Wisconsin. My body is happy to have a break from the constant Benadryl.

7. No one really bothers with you

The first night here, I walked to my car to get something out of it. At the same time, an older man rode by on his bicycle. Being from Mississippi and being a female, I was raised to be aware of strangers at night. That instant fear of being mugged washed over me, but the man rode on by and didn't even bat an eye towards my direction. It was like I didn't exist, and I suddenly loved the feeling of safety I had in that unfamiliar neighborhood at night. With that, though, comes the usual people in the supermarket who don't say "excuse me" while running into you; I find they just stare and give dirty looks if that happens. But I'm OK with that! No one bothers me, and I find it to be really peaceful.

The whole point of this: if you're from the South, you have to go visit the North! The cities are beyond believable, and you can learn so much in just a few weeks! As a wise woman I know once said, "Traveling is the best education you can get!"