From when I was one day old until a month after my eighteenth birthday, I lived in the same house in the same small town, forty miles south of a large southern city. Everywhere you turn in my hometown, you see fields of corn, cotton, cows, and tractors. Thus, when I made my college decision, I knew moving to a large city would be a nice change, and one year later I now have many reasons to be grateful for this change.
1. SO MANY BRUNCH OPTIONS.
My hometown had one option for brunch. That option was Ihop. Over the past year, I have developed the ability to choose a brunch location for any mood, any pocketbook, and any occasion. Hit me up and I will guide you to the most addictive eggs benedict in Dallas.
2. 24-Hour Thai.
Back home, if I wanted some peanutty, noodley goodness at 2 in the morning, I just had to tough it out. Today, I am proud to say that a 24-hour Thai food location is stored on my phone, and quite frankly, is one of my most-called numbers. PRAISE BE TO PAD THAI.
3. Starbucks on every corner.
From where I sit typing this article, I have four separate Starbucks locations within a one-mile radius. Back home, I had to drive 10 miles to get my salted caramel latte. My life has transformed exponentially.
4. Uber.
In the boondocks of the world (as I love to refer to my hometown), in the event that one of my friends was at a party and needed a ride home, I had to be her chauffeur. Or, if my car was out of order, I had to be picked up from school by my mother (the hugest social faux pas known to man). If only Uber and dial-up internet were compatible…. my life would have been so easy.
5. Strangers.
Coming from a town where everyone was related or dated, I’ve learned to really appreciate the value of strangers. City-living has given me 5 million clean slates, 5 million chances for friendships, dates, heartbreaks, and rivalries. It seemed so big and scary at first, but I have learned so much from the strangers that have become more than that.
No matter the joy of small-town comforts, and the nostalgia I feel for Main Street and gravel roads and acres upon acres of empty land, the city is my new, exciting playground.
