7 Ways New Jersey Has Defined Me
Start writing a post
Entertainment

7 Ways New Jersey Has Defined Me

No matter where I go, Jersey will forever be in my heart.

134
7 Ways New Jersey Has Defined Me
picdn.net

New Jersey, the state where I was born and still call home, is completely underrated. A lot of what makes the Garden State so unique and beautiful is fogged by some harsh stereotypes that come from shows like "The Jersey Shore" or "The Real Housewives of New Jersey." Yes, these shows are entertaining and funny. I remember dedicating my Thursday nights in high school to MTV, watching every G.T.L. moment and reciting Pauly D's quotes in the hallway at school the next day with my friends.

And let's not forget about this infamous moment:


But despite what the shows catch on camera, or how many tables Teresa Guidice might flip in public, none of that really does much to represent the real Jersey, nor the amazing people that live here. The real Jersey I grew up with is actually one of the few states where the beach, cities and country mountains are all within driving distance, and here's a mall and good local food off of every exit.

It wasn't until I spent my first year away at a school in Pennsylvania that I would really appreciate and understand how this small state could have such a huge impact on my life. It made me realize how much I loved New Jersey. To be honest, I would be completely content if I never left. I remember one of my floor mates at school said to me, "I am so glad you don't act like a Jersey girl, even though you're from there." That comment stuck with me. I wasn't offended by what she said (I was used to the normal stereotypes about New Jersey), but I kept thinking to myself later that night that she was wrong.

She was wrong, because I am a Jersey Girl.

Everything about me was and still is a Jersey Girl, and I am 100 percent proud of that. Being a Jersey Girl is not defined by cheetah print dresses, terrible drivers and guidettes, but by the experiences we've all shared here. I am not ashamed to list the ways that being a Jersey girl has defined me, despite the stereotypes.

1. It's made me tough (and sassy when needed)

We won't deny it -- we Jerseyans can be a little on the tough side, but it all comes from a good heart. We find that a little sarcastic attitude can go a long way, and most of my closest friends and family are the ones who I give the most attitude to, so it's our way of showing love!

Being a Jersey girl has also gotten me into the habit of naturally speaking my mind in an extremely loud and fast tone. But it comes in handy when getting cat-called on the boardwalk, or being told by a non-native that we need to learn how pump our own gas. Why do we have to learn how to pump our own gas when it's totally unnecessary?

2. It has given me an indescribable love for the beach


In New Jersey, it doesn't matter that I am a technically a "summer baby." I am at the beach no matter what the whether conditions are. It's only a 35 minute drive from my college, but going down the shore is a short drive from pretty much anywhere in New Jersey. I could not imagine living in a state not surrounded by or near the ocean. It doesn't seem like the right way to live to me.

There are multiple beaches that together stretch up to almost 300 miles, and with each beach town being more beautiful than the last, why would I want to give any of that up?

My love for the beach grew after Hurricane Sandy, when my family's beach house was damaged. Even though my family was lucky, and we were able to rebuild, there are many who were not, and it hurts to still see unfixed houses, sidewalks and streets that remain untouched today.

The beach has become my second home, a safe haven and a magical place to forget the problems going on in my life. It is something that I always want in my life. I want to be able to share it with my own children some day. On top of all of that, having a love for the beach in New Jersey is unique in itself, because "going to the beach" is not a term in my vocabulary; it's "down the shore." It will forever be down the shore.

3. New Jersey influenced my music taste


I know this topic is overused when describing the positive aspects of New Jersey, but there is no better feeling than knowing that some of the greatest stars to ever walk the face of the Earth started out in our little old state. What makes it even better is that these stars, like Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra and Danny Devito have, on multiple occasions, spoken highly of our state, and that's definitely something to be proud of. The first concert I ever attended was no other than Bruce Springsteen. He's also the most recent concert I've been to, and he's still got it at 65!

4. New Jersey has made me value the importance of family


A huge reason why I came back to NJ to go to college is because being away from my family was extremely hard. With that said, I don't regret my first year of college out-of-state, because it helped me realize how much my family meant to me. If you mess with a family member of a Jersey Girl, then watch out; it won't end well, I promise.

It all comes from being loyal. Loyalty to me means rooting for everything that means the most to you until the day you die, and living in New Jersey made me loyal in that way. This included sport teams, television shows and calling it Taylor Ham and not pork roll. Nothing tops the love and respect I have for my family and friends. Caroline Manzo herself defines her Jersey family to be "thick as thieves," and that's the perfect way to describe it.

5. Giving me a strong love for food


Do I even need to explain this one? Taylor ham egg and cheese, bagels, pizzas, 24-hour diners. Yeah, you get it.

6. Becoming an expert driver


Asking me to pump gas is the equivalent of asking me to teach my grandfather how to text, but asking me to drive along the Garden State Parkway during rush hour? No problem. Conquering highways in the Garden State is not easy, and for most non-natives, it is an overwhelming experience when the drivers around you are twice as crazy and impatient as you are, and spend more time flipping each other off than paying attention to the road.

I have become an expert in the doing the NJ Slide, where you crossover three lanes in a single shot before getting off your exit. This is a good way to scare the s*** out of your out-of-state friends.

Don't worry, though, I really am a safe driver. But I must give credit points to New Jersey for influencing my more aggressive, "I can get there really fast" style of driving.

7. Jersey instilled in me a love for adventure


Last but not least, I think the best thing that Jersey could have given me is an endless amount of things to do and an adventurous spirit. New Jersey offers beaches, mountains and cities all in one state. It's filled with years of historical landmarks, and there are places to visit all year round. It's super easy to "get away" from your town and explore what else the Garden State has to offer. It's so easy to take a quick trip to Philly or New York City, because New Jersey is so close to everything! It's impossible not to go out and explore and appreciate it all.

All of this is even more special around the holiday season, when it's more enjoyable to adventure with the people you love. People give New Jersey a lot of crap. It has a reputation for being crowded, dirty and smelly, but it most certainty is not.

Being a Jersey girl is more than just having an attitude and being an aggressive driver; it's appreciating and loving New Jersey itself, for the good and the bad. The views, the food and the people are all reasons to stay, but it's the experiences and life lessons that make me forever proud and forever willing to defend my Jersey Girl status, no matter where life takes me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

13189
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

943980
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

121301
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments