Growing up in the flat lands of Northern Illinois was always very interesting. Corn fields for miles on miles, and occasionally the big trip to Chicago. All very fun, until I was around thirteen years old and moved to Western North Carolina. It was such a drastic change in everything from the scenery to the way people acted. Here are some major differences a small town Northern girl has taken on in this Southern lifestyle....
1. Saying you're from Illinois and everyone just assumes you live in Chicago.
No, I live in the middle of a corn field, but that's the same as Chicago, right?
2. Saying you're from Western North Carolina and people assume you're from Asheville.
"I mean, I live twenty minutes from the nearest grocery store, and Asheville is an hour away. I guess I'll just go with it since my town is not even on a map... "
3. When it snows in Illinois versus when it snows in North Carolina
North: "Oh look, there's only three feet of snow, we can still go to school!"
South: "Oh my goodness, it is starting to flurry! Cancel school immediately."
4. The difference in tea, Sweet and Unsweet.
Going home to visit family is the worst. You have to go to the nearest McDonalds to get a "sweet" tea, and even then, its not a true southern sweet tea. So you end up drinking sweet tea with lots of sweeten low just to make ends meet until you can get back to the south.
5. Y'all or you guys?
When you move 800+ miles away from your family at such a young age, you're likely to pick up on the regional accent. I have developed a southern accent, and oh boy, the looks I get when I go home.
6. Can't forget about vacations
In Illinois, taking a family vacations means that everyone is going to the Wisconsin Dells, and staying at one of the multiple waterpark hotels. Might even get to eat at Lumberjacks if you are lucky.
In North Carolina, taking a family vacation means going to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. Of course, you have to stop at the Ole Smokey Mountain Moonshine Distillery.
7. "Can I wear your toboggan?" uh..
I will never forget the first time someone asked me if I anted to wear their toboggan, because growing up in the North, a "toboggan" is a type of sled. In the south, it is a winter hat. Who would have ever known there would be such a confusion?
8. Living In Illinois, thinking Lake Michigan is an ocean
9. Wanna go tubing?
In the North, the only type of tubing there is to really do is the one that includes finding the biggest hill with the best snow, and going down it until you are severely frostbitten and can no longer feel your limbs. While in the south, it means that It is too hot outside to do anything, so find your nearest inner tube and let's go get on the river!
10. Cubs or Braves?
It does not really matter where in Illinois you go, you will always find large amounts of hopeless Cubs fans. We are true to the game and team, because we know there is no a huge reason to get our hopes up. But, as soon as you get to the south, the game changes. You will find large crowds of Atlanta Braves fans hoping for a decent season.
Though I may miss all my friends and family I moved away from, I love Illinois and the memories that I know I will keep with me for a life time.
