I'm Just A Jersey Girl Living Life In PA
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

I'm Just A Jersey Girl Living Life In PA

It's a tough one.

472
I'm Just A Jersey Girl Living Life In PA
Abigail Rubenstein

I have lived in New Jersey for my whole life, and I honestly plan on never leaving. Sure, people probably think it's smelly and the only attraction of New Jersey is our extremely impressive turnpike, but contrary to popular opinion, I think that New Jersey really is the best state in the U.S. What other state has beaches to go to in the summer and mountains to ski on in the winter? Where else can you get to a city in less than an hour while also living around acres of farmland? That's right, no where.

When I moved to PA for college, I knew I would miss certain things from New Jersey. I knew I would probably miss my family, my dog, my friends, and my house, but I didn't think I was going to miss things like good food. I actually feel bad that people who have lived in PA for their whole lives aren't able to enjoy the truly good food that New Jersey has to offer. Here are the struggles that a Jersey girl living in PA has to deal with on a daily basis.

First, I wake up and want some breakfast. Usually this at around 12:30 in the afternoon, so I guess it doesn't really count as breakfast, but I still want breakfast food. I would get a bagel, but every bagel I have eaten while at college is basically just a ball of undercooked dough with a hole in the middle and some sesame seeds sprinkled on top (no offense to the bagel makers of Pennsylvania.) The only thing that Pennsylvanian's and I have in common is that we both call "taylor ham," porkroll. Back in NJ, there is a widespread debate about the true name of this delicious, processed meat.

On nice days where I live, my friends and I usually drive around half and hour to go to the beach. Here, the closest beach is about two hours away. What do people do here in the summer? Instead of going to the beach, my friend and I decide to go to the closest mall. But we need gas first. Unfortunately, we have to pump our own gas. Jersey girls do not pump gas. Honestly, I have never pumped gas in my life, so I usually leave it to my more experienced friend who actually knows what to do at a gas station. I learned to go into PA with a full gas tank, because it is so much more expensive to fill up than it is in NJ.

On the way to the mall, we both agree on getting lunch. We know that pizza is not an option. Back at home, you can find good pizza almost anywhere you go. I don't know if it is the water in New Jersey, or the fact that most pizza places have been open for generations, but the pizza is just so good. Instead of getting pizza, we settle for Chipotle- I would rather have Pancheros, but I guess that's just a Jersey thing too. Of course when I get a cup for water, the worker makes a face. All my Pennsylvanian friends say that I pronounce water like "wawter." Sorry?

After filling up and getting lunch, we go to the KOP (I learned some new lingo while living in PA, I would typically just call it The King of Prussia Mall, but all the cool people say KOP here.) It is natural for us New Jersey drivers to be able to turn right on red, but here, it's illegal. After waiting an absurd amount of time at a red light, we are on our way. We pass about twelve cars that have "Eagles" stickers on them. I know they won the Super Bowl, and I even celebrated their win, but I really miss seeing the red, white, and blue logo of the Giants. After spending way too much money at the mall, we go back to campus and get something for dinner, once again of course it can't be pizza.

P.S.A to all PA drivers: When you get gas in New Jersey, you don't have to tip the station worker! If you are a generous person, feel free to, but it is NOT expected!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58559
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
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?

37750
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.

959328
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.

194200
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

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments