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What A Midwesterner Learns From Moving South

Moving from Illinois to Florida is a big change

Brooke Brennan

Oct 02, 2018

Florida State University

248

What A Midwesterner Learns From Moving South

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After 18 years of living in Illinois, I decided it was finally time to move down to the Sunshine State for school. It wasn't until moving that I realized that I am a "Midwesterner" and have my deeply rooted Midwesterner ways. Here in Florida, I am quickly picking up on the Southern lifestyle. And I absolutely love it.

Growing up in Chicago consisted of deep dish pizza, below freezing winters, and crazy city driving. I wouldn't have changed it for the world. However, moving down South has been refreshing. The weather is warmer, the people are nicer, and the food really is bigger and better. There is a lot that I am still getting used to, but the South is much different for folks than the North is.

Use Your Manners

People in the South are much friendlier and more polite than people up north. Boys hold the door open for you (Illinois boys - take notes) and your cashier at the grocery store will actually have a conversation with you. Don't forget to add ma'am or sir when talking to someone older. But if I say ma'am at home, I will be insulting someone by calling them old.

Y'all Is A Real Word

No more 'you guys' or 'everybody'. More than one person is referred to as y'all. It is much easier to just use and fun to say! After about 3 weeks of living here, I was saying y'all regularly.

Sweet Tea Is Liquid Gold

I thought sweet tea was the same as sweetened tea … and boy was I wrong. Sweet tea is a lifestyle here in the South. You can drink it at any time of day. Everyone drinks sweet tea, EVERYONE!

A New Definition Of Cold

Growing up, winters were full of snow, painful winds, winter coats, and negative temperatures. I would dress head to toe in layers of clothes just to go to the grocery store. But in Florida, you will see UGGs and gloves as soon as the temperatures are in the 50's. Like, are we sure it's that cold?

Football. College Football.

You'll hear more about college football than the NFL. #GoNoles

"Midwesterners Have Accents"

What? We have accents? Please don't make me repeat that sentence while you make fun of my pronunciation. Yes, we say some words differently and we have our own slang, but so does the South! I think the worst part is, I never realized I have an accent until I moved here.

Take Your Time

There is no need to be in a rush here. Enjoy your time! You will drive slower, walk slower, and maybe even talk slower, because apparently, we like to talk fast.

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What A Midwesterner Learns From Moving South

Moving from Illinois to Florida is a big change

Use Your Manners

Y'all Is A Real Word

Sweet Tea Is Liquid Gold

A New Definition Of Cold

Football. College Football.

"Midwesterners Have Accents"

Take Your Time

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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