While watching my mother shovel excess grass leftover from a fresh mow, I could not help myself to wonder why she was going about it this way.

The shovel she happened to be using was purchased years ago in Indiana as a snow shovel, considering that was a necessity there. There were a few big transformations that were made when Dad told us we were packing up and moving down South.

However, I quickly became accustomed to the southern charm that people rant and rave about. Consequently, it has become increasingly more difficult to understand Northern stereotypes that I am exposed to going to a college that is made up of several out-of-state students. Here are just a few thoughts and quotes that I have strung together from Northern friends and family members.

1. "It's always refreshing to meet someone that does not combine you and all into one word."

Nothing quite like the infamous Southern draw with a side of improper grammar. Northerners will try their hardest to avoid saying "y'all," but it becomes nearly impossible when you realize that word is the pinnacle of Southern living.

2. Ordering an iced tea in the South without fully anticipating it to be sweetened is inconceivable.

Sorry to disappoint, Grandma. You really have to clarify what you want here in the South. No one is expecting you to request a bitter iced tea.

3. "It's not even cold outside. You think this is cold? Come to Boston. We'll show you cold."

Do you wanna have a cold-off? I am not quite sure if this a pride thing for enduring the cold as long as they did, but most northerners will not let you hear the end of it regarding weather.

4. "Olivia... cross the street. The cars will stop before they hit you. This is how you get places."

Excuse me while I wait until the little walk icon appears on the traffic signs. I think I will pass on the whole getting hit by a car thing.

5. "I thought she was being sweet when she said, 'Bless your heart.' Turns out she was making fun of me."

Southern women are confusing. You could very well think you are having a nice conversation with someone. However, there is no telling what the woman on the other side of the conversation is implying.

6. "It snowed for ten minutes. School is canceled?"

This one was a shock for me too when I first moved. You mean to tell me there is not even three inches of snow on the ground, and they canceled school? This had to be the best part of high school.

7. "Mom, everyone in South Carolina has two names."

Took some adjustment for sure, but after asking my mom to combine my middle and first name enough times, I decided I could live with one name.

8. "You guys have never been on a subway or train?"

I was once referred to as "uncultured swine" for this, but subways just are not needed in the South as they are in the North.

9. "There are liberals in the South?"

Not everyone in the South is Conservative, I promise. Not everyone hangs Confederate flags over their mantle.

10. "Why does everyone add a 'P' to Clemson?"

Even I recognize this. It's Clemson... not "ClemPson." Let's get it together people.

While there are a number of differences between the North and South, the diversity between the two creates a fun dynamic in school. Being exposed to all of these new people and their perception of the South has given me a lot to not only think about, but also laugh about.