One of the best parts of going to school 15 hours away from my home state was hearing what everyone not from the area thinks about Wisconsin. Mostly that we are rural farmers that enjoy living the mountainous west coast/southwest life.

1. "Wow, people actually live there?"

2. "It must be nice to be so close to the Rocky Mountains"

Yes, it really is nice to be an easy 12-hour drive away. We regularly head over to Rocky Mountain National Park for a nice day trip.

3. "Why did you come all the way from the West Coast?"

Apparently, most people believe that Washington and Wisconsin are interchangeable.

4. "You must really like cheese"

I mean, macaroni and cheese is good. Grilled cheese is OK. But judging by the number of times I've been asked if I like cheese, people must assume that we worship it or something.

5. "What was it like to grow up on a farm?"

Unfortunately, my childhood was not a scene from "Little House on the Prairie". My family grew grass in our backyard though. Does that count as farming?

6. "I didn't know there were cities there"

I didn't know that either!

7. "There's like, a big lake, right?"

Well, you're not wrong. I believe the body of water you are referring to is Lake Michigan.

8. "That's near New Mexico right?"

I'm seriously beginning to wonder if the rest of the country had to take fourth-grade geography. Or has seen a map.

9. "Go Packers!"

Yes, we do love our Packers. This is probably the most accurate statement I have heard anyone say about Wisconsin.

10. "That's so lucky that the drinking age is 18!"

Unfortunately, the drinking age is still 21, just like everywhere else.