"There are not many places in the world where you can get to the beach in an hour, the desert in two hours and snowboarding or skiing in three hours. You can do all that in California."
-Alex Pettyfer
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My home state of California is an amazing place to live or visit, whether it is for its perennial warm climate or its beautiful coastline. Being born and raised in California always causes others to become wistful and asks a million questions. It also causes them to form or hold stereotypes about the state and the people inhabiting it. Here are some questions that Californians are tired of being asked:
1. Do you surf?
Just because I am from California doesn't mean I came out of the womb with the ability to surf. Not every Californian knows how to surf.
2. Have you met any famous people?
No. No, I have not. I could if I tried but I don't care about meeting famous people.
3. Do you just hang out at the beach all day every day?
That would be nice. But no, I have a life just like you and responsibilities just like you. I don't go to, nor do I have time for, the beach 24/7.
4. Where's your tan?
When people think of Californians they think of blonde, tan people who say the word 'dude' a lot. No. Just, no. Some people can't tan, and those that can aren't always in the sun enough to get one.
5. How's the drought?
The drought is fine, thanks for asking. No, we don't need your sassy drought jabs. We have water, we can shower whenever we want, we have grass, etc. It's not as bad as you think.
6. Is it scary with all the earthquakes?
All the earthquakes? I'm just chilling here enjoying life. Earthquakes aren't that bad here especially in Southern California and when we get them we're not running around in terror.
7. Do you live in L.A.?
No. California is not synonymous with Los Angeles. There are so many other places in California and Hollywood isn't in our backyard.
8. Is In-N-Out really all that great?
YES. It ruins all other hamburgers for us. In-N-Out is by far my favorite place to go to get a delicious, authentic hamburger, milkshake, and fries. I'm drooling just thinking about it.
9. The weather must be really great over there, huh?
Yes, the weather is usually warm and beautiful. But we also get the occasional rainy weather and sometimes the summers are too hot to handle. It depends on your definition of "great," I guess.
10. Why would you ever leave California for here?!
That's a good question. Though I love California and though I miss the people, the In-N-Out trips, and the beach days... I didn't want to stay in the same place for the best years of my life (the college years). I love the new and the unknown. I love exploring and experiencing. I love adventure and surprises. And being away from California makes me appreciate it more anyways and it's always a pleasant break to take a vacation and go back home for awhile.
California will always have my heart.
