I've lived all 19 years of my life in the beautiful (and deathly humid) sunshine state. Yup, Florida. It's that crazy place where all the too-good-to-be-true news stories come from and where you can casually see an alligator crossing the road.
Florida being such a large state, has given us Floridians different experiences depending how north, south or central we live.
And spending most of my life in central Florida, specifically Orlando, I think I'm qualified enough to say that if you're an Orlando native you've experienced most of these situations:
1. People think you go to the theme parks all the time.
2. You deny that you do.
3. But you actually have an annual pass to Universal, Disney, and Sea World. (Or had one at some point)
4. You grew up supporting the Orlando Magic.
5. You still support the Magic.
6. You get all excited for Fall/Winter.
7. Then remember that you live in Orlando and are still in tank tops and shorts in November.
8. And when it finally gets cold... you pray for the heat.
9. You secretly love Hurricane season.
10. You've complained about tourist areas since you were 5 years old.
11. You know all the tourist traps. (Gas is not normally $4.25 a gallon)
12. But you secretly love the tourists, because there's more things to do for fun!
13. The only reason you go to Downtown Orlando is for the nightlife.
14. You've been to a concert at the House of Blues.
15. International Drive is one of the only blessings coming from the tourist industry.
16. You've shopped at every mall and outlet in the city vicinity. (Who even needs so many malls?!)
17. You know you're in the best location to access the best beaches.
18. Waterford Lakes was the middle school hangout.
19. You know that driving down Semoran, I-4 and Colonial will be borderline nightmarish.
20. You've grabbed a bite to eat in "Viet Town."
21. It's casual to see advertisements in Spanish.
22. Your class visited the REP or the Science center multiple times in your elementary life.
23. When you heard Wet N' Wild was closing you almost went wild.
25. You question why tourists would buy any of the Orlando merchandise in gift stores.
26. You've seen a show at the Amway Arena.
27. You've always been slightly confused to what areas actually constitute Orlando.
28. You have a favorite Spanish restaurant.
29. You make fun of people from other surrounding cities. (What's a Casselberry?)
30. Since you were a kid you thought you were going to UCF.
31. You actually go to UCF. (Or Valencia)
32. Pub Subs are the best subs.
33. You've successfully convinced someone that the WonderWorks house was a result of a hurricane disaster.
34. The rain has poured on you while the sun is still out and it's 90 degrees.
35. You're upset Downtown Disney is now "Disney Springs."
36. You've long awaited the day you turn 21 so you could fully enjoy City Walk.
37. Class trips to Medieval Times/Arabian Nights were the best.
38. You get confused at the culture when you go to Jacksonville or Miami.
39. Gatorland doesn't seem weird to you.
40. You'd never change your hometown, despite all the craziness.
