Ask anyone what they think about Utah and the first thing that will pop into most people's heads is "Mormon." Then ask the same question about Mormons and the answers could be anything under the sun. But by the transitive property (is that the right one? It's been years since I've been in a math class), that's also what people think of Utah. I've been living here non-consecutively for about sixteen months and I've heard my fair share of Utah-shaming, which is really too bad because this state has a lot to offer.

First of all, we have the scenery. Utah is easily one of the most beautiful states (or parts of it are) that I've ever been in. The Rocky Mountains, the Great Salt Lake, and yes, even temples all combine to make Utah really a great place to look at. At my school, there are dozens of hikes within driving distance or even walking distance, not counting the hike from the bottom of campus to the top. Granted, I've only been on one of these hikes, but the view was stunning the entire time. Because Ogden is built on the side of a mountain, looking in any direction guarantees you see something. There's literally always a view, and with mountains on both horizons, it has some killer sunrises and sunsets, though driving in that can be a pain in the butt. I think my favorite view of all though comes at night though. Looking towards the mountain, it's nearly invisible, but its outline can still be seen. It's like an enormous guardian looming over you and it's just majestic. In the winter, it's spotted with snow too, which makes it even more spectacular.

I'm also a big fan of the people here. I don't care what the given stance on Mormons is, I think they're almost always wonderful. Plus, not everyone I know here is LDS. Most aren't, maybe just because I'm living on a secular university campus. But still, I'm so grateful for all the people I've met since coming here. Even if they're not from Utah originally, Utah is the reason I met them, and that means a lot to me. But the natives are also really genuinely nice. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, I was driving home from Colorado and I swerved off the road in a flash blizzard in Nowhere, Wyoming. To make a long story short, a very nice family who just so happened to also live in Ogden helped me out big time and everyone made it home safely. I've never had a problem with a person here I can directly attribute to them being from Utah. Except the drivers, cause they're mean and selfish and can fit a car into any space on the highway. Regardless, I've had almost nothing but pleasant experiences with the people in Utah. Many of my best friends are right here.

The biggest reason I like Utah most of all, though, is because I choose to like it. It's so easy to look at Utah and all the strict regulations or different culture and think Utah is just a big empty hole with nothing good going for it except skiing. But you can literally say that about any place and be right about it because we form the world we live in. Name your favorite place and I guarantee someone else hates it. If you believe a place is great, it's going to be great, and the same is true for those who believe a place is garbage. Honestly though, if you play by the rules, maybe even break a few (safely, mind you), then you'll have a great time no matter where you go. I love Utah because I want to love Utah. I want to love Utah because I want to love the place I live and love the people I know. I want to love Utah because I want to be happy, and I can't be happy if I'm not actively loving.

So for Pete' sake and mine, stop hating on Utah! Utah is a wonderful place if you just lighten up and adjust a little bit. If you enter a new place thinking the only way for it to be good is to be like home or be like some other place, all you're in for is disappointment. I challenge you to change the way you look at Utah and any other place you travel to or live that might be different. Different isn't bad. Embrace it, and you'll be grateful you did.