1. You Miss the New Mexico Geography
Let's be honest, Texas is pretty darn flat. Especially West Texas. You start to miss the hills and the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque. And, if you're like me and live close to Colorado, you frequently travel up north and miss those Rocky Mountains as well.
2. You Have to Hunt for Authentic Mexican Food
Finding authentic Mexican food in Texas is quite the task. But when you do, you go there at least once a week. My standard list of Mexican food standards include: great (and spicy) salsa, Hatch green chile, crispy chips and homemade tortillas. I will give Texas some credit, the state did introduce me to red chile (which is also in New Mexico).
3. You Struggle to Not Start Saying "Y'all"
(Sigh). The staple word of Texas. Trying not to start saying "y'all" in Texas is like trying not to breathe. It's just so natural. I will admit, I now say y'all ALL THE TIME.
4. You Are No Longer the Nicest Person Around
Being a nice person in Texas is about as common as it gets. The people in Texas are hands-down the nicest people you will ever meet in your entire life, including complete strangers.
5. You Shock People When You Say You Don't Like Sweet Tea
If you don't like sweet tea, you better keep that to yourself while in Texas. Sweet tea is more important in this state than water is. Everyone drinks it, and if you don't, be prepared to get some side glances.
6. You Don't Realize How Hot/Humid it Gets in Texas
It's. So. Hot. In. Texas. Although New Mexico is a desert, you miss the dry heat. Here in Texas, it's humid and that changes everything. It could be 45 degrees out and you're still sweating. I recently left some butter out just like back home in New Mexico where it won't melt, but Texas won't let you get away with that. Also, because it's so hot outside, every building has the coldest air conditioning ever, so you always have to pack a jacket.
7. You Also Shock People When You Say You Don't Like BBQ
You don't like barbecue? Forget the side glances about sweet tea. People outright question your lifestyle here if you don't care for the standard BBQ meal.
8. You Don't Realize How Big Texas Really Is
When first coming to Texas, you don't take note of how long it takes you to get places because hey it's a new place. After living here for some time, you start to realize just how large of a state Texas really is. It takes forever for you to get anywhere, so you end up planning your travelling very carefully.
9. You Start Listening to So Much More Country Music
Before moving to Texas, I rarely listened to any country. However, now I listen to it almost daily, and it's become one of my favorite kinds of music. You start to go to any country music concert you can, especially if it's in town. And, you learn to love a great two-stepping partner.
10. You Have to Get Used to the Tornado/Hurricane Warnings
The worst weather that happens in New Mexico are flash floods. Here in Texas, you get tornadoes, hurricanes and insane hailstorms. Initially, the tornado warnings scare you because you have no idea what to do in an extreme weather situation. But, once you learn, you get used to all the warnings and sleep through most of the crazy weather, unless it really is a tornado/hurricane/hailstorm.
