If you are privileged enough to come from the greatest country in the U S of A, you were brought up in a culture like that of any another. When you travel out of Texas and into the land of the "foreigners" if you will, you try to explain some things that just don't make sense to anyone anywhere else.

1) The Joke "Greatest Country in the USA"

There's more pride in being a Texan than anything I have ever seen before. Not many times do you travel around and see someone hanging a Massachusetts flag on their dorm room wall, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that a Texan will proudly be repping their flag from sea to shining sea. I have also noticed in my time out of state that there are not a lot of people willing to get their state tattooed on them, but looking back I remember a plethora of people getting Texas or a Texas symbol tattooed on them. That's way we are with Texas 'til the day we die. Also, I think the most defining of a Texan not in Texas is that they will tell you they're a Texan. It doesn't matter if they are in Guam. You won't hear "American," you'll hear "I am a proud Texan." But hey, if they aren't from Texas, why embarrass them by asking where they're from?

2) The Obsession With High School Football

We know. You've seen Friday Night Lights. Yes, high school football is a big deal but FNL doesn't show how big of a deal it really is. Allen High School spent $60 million on a stadium for high schoolers. Katy High School is now spending $61 million on their high school stadium. Aledo High School in the past 6 years has won 5 state champion titles for football. These schools are producing some of the biggest football stars the world has yet to see and therefore we are backing our boys of the fall 100%. There's nothing like spending your Friday night screaming your heart out at refs for calling bad plays, nothing like being soaked in water or baby powder by the end of the night and nothing beats singing your school's alma mater and seeing the smiles on those boys faces after a win.

3) Homecoming Mums

If you aren't Texan there's just no way to explain this to you. I have tried and failed so many times but here we go again. I have been getting a homecoming mum since I was in middle school and a lot of people start getting the fist sized mums in elementary school. By senior year, you can bet your bottom dollar those girls will be rolling out with 32 mums in the shape of a heart with ribbon falling down them and life size cowbells and lights all around. Senior year mums are a true spectacle. It's the loudest day in school as everyone is kicking the cowbells or just plain bells that hang from their ribbon. This is a tradition, so you put up with the headache and make sure your mum is bigger than all of Texas.

4) Buc-ee's

To out-of-staters, you will see this as a gas station, but to us Texans it is Redneck Disneyland. It is comprised of the cleanest bathrooms you'll ever step foot in, you can get freshly smoked brisket sandwiches, beaver nuggets (let me just tell you they are the most divine thing you can ever eat) and I'm pretty sure it's the only gas station that people will drive 30-40 minutes out of their way to go to. There's shirts, there's a mascot to take your picture with and there's barbecue and other delectable food as far as the eye can see. Dare I say it, but it may be better than actual Disneyland.

5) What-A-Burger (but more importantly the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit)

This little biscuit right here will start some of the best 2 AM memories you will ever have. My mom used to tell me that What-A-Burger was where she went after pulling all nighters in college because they had decent fries and were open at all hours of the day. But let me tell you mother, Whata-A-Burger is one of the first places I go to when I am back in Texas, it is some of the best food I have ever had. The fact that you can only find it in Texas and in a few select locations in Florida and Arkansas makes it even more desirable. Once you go HBCB, you can't go back.

6) King George

You may not be from Texas and be a George Strait fan and that's cool and all, but there's nothing like growing up in the land that George Strait walked upon. And it's not just his music that makes him the King of Country Music; it's the fact that he started what true country music should be. Texas Country beats Nashville Country ten to one-- there's more of a story to connect with. It's not about the hype or having the biggest following. I'm sure most out-of-staters have never heard of the Josh Abbot Band or Tanya Tucker or a slew of other Texas Country Stars, but there's something about their music that just makes you feel at home. Look, we ain't here for a long time, we're here for a good time so you might as well just be a Texan.

7) Billy Bob's Texas

Go ahead and laugh at the name but Billy Bob's is the place to be on a Friday night. It's the biggest honky tonk bar in the world located right in the Fort Worth Stockyards. To explain to the out-of-staters, Billy Bob's has live music and we can show off the fact that we remember all those line dances and two step practices we had in middle school. It's just a lot of boot scootin fun that everyone should experience at least once in their life. There's really nothing else like it.

8) The Blue Bonnet Photos

Every year around Easter, every Texan knows what time it is. It's when our national flower blooms and our mothers go crazy. Obviously these are pretty little flowers and we aren't allowed to pick them out of the ground (it's actually against the law), but for some reason we are allowed to go out and crush them to take photos so our moms can show off what great kids she has. I remember going to church on Easter and we all had to get up extra early and put on all white (everyone is required to wear all white for blue bonnet photos, I don't know why) and my stepdad must have pulled over five or six times off the side of the highway so that my mom could inspect the blue bonnet patch to see if it was good enough for a photo. I don't think that would fly anywhere else, but it does in Texas.

9) The UT vs OU Rivalry

It does not matter what college you normally cheer for; on the day of the Red River Showdown, you pick your side. Choose the wrong side and you're in for a world of hurt. The only other people that understand this rivalry are those from Jokelahoma and it is an intense battle. It's one of the greatest rivalries in American sports. The game normally rides on whether either team gets into the national championship or conference championship. But no one really understands how important this game is except for Texans and those unfortunate souls in Oklahoma, because the two states are always competing on something and this game shows the better state that year. Oh who am I kidding? Texas is always the better state.

10) If You Leave Texas, You Can't Wait to Come Back to It

Usually, when most people decide to leave home and move to a new state, they are happy with their decision. They miss home but like where they are at in life. Personally, and I am not going to speak for all of Texas but I know a majority will agree, there's no place like Texas. It's home. The minute you step into the Texas border there's just an at-peace feeling that washes over you. You don't have to explain anything to anyone; no one cares about your accent, and you can bask in the traditions and culture you were raised in. Leaving for a little bit can be great but nothing beats coming home. Don't worry JJ, I'm comin back for ya.