I was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina.

I love my city and am proud to call Durham my home. I currently attend East Carolina University which is in Greenville, North Carolina. Here are the many questions and comments that have received throughout my life living in Durham that I am so tired of hearing.

"Oh, you're from Durham? You must be a Duke fan!"

Not only is this the most popular question but for me, it is so far from true. I am and always will be a UNC fan. Just because I live in Durham does not mean I automatically pull for Duke. There are a ton of Duke fans that live in Durham but I am not one of them. Just like if I lived in Raleigh that doesn’t mean I automatically pull for NC State and the same can be said for Chapel Hill. So, no. I don’t pull for Duke in any way, shape, or form. GO HEELS!

"I love Southpoint in Durham! I'm jealous you can go so easily."

I’m glad you love Southpoint, I kind of love it too, sometimes, but it’s 30 minutes from where I live in Durham and I hardly go at all. To me, that’s like a whole separate realm of Durham. Honestly, I probably go to Southpoint just as much as people not from Durham do.

You know those t-shirts that were really popular awhile back that said "I'd rather get shot in Durham than die of boredom in Cary"? That is 100% true. Yes, would be the answer I would tell you if I wanted to keep you away from Durham but the truth is Durham is just as safe as any other city! At one time, Durham was not the safest place downtown but today is drastically different.

"I've been to a Durham Bulls game once!"

I'm sure that the Durham Bulls is one of the few things you know about Durham and you're trying to relate to me when you say that. I appreciate it, but honestly, I go to one Durham Bulls game a year. When you live in Durham, it's not a regular activity and you don't pay that much attention to it unless you really love minor league baseball ( but still go Bulls, though! Got to rep my city.)

"Oh, I go to Durham all the time to see shows at the DPAC!"

No. You have been to DPAC several times but you have not been to Durham. Yes, you have BEEN to Durham but you probably haven't explored Downtown or eaten at the many wonderful places available to eat. If you have, I apologize and I'm glad you have! But, if you say you've been to Durham and only parked, saw the show, and came back, you haven't been to Durham.

I love Durham. Everything about the city makes me happy. The food is amazing. The people are amazing and it just so beautiful. I can't imagine growing up anywhere else and I'm so grateful I grew up in Durham.

Durham is a wonderful place with so many things to do and I encourage you to come see for yourself!