As I get closer to the next phase of my life, I become more aware of the things that I've learned since I have been in this frame of life living in the DC area, and while I have done a lot of good, I've also picked up a lot of bad habits. I'd almost be willing to say, that I actually didn't even pick up any good habits, just continued the good that I had already picked up in life. There are so many things that I have learned to continue surviving and attempting to thrive that I hope I don't take with me as I travel back down South.
Friendships: The way my "friends" treat me here, and the way I've learned to treat them back (lest I'll get my feelings hurt) would be down-right wrong anywhere in the South. In the South, we speak to any one we pass by, wave to anyone passing by us, get excited to see friends, don't use busy or distance as an excuse to not see someone. We realize the importance of continued communication, being there for someone when the times are hard, and just hanging out. I can't say that I have even hung out since I've been up here. I remember people used to drop by all the time before I got to DMV, like hey I'm going through your city in about an hour, can I stop by?
Oh how I loved that.
Men: LOL men are just different here, period. Given the grand opportunity of so many great women that are attractive, stylish, have an education, and got their own (job, house, car) and slightly desperate (because there aren't as many men for them), men have gotten very spoiled up here. Why do extra for a woman, when you can find another woman, and not do extra? Understandably and makes it hard for the women to win. (winning = marriage). Which might make the women change their stance on loving and men, (I have never heard so many women until recently, my age, saying marriage isn't for them, or going months and months (or in some cases years) without dating. Dating puts the pep in my step and the glow in my eyes*, that is a non-negotiable.
Health: Oh, dear goodness, back to the world of fried everything, and sweet tea, and people thinking Diet Coke is a healthy diet. Sort of scared for this, but also happy for cheaper food, at grocery stores and restaurants, but also better quality veggies and fruits, oh and outdoor markets.
Travel: I lived literally 10 minutes away from one of the best airports in the US. I can direct flight to Miami in 2 hours. Can you imagine if I live near an airport that doesn't have direct flights? Or no international flights? Or it's far from my house? Well at least down there, someone will drive me to the airport...cause that's something a friend does.
Secrecy: I don't keep secrets. I've never had to. I could be elusive if I knew you wouldn't approve, but other than that I probably just protecting you cause it's something you don't want to hear. All my friends from college know every iota, that just how most of us were with one another, and if something was a secret, it would come out and never be a big deal. In this area, people are just down right sneaky, but they can be. Its easy to cheat ( DC was named number one best city for cheaters), it's easy to disappear, it's easy to avoid questions and just claim to be over all busy, overnight busy, busy for the weekend, getting your house painted. All legitimate stuff if backed with a good excuse. Believe me, I know (from both sides). Not me, I'm Tracey Jordan, and I drop truth bombs. (I'm reading Tracey Morgan's biography right now lol)
Tranquility: I always moved at a fast pace. Though seen as irregular where I grew up, here it is perfectly normal. In fact, I am a little slow. Can you believe it? Though the realm of opportunity will be smaller anywhere else that I go (THIS IS ALSO SUPER SCARY), I may do well being a bigger fish in a smaller pond, everything is opportunity and experience and boy I have had some of those.
Granted, I fully disclose that it may be possible that since I left the South area (yes, I know DC is in the south, but its metropolitan) that maybe the whole world is now like this, and I just assume that it is just DC because that was where I was living at the time, but I hope not.
Really all I can do is pray. Pray with me, blog family that I get in to grad school to so I can really write about the differences of me going back to the south.
Please also pray for my family. My great Aunt passed on recently, please pray that she is now finally free from pain in heaven and my family arrives safely for her funeral. Also, my cousin (her granddaughter) just had triplets on Leap Day (how rare is that?)
*Did you catch that? lol. Like my Pastor says, you'll get it later.
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