Georgia on my mind

It has come to my attention that my views and opinions expressed here are perhaps negative and rude about the South. I am a proud born and bred Georgia gal-- although I don't hold many of the religious and political views that the majority of folks below the mason dixon line do, I share a culture with all of them-- iced tea, country music (Randy Travis will forever be the love of my life), Chick-fil-A, lightning bugs, front porch swings, college football... All of these things intricately help shape the person that I am.


I've been fortunate enough to spend time in various states and countries over the years. The first time I saw a bong in California, I thought it was a beautifully colored vase. The first time I saw my Canadian father play hockey, I screamed at the fool who tried to body check him. The first time I heard a Scottish accent while living in the UK, I told the voice (and subsequently, the person to whom the voice belongs) that he sounded just like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers. Each of these places and experiences has made me who I am today-- a snarky, self-deprecating, liberal who will forever love the south.


I tease my family (both immediate and extended) about how crazy we all are, and how every family function we have is filled with some kind of drama. The reason for this drama is because of how insanely close we all are. It's not often that one is fortunate to grow up in a family in which you see your aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins frequently for family meals-- except if you live in the south. I don't know one Yankee who is half as close to their family as southerners are to theirs. It's that, and so many other aspects of the south, that make me proud to be from the great state of Georgia-- home to Scarlet O'Hara, Coca Cola, The University of Georgia Bulldogs, Chick-Fil-A, Otis Redding, and numerous other talented individuals who are also proud to call that state home.


After all, without the ability to turn on my southern twang, however would I be able to talk my way into or out of any situation?!