One of the things about being a NYC transplant, is that your homeland defines you.
I say: I’m from Minnesota.
They say: Oh, you must really know how to keep warm! You must be nice! You must loooove cheese! Say boat!
It’s all true. I was raised in long underwear by a mother with a compulsive coat-buying habit and a father that keeps a hat, mittens, and extra jacket in the backseat of his car at all times. I might be the nicest girl you have ever met; I don’t have one enemy. I am a firm believer that cheese will make anything taste better, and can also stand alone as a meal. And finally yes, I do have a Minnesota accent (but only when I say boat, bagel, and oh).
I talk about Minnesota on a daily basis. Whether it’s about my really, incredibly, amazing family and friends that live there, all the beauty (we do have 10,000 lakes), the state bird, or fun memories that I feel everyone should know about.
One night, I even told an entire table of people that had never been to Minneapolis and many of which I had just met, that it was the greatest city in the world. I had good reasons, but had to confess towards the end of my speech that there might be some other great cities out there I haven’t explored yet, so maybe I shouldn’t make such bold statements to a bunch of strangers. But I did, and I will continue to do so because I LOVE Minnesota!
It’s that time of year when Minnesotans celebrate Minnesota, which gives me more reason to gush. Today is the seventh day of the Minnesota State Fair. It’s a tradition I will miss for the second year in a row.
It’s deep fried everything (pickles, Twinkies, Snickers, SPAM), the Zipper, boars the size of Volkswagon Bugs, butter carvings of people, and so much white trash it’s hard to catch your breath. It’s the end-of-summer hurrah, and here, I’ve got no hurrah.
I’m missing you, Minnesota. But I’m telling New York all about you.
UPDATE: 5 minutes after posting this, I got gchats from two native Minnesotans: I do love MN (currently living in San Francisco), and love love love MN (currently living in NYC). Sigh.
