Everytime. On the first day of class, my extremely "fun fact" about myself is almost always that I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. No lie. And I typically get looked at with wide eyes and then people begin offering their questions about my experience...like I lived on the moon or something. It cracks me up because ever since I was little, Vegas was my home. And I never thought of it in any other way. When my parents announced, I was two, that we would be moving to Las Vegas, they were hounded by people assuming the worst. However, I am here to set the record straight: the 12 years I spent growing up in viva Las Vegas were some of the best years of my life. Years that brought me up and built me into the person I am today. But still I get those questions, and to those asking them, I say keep asking them! I (and I'm sure many others) love telling about my childhood and the awesome time growing up in Sin City. Just, don't assume the worst when I tell you, okay? So here are the 10 most asked questions I get when I say I grew up in Las Vegas.

1. Wait, people actually live there?

Um, yes? Tourists don't run the show, I can assure you that.

2. Did you live on the Strip?

Last time I checked, there were houses and neighborhoods surrounding the Metro area... but SURE!

3. Were your parent's big gamblers?

No, in fact, they aren't much into it at all.

4. So then were your parents like, ya know, strippers?

HA. No. Simply. No. My dad owned a plumbing business... SEXY!!!

5. But who raises a family in Vegas?

This one did! Successfully in fact! And actually, a lot of people do!

*Picture actually taken at the Bellagio on the Strip

6. Are there schools and churches there?

Yes. Yes.

7. Did you hang out on the Strip all the time?

No. And honestly my family avoided it as much as we could. The true exceptions were if the family was in town, a birthday, or a good deal on a buffet.

8. You must have eaten at buffets all the time then?

Actually, this one is kind of true... sadly. But hey! I can sniff out the good ones and the bad ones like a pro now!

9. I bet you could shuffle and deal a mean deck of cards?

Not even. My hand-eye coordination is non-existent.

10. You have to be glad you left, right?

Not at all. I miss Vegas with all my heart. And I actually plan to go back one day. While it was one heck of a childhood experience, I wouldn't change it for the world. I loved that crazy town, and I still do.

Love ya Sin City.