When I moved to Nebraska, I didn't realize how different things would be. Yes I had moved from one state to another, but had assumed that being Kansas is so close that there wouldn't be any difference. I thought I was ready, because I had visited several times. I was very wrong. So, I came up with a small list of things I wish I had learned before moving to the great state.

1. Husker Football is important.

Don’t speak ill of the Cornhuskers, people tend to be passionate about them. Don’t talk to a Husker fan shortly after a loss, they will either start crying or be very angry. Husker Football is a religion in Nebraska and you will learn quickly that Husker fans are the most dedicated.

2. Dorothy Lynch is liquid gold.

This is salad dressing, and tastes exactly like french dressing, but Nebraskans love this stuff. However, don’t tell them it tastes like french dressing, because they will swear to you that it has a different taste. They may also glare at you for insulting their tastes buds.

3. Snow gear is important.

You may think you can survive with just a coat. You are wrong. Get a ski mask, the wind will hurt your face. Invest in wool socks, and gloves, and underwear...long underwear. Another thing to keep in mind is that cute snow boot are impractical. The bigger, the better; nobody cares if you look like big foot.

4. Don’t listen to the weather man.

Expect the unexpected. Say the meteorologist predicts clear skies, you should pack an umbrella. Nebraska weather changes more than a teenagers mood. You may start the day by needing a jacket, but by mid afternoon, if you are still wearing it, you will have a heatstroke. The reverse is also a possibility. Try to be prepared.

5. Don’t spend too much time on your hair.

The humidity will murder it. So you spent an hour straightening your hair, only to step outside and it be ruined in less than fifteen seconds. Even the straightest of hair becomes a frizzy mess.

6. People actually do things.

I have never seen more people going for "walks" in any other state I’ve lived. Not only do they go on walks, they go camping regularly, fishing regularly, and hunting constantly. Tanking is one of the most common recreational activities I hear about. I wasn’t surprised when Lincoln was rated one of the healthiest cities in the U.S.

7. Have a Runza!!

For those of you who are still new, a Runza is a bun stuffed with ground beef and cabbage. During the winter, Runza does this thing called "Temperature Tuesday", meaning that the temperature in the morning is how much a Runza is for that Tuesday. So, while you’re wearing all that snow gear I told you to get, you’ll also be able to warm up with a Runza for thirteen cents!

8. Always have Kool-aid on hand.

Kool-aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska; they even have a festival for it. Native Nebraskans will usually have ten packets of this sweet drink on hand. When they go to the store, they will probably buy more.

9. The Henry Doorly Zoo is Nebraska's pride and joy.

If you ever need an escape from humans and just need some animal love, go to the Henry Doorly Zoo. It is very large and one of the greatest zoos in the world. I am not a big fan of zoos personally, but I would probably go visit this zoo.

10. Don’t walk next to a cornfield at night.

It’s not the creepy children you have to worry about, it’s the wild animals. There are skunks, raccoons, badgers, and deer that make the fields their home. If you have the misfortune to wander into a cornfield, do the farmer a favor and **detassel it for them.

**I’m still unsure of what exactly detasseling is, but I do know that children (of the corn) get paid a large sum to walk through a cornfield all day and detassel the .**

11. Nebraskans are some of the nicest people you will meet.

I have never felt more welcome in my entire life. Of course there are those rare few that seem a little crabby, but, for the most part, they will make you feel welcome. The people I have met in Nebraska I will remember for the rest of my life.