Living in Jersey has its ups and downs. It is commonly referred to as the armpit of America, and I sometimes even wonder what is going on. But Jersey does have its ups. There are many great things about Jersey... and there are also some horrid things that make anywhere else in the world look like a splendid place to live. But all in all, Jersey is home.

1. Wawa is king.

To us New Jersians, Wawa is our happy place. Wawa is the bane of our very existence. It is breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, coffee, midnight snacks, and gas for the car. It is Hoagiefest and free coffee day. It is everything beautiful.

You do not want Sheetz or 7/11 or QuickChek or some sort of generic convenience store. You want the beauty of Wawa.

2. You believe North Jersey and South Jersey should be their own states...

...then never ever get back together.

South Jersey and North Jersey have a ridiculously large amount of beef that really can only be solved by creating two states. Yes, I know we will need another star on the flag... but most South Jersians will argue that North Jersey does not deserve a star and North Jersey will do the same about South Jersey.

Side note: Most people deny Central Jersey even exists. I have no idea where the line is drawn that makes Central Jersey an entity because let's be brutally honest... it's really not.

3. People compare you to reality TV.

I am not orange. Nobody actually tans that much, and nobody actually practices GTL. I didn't even know what GTL meant until so many people bugged me about Jersey and the Jersey Shore. I have never met Snookie, don't plan to, and don't want to. Yes, my first name is Nicole and yes, I know, that is Snookie's real name.

Also... they are not even from Jersey... they are from Long Island... I do not talk like them.

4. Beach days are the best days.

Whether your shore of choice is Ocean City, Sea Isle, Wildwood, Point Pleasant, or any other beach across the coast of New Jersey, you have a favorite. And the best days are those spent across the beach lying down taking in the sun or laughing with friends as you watch the waves crash. The funnel cake and pizza and ice cream combined with the friends and the laughter as well as the sun and salt make the perfect masterpiece.

A masterpiece that as mentioned before is not properly represented on television.

New Jersey has its ups and downs, but people from New Jersey are proud of their Jersey roots. Despite the fact that we cannot pump gas, we are a state with beautiful beaches and great Jersey tomatoes. We are a state with pride.