I think that everyone goes through a point in their lives where all they want is to leave their hometown and expand. Whether this means expanding their experiences, expanding their families, or just expanding in life in general, people just want an out. I decided in 6th grade that the second I turned 18, I was moving to California. I was 11. I had no plan in place, no real ideas on how I was going to do this; I just knew I was going to. Now, I'm 19 and I'm still right at home in New Jersey where I've always been, and though I've gone to college, left my home state and gone away, I think New Jersey will always have a piece of my heart.

I grew up in a three square mile town in the suburbs of Central NJ. Where we eat subs, not hoagies, drink soda, not pop and love the Jersey Shore in the summer but are nothing like the cast of the TV show. When I went to out of state for college, it just wasn't the same. It was weird for me to see all the differences... Because even though it wasn't too far from home, it was far enough to know that I wasn't in the same state as the Jersey Shore, and it was strange that nobody had ever heard of Weird New Jersey. Everyone thought I had a funny accent, even though they were the ones with the accents. I couldn't say "coffee" or "dog" without someone saying "cawfee?? Dawg??" I always thought it was funny, though. Its a reminder of where I'm from!

There is just a comfort about being in NJ. Potholes in the roads and all. I love the fact that we will always have our pork roll, (or taylor ham, depending on what part of Jersey you're from...) and the best bagels around. And after spending two semesters in a different state, I definitely missed having good pizza, because that's hard to find outside of NJ (New York is an exception to this rule, as well as the bagel one.) There is a sense of community here that I don't think would get if I moved to California when I turned 18, though I'd still love to live there.

My parents speak of moving out of state just to have a change, and even though I think it would be cool to live somewhere new, I can't lie and say that I wouldn't leave a little piece of my heart in my home state. I don't know if it's just all the family and friends I would leave behind, or all of the incredible memories I have made in the Garden State that have left such an impression. All I know is that no matter where I am in the world, and no matter where I live, I will always find Home (and pork roll) in New Jersey.