New Jersey is always being trash talked and made fun of, but honestly I wouldn't want to live in any other state in the union. New Jersey is the home state of many talented celebrities and offers so much to do that people don't even realize. There is nothing more comforting than coming home and knowing that there are so many things that'll always be there to cure any homesickness I had felt while at school. Just to name a few:

1. The traffic that plagues every major highway in New Jersey.

As much as I cannot stand sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on 78 going to school or on the Parkway at any given time during the summer, there is something comforting in knowing that no matter how many lanes are open you can count on there being traffic. Nothing says "welcome home" like hundreds of angry New Jersians cursing and beeping at each other.

2. When you refer to Bruce, everyone knows which one you're talking about.

I will never be over the time my English professor asked if anyone knew Bruce Springsteen and I was the only one to raise my hand.

3. Going down the shore.

While it is a little cold to be at the beach right now, even in the winter there is something about the familiar drive of the Parkway South.

4. Pizza.

I will argue with just about anyone that New Jersey has the best pizza, hands down. Especially when your Nonna makes it homemade for your whole family.

5. Bagels.

A close second behind pizza, but I literally refuse to get bagels when I'm not in New Jersey. Plus you can't even get taylor ham (no, pork roll is not the same thing) in other states, so what would the point of getting a bagel even be?

6. Honestly, just all of the bread products.

Everyone always laughs at me when I say that there is a difference in the water that makes our bread taste better, but I couldn't be more serious. Shoutout to all of the pollutants in Jersey water that makes our bread taste so good.

7. The diners.

I remember the first time I went overnight to Pennsylvania and saw that not all the diners were open 24 hours and being so confused. Pancakes and disco fries just taste better when you have them at midnight.

8. The scenery.

This probably sounds ridiculous considering the only way Jersey is portrayed as industrialized and smelly. However, we actually have a lot of beautiful wooded areas that in the summer and fall are beautiful.

9. Dirty water dogs.

I know New York might be known for their food trucks, but nothing beats a dirty water dog fresh off one of the trucks in Newark.

10. The state pride.

Because there isn't a single greater state in the entire country.