Most people in college act like they don’t miss home. But not for me, I definitely miss my hometown and I’m not ashamed. Texas is my home sweet home and as much as Arizona is fun to go to school in, it does not even compare to how much I miss Austin in the deep heart of Texas.

There are many reasons why I love to call Texas my home, but here are just 11:

1. The BBQ is the best at almost any local joint in any Texas town. Barbecue is something that I love to eat and Arizona has some barbecue places, but they will never compare to the delicious taste of good ole’ Texas style BBQ.

2. All of my family lives in Texas! It can’t get any better than having everyone all together in the same great state. Each time I come home it makes it more fun and special to see everyone even though I miss them all when I am gone away in Arizona. I especially miss my little brother as he’s one of my favorite people.

3. The friendly faces that are always welcoming. Most of the time people are great everywhere else, but there’s something about being in the south with that sweet southern charm. You definitely don’t get the same attitude from every other place around the country like in the south.

4. Comfy t-shirts and leggings or shorts are a norm, not an exception. This cozy outfit is all I want to wear when I go to class at Arizona State but most of the time I am one of the few wearing an oversized t-shirt — in Texas, this is the norm. All I need are my pearl earrings, a cute ball cap, my comfy outfit and I am set for class.

5. I treasure my quirky hometown Austin. Austin is a well-known music city with concerts happening all the time around the city and two famous festivals, Austin City Limits and South By South West. I miss the quirky hippies mixed with Texans in a cute city full of welcoming people.

6. The sound of the word Tex-mex makes my mouth water as I think about how much I miss the delicious taste of local places like Torchy’s Tacos, Chuy’s, Maudie’s, etc. The QUESO is where it is at my friends. It can’t get any better than the combination of Texas and Mexican food that makes the taste buds two-step because the clash between the two foods are so delectable.

7. I love the way that the blaring of country music is a staple at most public restaurants and places in Texas. I can always count on an old or new country song to brighten my day when we go out to eat at local places or listen to the radio with the windows rolled down.

8. The long, off beaten roads that my family and I take to drive to the panhandle at the top of Texas where our distant family lives. I love the way there is so much space and wide open lands that seem to reach endlessly for miles and miles.

9. I miss the small towns that are adorned throughout Texas. These towns are each unique in their own special way. It just so happens my parents grew up together in a small town Canyon, Texas and got married in the local church.

10. The rowdy football games are an established tradition. Everyone gets loud and rowdy with our boots on. I love how we dress up to games when girls get to wear cute sun-dresses and boots —it's a lot more fun to get ready for the games.

11. But most of all the Texas pride and traditions are something you’ll never get anywhere else. I am proud to be a Texan.