Bruce Springsteen. Bon Jovi. Princeton University. Wawa. The shore. Diners. Me!

What do all of these things have in common? Yes, you guessed it - they are all unashamedly New Jersey. I am originally from a nearby neighbor, the great state of New York - the Bronx, and then the Hudson Valley, an hour north from the city - but moved to Jersey at 16 with my family after an unexpected job relocation. Since then, I've gone to prom, graduated from high school, learned how to drive, and started community college. Saturday was my 20th birthday!

I am currently applying to four-year universities outside of New Jersey; three of these schools are back home. I have long grappled with the relationship between two of America's original thirteen colonies, and feel that the media blows the New York - New Jersey rivalry way out of proportion. I blog about this state regularly in my free time. I tell everyone here that I blog about it, and they look at me with bewilderment; I think that's because they've lived in Jersey too long to realize just how unique it is.

I am melancholy about leaving in just a few months; in an effort to honor this twisted despair, I've decided to dedicate my very first Odyssey article to thanking New Jersey for making me who I am today.

Thanks, New Jersey, for hoagies.

These were called hero sandwiches back in New York. It has been the joy of my life to get up early for "Wawa runs", especially since my family guessed that Wawa was a neat antique shop with a peculiar name when we drove by our very first store. Then we saw another. And then another. We quickly got with the program; my "Hoagie Fest 2016" tie dye t-shirt is currently in storage, awaiting another balmy summer.

Thanks, New Jersey, for "Great Adventure".

This is "Six Flags" to visitors from the north, and is technically the largest theme park in the world. In the eyes of my New York classmates, Six Flags has been the home of class field trips, quick summer getaways, and New York City family meet ups for years; I didn't even realize we were leaving the Empire State to get there when I was a child, and am glad to finally attribute those fond memories to NJ.

Thanks, New Jersey, for the accents.

My fellow New Yorkers - the "Joisey" accent stereotype just isn't true (but I think most of you already know that). The beauty and diversity of accents in the Garden State fascinated me so much that I plan to major in Communication Disorders and Linguistics at the baccalaureate level.

Thanks, New Jersey, for the surv- I mean, driving skills.

My parents have driven in the biggest city in the world for decades, under trains and between swerving taxis, and still agree that New Jersey driving is demanding. I've learned to be clear, commanding, and confident on the road (by honking a lot)! I make sure to save my near-accident crying sessions for mall parking lots! But I still do not know how to pump my own gas.

Thanks, New Jersey, for forcing me to learn New York geography so I can explain to people that I'm from "upstate".

What upstate New York really means? Debatable all over the world.

New Jersey is wonderful. People are boisterous, loving, rude, feeble, kind, unforgettable - just like anywhere else. While living here, I have learned about what it really means to be an individual. I have realized that I am still me no matter where I live. I will keep blogging in New Jersey until they kick me out; at least I'd get to keep my "Hoagie Fest" shirt!

New Yorkers: I challenge you to go against the grain and allow the Garden State to have a place in your heart. There's enough room for two (or three, or fifty) great states. You won't regret it!