Maybe it is because I go to school in the Midwest, but for some reason, people here in Wisconsin have the strangest ideas of what New Jersey is like. "The Jersey Shore" is partially to blame here as well as other ridiculous shows like "The Real Housewives of New Jersey." It is unclear what is actually to blame here, but it is safe to say New Jersey has a pretty bad reputation. So since I am tired of having to defend where I am from (not that I’m that passionate about New Jersey), here is what it is actually like to live in New Jersey.

We don’t all spend our summers at the Jersey Shore or personally know Snooki

Half of the cast is not even from New Jersey. This topic makes me angry and I refuse to talk about it any further.

New Jersey does not smell

I mean, I’m sure some parts of the state may stink, but isn’t that true of any place? Not really sure where people got this stinky thing from. I don't get how you could possibly classify an entire state as "smelly."

People from New Jersey don't think they are “basically from New York City”

I have never, nor will I ever try to claim I am from the city. I did take geography in school and am fully aware of the fact that New Jersey is not a part of the state of New York.

Some GREAT people are from New Jersey

Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Anne Hathaway, Derek Jeter, Kevin Spacey, Paul Simon enough said.

New Jersey is a large state

No, I do not know your cousin's, best friend’s, sorority sister who lives in Bergen County. New Jersey is a big state and believe it or not, I do not know everyone that lives in every county in the state.

Not everyone from the state of New Jersey sounds exactly the same

No, just no. Does everyone from Wisconsin have the same exact accent? NO!

We aren't all bad drivers

To the people making these statements, have you ever driven in New York?!? Come on.

We don't pump our own gas

This has nothing to do with our intelligence level or laziness. It is a law in New Jersey and we have to follow it. I'll throw the haters a bone here and admit that some of us do not know how to pump our own gas because we have never had to do it.

We live on bagels with eggs, Taylor Ham and cheese

Taylor Ham, or as the strange people of South Jersey call it, "pork roll," is one of the greatest parts of living in New Jersey. Nothing is more frustrating than saying I miss Taylor Ham and cheese sandwiches and no one knowing what you are talking about.

Speaking of bagels, our bagels and pizza are UNREAL

The bagels in the state of Wisconsin are actually disgraceful. There is nothing I miss more than some amazing New Jersey pizza and bagels.

At the end of the day New Jersey, may have its flaws, but it is still a pretty great place... and I would do anything for a New Jersey bagel right about now.