Being a New Yorker, like anywhere else, comes with its ups and downs, stereotypes and out right oddities. New York has its own language, its own melting pot of cultures; the diversity here is unlike any other. New York is infamous and famous in the same turn. It is a home, a playground, a church, a school, a business - a life unknown to many, including those upstate. (P.S. there is an upstate New York, that's where our state capital is.) No, our capital is not New York City.

New Yorkers, or rather City dwellers and Long Islanders, have a society that, truth be told, is very inclusive - if you are not a New Yorker, you would never understand. Never; New Yorkers are a class of their own. If you're not sure you are a New Yorker, here's a checklist:

1. We do not have an accent. You do.

How exactly is coffee supposed to be said? 'Cuz that don't sound right to me, sweet'eart.

2. Bagels and food.

You have not known love until you have had a New York bagel and downtown city pizza. Then, of course there's China Town, Jamaica Ave, Little Italy, the Turkish store down the street, That one deli with those sandwiches your mama swears by and of course that curry place? Divine! Oh! and the sushi restaurants located around every corner right next to the Starbucks and three stores down from the Mickey D's and four from Old Navy/Gap.

3. Winter.

There is no pain like the pain of having frozen ocean water slap you with a thousand tiny hands. The blizzards are literally the oceans rising up and coating all of civilization as you know it. Winter does not last three months... it lasts half the year. The other half is monsoon and pollen season, fire hydrant season and autumn.

4. Spring.

It's either raining, snowing or the air is so full of pollen even those without allergies will be reluctant to leave their house. Also, what was considered a cold 60 in fall is a waterpark day 60 in the spring. Shorts, tanks and flip-flops wherever you look. Jeans and sweaters no longer exist, until tomorrow when the snow is back. Saturday is a beach day, though!

5. Summer.

Fire hydrants are no longer just for fires. The streets are flooded with children and ice cream trucks. The City is unbearable and Central Park is now an amusement park - only without the cooling water rides. Coney Island is open and the beaches are full. Honking is at an all time high and cabbies are back in business. Oh, also? Hurricane watch, 24/7.

6. The Blessing that is Fall.

Ah, the one season where all is at rest. School is back in full swing, the weather is mostly pleasant and the colors are straight from a fairy tale. Then there's Halloween. House teepees are so sixth grade. "Ding Dong Ditch" and egg throws anyone? Not in my house!

7. The City.

Not the Big Apple. Not "New York City". But Manhattan - Manhattan is the city. Don't question it.

8. Do. Not. Stare.

You stare, we have a problem. Don't do it.

9. We do not square up.

We beat down. End of story. Talk **** get smacked.

*Fill in the blank. If it's not Sugar-Honey-Iced-Tea, you're wrong.

10. Jamaica Ave. and 42nd

You have not lived until you have shopped on either 42nd St and/or Jamaica Ave. Also, you know to never use your credit card in Jamaica Ave. or roll out a wad of cash. Identity theft and getting mugged are not in the plans and nobody's got time for that. We got things to do.

11. New Jersey

There is only one state louder than us, and they share the same people. We even commute. But we will never live in Jersey.

12. Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker.

You're reminded of that fact Every. Where. You. Go. Congrats.