In the Southeast, I Observe:

Pretty much not a secret: I was really, REALLY nervous to move back to the Southeast.

I really can't tell you why, cause I really don't know the reason... I guess all those uncomfortable memories from high school/middle school came flooding back and I wanted to run in the opposite direction.

(True story: I cried a lot about this move back to the Southeast.  Hugged my mother-in-law like I never wanted to let go when the time came to drive away.)

And it's not like my high school time was bad, to any degree.  It was just high school, ya know?  But it was high school IN THE Southeast, so everything that "I went through" seemed to be attached to the South.  And since the Southeast (if you like it, or not) is very different from the Northwest.

To sum up:
Uncomfortable memories were made while living in the Southeast = weird feelings towards the Southeast
Happy memories were made while living in the Northwest = warm feelings towards the Northwest

The move has happened, and we've been living in these parts for around 6 months (Bama and Georgia), and guess what?  Ain't been bad at all!  Really enjoyed my time here.  No one seems to be uber judgmental, and everyone is pretty friendly.


But here's what I observe:
People want to comment on my kids ALL THE TIME.  What is it about walking through the parking lot that persons want to have a CONVERSATION with me about my kids--actually, start a conversation about THEIR experiences with children, either boys or girls or just one.  Goodness, Southern people, I'm trying to get to the store with my crew--can't really laugh about your stories about your niece's 2 boys!

Oh, right... Observe time, not tangent time... 
People are a bit too friendly here in the Southeast.
What's different than the Northwest?  Oh, there in NW, I was basically left alone.  A few smiles, nods of the heads, sometimes a narrative--which for me, was nice.  Working with 3 small boys means I need to be focused, not distracted by random stories that I don't have time for.

(True story: my mom stayed with us for two weeks when we lived in Rexburg for Isaac's birth.  
She came home from the grocery store, and said, "People are so serious here.  No one spoke to me the whole time I was there!")

And I get it.  I was really Southern when I moved to the Northwest.  I had a lot of the same tendencies, being friendly but almost too friendly--and the North-westerners, not accustomed to Southerns, knew I was fake.
But I didn't know I was fake.  Not until Matt pointed it out--one of those "first year of marriage awkward conversations."

I've been working really hard to stay friendly, but sincere and AWARE of the people's circumstances.  It's been a process, one I work on continually.  I often go over a social event in my head, and then ask Matt's input.


Umm... yeah... I guess I had to get that of my chest.
I love people, and I'm grateful to get to know and interact with many, and especially those of different cultures.   Maybe I'm hard on Southern culture, cause I'm from the South, and it's my home culture.
(Cause, really?  Who wants to have a stranger talk to them in a parking lot?  Not me, I guess.)

Again, I'm having a great time here.  Been able to make a lot of friends, and I have loved the warm weather!  I mean, it's Dec 5th, and 75 degrees outside!  Eat your heart out, Idaho!

Also, I haven't had so many church conversations in years.  Every LOWEs delivery man, natural gas man, plumber man, invited me to their church.

(True story: the LOWEs delivery man drilled me on Christ's life to see if I really was a Christian.
"Jesus died on the...?"
"Cross."
"He died for our....?"
"Sins.")
 
People are open here... and that's good... probably?  Yeah, I think so... probably?