Things I learned in Texas...

Well folks, I recently returned from a weekend trip to The Big D, and managed to learn a few things along the way. Here are a few...

1. It's true, everything IS bigger in Texas. Bigger signs, bigger cars, bigger portion sizes, bigger stores...I felt like a cross between a munchkin and an oompa-loompa.

2. People...who...live...down...south...move.........MUCH........slower...than...I...am...used...to...moving. Talk about culture shock! Here I am, finally getting used to the fast pace of the East Coast, and I'm thrown down into the land where people actually take their time. That's just crazy. I'm going to have to learn how to increase my patience and decrease my talking speed.

3. For as slow as people move down there, they drive like NASCAR on speed. Here I am, desperately trying to merge onto a freeway in a craptacular PT Cruiser (curse you, rental car companies!!), fearing for my life when LARGE cars and trucks are zooming past me at 90+ mph. So much for hypermiling.

4. Heat is heat. I don't care if it's a "dry heat," or 139% humidity. It's still freaking hot. I am ever-grateful for air conditioning.

5. The combination of massive amounts of BBQ and my love affair with food could prove deadly. I'll likely weigh 300 lbs. by Christmas. Maybe I'll just stand outside and sweat it off.

6. Southern Hospitality is a reality. I was there for a total of 2.5 days, and already have a handful of phone numbers (and friends to go with them), offering help whenever I need it.

7. Dallas is rather similar to Minneapolis (it even has an Uptown!). I struggled to find anyone wearing cowboy hats/boots/belts around the Metroplex. What's worse -- there are little boutiques and spas all over the place! I'm going to need 4 jobs to support my future lifestyle.

8. I'm gonna miss Tax-Free Shopping in Delaware. sniff, sniff. :(

9. I'm scared for football season to start...I have a feeling I won't be wearing my AP jersey outside the apartment.

10. No matter what happens, this is gonna be one helluva adventure.