Well, we're riding a learning curve of new southern traditions, experiences, and just the every day little things of Louisiana life. We knew this was to be expected but sometimes the differences between living "up North" in Michigan and "down south" in Louisiana crack me up.
For instance, most people we talk to about Michigan know where Detroit is and that's their overall assumption of the whole state. Our neighbors know about "Michigan" from watching Hard Core Pawn. They totally had us pegged as gangstas from Michigan;) We assured them all of Michigan is not like the one TV show. (Although when I first heard about Louisiana I couldn't help bring to mind Billy the Exterminator or Duck Dynasty.) Funny how media can have so much control over your perception... Other observations:
- We've learned football is big down here. And I think BIG might be an understatement. Um, go LSU!
- Southerners love Sonic and God. There is a Sonic and a church on every corner. Or so it seems...
- Gumbo, po'boys, bbq, alligator meat.... I love to eat, but I like things mild and not~so~adventurous.
- It's hot down here! We're enjoying our 4th day of mild weather (mild= temps below the 80*'s). And I'm not complaining, either. I never did have a serious love affair with snow. Although a warm, balmy Christmas may not quite be the same.
- Milk is expensive ($3.99/gal.) but gas is cheap ($3.48/gal for my fill up yesterday). I'll take the cheap gas and just make my kids drink more water;)
- There are tiny green lizards everywhere. One was stuck in the mail box the other day, it's little head poking out. I now flinch every time I go get the mail. There's also lots of ants (they bite!), ginormous spiders, and lots of bugs in general.
- The kids' school is full of unmarried Southern belles. Or so I thought (because the headmaster, yes, headmaster {whatever happened to principal!?!?!} was introducing all of the teachers at the parent orientation as Ms. So&So). It took me awhile to catch on. I was seriously thinking, "they're all not married!!! Even the "old" ones;) And then I realized... it's a southern thing. All the ladies are Miz... Ha Ha! If there was ever a "duh" moment...
- And the big bow thing, crack me up! I was wondering the other day if the size of the bow is in direct proportion to the size of the little girl's head. I have seen some seriously BIG bows. I met a new friend and when she found out I had not 1, but 2 girls, she remarked, "you must have alot of bows!" And then I burst her bubble and said, "Nope, we're from Michigan, we've only been in Louisiana for a month". Crack me up! My girls are now acclimating nicely thanks to my MIL's generosity. I took her to The Bow Shop and she purchased fall/Halloween bows and ones to match the girls' school uniforms. Audrey has to go bow~less tomorrow as she is going on a field trip to Safety Town and the permission slip specifically asked for the girls to not wear bows because they'll be wearing safety helmets:)
