I've been in the south almost all my life -- 23 years, to be exact. There are certain words that identify me, like "southerner", "easterner", and "country".

Yeah, I'm a country girl. I used to joke about there being nothing worse than an Asian chick with a southern drawl ... And then I developed one! Used to always say that if that day happens, it's time for me to get out of the south. I never realized that those words would actually hold any weight or prove to be true.

We're keeping this on the down-low for the time being because at the moment, I'm only 90% and not a full 100% positive, but I may be packing up and heading out to California at the end of January. Yup. This depends on if we can find a place to stay. We're actually looking right now and have 3 suitable places in mind. And no, I don't mean the destination either (already have that picked out), but houses.

I'm excited and terrified altogether. Excited, because I've been here (in the NC/SC area) too long and  need a change of scenery. And terrified because I don't see myself as anything but a southern country girl. The prospect of leaving all my friends behind and everything familiar, and venturing into some place unfamiliar and different is very scary and a little sad. Alright, a lot sad. I'll miss all my friends. I'll miss Charlotte, NC. Heck, I'll even miss our cows in the front yard. And OMG, you mean now my 8pm shows will be on at 5pm now? That's just unheard of!

My sisters and I was listening to the radio the other day and we realized something.

"You can take the girl out of the honky tonk, but you can't take the honky tonk, take the honky tonk . . . out of the girl."

I'll always be country. Sweet tea, grits with lots of butter (yummy!), fried chicken, biscuits, green beans, fried okra and fried squash, pulled barbecue pork, pecan pie, hot dogs loaded with coleslaw, chili, relish, and chopped onion . . .

Alright, I'm starting to tear up now at the thought of leaving so I'll stop here . . .