53703: My 90210

Apparently UW business students want to come home. Maybe it's just those good midwestern values? Until recently I couldn't have told you why.

I grew up an Indiana girl, tried my hand at southern hospitality, and two years ago found myself being drug back to the midwest kicking and screaming. There was only one reason I said I would come back, an incredible opportunity. Sounds mystical and open ended, but the way it happened wasn't. It was a lengthy, heated discussion, but my boyfriend couldn't move his job so I found myself saying to my future boss "yes I loooove Wisconsin, I've always wanted to live there". Shortly after my little white lie, I packed up my jeep and drove 15 hours straight from North Carolina to Wisconsin.

At this time, I would equate my attitude towards Madison to the early relationship of Charolotte and Harry on Sex in the City. The first three months were all about sneaking around to dodge the shame. For Charlotte, the shame of settling for a man she thought she was too good for. For me, settling for a town I thought was too small to entertain me or give me what I wanted. That wasn't even the half of it though. I knew absolutely no one, worked with all 50 years olds(no offense!), and I hate to say it, but the fact that I moved there for a guy really weighed on my semi feminist mind. Madison didn't have a shot in hell with me.

Six months passed and my hate on continued. ( I have a tendency to hold a grudge). When I finally stepped out of my Madison hate bubble I couldn't get enough of the hippie, down to earth, outdoorsy attitudes. It turns out Madison has been an incredible opportunity in work and life that I almost missed out on. I was too busy listening to people (in LA and NY) who were telling me what a drag it was that I had to move back to the midwest.

Real world lesson learned. Give yourself the chance to be happy.