Sorry, I don't like New Jersey for much longer than a visit with family or friends. Suburbia is not the place for me.
here is my statement....
NJ and Me
New Jersey and you, perfect together- so the slogan goes. This may be true for someone perhaps, but our relationship could be defined as anything but perfect.
While I realize that there are many Garden State experiences from the rural lands of Central Jersey to the cities of Newark and Trenton, my experience growing up in one of New Jersey’s many suburbs brought on a mountain of teen angst, boredom & isolation. I felt stifled and hamstrung by an inability to express myself in a culturally supportive environment.
At the age of 19, I moved to Philadelphia and haven’t looked back in the fifteen years that have passed. When I go “home” to visit, traveling from one family member’s house to another, I find humor and beauty in the suburban culture. I now find the scape endearing and I recognize the places that have influenced me to become the person I am today.
This is an homage to the place I grew up, the place I abandoned, and the place I can love now from a distance.
New Jersey, for a state that I abandoned without hesitation, I often wonder why I find the most beautiful things when I am there. 
3 comments:
the strange things you can only find in certain places!
this is really funny
amazing. if only i owned one of those.....the possibilities would be endless.
Sorry, I don't like New Jersey for much longer than a visit with family or friends. Suburbia is not the place for me.
here is my statement....
NJ and Me
New Jersey and you, perfect together- so the slogan goes. This may be true for someone perhaps, but our relationship could be defined as anything but perfect.
While I realize that there are many Garden State experiences from the rural lands of Central Jersey to the cities of Newark and Trenton, my experience growing up in one of New Jersey’s many suburbs brought on a mountain of teen angst, boredom & isolation. I felt stifled and hamstrung by an inability to express myself in a culturally supportive environment.
At the age of 19, I moved to Philadelphia and haven’t looked back in the fifteen years that have passed. When I go “home” to visit, traveling from one family member’s house to another, I find humor and beauty in the suburban culture. I now find the scape endearing and I recognize the places that have influenced me to become the person I am today.
This is an homage to the place I grew up, the place I abandoned, and the place I can love now from a distance.
God bless you, New Jersey.
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