I’m a city girl. Born and raised in downtown Chicago. There aren’t very many of us out there. I grew up in Lake View, on the corner of Broadway and Sheridan. That’s in walking distance of the Lincoln Park Zoo, Wrigley Field, North Avenue Beach and The Bagel!
Sure, you’ll meet a ton of people that say they’re from Chicago but then they’ll eventually fess about what suburb they’re from.
My freshman year of college a guy told me he was from Chicago. When I asked where? He responded, “Well, it’s not exactly in the city.” When I pursued the conversation, he confessed that he’s actually from Munster. Now folks, that’s in Indiana….not even the same state.
To be honest, I don’t really care where you’re from but I’d prefer a straight answer right off the bat.
After graduating from the University of Michigan I’ve lived in some pretty interesting places, well three to be exact: Rockford, Illinois. Greenville, North Carolina and now Deerfield, Illinois.
Since I get so annoyed by others that fib about their hometowns or current living situations, I try and be as honest about mine as possible. (In the midst of writing this I just remembered my current Facebook status reads Chicago, I’ve got to change that). I’ve been tempted to give an easier answer, since who in the world knows where Greenville is (Eastern Carolina baby! Go Pirates!!), but what fun would that be.
The Munster native totally blew it. Little did he know, I’ve got a grandma there and would have talked his hear off about it. Instead, I was frustrated and walked away.
I’m bored of meeting Chicagoians. I already know all about my city, now I want to know about yours!
Hi! I'm a new follower and also a Chicagoan. I was also born in Munster, oddly enough. I can't speak for the Munster guy by any means but, for me, and for the sake of conversation, it is easiest for me to say I am from Chicago. It's much better than "well, I was born in Indiana, moved around there for a bit and then lived in various towns in Illinois and then did a back and forth thing for a bit..." Right? I've only lived exclusively here for about 3 years but, I've spent the majority of my life moving often and living within a 20 mile radius of Chicago. I also spent lots of weekends visiting growing up. I guess I also just have a difficult time defining where "from" really is. If it's where you were born, then my answer would be Munster, though my family moved to East Chicago shortly after and I have no recollection of living there. I suppose it's one thing to be a confused dork like myself, and a blatant liar like others, eh?
ReplyDeleteBecca, to be honest, I much prefer the answer you just gave! I've got a million questions about how you landed in Munster, where you've traveled to since and how you ended up in Chicago. I'm down with the confused dorks of the world, I think we all have a little of that in us. Blatant liars, not so much.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest memory of Munster is going to some fancy country club and playing bingo with my grandmother and all of her friends. I love bingo.
If you ever have any interest in writing an entry about your experiences on the road, shoot me an email at nrkaplan@gmail.com, I'd be thrilled to publish a guest blogger!!
Oh Oh, I know where Greenville is!!! But then again, I live there. lol
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