7 Lucky Things I've learned In Florida

1. I cannot inhale while chewing Vitamin C tablets. It usually results in a hacking cough and moment of panic where my life flashes before my eyes.
2. Everyone has a story for me to learn from. Whether having a discussion with my manager who has been working in the company for 25 years or a discussion with a drunk co-worker or a discussion with an ex-Mormon while he is smoking a cigarette and I am cleaning the ashtray, there is always something to learn. No matter where we are in our lives right now, we have all been many places that no one else has. Everyone we interact with has so much more to them than we think, and the secret is to figure out as much as you can!
3. Drinking is very over-rated. The first time I was ever offered alcohol or drugs was when I was 18 years old, here in Florida. I have spent a lot of time around my friends as they drink and smoke and let me tell you, it's nothing interesting. They have told me themselves how much they envy people who have the strength to not do it because it isn't worth it so alter your state of thinking on purpose to where you don't remember what you said or did just hours later. I've held back too much hair and held down too many arms to want others to do that for me.
4. Physical appearance is so unimportant. While packing these last couple days, I realized I wore a very little amount of the clothing, jewelry, and make-up I brought s a result of wearing the same all white costume, black shoes, and minimal make-up for 70% of my time here. I still made friends, I still went on dates, and I actually felt a lot more comfortable when appearance meant nothing most of the time. The compliments I receive about the person I am and the standards I have held mean so much more than any hair or beauty compliment I ever get.
4. Public transportation is great and everything, but nothing beats having access to a car. Especially when you realize not all bus drivers care about you as a person. How do I know this? Let's say hypothetically that at about midnight last night I got on the bus to go home from work and realized I dropped something on the ground as I was stepping on the bus minutes before. I tell the bus driver this and proceed to step off the bus when not two seconds later I hear the doors close and the bus pull away. The driver waved and I watched my phone, wallet, ID's, ipod, new tablet, and cash drive away. Hypothetically, of course.
6. As human beings, our we are very adapt-able creatures. Don't be surprised if you hear me now saying "magical" (Disney influence), "wicked" (New Hampshire influence), "yo" (co-worker influence), or "cheers" (UK influence), or kissing anyone I meet or greet on the cheek (French, Puerto Rican, and Italian influence).
7. There is no excuse for a bad day. One of my best days this year was Christmas day when I was on the other side of the country from my family, I opened no presents, I worked for 11 hours cleaning restrooms, and I had a subway footlong for Christmas dinner. But I had a beauty pageant with empty trash bags and two amazing co-workers. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard.