Owning It

The other night, I am hanging out with friends when I get a call from one of my best friends from home. I have known him since 9th grade, and honestly he is one of two people from my hometown that know more about me than anyone should. The funny part about when he calls, he tends to draw out the more southern side of my accent. (It also does not help that I had finished a couple of beers. Alcohol can also be an instant accent intensifier.) We talked for some time, during which my friends were playing Wii Tennis. So I was thinking they were not really paying attention to my conversation. But they were, and in two minutes flat my instant accent becomes the center of attention. I cannot deny that I grew up in South Carolina, and sometimes, it surfaces in my words. Oh well.

The fun part is to embrace it. I never go out of my way to sound like a southern belle (or redneck...ha), but sometimes, it is going to happen. Of course, y'all is a major part of my vocabulary, and I certainly say momma and daddy, especially when I am talking to them. Certain words will even just catch me off guard (Wheeler: "China Bistro!"). Nonetheless, I just have to accept it all as part of who I am. Make fun of what you will, we all have those little quirks that make us unique...or at least entertain others.

Sidenote: it is spelled y'all, not ya'll. Yes, this is a pet peeve. I do not care if it is a slang word in the first place, and I know the South is not known for its grammar. But really people, spell it right.