Thursday, October 11, 2007

Hey, Who's the New Guy?

...that would be me.

I'm Kate. Sarah, of the Trenches variety, and Ms. Chicky herself, have graced my inbox with their vaulted words, and I'm dipping my toe into the world of group blogging.

Can you lean just a little closer for a minute? Just... pull in a little... yeah, c'mere. Okay, listen. It's kind of a secret. Ready? I'm not a real New Englander.

It's a little sad, I know. I'm just a transplant, and will never be a true Yankee. I pronounce R's at the end of words that end in R, and can allow names that end in vowels to go R-less. I could not - seriously, I've tried - care less about sports. I live in New Hampshire and don't own a gun.

But I like it here. I consider myself a permanent transplant; after we've survived two or eight more years of my husband as grad student at UNH, we plan on moving closer to Boston. I don't get nearly enough opportunities for road rage up here on the Seacoast.

What else, what else? I never know whether my interests are interesting or merely another set of lists. I knit, I travel, I have children (Emily is 7 and Jacob is 3) with the option for more in a year or two. I blog. I'm a sort-of psychologist, doing crisis assessments in the emergency room. I, I, I... you get the idea.

I hope this is fun. I hope to get to know some fabulous new people, because that gives me more chances to gossip about the unfabulous ones out there. I hope not to be boring.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome!

I'm not sure, really, how many of us are REAL New Englandahs. I was born in Michigan and lived in many parts of the USA, but my Mom was born and raised in Boston. I moved from California to New Hampshire when I was 9, and then to Rhode Island at 13. Been he-ah in Little Rhody eva since (42 years!).

The "real" New Englander inquiry is one that I'd like to toss out to all of our New England Mamas!

Sharon - Pinks & Blues Girls

Fairly Odd Mother said...

I'm a REAL New Engander! Other than 3 years in the midwest (ages 5-8), I've always been in either RI or Mass. But, no accent here.

Welcome to the site! Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Greens and Pinks said...

I'm a real New Englander. I've been here my entire 34 years - all spent between 4 cities/towns in Massachusetts. Seeking town #5 in the near future. I just can't leave!

Incidentally, my husband is a real New Englander, too - by way of the West Coast. He was born in Boston, lived here until age 3, grew up in Seattle, came her at 18 for college in Cambridge and never left! I guess you never forget your roots.

sandy shoes said...

(shhh... i was born in new york city and my daughter has Yankees pajamas. But she hates them! She only wears them to make my brother happy because he still lives in Jersey and got them for her!)

I've lived half my life in Massachusetts, but will keep my terminal Rs and indifference to all professional sports :).

Hi Kate, nice to meet ya.

Everydaytreats said...

Don't worry Kate! I was born in the Caribbean and I still call myself a New Englander. It's all in the attitude.

Unknown said...

I was born in California and lived in L.A. until high school. But I moved to Boston in 1976 and have lived there ever since, except for a couple of short stints elsewhere. I always come back to Boston. But my father is a native Bostonian, as was his father, so I figure that counts in my genetic makeup as a "real" New Englander.

Anyhow, Welcome Kate!

Major Bedhead said...

I was born in Indiana and moved here when I was four. But my grandmother's family has been here since 1650-something.

Whirlwind said...

Welcome!

I'm a "real" New Englander as well. I was born in Massachusetts but have lived in Connecticut since I was one. Husband was born and raised in Connecticut.

Binky said...

I'm a real New Englander, but not the Boston variety. That's where most of the stereotypes seem to emanate from--all those weird pronounciations and made-up words. Here in Connecticut, we talk like normal people do. Like they do on TV ;)

Welcome!

Namito said...

I'm old New England, but no accent here either...unless you count a weird tendency for me to sound Canadian from time to time. Aoowt and abaoowt, you know.

And I am not a sports girl either, unless you use sport in the biological sense. Because both my parents are sports maniacs.

So you're in good company, Kate! Migs is on it...it's ALL about the attitude.

Namito said...

Ok. I'll be honest here...I have the accent. But only when surrounded by my Mom's family's get togethers.
Then it creeps back with a vengeance and my husband teases me about it afterwards.

Amy Linder said...

Hi Kate!

So nice to have another New Hampshire-ite (is that the correct term?) here. I live in the So. western part of the state, kinda close to Nashua. So glad to "meet" you - can't wait to read more of your stuff.

Amy

Life As I Know It said...

Welcome!

We've been in MA for about 8 years.
I actually grew up in New Jersey (ssshhhhhhh)

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

Welcome! So glad you could join us.

I am a dyed-in-the-wool New Englander. Born and bred and have never lived anywhere else but Mass. I even used to have the accent, but I worked hard to get rid of it. It's not the sexiest accent around, is it?

Christie said...

I don't think you'll be boring. You're fun to read, and I loved your introduction! I'm new to blogging myself! Welcome!

Sarahviz said...

Yay! So glad you've joined us Kate!
I was born and raised in upstate NY (as we've already discussed, Kate) and went to college there as well. Met Hubby post-college when I was living in NC, we lived in SC for a bit, and now we're back and living in his hometown.
He jokes that he moved down south to met a southern debutante and came back with a frickin' New Yorker. (My family is huDge Yankees fans.)

Velma said...

Welcome, Kate! I, too, am a transplant, but New England is home now. I'm looking forward to getting to know you, and all the other NE Mamas as well!

Tricia said...

Hi kate! Sorry it took me so long to say hello and welcome (I am pretty new here too.) And it's been a busy month!