Stray observations:

(Tangential Note: You might be wondering, Why did she just put the location in quotations? Pennsylvania is definitely located the North. Yes. A+ in US Geography for you. I don’t really care about the big “North versus South” culture battle. I’ve lived in the South my entire life, but I don’t identify as “Southern” (minus an occasional affected accent when I want to seem whimsically charming) and I think that’s because I’ve experienced so many unique cultures (read: moved around a lot)–I seriously doubt that a location defines who you are. If a person is solely defined by their zip code, one might be encouraged to get out more. The North is different than the South. The South is different than the North. One is not better than the other.)

• Everyone is Italian: I’ve never met or seen so many Italian people (and I’ve been to Italy!) Similarly, do you want to eat something not Italian? Nope. Italian, it’s the only thing what’s for dinner (at every restaurant). The Italian chefs have aggrandized a food monopoly here and they are not apologizing about it. People literally fight over which restaurant has the best perogies (which are like dumplings filled with potatoes & cheese?) and wedding soup. Luckily, I love everything Italian.
• Another mystery: popular food is generally extremely unhealthy (cream based everything), but yet, Pennsylvania is (only) the 16th fattest state. People eat tons of Italian food and yet remain healthy? What’s the secret here?
• If you’re going out to the store, there is no need to wear something tawdry like pants or blouses. No, just put on your Pittsburgh Steelers black & gold leather jacket and your roomiest Hanes sweatpants & hop out the door! Sports gear 4 lyfe.
• There is a tacit agreement in the city of Pittsburgh if you do not like sports (I’m talking to you, hockey), you deserve death. And you cannot waver on your favorite teams: if they are not from Pittsburgh, you are hereby banned to Philadelphia.
• I’ve met a lot of people with monosyllabic names (as if having more than one is just too flashy): Tom, Tim, Dave, Steve, Joe, Bob,  Mike, Sue, Barb. When I’m older, I’ll probably be that diva old person who refuses to call young people by the shortened version of their name. I’d rather be taciturn than call someone ‘Steve’ (and that’s my uncle’s name so, talk about internal struggle.)
• The SNOW IS INSANE. Everyone who is freaking out over the cold temperatures in the South needs to come live in the Northeast for a week. Here’s a dramatization: You step outside and realize that the 45 layers you have on are not enough, as wind scratches its talons into your very soul, scraping away any trace of human kindness or humanity in your heart. You are suddenly in a bad mood and drive very fast all the time, as you must hurry before MORE snow falls down & will inevitably turn you into a human snowman.
• Also every time I try spelling “Pennsylvania,” I think I’m doing it wrong. So many consonants.

Those are my main observations thus far. It’s kind of like studying a different culture in some ways. There are different accents, dialects, trends, styles. I don’t really feel like I fit in here, truth be told. It’s not like I have a turgid view of myself, but I honestly feel like I stick out here because of my interests & goals. Maybe I’ll find my niche!