There are some things that everyone hates to admit about himself or herself. You may watch too much television or listen to Ashlee Simpson. However, I have a big one. In fact, I would almost consider it embarrassing. Here goes ... I'm a townie.

I have lived in this "great" town for all 21 years of my life. I was born at the Centre Community Hospital, when it was actually called that, and have grown up with Penn State in my backyard.

I graduated from State College Area High School and my parents live down the road in historic Boalsburg, not Bellefonte. I love the Steelers, drink Meyers Dairy milk, shop at the Nittany Mall, have sled at Slab Cabin and listen to my fellow Centre Countians leave out the words "to be" in a sentence.

Minus the random Pitt paraphernalia that decorates our house courtesy of my Dad that creates quite an oxymoron, my family is for the most part Penn State fans. My first football game was when I was 10 years old.

I remember going through the school year and loving the hustle and bustle of town while the students were here and dreaded the ghost town that awaited us in the summer. When everyone is dying to get out of town and excited to leave for breaks, I get to drive 10 minutes down Atherton Street. My personal favorite joke I hear almost every time I come back without fail, "So how was your drive back to school?" Ha ha ha.

I don't know why I hate to admit that I'm from State College. Maybe it's the reaction I get when I'm asked the preverbal question, "So, where are you from?" Or maybe it's the annoyance of having to explain myself everytime I'm asked why I decided to stay here.

I've even gotten so bothered by this question that I've lied to people I meet when they ask where my hometown is. I can usually pass it off as something believable unless, on the offchance, I run into someone who is from the same town I say I'm from. I already know I'm probably on my way to hell, so why not lie to avoid the question I dread the most?

Now before I start sounding like a complete State College-hater, I do love the fact that my parents live "down the road." Free laundry and food is always convenient to college students. It's a cute town with a charm unique unto itself and I will always have a place to stay when, gasp, I'm an alumna.

I don't mind when people ask me directions or ask my advice on good places to eat. State College isn't as bad as some small towns in Pennsylvania, but after 21 years, it's time to move on. So, let me clear something up. I know I can't speak for everyone who is from State College, however, I don't want to stay here my entire life. In fact, come May I plan on leaving immediately after graduation given I have a job. I want a real city. I need a real city. I want to have "my mall" include more than JCPenny, Bon Ton, Sears and Kaufman's.

I want to be a yuppie.