Ohio is not a foreign country

So I figure I should say a bit about the fact that I now live in Toledo, Ohio. I know that I spent 4 years in Hanover, but that seems different for some reason. I never really thought I’d be living in the Midwest and Toledo just seems so random. I mean, who lives in Toledo?! That being said, I have absolutely not lost sight of the fact that Toledo has something huge to offer me – namely, med school.
I really like UTCOM (University of Toledo College of Medicine) and know that it will give me just what I need to eventually return to California a great doctor! The atmosphere within my med school class is very laid back and cooperative. Of course, there are a few crazy people that I’m sure plan to help no one on their scramble to the top of the class, but I just don’t talk to those kids. The majority of people want to study together and share tips and resources (like study guides, lists of relevant clinical examples, and materials passed from previous classes). And even outside of the people and school (and I know I may get flak for saying this), Toledo isn’t all that bad. It has a few really good things going for it – things are ridiculously cheap (except my medical education), it’s a true battleground state and therefore a great place to be during an election year, there’s not really such thing as “rush hour”, there’s a great art museum and zoo, I have found a water polo team to play with a couple times a week, and it’s Eastern time which makes keeping in touch with everyone much easier. My mom was also relieved to find out that they even have some of the same stores here as we have in California – what a surprise. During my first week, one of our conversations went about like this:
Me: “Today was good – I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to buy new sheets.”
Mom: “Oh good, they have Bed, Bath & Beyond there? Do they have other stores you’re familiar with?”
Me: “Yes, Mom, it’s Ohio, not a foreign country.”