Two things I would miss if I were living elsewhere. Family and LSU. I would manage without the latter. I would love to move out of Louisiana and live elsewhere. However, family will keep me here for a while as I would struggle with being far away from them. Those things aside, there are far too many beautiful and nice places in this world to live that Louisiana simply does not compare to.
The internet has made leaving Louisiana a non issue for LSU unless you are addicted to attending games. The thing I miss the most is the food! Leaving family is tough but something you manage and get used to. I have blood relatives living in Houston, Boston, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Newfoundland, Canada and Vancouver, Canada. It certainly makes for interesting travel when visiting. Internet messaging has made communication easier and travel costs arent that high considering you stay with family at your destination.
Im actually a dual citizen. Born in Canada but naturalized in the US. I dont believe you can have that designation anymore. Pretty sure it was removed many years ago. I dont remember anything about living in Canada when I was younger because I was an infant when we left. I did live in Vancouver while going to grad school in the 80's. That is one beautiful place. I have a sister living there now.
dont know about canada, but you can have an unofficial dual citizenship with australia. australia is ok with it and the us doesnt ask. you can actually collect social security from both (although australia doesnt give it out if you have enough $).
Key word being "unofficial". I am an official dual citizen because I was naturalized as a minor (with my parents) and was too young to legally take the oath. The State Department oath contains a renunciation of previous citizenship. Canada, like Australia, doesnt care if you naturalize in the US. When you go through Canadian Customs the first question they ask is where you were born. When I tell them Canada they mark citizenship as "Canadian" even if I give them my US Passport. I have both Canadian and US Passports and use them independently depending on where I'm going. It kind of blows the US Customs guys away when I give them my Canadian Passport on my way home. I've done it a couple times to see what their reaction is. :hihi:
I've lived out of state for two decades now. Day to day, I don't miss much except for my family. But...everybody who knows me well has had my Gumbo (it's good, mey yeah) and most have watched an LSU game with me. Trouble is, it aint the same, because they don't appreciate either one as much as fellow Coonazzes/Cajuns do. When I can hang with LA folks away from home, doin' what WE do, I get homesick pretty quick.
Mackey, are you a writer? That was prose. Thank you for making us all think about our roots. We move and appreciate new places but we never forget our roots. I married a Texas boy, SMU football scholarship, and we have moved all over. He is constantly amazed, after all these years, of the LSU fellowship wherever we live. I went with him to SMU games, "We don't tailgate, we boulevard"! (Give me a break.) My boys and brother (all LSU graduates) gave us birthday tickets to the 2007 LSU-FLA game. After tailgating and the game, my husband turned to me and said, 'this is REAL football'! There is a fellowship among people from Louisiana, whether they went to LSU or not, that ties us together.
Born in Houma ('77), moved to Lafayette in '81, went to LSU from '95-'00, and moved to Houston in 2001. We have two kids now and moved up to The Woodlands last summer for a bigger house/better schools. Love The Woodlands and it's a great place to raise a family. Also love that home (Lafayette) is only a 4 hr drive and we can visit family often. We visit Lafayette about once a month but Baton Rouge only about 3 times a year (mostly for football games). This makes LSU and Baton Rouge even more special. I knew last weekend would have a lot of rain for Vandy but just figured that would help me find a ticket a little easier. I'll be there for Florida whether I have a ticket or not (probably not). The atmosphere is like no other on a big gameday. Someone mentioned the fact that Louisiana has a high percentage of natives. I heard there was a special a few years ago that indicated the Vacherie area had the highest percentage of natives. Apparently the show was initially going to show that area as "backwards" but came off as simple people that just enjoy family, nature, and their way of life.
