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After a long, exhausting weekend and an unusually strong espresso drink, I babbled my way into being asked to write a blog about being a 20-something Baton Rouge girl. Finally! I have a reason to tell people why I stayed here. I have lived in Baton Rouge all my life with the exception of about three years. We moved against my will, and I was only seven, so what could I do? Occasionally I entertain the idea of leaving again, but it's never serious and I am happy with staying here.

The older I get, the more I realize how typically Baton Rouge I am. I was drinking dark roast Community Coffee as soon as I was old enough to sit in my grandma's lap and hold the coffee cup. Mary Lee's donut holes with sprinkles and Kleinpeter chocolate milk were weekend staples of my childhood. I frequented the Raising Canes on Highland before it was a chain. Every job I've ever had has been at companies that were founded and located only in Baton Rouge. The society section of the Advocate is my favorite Sunday reading, usually including outbursts like "Why did she let someone take a picture of her when she looked like that?"

What makes my point of view a little unique? Although I have a degree in art history, I do not own any art depicting plantations, swamps or regional wildlife. French is a language that I never wanted to learn. Despite LSU's many national titles, baseball is still one of my absolute least-favorite sports. I have never aspired to hold an office and much to my uncle's disappointment, I hate politics. My family is not "old money." I am not Catholic, although I did attend mass at St. George on the Sundays my mother worked.

I have spent the past two years explaining to a friend from Alabama why she should enjoy being in Baton Rouge. Yes, she seems to think Alabama is better. Go figure. I haven't completely swayed her, but with reports of Baton Rouge getting an Anthropologie store, she's a little more receptive. As I do with her, I'll be telling you a little about my good and bad experiences living in the capital city. Maybe you'll be able to sympathize, or see something that's missing in our culture. Have an open-mind and feel free to make comments from time to time, unless you're just going to tell me about the greatness of baseball.