Sunday, October 27, 2013

Just Curious: Where are you from?


I would love to get a feel for where you are geographically!

It's no secret that I am from Arizona, a desert dweller down to my very soul. I was born in Maryland (the Land of Mary -- that fact is not lost on me, considering my journey), lived in Michigan through my preschool years, then moved to and grew up in Tucson, Arizona. I attended college in Boston, then lived in beautiful Atlanta for two years until our first child was born. Headed right back to Arizona and chose to settle in Phoenix, where we have lived and multiplied (physically and spiritually!) for 22 years. I never want to live anywhere else.

So, how about you? I will leave the comments open to anonymous readers as long as everyone behaves. ;)




Sahuaro cacti in my beloved Sonoran Desert.

128 comments:

  1. Woo! First comment! I'm from Naperville, which is a large suburb of Chicago. I went to college in Peoria, IL, which is 2.5 hours south of Naperville and now I'm back living with my parents, while I do the fun job search thing :)

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  2. Aw, not fair - I can't show you why I bleed Kentucky blue! I'm a midwestern girl - most of the states I've lived in have been in the midwest - but Kentucky is my "home". It's my Tara.

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    1. Some of the finest people I've ever known, those Kentuckians! Really!

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  3. Grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. Beautiful place. Now live near San Francisco.

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    1. So funny, as I had somehow mentally had you back east or up north!

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  4. I've lived in Bisbee, AZ since February 26, 2001. Prior to that six years in Phoenix, and 30 before that in NJ. Was born in Hazleton, PA one month after WWII ended, and my father was in Burma as a combat medic. Spent some time in Alabama, and then he was transferred to the Presidio of San Francisco, Letterman Army Hospital, and remained there until he retired from the Army in 1964. That's when we all moved to NJ. I love Arizona.

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  5. I am from Cross River State and currently live in Calabar its capital. This is a state renowed for its lush vegetation. It has been dubbed Nigeria's torism capital as well as its paradise city.Cross River State is located in the southern part of Nigeria, an English speaking nation in West Africa.

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  6. I am a Bostonian. I grew up in East Boston, which was mostly Italian-American at the time. It is very diversified now. The flight path for Logan Airport went over my house and I remember that everyone had to stop talking when a plane took off if the wind was going toward the airport from our direction. When the wind was going away from the airport, I could look out my bedroom window and see five or six planes with their landing lights on coming one right after another. I remember one day when fighter planes kept coming in and I believe that was during the Cuban missile crisis.

    I remember my father listening to the radio and pacing as the Celtics played the Lakers in the NBA finals. I went to the first AFL game between the Boston Patriots and the Denver Broncos at Braves Field, which is now Boston University's Nickerson Field.

    I attended Catholic schools through high school and moved north of Boston to a bedroom community (Lynnfield) and later bought my own house there. My sons live in Somerville and Brighton.

    I drove cab for my father through college and eventually went to work for a hazardous waste company. I now am a Massachusetts registered Waste Site Cleanup Professional with my own one man consulting business.

    This is my new favorite blog. As might be obvious from the frequency of my posts.

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  7. I'm a Navy brat who turned Navy wife. I was born in Maryland and then lived in Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Virginia. I went to college in DC before getting married, and since then we've lived in California and three different cities in Virginia. He went by himself to Mississippi and to Washington state. Virginia feels like home, and I claim it as such. Hopefully, we won't be leaving here any time soon. :)

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  8. Mumbai, India. I have lived my entire life in this catholic suburb of Mumbai called Bandra. However, its just culturally catholic. There are over 7 catholic churches within a radius of 2 miles from where I live. I had a crisis of faith when I turned 18 and found no answers in the local church here. I sought answers from the internet and stumbled upon your blog,back in 2009. I have learnt so much from you. Thank you Mrs. Miller.

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  9. Indiana to Michigan. Back to Indiana as an adult. Most of the family had moved back here and it was important to me to raise a family near extended family. Something I didn't have growing up, and very much wanted for my own children. I enjoy all of the seasons (except extreme winter), but also am curious about some of the other climates, scenery, and seasons of other parts of the country.

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  10. Was born here in WI, then spent 11 years in CA, now I'm back in WI and loving it. Spent the last eight years in a lovely little farm town just west of Milwaukee called Ashippun. Two months ago we lost our little farm in foreclosure. Can you hear our hearts breaking? My hubby got hurt on the job and I guess the bank just couldn't wait for him to heal. Now we await God's plan for us here in the heartland...

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  11. I enjoy all of the seasons (except extreme winter), but also am curious about some of the other climates, scenery, and seasons of other parts of the country.

    Dakota,

    I think you would probably like early Fall in the White Mountains of New Hampshire or the Green Mountains of Vermont. Actually, in the Fall they are neither white nor green but more like red, orange and yellow.

    Cape Cod and the islands are nice in the summer if you don't mind crowds. I prefer either the ocean or one of the lakes in Maine.

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  12. Born and raised in farm country Ohio. Can't imagine life without season change. As kids, we lived outdoors year 'round. We raised animals for meat and milk and our pants may or may not have been held up by bailing twine from time to time.

    After we got married, DH's job moved us out to the East Coast. I initially embraced the metropolitan life and told myself that country living couldn't hold a candle to the exciting, pulsing and never-sleeping city life.

    Now though, I ache to be back to rural living. I want my children to experience running through acres of field and forest the way I did. My heart stirs even when I catch a whiff of animal manure in the wind. Guess you really can take the girl out of the country but can't take the country out of the girl.

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  13. You would think I was in the military with all the places we have lived. Born in Kalamazoo MI, raised as a child in Toledo, OH. Moved to Las Vegas, NV when I was 10 yrs old. At 28 yrs I moved to Reno NV. While visiting friends in Las Vegas met my Wife Maria. She moved to Reno, we married and had our 1st- Bronson in 1997. Gabriel came just a year later 1998. We moved to Shelbyville KY 1999-2001. Back to Las Vegas 2001-2002. Moved back to Reno 2002-2005. Our daughter was born in 2003.Move to Louisville KY 2005 to now. So even though we have lived many places (9 houses in all) all three children were born in Reno, all at St. Mary's Hospital. Louisville is very "Catholic" and that is one of the reasons we moved here from the West Coast. 49 Parishes, 42 of those have schools. 7 Catholic High Schools, 3 all boy, 3 all girl and 1 coed. You don't have choices like that in Reno nor Las Vegas. Have thought about moving back to Reno, loved the scenery and weather. Peace.

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  14. I was born in New York, just north of the city, and moved to Boca Raton, Florida when was 12 and was there through high school. I spent 1 year at Duke University and then 5 years at University of Dallas getting my B.A. and doing the coursework for my M.A. I returned to Florida to write my thesis and spent 1 year there. I moved to Maryland where I got married and my husband studied at CUA for 8 years getting his STL and STD. We still live in Maryland, where I homeschool our 5 children and my husband teaches at CUA.

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  15. I live in Pittsburgh now, but grew up all over the US with a few years in Ontario too (for my dad's job - and no, he wasn't in the military. :)) We'll probably be here at least until our kids are grown - my husband grew up here and the roots run deep. I consider my "home" to be western New York State, where both my mom and dad grew up. Pittsburgh is a tad too warm for me both summer and winter and there just isn't enough snow! (Interestingly, my husband and I met in college, in northwestern PA - a nice halfway point. Every now and then we check job listings in that area, just to see!)

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  16. Born and raised in CT. Lived for 3 yrs in Williamsburg while dh attended law school. Then it was onto 20 yrs around the world (TX, GA, IL, AL,VA, Heidelberg, Seoul, FL, another part of Germany and back to AL). We are now settled in northern AL

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  17. Born at Mercy Hospital in San Diego and still live there today. Both in San Diego and in His Mercy ( hey, that was pretty good). Almost all of our huge family are still in the San Diego area. Drove up to Disnyland a couple of times , rode " it's a small world" and decided we'd stay put in San Diego. Not going anywhere now, We love our Shiite Catholic community:). ( stole that phrase from Jim Gafigan)

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    1. I was also born at Mercy, as were my mom and my grandpa. I lived in San Diego for thirty years, but have lived in Yuma, AZ for just under 8 years and spent a brief 8 months in Phoenix in 2005.

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    2. I'm a San Diegan, too! Born at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, where I later volunteered as a candy striper and met my now husband :)

      I've lived everywhere from rural Oregon to Tacoma, WA; Santa Barbara to South Bend, IN to Philadelphia- and now rural Central PA. San Diego, with the desert to its east, ocean to the west, and Mexico to the south? It will always be home.

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    3. Priscilla, were you the brunette in the southwest corner of the NICU with blue socks? Wow, what neighborhood?

      And Sarah Marie, for the love of God, I simply cannot stand this. Can I please email you through your blog or maybe send Leila your email to forward me? I know you recognize my name and I must contact you.

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    4. My entire childhood was spent in Mission Hills. As an adult, I lived in North Park, Linda Vista, and the College Area.

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    5. Ha! do you recall a Sawaya Brothers Market at 32nd and Myrtle? Was it that part of North Park? St. Pats? Crazy!

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    6. I don't remember the market, but my cousin went to St. Pat's in the '80s.

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    7. My cousin is about seven or eight years younger. Saints too? I'm a Don.

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    8. Yup, Saints too. The Dons....hisssss!

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  18. I was born in England and came to Canada when I was a little girl. I live in Toronto with my Italian born husband and our seven sons who range in age from 28 to 16. None married yet. (small sigh)

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    1. Leila will find wives for your sons if they want wives.

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  19. Born and lived in Nicaragua until I was twelve, moved to California where I went to Junior High and High School, graduated and moved back to Nicaragua, where I now live again.

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  20. I'm a native Floridian, a rare breed!

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    1. I'm a native Floridian too! As is my dad's entire family for many many generations. We are indeed very rare. :)

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    2. Must be like a native Arizonan! Not many...

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  21. I was born and raised in Illinois - started out in a small town near Peoria, then moved to Princeton, then back to the Peoria area. Came to Minnesota for college 14 years ago, and haven't been able to tear myself away. I miss my family in IL, but I was made for the cold and snowy climate in MN!

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  22. I was born in Cuba. Came to the United States when I was 18. Married to an Argentine with 2 beautiful boys, John Paul and Michael Alexander living in Miami, Florida.

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  23. Born in a city just outside of Los Angeles, Ca raised in same city. Traveled as a missionary with NET ministries USA and lived all over the U.S. for a year MN, WI, MI, OH, CO, WY, OR, WA, CA, and TX. Settled back home in L.A. Got married and we live in a city south of Pasadena, Ca we get to see the San Gabriel mountains every day from a distance :)

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  24. We are originally from northeast WI, now living in Chicago suburbs.

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  25. I live in Martinsburg, West Virginia I live in the Eastern Panhandle about 2 hours from Washington DC. I moved to Central West Virginia (more of the true Appalachia) when I was 14 from a large city. I hated it. I told everyone in High School that I was leaving WV at age 18 and never coming back.

    God is funny. My husband now works in a DC suburb. For five years, we lived five minutes from his office in an apartment building. When it came time to buy our first house because we had to many kids to legally rent a 3 bedroom apartment, we couldn't afford anything in the DC Metro area. So I moved "back home" to West Virginia two years ago. My husband is a super commuter who drives 140 miles round trip to work each day. I cried for a minute when we were ready to put a bid on our house, but now I like living in West Virginia. It's rural. It's feisty. It's independent. It's humble. It's a fitting state for me.

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  26. I was born and raised outside of Peoria, IL. My husband and I are still in the Peoria area and that's how we like it. :)

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  27. Born in Poland. Emigrated to Austin, TX with my husband. Lived there until 2001; my first child is a Texan; moved to Rhode Island in 2001; then had two "Rhodies". It has been 12 years, but I do not feel like home; too liberal; dreaming about Texas!

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  28. Guys, these comments are fascinating (and in the case of anonymous who lost the farm, heartbreaking). I am enjoying them so much, and surprised about where some of you live (I had some of you mentally from other regions!). And of course in my ignorance, I have thought of things like: "But isn't IL snowy and cold, just like MN?" (Kristin)

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    1. Haha, it is! MN just takes snowy and cold to a whole new level. :)

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  29. Born in Poland (country of great Saints: our beloved JPII, St. Faustina, St. Maximilian Kolbe and countless others....as well as a country of many Marian apparitions....Our Lady of Czestochowa, Our Lady of Ludzmierz...and others).

    Then moved to Chicago when I was in grade school. Now that I got married (2.5 months ago), we live in the suburbs of Chicago with my husband. One day though, we want to live more country style, don't know where and when yet (probably later in life, after we have grown kids)...but definitely want to live on a farm with a huge garden of my own!!

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    1. Agnes, your marriage post is just amazing,

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    2. Good to see another Polish woman here:)

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  30. I live in the suburbs just north of Atlanta, GA...moved a lot growing up, though...I was born in western (Johnstown) PA, moved to south Florida at the age of 3, then to Slidell, LA at 5, Savage, MN at 9, Sewell, NJ at 14, and back to the south to Fort Myers, FL at 16...moved to Atlanta when I was 19 and have been here ever since...it's home to me but if we re-locate for my husband's job I've learned you grow wherever you're planted. I would love to move an hour or so north of here and build in the mountains, though...maybe someday!

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  31. I was born and raised in Lima Peru. Now in New York City. Please pray for Peru that it doesn't conform and capitulate under the exportation of intrinsic evils. Agents such as Planned Parenthood are seeking a foothold in the remotest areas under the guise of "education" and "health care"

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    1. I will pray for Peru! How sad that the poor are being exploited by the death peddlers. :(

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  32. I was born in D.C., but moved to Va. in 1957. Have lived in Va. my entire life. I have close ties to Asheville, N.C. with relatives who live there so it has a big place in my heart. Although I like living in the suburbs (Alexandria/Springfield) and all the conveniences that are associated with it, I don't like what has happened in this area. What I do like about Virginia is you don't have to travel too far in any direction to get to the mountains, orchards, vineyards, monastery's, and great hiking spot's, and the list goes on...

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  33. Born in Indianapolis and lived on the west side until I went to college in Indy (with assorted trips to my father's on the south side). Graduated and moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where I lived in Shadyside and Bellevue. Moved back to downtown Indy and then to Price Hill, Cincinnati, OH. Got married ten years ago and moved back to the south side of Indianapolis!!

    The time change in Pittsburgh about did me in; there was no DST in Indy until I became an adult. It was very difficult on me, but I LOVED Pittsburgh. My husband's company is HQd there, and I can't wait until we have an excuse to visit. We will probably always live in Indy, unless my husband's company opens a branch in Louisville, KY. The majority of my step-family lives in or near there, and my mom would come with us.

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  34. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas! Great place to raise a family and we're so blessed to have tuition free Catholic schools here!

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  35. Born and raised in Wilmington, NC filled with sun, surf, and sand. My hubby and I continue to raise our 5 "cupcakes" on the East coast in Wilmington. We love it here except when a hurricane heads our way, but we have been so blessed so far with hurricanes not being too mean to us :) -Tracy at "A Slice of Smith Life"

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  36. I'm from Hungary originally, now in college in Boston. DH is from near Atlanta, and we're hoping to move to NC for grad school.

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  37. Still loving all of this, and really enjoying the folks from other countries! Wow!

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  38. Native North Carolinian here! Grew up in the mountains, moved out to the coast (Wilmington) after college and have been in the Raleigh area for the last 10 years!

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  39. Lower Hudson River Valley, New York. (Now in Jersey. Gasp!)

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  40. Loudon, NH.
    Went to Christendom College in Front Royal, VA. Spent what should have been my senior year back in NH working and waiting for my man to graduate. He found an amazing job in Front Royal, and I moved here when we wed in 2011. So close to closing on a much needed house, so we'll be here for at least a few years.

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  41. Born and raised in NY, an hour+ train ride into NYC, and lived in the NYC metro area for my entire life until my former marriage brought me 10+ years ago to the desert of So. California, literally a few miles from the US/Mex border, in a remote (2 hours to the closest major city) agricultural area where I am a minority in a largely immigrant, Mexican and Spanish-speaking population. (And how cool I thought I was in high school, taking French and German instead of Spanish as most other students did.) Do you remember that old show, "Green Acres"? Goodbye, city life indeed! People are always shocked when they hear from where I moved, with one man asking me half-jokingly, "Are you part of the Witness Protection Program?"

    I never imagined that I would live where I do now, especially as I had never heard of it until I met my ex-hub. Since my divorce many years ago, I have wanted to move much closer to a larger city (and I still hope to do so soon), but something had always held me back. A couple weeks ago, the reasons why God put me here became clear, the most important one being that factors here (too long to explain) contributed greatly to my return to the Church. There are also other things
    I have come to appreciate, including living among the green agricultural fields and watching the cycle of planting, growth and harvesting of the crops by my home and by which I drive daily; seeing farm workers labor 24/7, 365 in extreme temperatures to make those crops succeed and to support themselves and their families; praying the Rosary alongside native Spanish speakers AND doing so in Spanish (see the feather in my cap?); the smell of desert sage after a rare rain; oh, and have I mentioned it doesn't snow here? No? No snow, no ice = perfect winter.

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  42. Originally from Bridgeport, OH (right across the river from Wheeling, WV), but I moved to Arizona with my (boyfriend at the time and now) husband 3 years ago so I could accept a teaching job. I teach music and band at a school in Buckeye, AZ, but we live in Goodyear. My husband and I were married here a little over 1 year ago at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (Avondale) and now we're expecting our first baby! We LOVE it here in Arizona, but have talked about the possibility of moving back to Ohio sometime down the road because we don't have any family here. We'll see what God has in store for us!

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  43. Born & raised in Iowa. Then I went to Ireland for a few months and stayed with some relatives, then back to Iowa. I had a short stint in Tempe, AZ for college but after a year of good times and not good grades, I was back in Iowa. After finishing college I headed to Minnesota where I've been for the past 17 years. I LOVE the desert and would move back but hubby hates the heat and would prefer to move even further North.

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  44. Born and raised in Central Minnesota. Drove 30 miles away from home to attend college. Lived in the Twin Cities for a couple of years and found my beloved spouse. We lived in the cities for 10 years then moved 'up nort' to settle back in Central Minnesota. Crazy as it sounds...we love snow.

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  45. I'm originally from Indiana - born in northern IN, grew up in central IN, college in southern IN, and grad school back up in northern IN! I moved to New Mexico a few years ago and recently to Idaho. After growing up on a steady diet of Louis L'Amours I'm really enjoying living in the west.

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  46. I was born, bred, and buttered (heh) in North Dakota, in the Red River Valley. Went to college in Wyoming for two years, then moved to Minneapolis, MN and finished my degree there. My husband and I moved to Fargo (he'd also been born/raised in ND, although when we met [online] I was in Wyoming and he was in Minneapolis) and lived there for five years. Finally, we decided we were sick of cold weather and moved to the Phoenix area, and we've been here for five years. We never plan to leave. :)

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  47. Texan born and raised (except 1 yr in Holland). Moved to Philadelphia for grad school, met my husband and never left. :)

    I should comment more ... life gets hectic, but I still follow your posts and the comments all the time! Love your blog.

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    1. oh, and big congratulations to your daughter and her new husband! I was so happy to see your posts about them!

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  48. Born and raised in south Louisiana with a strong Catholic identity all around. Living within the boundaries of the Diocese of Lafayette which has 121 Catholic churches and 35 Catholic schools. Great Cajun food and a wonderful place to raise children. Gets a little bit hot and humid in the summertime but I love it anyway!

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  49. I'm from Indiana, at the very Northwest tip next to Chicago. I've lived here all my life but I'll be going away to college next year (I don't know where yet).

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    1. Chris, without knowing anything about you other than what's been on the Bubble, have you looked at Hanover in southern Indiana? It's a nice place. (I'm from the class of '01) :-)

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    2. I haven't yet, but it looks quite nice, especially the Business program. And with a December 1st early application deadline there'd be time to look into it some more.

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    3. If you're interested in some insider info, I bet we could impose on Leila to exchange email addresses. I still keep in touch with a couple professors.

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    4. That's a very kind offer.

      My email address is publicly visible (just click my name and hit "email"). If you like, you can shoot me a quick message so I'll have your address on file in case I decide to take you up on it (I'm currently focused on writing applications for the places on my shortlist, but in a week or so I might be interested in looking at some additional options).

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  50. I'm from West Central Illinois. Quincy, IL, just up the river from Mark Twain's hometown. Lived here all but 6 years of my 50. I keep telling my husband that we are becoming snow birds when all the kids are out of the house, but the last one won't graduate high school until 2024! I guess I'll just stay put here then.

    Sharon

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  51. I was born and grew up in Portland OR, went to Abilene TX for college, met my husband there (who was stationed in the Air Force). He was from Louisiana. Through the next 17 years of his 20 year military career, we lived in Abilene, TX, Dardago Italy (about 1 hour away from Venice), Hurlburt Field FL (1 hr E of Pensacola), Weilerbach Germany (SW Germany), Colorado Springs Colorado, and then back to Hurlburt Field FL where he retired in 2009. I have an intense dislike for Florida (this is an understatement, lol) and if I could move anywhere, I would move back to Colorado Springs or back "home" to Portland. I don't see that happening - ever. But, I dream about it sometimes. :)

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  52. This is such a loaded question for me! You see, I'm an Army brat. Therefore, I'm not really from anywhere. I was born in Kansas, but I haven't been back there since I was a babe in arms. I've spent the most time in northern Virginia, but now we live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and hope to stay here forever!

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  53. Born and grew up in the DC area... went to college in Northern VA (other side of DC), lived there for a while... a little stint in Honduras and now live in Southwest Florida! :)

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    1. I should say born and grew up in Maryland, suburb of DC. ha.

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  54. Born in NYC, raised in CT, NJ, and MA. Graduate school in Philadelphia, met &married in Chicago, raised our kids in Pittsburgh area and central PA. We now live in Greensboro, NC. Home is where my husband is!

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  55. I was born in Long Island, NY, but raised in a small Oklahoma town.

    Jen in OK

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  56. Virginia, the Old Dominion. Love the history, love the scenery, especially Southwest, VA near Virginia Tech and some areas surrounding Charlottesville. I also sometimes love the proximity to DC. :) (But I don't live in Northern, VA/suburbs of DC. I prefer a slower pace and a more reasonable cost of living!). I was supposed to be the kid who grew up and moved away. The farthest I got was college, 4 hours away. Now I live a few minutes away from where I was born and raised. My sisters ended up moving away!

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  57. I've lived in Oklahoma all my life, born and raised in Ponca City, moved 45 minutes south to Stillwater to attend Oklahoma State University where I met my husband, and now living in the OKC area where we've been for all but four of the past 25 years. We recently moved to Yukon, which is 25 minutes from where my parents and grandparents were born and raised.
    Eight my nine siblings have moved out of state, but I truly love Oklahoma. When friends sing the virtues of beautiful mountains or oceans, I think of the beauty of the wide open plains and blue skies. I love that I'm just a few miles from farm land, some of which were established by families who have been here since the land run.
    Thanks for asking, Leila!

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  58. I was born in Sydney, Australia in '85. Moved to Canberra (Australia) in '92 and aside from a brief spell in Vienna, Austria (voluntary Army service), I've been here ever since. I've never been to the States or Canada, but I hope to change that one day. Love the blog. It helped more than you can imagine in my returning to the church, Mrs. Miller.

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  59. Also born in Sydney but in 1961. Live in the country west of the Blue mountains near Lithgow. Teach Scripture to kids in a state school, work in the parish office 2 days/week and run a fledgling youth group. Love many of your explanations which help when assailed by Liberal Catholics (including priests) who constantly make me doubt Mother Church. I find sanctuary and affirmation here. I'm an on-fire revert and try hard to find the balance between wanting to share my great love of Catholicism with everyone and being "normal" enough not to scare people off. Hard to be normal once you fall in love with Christ and his Church. Thank you.

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  60. I live in a very small city/county seat in western Ohio. We emailed previously about the fact that I lived in the same area south of Cleveland as your grandparents in high school and was married at the same parish church over 27 yrs ago. Except for time in Texas while my husband and I were active duty Army I've spent my whole life in Ohio.

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  61. A nomadic Rocky Mountain girl: born in Denver, moved quite a bit as a child due to parents' divorce all over Wyoming, New Mexico and Oregon, and finally back to Denver. Went to college in eastern Kansas, moved back to Denver. Married a petroleum engineer, so it was more moving: Houston, TX to Denver, to Cody, WY, to West Texas, to Butte, Montana, and once again to Cody, WY. We've been settled on a few acres with a couple horses, chickens, cats and dogs for 13 years. Our nearby parishes in Cody and Powell are wonderfully orthodox. Love your blog! Wish our 3 grown daughters were open to your matchmaking--lol.

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  62. Born and raised and still here in southern Indiana, right across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. I absolutely love living here. Small town friendliness with access to city conveniences within a half hour drive. We have a lot of rolling hills and trees here, and I would miss them dearly if we ever moved anywhere else.

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  63. Born in central New Jersey. Moved to the Jersey Shore several years after marriage. Love the beach and the seasons. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

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  64. Born in Dallas, TX
    College in Austin, TX
    Living in Houston, TX--33 years and counting

    My commenter name is my confirmation name. Yes, there really is a St. Potamiaena. She was an Martyr around 200 AD.

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  65. I'm from Naperville, IL, just like Margo! Have always lived in the Chicago area, but will retire somewhere warm!

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  66. All the way from The Netherlands and a regular lurker over here.

    Kind regards,

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  67. Born raised and live in Pontypridd.In Wales which is not in England but in the Uk. The Tom Jones is from here.

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  68. I've only commented once or twice before but I read your blog every week : )
    I'm from County Monaghan, Ireland. I live just outside a large-ish village. I've been to college in Dublin, Ireland and am now back living in Monaghan.

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  69. I was born in Biloxi, Mississippi on the Air Force Base. My dad was from Philadelphia and my mother from Oregon. After my dad retired we moved to Keizer, Oregon and I have been here since (35 years!). I love Oregon. We are 1 hour drive from the mountains and 1 hour drive from the coast. It is visually beautiful. We are trying to shine our light in one of the most unchurched states in the US. I need blogs like yours to keep me spiritually grounded. Thank you for your wonderful ministry.

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  70. From Kent in England. A newish convert to the Universal Church and pleased I made the move.

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  71. Wow, I'm just loving this! And, hello to all the foreign readers! Glad you are here!

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  72. I was born in Chicago. Still living in the Midwest. Icky, icky, icky. Wished I lived near the ocean.

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  73. I was born and raised in Nebraska, and still live here with my wife and 6 children (Derek age 10, Andy 9, Sam 7, Joe 6, Will 3, and Elizabeth 10 months.) When my daughter was born last January it threw something new into the mix. After having 5 boys it was kind of a shock, but I am really, really enjoying the father/daughter relationship. They are all tremendous blessings!

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    1. Mike, really is different isn't it? We had three boys before a girl. She is 8 now and I'm still nuts about her. Wife says I favor her and I say....what of it?

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    2. HaHa! I agree. The Father/Daughter relationship is awesome!! Ellie isn't 1 year old yet, but already she is turning into a Daddy's girl...except when she wants to nurse. :) (Then I come in 2nd.)

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  74. I was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. I left the state for a few years after college and lived in Chicago and then South Dakota. My husband found a job in the southern part of the state so we returned to Kansas.

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  75. Leila, I read the blog all the time and I've corresponded with you by email (remember the "how you became pro-life" post?) Well, I was born in Philadelphia, moved to Pittsburgh after my parents split up. I met my husband the first week of freshman year in college in Erie, Pa. After college, we married and his job took us to New York City for four years and when my son arrived we decided New York isn't where we'd like to raise kids so my husband took a job back in Erie. Two more children arrived and then my husband's job took us to Harrisburg, Pa where we've lived for 13 years now. I always thought I'd live in Boston and have an amazingly exciting life but as it turns out my little suburban life rooted in my parish and my family is a better life than I could have ever imagined.~ Katie

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  76. Leila,

    Who knew there were so many people living in such dire places. Well, they can't all live in Boston. well I love that dirty water...

    Just kidding. But wouldn't it be funny if people started dissing where other people live? Like people from New York do to us. Probably not on a Catholic site.

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  77. I'll be in Gilbert and Chandler for Thanksgiving, but I'm originally from Chicago, and now in Ann Arbor area. The warmth at Thanksgiving will be nice, but I like the changing seasons, and yes, even the snow.

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  78. I'm from Arlington, Texas. We visited Phoenix a few years ago. I actually just did a blogpost on St. Mary's basilica for my new blog. Beautiful church! You can see the post here: http://thetravelingcatholic.blogspot.com/2013/10/st-marys-basilica-phoenix-az.html
    So nice to "meet" you!

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  79. Born in Wisconsin...same house for 19 years.
    College in Front Royal, VA for 4 years
    Married a MN man and lived in St. Paul for 5 years.
    Truly "home" now for 7+ years in Indianapolis. Best place to live!! Although I am ready for spring already!

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  80. Proud to be born and bred in the Boston suburbs (Bill I lived in Eastie for six of the last 8 years) with brief forays to NH and RI for college and FL and CA for warmth.
    Married an AL guy who has been in Boston since starting residency.
    Been lucky enough to start to travel the world in the last 10 years with the hubs, trying to find a place to retire to in about 20 years. Favorites so far Dublin, Ireland and Malawi, Africa.

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  81. I was born in Fairfax, Virginia, but grew up a global nomad, due to my Dad's government job. I first moved w hen I was 1 year old. We lived in Portugal (four years), Brazil (two years), then back to the US for six years, then onto London, England for four years. I went to college in Allentown, PA, met my husband there. We each lived at home for several years. Me in VA, he in NJ. It took a little while to figure out which state to move to. :) I got sick of the Northern VA traffic and the hectic pace of life. I moved to NJ to get married, and we've been in central NJ ever since. I have mixed feelings about living in New Jersey.

    I like NJ more than I expected to... it is called the "Garden State" for a reason! Lots of farms and farm stands. I get farm fresh eggs and grass fed beef/pork from one farm, and my vegetables from another local farm. I love it. We are about to buy our first house. So we will be here for awhile. Though we dream of moving to Texas (never been, just feel a calling) God has us planted firmly in NJ for the time being. :) We are part of a wonderful Latin Mass community-it has helped us grow in our faith!
    ~Clara

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  82. Oregon.....will never leave this beautiful place. I live about 30 miles from where I was born. Close to ocean, close to skiing. Can it get any better?

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  83. Michigan, born and raised. In the metropolitan Detroit area. Baptized and raised Catholic (thanks, Mom and Dad!).

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  84. Born in Chicago, went to school in D.C., and now I am back in Chicago with my family. I am glad to see so many people from the Chicago area here!

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  85. Hi there Leila, I am a frequent lurker but rarely post here. I'm pleased and surprised to find out that we're in the same city! I just moved to Phoenix this year to start a job at ASU. I'd love to know, if you don't mind telling me, have you got any leads on where there are dynamic, traditional, uplifting churches in this town? I was pretty disappointed by the liturgy at the parish near where we live, and have been going to the ASU catholic center for mass lately. The liturgy there is pretty great, especially the choir at the 9pm sunday night mass, but there isn't much of a parish community, except for some activities geared toward students.

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    1. I should have mentioned: I'm a native Maine-iac, left when I was 18 for Los Angeles (college), back to Maine, back to LA for a job, spent a year in Taiwan teaching English, then to New Orleans (master's degree), then Hong Kong, then Boston, then South Korea, then Beijing (met my wife there), then Los Angeles again for my doctorate. My first son was born in Torrance, CA. The second was born during our year in Omaha (for a post-doc). Baby #3 will be an Arizona native. I do hope that one day we'll get back to Maine, or somewhere close, but we'd be happy to cool our heels in one city for a few years first!

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    2. Joe, email me at littlecatholicbubble@gmail.com! I can help you out!

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  86. Upper Midwest! Leila, please tell me there's some awful tradeoff for gorgeous scenery like that – tarantulas, scorpions, anything at all to make me feel better about not living there? I love it here and we have some really great natural beauty, but you kind of have me itching to leave it all behind for AZ. ;)

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    1. Michelle, ha ha! Well, I don't see enough scary creatures to dissuade you in any way! :) If you feel a call to the desert, I can understand why… sometimes the soul is called there. Some deserts can be barren and ugly, but not this one. :) Come on over! (Our diocese is incredible, too.)

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    2. Well, if you feel a cold wind burst through your area in January or so, that'll be me, fleeing the tundra once and for all. ;)

      Also, big congratulations on your daughter's wedding! (And congrats on that picture of, what, 11 people, all smiling and no one looking like a troll...don't know how you do it!)

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  87. I regularly read your blog entries but I had never posted before. I`m from Argentina. I used to live in a rural area when I was a child but now I live in the city of Buenos Aires! =)

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  88. Wish I could respond to each of you! I read every word! Wow!

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  89. I'm from the U.S. But I was born in Kuwait and lived there until I was ten. We then moved to Michigan for a year and then moved to Plano, Texas. Lived and loved Plano for 8 years, and then I went to India for Uni- lived in India for 5 years and then moved to Dubai, and I've been here for over a year now. I'm here with my husband and first, almost two month old baby! And a belated Congratulations to you Leila for gaining a new son-in-law!!

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  90. Native New Mexican. Lived in Atlanta for 5 years where I met my husband. Now living in Albuquerque, New Mexico --- we love the southwest!

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  91. From Sweet Home, Oregon, by a grandmother, who was born in the Netherlands. Congratulations on your family's wedding. God bless you all.

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  92. I'm originally from Long Island, NY, and moved to Va. with my family when I was 10. I married a military man and moved to Maryland. Spent 3 years in Amman, Jordan, one year back in Maryland, and now we live in Tel Aviv, Israel. We have been here one month and love it

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  93. I've just found your blog and I think I will keep coming back. I am from Poland :)
    God bless you :)

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  94. This was fun! I don't know if you will even get this comment, since this post was from over a year ago! I did not know until today that you were from the Phoenix area!! We are planning a move there this next summer (when our home sells) and I was thinking there were NO BLOGGERS there. (there are a TON of MN bloggers)

    I live in MN now....was born here, but my mom's family lives in California, so we moved 5 different times growing up, back and forth from MN to CA. I started school in CA, (my Kindergarten teacher was my aunt) and ended it in CA, and with a couple moves in the middle, the rest was in MN.

    My husband (from MN born and raised) suffers from depression and the past few years in MN have been devastating for him....so that is why we are moving to the SUN. It looks like (from the Internet) the faith is strong in Phoenix and there is a large homeschool group there...hoping this is true.

    Done with snow and cold and way below zero temps.
    Fun post Leila!

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