Family Ties

Well, first of all, I have a little announcement: something finally worked in the lab. Really, you don't want more details than that, unless you want me to go into a detailed description of my research project and all the issues I've been having with every.single.one of my lab protocols...see, I didn't think so.

Anyways, on to the topic of this post: Family Ties. As the time is getting closer for us to head over to visit my family I have many random and direct thoughts (and comments) about my future. Every time we go to New Mexico, I have mom, dad, gramma, my sisters, and other various family and friends (theirs, not mine) commenting on how beautiful New Mexico is, and how they know people who could help me find a job, and wouldn't it be convenient for me to live with gramma until we get settled, and etc. So, I have to plan my counter-ideas for why I do NOT want to live in New Mexico. Well, it's not necessarily all of New Mexico, just the 2-3 deep counties surrounding the one my parents live in. But, of course, that has nothing to do with them.
So, how are these? Can you see any errors in my logic that I need to research backup?

As pretty as it is to visit, I'm not too keen on living in the desert.

• I like my water. I like taking long showers, swimming in outdoor pools, washing my car (and leaving the hose running), and grass--oh, how I love grass (I do mean the bermuda/rye/st.augustine, not the other "grass").
• It's HOT. Yes, I know, "it's not the humid-hot of Mississippi" (which I agree, is WAY WORSE), but still, I do.not.like.the.heat.
• There is very dangerous wildlife. Point in fact: Last fall dad got bit on his wrist, by a scorpion that had been hiding out in his jacket! The jacket was hanging up in his classroom--you know, the one in which he teaches, second-graders! For the 3 years he's been in that classroom, he's reported several "sightings" of scorpions, but the school has yet to bring in exterminators! (YEAH, really, at an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!)

As nice as they are to visit, I'm not too keen on living in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Taos.

• I have spent ample time in each of these cities to know that "outsiders" are not exactly welcomed with open arms into the community. I don't look hispanic (besides being short & chubby) and I sure as heck don't sound hispanic (that's for sure, y'all!)...and I just don't know if I would feel comfortable in a town where I felt that out of place.
• I really would rather live in the country, away from the bustle of the city, away from nosy neighbors, barking dogs, street shootings, etc. And, although there are some really pretty areas "out there," they tend to be located so that you still have to go into a Major City to do shopping, see doctors, go to school, etc.
• The Drivers in all 3 of these towns are nuts. I used to think it was just me (that I had gotten used to the "general hospitality" of the south). But, then I realized that People in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Wisconsin also have that "general hospitality" on the road (in my limited experience). I need to live somewhere that I feel safe driving.

I love my family, but:

• Distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?
• It's so much more fun when you can go visit your family. It makes the visit more like a vacation and less like an obligation. Plus, I think it's so cool that I have family (who have open door policies for me to visit) in New Mexico, Mississippi, Florida, California, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri. I think the only region not covered is the middle (Montana would be perfect)!
• My sisters are growing up (19 & 13) and they're really becoming. (I thought I had more to say, but I'm not quite sure what they're "becoming.") And, like most siblings, we tend to argue. So, for all our sanities' sake, it would probably be best for "big sis" not to meddle. Fortunately, bro (23) and I have already reached this understanding, and we have a great time when we do get together.
• Mom & Dad had a tough past (especially when I was growing up, not so much since my siblings have been "around"), and I would not feel comfortable doing my thing around/with them. I mean, not that I party much, but even now I feel like I shouldn't tell them any of my "party stories." And, I could never go out to dinner and order a drink, or have coctails at my house (if they were there).
• I tend to be a "critical" person, in that I judge and comment about people a lot. I have been working on this, and gotten much better (if I do say so myself). But, where did I get that from? I dunno, and I'm not pointing any fingers...
• I like my "buffer" of distance. I like being able to control what things mom knows about me (the stuff I tell her). That is very, very important to me! (Wow, I didn't realize how much until I just typed it!)

Okay, that was a fun way to spend my lunch break. So, let me know what you think about my "counters" okay!