it's like being in the mountains all the time

my readership, albeit not reflected accurately in the box to the right, has diversified. some are friends and family from southern california for whom i initially developed this blog; some are friends and family from other states and countries who i've met along my lifepath; and some are new friends from madison. so when i say something like, 'it's like being in the mountains all the time', i'm pretty sure the only people who will understand that it's briskly cold everytime i step outside are the people who live or have lived in southern california. the only time we (southern californians) have all-day cold weather is when we're visiting the mountains. visiting. as in one or two days, and then we go back home where it's eighty-five degrees in january. but now i'm in madison and 1) i have to remember that everyone reading this is not from southern california; and 2) i think i'm becoming a little bit midwestern already. i've found myself thinking seven miles is way too far to drive for something and i don't even think about the indoor foodcourt at costco as something abnormal anymore. before you know it, i'll be pronouncing my o's as a's, eating cheese curds, and going apple picking voluntarily.

speaking of cheese curds, wisconsin is america's self-proclaimed dairyland. they make a rediculous number of cheeses and are known for their cheese, beer, and brats (bratwursts). i've tried a brat, don't like beer, and, for the first time this past week, ate a cheese curd. it sounds disgusting (i know, that's what i've been saying for three months), but it's just like fried mozzerella sticks from tgifriday's only with cheddar. they're so popular here, you can get them instead of french fries at many restaraunts. my opinion: fried cheese, good.