I was walking down the "Hall of Flags" at UVSC the other day. I made eye contact with several people and said a very cheerful "hello" along with a smile. Four out of five people replied with at least a smile. Ninety percent of the students attending UVSC are from Utah. It is just a part of life that I expect to get a smile in return, but only in Utah do I expect that. This state's culture is uniquely its own.
When I asked a friend of mine from Minnesota what he thought some Utahisms were. he replied: "Everyone in Utah is a Mormon, has at least five kids, drives a minivan, loves the Jazz, and I don't know of any other place where you can hear "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" at a football game." Ask any non-Utahn what funeral potatoes are and all you will get is a blank stare.Nothing can beat the natural beauty of Utah. No matter the time of year, whether the green summer, the red fall, or the white winter, Utah is beautiful and always has something to offer. The 11 national parks are perfect for the summer, and you can't beat the "greatest snow on earth" during the winter. There are mountains galore, deserts galore and to top it all, a lake you can actually float in. To add to the natural wonders of Utah, the people make the state even better. Utahns, in general, are very friendly.
Utah truly is a place like no other. I like expecting a return "hi" or smile when I say "hello" to a complete stranger. I have lived in Utah all my life, and I'm partial to this unique place. I have traveled enough of the "outside world" to know that Utah is, indeed, a great place. Utah, though it has its quirky side, it suits me just fine. Utah is "A Pretty, Great State."
Kristiena Lund
Provo