The mug doesn't do it justice.

You know those big mugs from Starbucks for every different state? Well my parents gave me the one for New Mexico, because they're cool like that. But let me say, as awesome as a New Mexico mug is, Starbucks doesn't do the Land of Enchantment justice.

Here's what you can learn from the mug: "Red or Green?" is a question. But it doesn't explain that it is our very important Official Question, and that it refers to chile. Seriously, go to any Mexican restaurant in New Mexico and they'll ask "red or green?" I like to order "Christmas," which means both. Actually, I'm usually too embarrassed to say "Christmas," even though that's really what they call it, so I just say "both, please." Next, you learn that New Mexico entered the Union in 1912 (we're not even 100 yet!), our land area is 121,356 sq. mi. (let me add that it's the fifth largest state in the country), our average low/high temperatures are 39.7F and 785F (no joke, they missed the period), and that our lowest elevation is 2,842' and the highest is 13,161' (again, let me add that 13,000 feet is really high, and that Santa Fe, at about 7000', is the highest capital city in the whole country, even higher than Denver).

Finally, you learn: "The state of New Mexico has been a leader in energy research and development since 1945 in the nuclear, solar, and geothermal areas." Sweet- they think the most important thing is that New Mexico helped create the bombs that killed tons of people.

What you don't learn is that even though it didn't become a state until 1912, it's super old. Santa Fe ranks right up there with Jamestown and St. Augustine. You don't learn about the multiculturalism in the state, except through the picture of an Indian pueblo on the front. You don't learn about the world's largest hot air balloon event that happens annually (we call it the Balloon Fiesta!) or about the fifty foot puppet Santa Fe has burned every year since 1924.

Pretty much you don't learn about the awesomeness that is New Mexico. Thank goodness you have me here to teach you.