Jessica Saurez

Sometimes being a girl is really embarrassing. Like when I have to deal with things I just canât discuss in front of boys. Other girls may know what Iâm talking about. You know. That embarrassing cycle? The one that begins with the season premiere of "Sex and the City," and ends with its last episode?

At least I know Iâm not alone: Girls everywhere seem to have made an event out of the showâs season premiere, inviting friends over, analyzing the characterâs outfits and memorizing their sexually explicit quips.

And boys seem to make fun of us for looking to four fictional New York socialites for inspiration. Maybe theyâre right.

After all, if the season premiere of a show about four New York girls who have it all is the most exciting event to happen all summer, I couldnât help but wonder, is this the closest weâll ever get to being the same?

I mean, Iâve never seen an episode of "Sex and the City" revolve around the season finale of "Friends." The last few episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," even the musical one, never seem to concern the girls on the show. They, unlike I, are too busy and too fabulous to watch television. I, unlike them, am not. And it has started to feel like the more I watch the show, the less good I feel.

At least when you watch the "Sopranos," you can be glad you donât have to watch your back and carry a gun. But the girls on "Sex and the City" seem so perfect, even their conflicts seem desirable. A characterâs gorgeous boyfriend wants to marry her. Another character canât find a job because sheâs over qualified. Boo hoo.

I even trolled the "Sex and the City" Web site for clues on how much it would take to dress, eat and live like a girl from the show. Stills from each episode explain the girlsâ outfits in excruciating detail.

"Carrie takes her godmother role seriously in a sleeveless crepe dress with a matching double-breasted jacket by Narciso Rodriguez. She wears a signature camellia silk chiffon headpiece from Chanelâs Spring 2002 Couture collection with a Christian Dior diamante floral burst pin. Classic pumps by Manolo Blahnik complete her look."

Her shoes alone cost about $400. The rest of her outfit, probably close to $700. Me, I got my shirt at half-off day at Savers. It cost 75 cents. By that token, I could probably get my entire wardrobe for what the girls pay for shoes. Maybe my clothing just isnât up to standards. But neither is that of any other girl I know.

The restaurants and clubs they go to must be equally pricey. I went to New York City for spring break, and I heard about clubs that charge $30 covers, while I was sipping a nine dollar gin and tonic. Here I balk at any club or show cover over $5.

Am I cheap? Maybe. Unsophisticated? Probably. Maybe Iâm just too used to living in Tucson, where flip flops are acceptable evening attire, Mickeyâs is a party cocktail and I can watch "Sex and the City" in a $4 outfit.