Written on Tuesday night when I really should have been reading for class.
I love when it rains in Southern California, because I’m a big fan of rain and, well, this is where I live now. It’s crazy the way it throws life completely off balance.
The strange thing about California, especially a college town in California, is that no one is native to the area. Everyone is from somewhere else. There’s me from the Northwest, a lot of East Coasters, and a ton of people from the Mid-West. We’ve known real weather. But you would never guess it if you saw us in the rain.
When I got to class this afternoon, there were only about five people there. That’s less than a quarter of the class. And, of those people, all were decked out in at least three times as much clothing as they normally wear, including rain boots and scarves and even gloves. At that point, it had only sprinkled a little bit in our area, but just the threat of rain had sent people digging through their closets. The rest of the class slowly filtered in and they did not disappoint with their trench coats, knee-high boots, and rain hats. I was surprised not see anyone in full-on waders.
I take a certain delight in seeing people all dressed up in their excessive gear. It’s just a little rain and nothing to make a big deal about. But the joke was on me when a few minutes into class, it started to pour. California doesn’t let the rain fall very often, but when it does, it really does. The only precaution I’d taken was to bring my rain jacket and of course I’d left that in my car. I wasn’t the only smug one. Another of my classmates had biked to class. Served us right.
If the forecast can be trusted, then by the time I post this, we’ll be back to clear and sunny skies. But while it’s here, the rain is easing some of that longing I feel when I pass all the pretty pea coats in the stores, knowing that even if I bought that red one with the brass buttons, I’d never get a chance to wear it.
Before the rain is gone, I hope I can find some time to sit by a window and watch it fall. It reminds me of home and years passed.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
i know almost exactly how you feel. except that, for my part, i was expecting a lot more rain for all the news coverage it was getting. and i’m not sure what i think about how californian’s deal in bad weather. tons of accidents. but yes, passing by peacoats makes me sad, especially since i’ve yet to find a good “in-between” jacket for when it’s raining but not cold.
So its sort of like when I laugh about places in the Carolinas cancelling classes because of snow (and their snow is like a dusting). Its been raining here too alot. Hopefully the sun comes out and you won’t need that rain coat.
i wish i was a little kid w/ a rain jacket, boots and an umbrella splashing in puddles
I can relate. Georgia has some of the most unpredictable weather, which is why I check the forecast each day now before leaving the house. If there is even the slightest chance of rain, I pack an umbrella. Odds are that it will be sunny anyways, but the one day I chance it – then it pours.
Haha…it sounds like Florida when we get below 75 degrees. Since we have our fair share of rainstorms/hurricanes, rainy days don’t bother us. Cold weather? Drag out the winter jackets and turn on the heater – it’s 70 degrees!
When I was little I used to sit in my grandmother’s sun room when it was raining and listen to it patter on the roof and against the glass windows.
I have a strong disliking for rain. I may dislike it even more than snow. I HATE getting my hair wet!
Eh, I never understood the whole decked out rain gear either and I grew up in Cali. I’ve always stuck with jeans, hoodie, and sneakers. Sure sometimes I get soggy sneakers, but meh. Hahah.
I tried the same thing in DC today. Brrr. but it still wasn’t that bad, maybe I still have some Coloroado in me after all.
I <3 rain
In DC, when it flurries — not even snows, just flurries — people use umbrellas. I don’t even know how to explain, as a Northeastern kid, just how confused I am by this.
I adore rain. :) It’s magical.
It rains all the time in Glasgow, so if I was in California in the rain I’d be killing myself laughing at that type of reaction. That being said, I LOATHE rain with a passion…
It’s interesting you should post about this. One of my company’s offices is out in Long Beach, CA and I’ve just escorted a guest from out there for a meeting here. He was so shocked at the weather here, saying it barely ever rains there. Ah, to live in California with such amazing weather! I’m completely envious and secretly hope one day I’m one of those people who’ve managed to find my way out to the west coast :)!
the weather here is so crazy. pouring yesterday, a sunny 80 degrees today. oh, California. thing is, I am a native and I hate the rain. I know it’s good for us being in a drought and all, which is why I tolerate it, haha, but really, I don’t like the rain. and I do bundle up more than usual, though no waders for me. I do always wish I could buy those pretty coats though I too know I will hardly ever get a chance to wear it…
on rain while at college in California: going to Pepperdine, us crazy kids would still wear our flip flops in the rain. I did it. others did it. we also liked to wear Uggs with mini skirts. that’s Malibu for ya. I did always think it was funny though that on extremely rainy days (because like you said, when it rains, it pours!) they would cancel classes. people from out of state probably thought that was ridiculous but really, with the canyons, students and teachers that lived off campus couldn’t get to class! anyway, it all goes to show that we Californians don’t know how to handle a bit of rain. rain is like a major event here :)
If you like rain, then you’ll love the North West of England!
This post made me less angry about the fact that it has been raining for days in Philly. Thank you.
It rained quite a bit here last week. I can’t imagine going without rain for an extended period of time. I don’t own rain boots, however. I should, though, because the bottoms of my jeans never fail to get soaked.
I love rain. So much.