As a native of California, I've learned quite a few things after living in Oregon for a few months. To my Pacific North Western readers, a lot of these things will sound like no-brainers, so I hope you get a good laugh out of it. To my readers from California and elsewhere, I hope you can learn a few new things from this list, like I did.
1. Water falling from the sky isn't always rain
Here in valley we don't get much rain. That being said, you can bet we don't really distinguish between the different levels of rain. I've been corrected numerous times when I've commented on it raining outside that it's not actually raining. No, it's just "misting," "sprinkling" or "drizzling," all of which are very different things. When it gets super cold there are even more variations! There's "freezing rain," "sleet," "hail," "slush" and of course, snow.
2. Umbrellas are for the weak
While we're on the subject of rain, let me tell you a very sad story. When I was preparing to move to Oregon, I bought the absolute cutest sunflower umbrella you have ever seen. I was so excited for the first rain so I could use it! I carried it around in my bag just anticipating the moment. Finally, the time came! I pulled out my umbrella and started walking around with the biggest smile on my face! You can imagine my dismay when I realized no one else was using an umbrella. I was then told by my friends that, in Oregon, people don't use umbrellas. "We just embrace the rain," they said.
3. California hipsters are wanna-be Oregonians
In California, if you saw someone with a beard, a beanie and a flannel drinking tea, knitting and listening to folk or indie music, you would automatically label them as a "hipster." In Oregon, however, almost everyone fits at least one of those descriptions. When I brought this observation up to a friend, they explained that in Oregon "hipsters" are people who wear crop tops, dress monochromatically, wear lots of rings and other jewelry- so basically, every California-based "Instagram girl" ever. Kind of Ironic, right?
4. What does Oregon have in common with Hawaii?
Hammocks and ukulele's. Practically everyone has one or both of these things. As soon as the sun pops out for longer than a couple of minutes, you will see the trees fill with swaying with the most chilled-out people ever. If you play your ukulele WHILE hammocking (yes, that's a real word), you get extra points.
5. Trees get old
Apparently when you grow up surrounded by the wonders of the great outdoors, the greatness eventually looses its impressiveness. When that time comes, you will look at tourists and new residents like they are crazy whenever they "ooo" and "ahh" at the scenery. That time doesn't seem to be coming any time soon for me, so I will continue to annoy all my peers by squealing in delight every time I see a mountain, creek, cool rock, water fall, large or pretty tree or body of water. Sorry, not sorry.
Here's to the new things we learn every day!
