If you’re from California and anything like me, you absolutely love the Pacific Northwest. It has become a home away from home! We have become accustomed to the PNW’s ways and would consider ourselves locals. However, every now and then, we miss California and a few quintisentially Californian aspects of life that we can’t get in Oregon. So, here are five signs that you’re a Californian in the Pacific Northwest.
1. You haven’t quite mastered the moody Portland weather.
Every now and then, there are those days when it is sunny and beautiful when we wake up. We check the forecast for the day: 30% chance of rain at 2:00 pm? No problem! We get all dressed up, even straighten our hair, and then head off to class. Then, with 5 minutes left of class before we have to go back outside, it hits. TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. That 30% chance grew to 100% in a matter of seconds. And of course, we don’t have a rain coat. Great.
2. Sometimes you really want some In-n-Out.
During the school year, when we get bogged down by due dates, internships and other extracurriculars, we crave a double-double with fries. Animal Style? Occasionally. Milkshake? Of course! But when you are living in the 503 and the closest thing to In-n-Out is Burgerville or maybe a Farmhouse Burger from the Pilot House (if you aren’t leaving campus), it just isn’t quite the same.
3. A sunny day doesn’t mean summer clothes.
The Native Pacific Northwesterners will break into their summer clothes the minute we have a sunny day on campus. The Californians are like, whaaaat? Yes, the sun is glorious and feels amazing, but it’s still only 55°F here! We’ll lounge around the grass with you, but we’ll keep our sweatshirts on for just a little while longer. Shorts, tank tops and bathing suits are meant for 75°F weather and above.
4. Before moving to Oregon, you had no idea Fred Meyer was a thing.
Wait, so there is a store that’s like Target and Walmart with two locations conveniently close to campus? There are so many options! As Pilots, we have definitley given the Fred Meyer corporation a fair share of business. #BlessUP
5. You love UP…and Portland…and Oregon…and the PNW.
We live in a #PNWonderland and it doesn’t get any better than that. This region of the country now has a piece of our hearts that can’t be filled by any other state. No matter how much we might miss California, when we are actually back in California, we miss Oregon so much, and for that, we are forever grateful.