Weather in California isn't always perfect

“Oh, you live in California. You must have the perfect weather all the time!”

I wish. Just three weeks ago, it reached 108 degrees in Saratoga. This hellish labor day weekend was like a free sauna, sizzling my skin and drenching me in sweat. And who can forget the heavy rains that hit the state last winter, causing millions in damage?

Perhaps worst of all is that our  weather is nothing short of bipolar.

In the summer, mornings are windy and chilly, forcing residents to wear sweatshirt and leggings. But when lunch comes around, temperatures soar to 90 degrees or higher, leaving many sweating in the same outfit.

Yes, California weather is wonderful most of the time and we’re spoiled, but not every day here is a day in paradise.

California’s bubble: Damaging our perspective of the world

For people who spend their whole life in California, it is incredibly easy to get lost in a “Californian” bubble. Born and raised in this very bubble, I am often guilty of being oblivious to the lifestyles and viewpoints of people in the rest of America.

This past summer, at an engineering summer camp at Stanford University, I met several people from out of state. After speaking to them, I quickly realized how many generalizations I had made about the rest of the country’s beliefs based on what I’ve experienced in California.

Specifically, I met a few people who genuinely supported President Trump, unlike my experience here.

Similarly, I’ve never met a person in California who disclaims climate change and the notion that it is created by human activity. In other regions, millions of people think climate science is a hoax.  

 Given the opposition and hate faced by Californians in some other parts of the country, is being Californian a bad thing?  Maybe or maybe not. But we shouldn’t expect everyone else in the world to agree with the liberal ideas and progressive thinking we are so proud of.

Not every Californian watches movies

At summer camp, my roommate from Kentucky asked me if I had watched “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Captain America” and “Deadpool”. He thought that because I lived in California, where Hollywood is located, I had watched many movies.

Yet, I couldn’t help but question: Why? Instead of watching the often sub-par movies, I spend my free time elsewhere. Video games, social media and sleep are much more appealing to me.

So no, I haven’t watched those movies, and I don’t know all the Hollywood actors. When I tell others I’m not really into movies, I don’t want to feel that sense of slight disappointment emanating from them. Just because I live less than 400 miles from Hollywood doesn’t mean I’m well versed in this year’s Oscar nominees.