Of orchids & ocean

An ode to Cali.

It’s been a while since I’ve lived somewhere that has such peaceful quiet. I’ve experienced quietness before, but it was mired in anxiety. This new quiet feels like a safe cocoon.

Late last year, I moved from Ohio to New York, and in many ways, New York proved to be a great transit point for self-rediscovery. The bustling energy of the subway, the friendliness of neighbors and strangers (I never encountered the stereotype of New Yorkers being cold and unfriendly—not my experience), a sense of freedom, and the seamless blending of cultures and identities will always make me fall in love with New York City over and over again. But then, this spring, I moved to California’s central coast for a reporting job. I love being a journalist, and I am always grateful that I can make a living from my “thing”, so it feels good to be reporting again.

Luckily, I also feel very in tune with my new home! I love California and want to shout that from the rooftops! While I do miss the electric vibe of New York, I’m relishing the serenity of living in a smaller city tucked between the ocean and rolling forests. I love going to the (not so crowded) beaches, inhaling fresh air, and spoiling myself at the Farmer’s Market on Sundays —I’ve eaten so many strawberries since I got here😂🍓. And, the weather in Central California is perfect: it’s a Mediterranean climate and experiences moderate weather all year long.

My dream is to one day live smack dab on the beach and wake up to the sound of crashing waves, but with the rent and housing prices in Cali, I’m just happy to have access to the ocean, pay my rent, and have something left to buy groceries, so I’ll make do with that.

I don’t know how long this will be home. But for now, I’ll keep on basking in this beauty and, like a true cancer, making my home a sanctuary and haven.