This New Life in Maine

It’s been a few months now since I left my beloved home state of California and settled into the cozy state of Maine. While I’m still very much in the settling-in phase and definitely haven’t unpacked everything (has ANYONE seen the toaster?), I have been sitting heavily with thoughts that range from “Do I regret leaving California?” to “Will I grow to love Maine as much as I did when I first visited?” Both answers will undoubtedly take some time to reveal themselves but as always, I’m determined to make the best of any situation.

So far, Maine has been almost everything I expected. Life in a lovely old farmhouse which unfortunately is also rather complicated, as one might expect. A basement with pipes and wires and tanks. All that stuff. Most of it is new to me but in time, I will learn a bit of everything. We’ve had some setbacks (why did the hot water suddenly shut off?!) but I consider it all part of the adjusting and settling-in process.

Somebody from Maine recently asked me if I’ve had culture shock yet. I’d say sort of but mostly, no. Nothing really shocks me since California was such a diverse state in terms of people’s lifestyles and beliefs and general attitudes. As a native Californian, I saw the ugliest and most beautiful parts of the state so Maine is quite literally a breath of fresh air in most aspects. Sometimes, yes, I find myself being shocked by some people’s political shrines (if you know, you know) and some houses have one too many extra junk piles in their front yard. But then you see the most beautiful lupines on the side of the road or an incredible Victorian house and it erases all the “bad”.

Now, the weather. Oh, the weather is interesting indeed. I knew it rains a lot here, hence the beautiful green grass and the amazing array of flowers. But like, it rains and then it drizzles and then it stops and then it pours. And stops again. Kind of like life itself? And supposedly, it is summer but we’ve only seen the sun about 4 times. I’m told that this year is a particularly unusual summer so I’m going to have to take their word for it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a HUGE sun person but even I have to admit that when it’s officially summer, a clear sunny day out at the park with a picnic basket and my dogs in tow every few days sounds awfully nice. Before my first summer here ends, I’d like to be able to eat ice cream outdoors (the first couple of times when I got ice cream from the local creamery both were drizzly days) and find some easy trails to walk my dogs.

Everyone so far has been very friendly or at best, courteous. As you might assume, there’s a lack of diversity in terms of ethnicities but it has improved a bit since I last visited. There’s been a few indifferent (for want of a better word) people but I think they might just be suffering from a lack of exposure to others who don’t look like them. I mean, even California, for being so diverse, was often unofficially segregated in some parts, so there really is room for improvement everywhere. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I chose to move here. I’ve never shied away from being the only non-white person in a room. It’s happened often and I can honestly say I am all the better for immersing myself into every possible awkward or intolerant situation. Most people from all backgrounds have always been lovely to me. Open minds go both ways. I learn so much from others and I hope they can learn from me.

Overall, I’m settling in just fine. On my worst days, I’m like, “WHY DID I EVER LEAVE MY COZY COASTAL TOWN OF CAMBRIA WHERE EVERYTHING FELT SO SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN MY LITTLE BUBBLE?!” And that, friends, is exactly what brings me back to reality. I never wanted to be a person who stays in a comfort zone forever. Even if that comfort zone was a slice of heaven on earth (minus the last few years which were unbearably difficult with my dad’s medical issues). Perhaps that’ll change when I’m 60. But right now, believe it or not, I am not 60 and I still want to see other parts of the country and even the world (though this is not as easy as it could be because admittedly, I’m quite the homebody). I believe we humans are meant to see and experience things and meet others and though I know the world is upside down right now, even just small changes to our daily lives can add value. For now, I feel like there’s a reason I’m meant to be in Maine and I have no idea how long it’ll be until I realize what that reason is. I have people in my life making me feel bad about ever leaving Cambria and I know that is a hard town to leave or break back into but, friends, whatever is the point of regret? I can always find a way to go back if that is what I truly want. But right now, Maine is where I hope to bloom.