When I moved from sunny Los Angeles to Maryland, I thought I was prepared for anything. I’d packed my flip-flops, my light jackets, and my laid-back California vibe, ready to embrace my new East Coast life. But no one warned me about tornadoes.
About a week into my move, I heard there was a “tornado watch.” Naturally, my West Coast brain interpreted this as a chance to watch a tornado, like it was some sort of meteorological tourist attraction. I genuinely considered setting up a patio table, grabbing a cup of tea, and waiting for the “show.”
In my defense, I’d never experienced anything more dramatic than a mild drizzle in L.A., so the idea of a tornado felt exciting. Thankfully, a friend intervened and explained that “tornado watch” doesn’t mean, “Find the best seat in the house.” It means, “Hide in the basement and hope for the best.”
Spoiler alert: the tornado wasn’t anywhere near me, and my patio table remained safely folded. But it was my first humbling lesson in East Coast weather—and let me tell you, it wouldn’t be the last.
Twenty years later, I’ve learned to respect the unpredictability of weather here. I no longer confuse “watch” with “showtime,” but I still marvel at how different life on this coast can be.
This moment is just one of many funny (and slightly embarrassing) stories from my journey of adjusting to East Coast life, and I’m excited to share more of them with you in my new blog series: Coast to Coast Confessions (CTCC).
Stay tuned for the official series launch, where I’ll share more tales of weather fails, wardrobe disasters, and why I’m still smuggling Johnny’s Pastrami sandwiches across the country.
Enjoyed this story? Don’t miss the official launch of my new weekly blog series, Coast to Coast Confessions (CTCC)—coming in two days!