Today marks a full week that we’ve been in California. And, at the risk of sounding immodest, we’ve accomplished a lot. We’ve found and secured a home, arranged for water, gas, and electricity (rather important to quality of life, I think), learned to navigate our commutes and neighborhoods without maps, and have adjusted to west coast time (even Mimi).
Of course, as with any major move, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Thankfully, many of these are temporary. Living out of a suitcase, loss of Netflix, no access to records, favorite couch withdrawal (yes, the couch really is that amazing): all of these inconveniences will be rectified within 24 to 48 hours of the moving truck’s arrival. But until it comes and we finally set up our home, we’ll continue to feel like guests in California. Very welcome and grateful guests, but guests nonetheless.
For the past week we’ve been living my mother and step father in a suburb in the East Bay. We’re also only 5 minutes from Sumie’s sister and her family. It’s been wonderful experience, but one tinged with a bit of culture shock. We’re just not quite sure what to do! Because we’re not members of the community we’re really not aware of what’s available and, with everything so spread-out, it’s difficult to discover. We have been trying to make the most of it, though, before we move back to the city next week.
There’s a wonderful neighborhood pool nearby and we’ve been making the most of it. Mimi has really taken to the water. We also have access to a Jacuzzi in the back yard. Mimi took her first dip last night. Here she is with me enjoying the warm water and a little folk music on the stereo. Overweight white guy sitting in a Jacuzzi tub, listening to 1960s folk music, and enjoying a glass of Napa Valley wine. To me, that sounds quintessentially Northern California Suburban. Maybe I’m acclimating better than I thought.
We also took Mimi to Whole Foods. Yes, NYC also had Whole Foods, but it’s different out here. The food’s the same, but look at the size of the carts! They’re huge! This shopping trip was the first time we had ever put Mimi in a shopping cart child seat. She loved it! She was perfectly content to sit back and be steered around the store. Well, at least until we got that bag of popcorn. She must have known what was inside because she refused to let that sucker go!
One difference I’ve noticed between the city and the suburbs, and even between NYC and San Francisco, is the use of strollers as both baby conveyance and status symbols. In Manhattan, we bordered on socially acceptable with our City Mini and Maclaren strollers. It was amazing how much people dropped on strollers in the town. However, I understand a bit better as to why now. With a child, a stroller is an absolute necessity in Manhattan; it is one of the most important tools you will purchase as a father or mother. They’re used for transportation, shopping, establishing social status, bumping the elderly off the sidewalk, and, particularly on the Upper West and East Sides, clogging the entryway of every single diner at brunch. They become full-fledged cars in a sense. I’d much rather haul a giant stroller down three flights of steps, only to bring it back up an hour later, than attempt to find parking all over again.
In comparison, we’ve noticed that the Bjorn, the Ergo, and bicycle carriers seem to rule San Francisco. For me, I think this is going to be a welcome change. Now, with a garage for storage and easy access to Golden Gate Park, a bicycle and baby carrier may be in store. Lord knows my gut could use it!
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