Every morning, I check the Weather app to choose my outfit, keeping a lookout for whether it will rain. Seeing the gray clouds with water droplets, I always know to pack my umbrella and brace myself for the upcoming downpour, reassuring myself that I won’t get soaked.

I often got wary of the days when it was pouring, so having an umbrella in my hands used to give me an easy way to stay dry.

However, carrying my umbrella added to the heavy weight of my books and Chromebook.

For this reason, I realized umbrellas were inconvenient, so I usually chose to go around in a cotton hoodie, clenching a closed umbrella in my hand.

Similarly, I always carry my bright red lunch bag in my hand, as I don’t have a locker for my belongings. The addition of an umbrella to carry is just another bother.

I didn’t really mind getting drenched since the rain did not occur often — it was just my laziness that led to it.

For five consecutive days Sunday-Thursday, Feb. 4-8, Orange County experienced immense amounts of precipitation. Even during the beginning of May, there were light showers.

According to The Orange County Register, the median rainfall at 61 locations in Orange County measured about five inches. 14 of these areas peaked over six inches.

The 2023-2024 school year had an excessive amount of rain and repeating this routine of carrying multiple items while running to class to avoid it has been quite irritating.

My friends also mentioned carrying an umbrella around is burdensome. Taking it out to use only at the beginning and end of the day while disregarding it for the rest is a hassle since Sunny Hills’ hallways have roofs. 

With all this new rain, I’m just not used to the amount of precipitation Southern California has been getting.

It’s an adjustment, but for now, I think I’ll stick to frantically running with a hoodie to get to my next class.