The last time I wrote, I had just arrived in Maine, closing the chapter on my cross-country journey and opening a new one in my home state. And then… silence. No updates, no blog posts. Not because there wasn’t anything to say—if anything, there was too much. Every day has been full of settling in, reconnecting, learning, and figuring out what this new life actually looks like.

Now that I’m feeling more grounded, it’s time to pick up the thread again. The past few months have been about more than just unpacking boxes and adjusting to the cold. I’ve been rediscovering Maine through fresh eyes, jumping back into structured work, making new connections, and carving out the rhythms of daily life.

I may have paused my blogging, but the story never stopped.

Jumping Back into Development with Angel City Data

Working with Angel City Data has been a return to something familiar but also a big shift. I’ve spent the past several years working solo, building things on my own, setting my own deadlines, and handling every aspect of a project. Even when I was at Nickelodeon, I was largely self-directed. Now, I’m part of a team again, collaborating daily, and that dynamic has been an adjustment in the best way possible.

Joe, the lead developer I work with, has been an incredible mentor. He’s got a level of technical expertise that I deeply respect, and he’s also incredibly patient in guiding me through their systems and best practices. We check in regularly, bouncing ideas off each other, troubleshooting issues, and refining workflows. It’s bringing back so much of what I love about development—not just problem-solving, but doing it alongside other smart, passionate people.

A big part of this role has been sharpening skills I haven’t had to lean on for a while. Front-end design, scripting, database development—every day is a mix of familiar territory and re-learning. The work itself is deeply satisfying, but what’s been just as valuable is the structure. Twice-weekly team meetings give me a real sense of connection with my coworkers, even in a remote setting. We start each meeting by sharing something from our personal lives before diving into work updates. It keeps things human, which is important, especially in a team spread out across different locations.

One of the moments that really stuck with me was a conversation I had with my colleague, Deb. We were talking about how I’m adjusting, and I mentioned that managing ADHD and Bipolar II while getting back into full-time work has been its own challenge. She responded with nothing but understanding and support, even sharing her own experiences with neurodivergence. It made me realize that this is a workplace where people actually care about each other as individuals, not just as workers. That’s a rare thing, and it’s something I don’t take for granted.

Being back in structured client work after years of freelancing has reminded me of how much I enjoy this kind of environment. It’s busy, it’s engaging, and it keeps me on my toes. And at the same time, I’m feeling more capable every day.

Settling into Maine—The People, the Places, and the Unexpected

Coming back to Maine as an adult has been both familiar and completely different. The landscape, the people, the way of life—it’s all still here, but I’m seeing it through a different lens now. When I was younger, Maine was just where I was from. Now, it feels like a choice, a place I’ve deliberately returned to, and that shift in perspective makes everything feel more intentional.

One of the biggest surprises has been how much I’ve craved community since coming back. I know plenty of people here, but there have been moments of loneliness, which caught me off guard. Maybe it’s the stark contrast from being on the road, constantly meeting new people and seeing new places. Maybe it’s just part of the transition. Either way, I’ve been making an effort to put myself out there, to reconnect, and to build something new.

One of the best discoveries so far has been Maine Street in Ogunquit. Every Friday night, Luke and I drive down to this LGBTQ+ bar for a night of RuPaul’s Drag Race, karaoke, and pool. It’s quickly become our weekly ritual, a night where we can just relax and have fun. The bartender, John, already knows us, and the place has this welcoming, small-town feel where you start seeing the same faces week after week. It’s a totally different energy from San Diego’s LGBTQ+ scene, but I love it for what it is.