It's REAL Good!

It's so hilly here!

Wow! Did you see how quickly that last month went by. I know it only has 29 days, but geesh!

Life is, as usual fantastically busy and full of adventure. Since the beginning of the year I've truly felt that I've adapted to this ever-so-wonderful San Francisco lifestyle. I'm familiar with the city in that I (somewhat) know it's orientation as I wander it's hilly streets. I definitely still get lost on occasion, but I know the different districts and my calves are getting super toned from all the walking I do! It's really fantastic.

Work is continually evolving as my role is figured out then redefined and my responsibilities are adapted as the company grows and changes (we added 8 employees in the last 2 weeks!)  This continual evolution is something that I think is so fantastic and so unique to startups. And I realize that all of the opportunities that I had were very much startups in that we started from scratch and I got to be part of building and figuring things out from scratch at every point. I've been able to work on a number of cool projects, and every day is truly something different. And I must say, it's pretty cool to work at a place that everyone can use and that all users love!

Another part of getting more settled in this city has been my 3rd (and hopefully last for a while) move! To update: I first moved to San Francsico and subletted a bedroom from my friend Joeva. I then moved in with Jeff and his fantastic daughter Dolores (who is now an honorary little sister to go along with my other two) in Noe Valley, the yoga-mom, friendly bums at Whole Foods quiet neighborhood just up the hill from the Misson district.

And with a house hunt more painful and challenging than any I've yet experienced (the San Francisco apartment market is FIERCELY COMPETITIVE), I am now going home to a beautiful alcove studio apartment located right by the SF Giants stadium in the SOMA area of San Francisco. It's a 10 minute bike ride to work, or a 25 minute walk and after week 1 I am 100% happy with the new digs. I've so far acquired a bed, a frame, and a bookshelf, and while it's small me and the roomie definitely have more work to do!

A group of friends from UCSD organized a big hike at Stinson beach a few weeks ago, so I've been able to get out and around oustide of the city as well (a nice break from the hustle). We did a 7ish mile hike up to the top of Mount Tam. The hike up gave some gorgeous views as well as some majestic and quite stints where we were surrounded by trees. And at the top we had some amazing views of the ocean and San Francisco. It was a great escape and a fun thing to do with friends!

On the involvement front, I've re-engaged myself in the UCSD Alumni association, and I'm hosting a speaker series featuring successful alumni in the Bay Area, to speak about their successes and give advice to the young and the career-changing or change interested. I'm doing yoga (though never enough) and I've decided I definitely need to get back into the Latin Dance scene (I took a class in San Diego and my dancing shoes are really missing being used!) I'm also looking at volunteer opportunities with The Hub SF, a startup incubator and coworking space where socially entrepreneurial startups get stuff done as they get their companies off the ground.

Life is good, health is great, and work is busy. What more could a girl ask for :)