a year in review

I haven't written a blog in a while, and I hesitate to start writing this post, only because I feel like it's all or nothing with these sorts of things. But here I am, nonetheless. I'm not sure what's in the air- the holiday jazz pandora station, the glade apple cinnamon candle, packing bags for two different trips, knowing it's my last night in San Francisco in 2010, or all of the above - but for some reason, I feel compelled to write tonight.

2010 flew by in an instant. One year ago today, I was in a taxi driving across the Brooklyn Bridge to JFK, heading home to Virginia for the holidays. One year ago, I lived in New York, in an overpriced, underkept Manhattan apartment. I worked at one of the leading global branding agencies. I spent my Fridays in the East Village, my Saturdays in Central Park and my Sundays in East Harlem.  New York was going to be my home for as long as I could see into the future. 

In 2010, I visited two new continents, 3 new states, lived in three different zip codes from coast to coast. In July, I sold all my furniture, quit my job and moved with 2 suitcases across the country on a moments notice. 

Sitting on my bedroom floor this evening, packing 2 suitcases (yes I've caved in and am actually checking baggage), I'm reflecting on this past year, all the changes that have taken place and what's to come. And the fact of the matter is -- I don't know where I'm headed -- at least in the geographical or logistical sense. I do know this - I have learned more about myself in the past 12 months than I have in the rest of my years combined.  Major life changes will do that to you, I suppose. 

I've learned how happy experiences make me. You can't but a price tag on experiences. I love traveling, and I'd rather die with stamps in my passport than money in my bank account. I know when to give in, and when to push back. I've learned to have a point of view. And that it's okay to stick up for it - or back down from it. I'm a people person. Finding ways to connect (and break through) to people is a constant reward for me. I'm a morning person. And an old soul. I tried fighting it for the better part of 24 years and have finally began embracing it.

If 2010 was the year of self truths - I wonder what that means for 2011. The possibilities are endless.

Somewhere in between...

New York City. I've done my fair share of traveling, and although there's many places I've yet to see, I can honestly say, there's nowhere that makes me feel the way New York does. Its' energy is consuming, its' people addictive, and the vibe, uncomparable. The city of juxtapositions. It's too much, yet I can't seem to get enough. A place where I've lost myself, found myself, reinvented myself. Felt completely surrounded and yet all alone. Exhausting and invigorating. Rich, in the sense that the world was at my fingertips, and poor in the sense that I wasn't saving a dime. New York gave me independence, experience, inspiration. And it was the place where I started figuring out who I am and where I fit in the world. You may have heard the saying... 'Stay in New York until you're hard, stay in San Francisco until you're soft.'  I don't think I have it in me to ever get 'hard', per say. But nonetheless, here I am...

San Francisco. To be honest, it was never on my list of top places to live. Mostly because I had never been, but when I thought of California, I always thought of LA and San Diego. So crazy how things work out, and I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason.  And I could not be happier. It's the best friend turned soulmate. The obvious choice but didn't realize it until it was the only choice.

In San Francisco, you have permission to slow down, take a step back, let life soak in all the while keeping up with the momentum of the outside world. In New York, people refuse to leave because -- why would you? everything you need is in New York.  In San Francisco, there are so many amazing places that are just a scenic roadtrip away - from the wine countries to the beaches and everything in between.

While I've yet to understand what San Francisco's role will be in shaping the person I'm meant to become, one thing is for sure. At this point in time, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. The (almost) complete opposite of New York, it too gives me independence, new experiences, & inspiration. Just served on a different platter.

For those requesting more pictures -- here's what I've been up to in the past couple days that have absolutely nothing to do with this post (except the dinner, because that's what I'm currently eating).

Google Team. Can you guess which one is me?

Biking across Golden Gate bridge

Dinner at Google. Very appreciative that I'm not left to my own devices.

Look closer. Everything's interesting.

I'm having a fleeting feeling of ambition today and trying to contain it in hopes that I make things happen. Apologies in advance for the rambling on of this particular blog post. My way of making sense of things is to first make them more complex and then try to oversimplify. It's inefficient and senseless but it works for me.

I read a really interesting article this week that was focused on 'encoding advertising in consumer's minds' but I think can really be applied to other facets of life. The idea is that associations aided by familiarity provide a point of leverage.

"The storage of memories is often based on the degree to which the information is associated with or linked to what else we've already retained. That's because people are inherently lazy and what they already know and have retained works because it's easier and ties to what they have already deemed to be important."

Okay, if I'm boring you, keep reading I promise I have a point. What I find really fascinating about this (besides the fact that I'm a huge nerd and get off on advertising articles) is essentially what this is saying is people don't like to learn or do things differently. The one thing I don't like about this article is that this is a really negative way of thinking about human behavior. My takeaway (and a more positive spin) would be to say, if you take the time to learn something, it will intuitively become more interesting to you and you will be better because of it.

For example, let's say I'm at work and I'm learning about something super technical that I don't get at all. It's easy to just say "oh I'll skip over this, I don't really need to know this", but if I take the time to get to know it, it automatically becomes more interesting. I'll actually pay attention when the subject comes up because I can contribute and feel smart!

This same idea can be applied to relationships and personal life. People naturally flock to those they are already familiar with, who they already have established relationships with. The hardest part of any relationship is the beginning, when you put in the most effort of getting to know the person, wanting to make sure you always say 'yes' when a new friend asks to make plans in fear they may not ask again. Acting super interested in everything they have to say (apologies to any new friends reading this blog, I really do care about your sick dog/mom/boyfriend...).

In thinking of things through this angle & taking advantage of feeling extra ambitious today, I'm recognizing that beginnings require effort, of all magnitudes. And I'm challenging myself (and each of you!) to work through the initial hurdles of learning something new.  We'll all be better and more interesting because of it. 


Signing off with a picture of some people who inspire me every day :)

My team!

"So, like.. what's a micro-climate?"

You know what's funny (funny ironic, not funny ha-ha)? The micro-climate that is San Francisco. (I'm going to table the 'irony' talk for just a minute). So the way the climate works in San Francisco is that you can be in one neighborhood and the sun is shining on you and then walk a few blocks and be in a deep sea of fog. And if you drive even 10 miles outside the city, the temperature warms up by more than 10-15 degrees. When you ask a native to explain what a micro-climate is, they all pretend to know the answer and give a vague response such as "oh you know it's a micro-climate and has to do with the pacific ocean and the bay and..." This means nothing to me.

In addition to the weird micro-climate situation, San Francisco is also known for having consistent tempatures throughout the year. This means it's 60 degrees right now, in August. It also means it's 60 degrees in January. (I'm exaggerating to get my point across and make you New Yorkers a little jealous..)

Okay so here comes the ironic part. Living in a place where change isn't defined by seasons, how do you draw a distinction between time periods, or one season to the next? How will I know it's October or December and no longer summer? It's funny, people say that time passes much faster than you think here because you don't realize it's no longer whatever season you've chosen to label the present. 

So rather than measure time by seasons, I've chosen to do it by experiences. I haven't figured out what this 'season' I'm currently living in will be called, but here are a few of them captured on camera:

Riding bikes across campus

Outside Lands Concert

Outside Ghiradhelli Square

Meredith Meet Google, Google Meet Meredith

I've survived my first week at Google. (feel free to clap, as I take a bow). It was everything I expected it to be.. and so much more. There's a reason people say it's the best company to work for.

Sure, free stuff is great. Free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Free transportation. Free laundry. Free gyms. Discounts to so many stores & businesses. Bragging rights. Bikes! Have I mentioned the bikes? They could pay me in bike access and I'd happily accept (But happy to take the paycheck as well).

At the expense of sounding cheesy, these perks are really just the icing on the cake. (Really fattening, creamy icing). What I love about working for Google is the incredibly inspiring & brilliant people I have the opportunity of surrounding myself with and learning from. At an average age of 25, my colleagues have accomplished extraordinary things that most aren't fortunate to do in a lifetime - climbing the worlds tallest mountains, volunteering in Uganda, competing in the Olympics, and developing creative innovations that change the way the world behaves.

If I can be candid, I thought this would intimidate me, make me feel less accomplished in comparison. On the contrary, it's got my wheels turning about my personal & professional goals. So I won't get into the nitty gritty on the professional side, but on a personal level, I've come up with two 2010 (Q3/Q4) goals. I'd like one more to round out the Mind, Body, Soul idea so if anyone has ideas, I'm all ears.

Mind: Begin learning Chinese (anyone have a Rosetta stone I can holler @?)
Body: Sign up & run in a half marathon in 2010
Soul: TBD

So I said I would have pictures up, but I have been slacking on the Photography hobby. Hopefully this will hold you over (Mom).

Riding Google bike around campus (My only current form of exercise).

Meredith, meet SF. SF, meet Meredith

Seems to be the theme the past few weeks for me... Introductions, that is. Introductions to new friends, new colleagues, new connections, and most of all, a new city.

I'd like to think I'm a pretty 'roll-with-the-punches' sort of person. I view change as a good thing. I like to challenge myself by constantly stepping (or leaping, in many cases) outside of my comfort zone. Some people think it's brave, others dangerous. For me, it's inevitable. It's the only logical (& meaningful) way to navigate the world.

In any case, it's this mentality that has landed me in San Francisco. I'll use this blog to update followers - which will probably consist of one die-hard fan, my mother (Hi, mom!).

Since she knows about my first four days in SF, as she was here to help me get settled, I won't bore you with the details. Just know that I've found an amazing apartment in Cow Hollow, I'm crashing at my friend Mark's place for the next few days (very comfy air mattress!), and I'm starting my new & very fabulous job at Google on Monday morning. More to come on this soon (and by the way, my inspiration for starting this blog in the  first place).

I'll leave you with a few snapshots of the apt & location. Original photography is on its way in the coming posts...