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).