What a difference a year makes: 2013

I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of 2013. This year has had some highs, lows, byes (or see ya laters) & many new hellos. I've traveled to new places (hello San Fran), become a master, got a j-o-b that I love after a frustrating and long job search, experienced loss, dealt with lots of drama, become another decade older (and wiser), and spent a lot of time with the people who I love the most.  Thankfully, there was a lot more sweet than sour.  Thank you, 2013! 

Excited for another 365 and 1/4 days around the sun. More adventures to come in 2014!

My life motto

This is my approach to life and of course, it is a quote from Lao Tzu:

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

Seasons come and go

As icky windy rain and sleet covers the city, I am amazed how fast time and the seasons have come and gone. Tomorrow, I return home for thanksgiving. I am looking forward to slowing down for a couple of days with family. Stop, reflect and enjoy - the theme for the next couple of days. 

San Francisco on my mind

Two weeks ago, I was in San Francisco for the first time. Previously, I had come to the airport when in transit to Japan, but never visited the city that all my friends and family loved. So a couple of weeks ago, when my boyfriend approached me about going - I was so excited. 

San Francisco is such a beautiful place. It reminded me of Cape Town, because of the enormous hills, beautiful trees and coast. There also seemed to be a nice pace of life, which I loved. After a couple of long months searching for jobs, doing thankless work, and being stressed out - it was so nice to get away, be in nature, and be anonymous. We stayed in the beautiful Russian Hill neighborhood in an AirB&B apartment in a beautiful art deco building with amazing views of the Golden Gate bridge. I spent my first couple of days exploring the Marina area, walking to the Golden Gate Bridge, hanging at the Palace of the Fine Arts, and looking at all the great and unique architecture. I also drank an insane amount of Blue Bottle Coffee. Insanely good stuff. The only sad thing about my visit was the government shutdown, which meant no alcatraz or Muir woods.

Four days is not enough time to explore San Fran. I walked so much, which is good because I also ate so much! My dear friend, Gaby, took me to blue barn gourmet on Friday, where we split Spicy Tuna salad and a Buffalo Blue sandwich, which we ate at the Palace of Fine Arts. Other mentionable meals include Sushi at Wayo Sushi Restaurant, when we failed to read the closing time at Swan Oyster Depot. Wonderful fresh sushi by a father daughter team.  We also had two fancy meals on our last day, the first was brunch at the Taj Campton, which was thanks to my mentor. Amazing service, food and champagne. At night, we want to Salt House in the Financial District. I think this was my favorite meal - everything was exquisite. Housed in an refurbished printing press warehouse - we dined on Contemporary American food. My favorite dish was probably the mussles, but everything was good. It was also here where I had my first and last glass of wine in SF (Sacrilegious- i know). 

I definitely have to go back (to Salt House & San Francisco)! 

Currently Listening to:

Yuna, Cover of Incubus' "I Miss You"

Great song and cover.

Things I love:

Some Links:

• 30 Things to start doing for yourself. Probably 30 things to do or continue doing in my 30s. 
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs (UPDATED), pic.twitter.com/Dpi2NniHSi (H/t @mdcounselling & @BreneBrown).
• "Creative Process" Explained By Comics from Buzzfeed.
• Article for the shy kid aka me. How to be a better conversationist. Apparently there is a shyness research institute - I wonder if everyone who works there is shy...my be a prerequisite. ;)
• Favorite Friedman piece in a LONG L-O-N-G Time --> Obama Snowden and Putin
• The cabin's wall paper - which is something I have grown to love. For the most part, the wallpaper in each room is only an accented wall with the exception of the bathroom, which is the entire room (it's the yellow paisley, which I feel is too much, esp. with the 70s decor).