Wednesday, September 24, 2014

And The Angels Sang...

HALLELUJAAAAHHHH!!!

Dearest friends,

I am ecstatic to report that yesterday was the first day (more like afternoon) of my new job! Through a kind and very random reference by my new friend Brianna, I applied, interviewed for, and am fortunate enough to have been chosen as the new
Operations Analyst at Tiburon Strategic Advisors.
It sounds so fancy, doesn't it?

Tiburon is a little town right down the road. I don't have to get on the 101 (major north-south highway), I don't have to wait in city traffic, and I barely have stoplights on the way in to this beautiful little town. It's incredible. The views are incredible. Just like pretty much everywhere else around here!
The office itself is situated in a professional park just across the street from the bay. You can see the city and watch the fog descend then lift. There's plenty of people watching to do as well, as the ferry that arrives in Tiburon takes bicycling tourists back to the mainland.

Speaking of that, never in my life have I seen so many people on bikes. They are everywhere! There are huge companies that rent out bikes to tourists (my favorite of them being named "Blazing Saddles"), give them a semi-readable map, and send them on their way. We see these folks on this side of the bridge looking utterly lost just trying to find their way back to the ferry. Maybe this is your cup of tea, but not once while I was on vacation have I thought: "You know what would make this the best? A 12 mile bike ride with thousands of strangers through a crowded city I've never been to."
Not once have I thought that.


The period of finding a job was less than desirable, I must admit. As I previously posted, I was sure I would have a job before Ryan started classes. That was 4 weeks ago. But is there any reason to dwell in the suck of that situation? No! As cliché as it may sound, I learned a lot during that time of waiting. Perseverance, trust, faith, budgeting (definitely budgeting), and ways to encourage others who are in the same boat. I'm grateful to everyone who encouraged me through this process and I'm sure it won't be the last time I will need encouragement. This new position is sure to be challenging, with a lot to learn and a lot to do. I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to be challenged in such a professional environment.

Thanks for the excitement, everyone! Thanks for reading :)

Sincerely,
   kg

A view from Tiburon

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Why I Don't Like HIMYM

Some of you are probably all ready livid with me just after reading the post title, but hold on! I'm about to share an amazing revelation I had the other day.

(Ok, "amazing revelation" is probably too strong a phrase for this. It's more like a personality vs pop culture theory that I think is pretty interesting.)

I haven't advertised the fact that I strongly dislike How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) because I respect the right to opinion, and frankly, I didn't want to argue about something as silly as sitcom preferences. People (myself included) have some very strong opinions when it comes to what they find funny. For example: I grew up watching Seinfeld with my family, and I think it's hilarious. But I 100% understand how people could find it stupid or pointless. I really do! George Costanza can be utterly annoying and the situations they put themselves in are completely avoidable. However, I enjoy it and it makes me laugh.

When it comes to HIMYM, people are appalled that I don't think it's funny. I've seen several episodes and I'm always stuck waiting for it to be funnier. There's usually the "You have to watch it from the very beginning" argument but that won't change it for me, I promise. Want to know why?! It has to do with my personality and particularly, my StrengthsFinder results. (If you haven't taken this test, I'm not going to say you have to but I will say that it's one of the most helpful and accurate assessments I've ever seen) I realized this as I was talking with Ry, who loves HIMYM, knowing his StrengthsFinder results are different from mine. His top result is Connectedness, meaning he easily finds and deeply enjoys the nuances and connections (hence the title) in life. No where on my "Top 5" list does Connectedness appear, however Activator does. Activator is all about action and potentially, impatience. (I was bummed when I read that because I knew they were so right... I am often impatient because I want things to happen RIGHT NOW. Hesitation is not part of my nature. If we've made a decision to go out for a walk, we're walking right now. The description in the link above could not be more applicable to my personality).

So back to TV show preferences. Ryan loves HIMYM because everything in the show is connected to something else in the show. I can't stand it because all they ever do is talk about something that has all ready happened. The entire episode could be spent on the same topic or in the same bar, never having moved or taken action. This is why I enjoy shows like Grey's Anatomy  because although they do have plot lines that extend through seasons, every episode they are doing something (ya know, like saving lives and stuff). It's high action. HIMYM is high connection. And this theory can be true of so many of the shows we like or dislike. Think about it!

After that realization, I felt one of those "mind blown" moments. A mystery of the universe solved. Personalities. TV Shows. It all makes sense. So I won't make fun of you for not liking a show that I like, it's all about your unique personality! Go you!

But if you hate on Brooklyn 99's first season, I won't know what to say to you. I don't care who you are... that show is funny.

(and of course "Friends", that's my favorite)



What show can you absolutely not get enough of? Which preferences showcase your personality?

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Holiday Chatter


Is it ok that I've all ready started a Christmas list?

I'm typically not one to begin the season before December 1st (unlike places such as Starbucks... ugh) but when you live in such an affluent place but can't afford any of it, you easily dream.  Thus, I've put all of my "I'd like to rush out and buy this immediately, but can't" items on my Christmas list.
That I've all ready started.

This year, I'm really excited to add some less traditional items to the list. Ryan and I have recently started getting involved with an organization called Hands Producing Hope. Not only is their vision inspiring and their work benefitting real people, the product is adorable. I encourage you to check it out for yourself and grab some swag for you and your friends this season. (Like this one- it's beautiful!)


It's been a few days (ok a lot of days) since I've gotten to write. I've been attempting to focus on the job search, and if you're interested in an update, here it is: I'll know more by the end of the week.

Riveted? I know you are.
It's like a suspense movie: Will she or won't she get the job? What will happen? *enter suspenseful music here, similar to any network TV crime show but not quite as intense*
   

In other holiday news, September 19th is National Talk Like a Pirate Day and Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts. I don't see the correlation, but I doubt anyone in America cares. If you go to a participating location and simply talk like a pirate ("Aaarrrrr!" seems easy enough), you receive just one measly donut. You and I both know that will be gone in 3 seconds.
 IF you instead choose to go all out and dress head-to-toe in pirate costume (it specifies "No Weapons", however), then you get an entire dozen of deliciously glazed warmed sugary goodness.

Make the right decision, everyone.