30.

A huge milestone just passed for me, the big 30! I spent the day with wonderful friends that I've made here (I've been so blessed) and had an excellent time. I still can't believe how fast time flies. It's made me realize that I better be doing what I want with my life because we don't ever know when it'll come to an end.

I am still loving San Francisco! I took a different route to work today and it made me realize what a beautiful city I live in. Sometimes I get caught up in the hustle of the city and work and never stop to admire the natural beauty of this place. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I could imagine living here, I'd say no, but as of now, I can't imagine living anywhere else. My heart is here. I know if I ever left this city I would be deeply saddened.

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.

-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Almost a Year

I haven't written in a while and I thought it was time to do so. I just realized the other day while on my daily commute to work, I have now been in California longer than I was in Birmingham, that is, when I returned from Readak. I feel the time I was in Birmingham seemed like a long, long time, but it was only 8 months from the time I came home from travel teaching before I left again. I am about to celebrate my year anniversary of being in the great Golden state and I couldn't be happier....

I still can't believe it's almost been a year that I took off and came to figure out if the grass was greener. I was telling my dad about a month ago there are a few things I wish I had thought more about before doing this, but if I had thought more about it, chances are I would not have come. First of all, why did I choose one of the most expensive cities in the US? Ha... I really did just laugh out loud. I went from paying $525/month for my one bedroom apt in Birmingham to $950 here. And I live with one other girl. I seriously have to laugh about it sometimes to help cope. I had a good friend say recently the reason this place is so expensive is just because everyone dreams of living here. It made me feel better. Then of course, the time it takes to get home. It's no longer a one hour drive by car, it's an expensive plane trip that takes up to 7 hours.

I must say, I have never felt as lucky and blessed as I do now to live in such an amazing and beautiful city. Every day I see something that makes me say "Wow, this city is truly beautiful." Whether it be running down Chrissy Field near the Bay & seeing the Golden Gate Bridge or Golden Gate Park, it's all beautiful. Even the Palace of Fine Arts, I never get tired of seeing this. It's in my backyard and undeniably beautiful. This city is so big that sometimes I see something I saw months ago & think, "Wow, I forgot how beautiful that spot was..." Or even walking in my neighborhood & seeing the Victorians that line the street, they are gorgeous. What a great city!

So in case any of you were curious, I don't regret my move here. I love it here. The scary part of it is, I don't know that I want to leave. I may have found the place I'm supposed to be.

Muir Woods looking at Stinson Beach


This might be my favorite building in the city - they are apartments in the middle of North Beach (Little Italy) and the Financial District.


Some of the best friends a girl could ask for - Napa, CA.


Alamo Square.