In California!

I'm in California!
I left Boston yesterday morning, and have moved in (for a few weeks) with my friend Kate from college in the Inner Richmond. She lives in a cute condo with another fantastic Wellesley woman, Carla.
I forgot how cold it is here! It hasn't reached 60 degrees since I've arrived in the city. When will it get warm? Will it ever? I didn't really bring too many warm clothes...

So it is cold, but that is about the only negative. Good things are:
1. There is great shopping. I forgot that I love to explore new cities for shopping. Kate took me to this place called Jeremy's yesterday, which feels like this really posh department store, but it is all at discount prices. It is in this gorgeous old loft-like factory building in SOMA. So what if the majority of clothes are Dianne Von Furstenburg and Prada and Dior? It is fun to look and hold them, and know that you might be able to afford it. Also a lot of J Crew and Anthropologie, so that's more affordable. I didn't buy anything, but can see that I might go back in search of a sweater or something if I get really cold.
2. I get to drive by the Golden Gate bridge on the bus on my way to work all the time. So iconic, so structural, and yet still so beautiful.
3. Delicious Mexican food! Before I went in to Jeremy's I went to this Mexican fast foodish place called Mexico au Parc. (I don't know why the name isn't in Spanish and is in Catalan or Portugese or something) My burrito was SMOTHERED in sauce and guac and salsa. And *bonus* came with fresh tortilla chips.
4. My new job! It seems like it is going to be great. I had a quick orientation today about how to interview people, and I will hit the ground tomorrow with a bunch more interviews! HR and data entry orientations to come next week. I think it is going to be a fun, good steppingstone job!

Anyways, I wish I could be back in Boston this weekend to go hiking and camping, but alas, I am going to be working....and I'm still in CA. Must find some other great stuff to do. Farmer's markets? Hiking to Land's End? Good coffee shops? Suggestions?

Also, here is a cute picture of my nephew, Jack, in his car seat from when Brentan and I visited him, Bob, and Elle in Maryland.

Back on the Job Search Horse

I'm back looking for jobs in San Francisco, and working on xelago after a few weeks hiatus doing a bit of contract work for a consulting company. (Ask me in person how much I liked this).

Its hard to get myself motivated to do stuff. Stuff I don't necessarily want to do. I want to search for things online, and make crafts, and just be passive, and I have to be a little more aggressive and motivated. Well, I am motivated, just not motivated enough to do anything about it.

Any tips for actually getting your butt in gear? Also any tips on how I can make xelago super successful? Or tips on fantastic jobs that I would love and am completely qualified for in San Francisco starting around August?

Dear Doostang,

I really would like to use your website, I would. You offer so many interesting sounding jobs, and not just in finance. But I can't justify paying you $30 a month to join your premium membership. And all of your job postings seem to be premium access only! I can't even look at these jobs. How are you getting the best of the best if you insist on PAYMENT to access these jobs. I am an exceptional job candidate, but I can't justify paying you money, because I am OUT OF A JOB which is why I need to use your site. Please give me free access so I can continue to use your services. I'll even look at some ads if you want me to.

Sincerely,
Liz

Wintertime Fun: What fun it is to lose a job

I never thought I would be so happy to not have a job. Don't misunderstand me: it sucks to have less money, fewer things to do during the day, and have to spend effort and time worrying about a new one (and hopefully I can FIND a new one). It also is not very fun to be out and about when everyone else is at work. That is, everyone with a job. The crazies and the drunks are around in the middle of the day (does that mean I'm going to become one?!?!). 3-4 pm sort of reminds me of siesta in Spain--just like the middle of the night--when everyone is at home with their families, or in this case, all at work.

But on to the fun stuff. I've been mentally preparing for Christmas, thinking about things--what to cook, how to decorate. And I've been really preparing, too, by shopping, wrapping presents, decorating.

Also, its great to have the time when I would have been at work but other people had off of work. This includes 4-6 pm. I love extending my evenings, which has really increased my social life! I get to do things like go to the Other Side Cafe, and ice skating on Frog Pond, and Target, and eat lunch with my former coworkers (OK, I did get to do that before)!
So its really not been that bad. But I have been going into work to finish up a project, which will be finished by Friday, God willing!