6.19.2006

another year older

it was my birthday this past weekend and the most exciting part is where my husband takes me to dinner. every year s treats me to my favorite restaurant, gary danko! i'm impressed every time we dine there - the atmosphere is warm, the wait staff is incredibly attentive and knowledgeable and the food is just extraordinary!! i always have the best dining experience at gary danko.

i can't believe another year has just flown by! this past year has been full of amazing experiences and challenges.

i think one of my biggest revelations is understanding my role as a 'wife' and how to develop a strong marriage while still identifying with my sense of independence. s and i have been married for 2 years and together for 8 years! it's so easy to get comfortable in the relationship and to take each other for granted. marriage is hard work. whether it is conflicting schedules, career ambitions, habits (good or bad), financial stability or in-laws, these are all things that are a work in progess. they continually evolve as we get older and our priorities shift. the key is communication, compromise and never go to bed angry! =)

financially, i'm coming to grips with my somewhat senseless spending habits. i finally feel a sense of accomplishment in my savings and creating a fiscally responsible budget. getting started was by far the hardest hurdle. now that i have a good foundation, i only want to keep saving and saving!! s thinks i'm a bit obsessive now.

professionally, i was at g for over 5 years. however, with the disappointing business, constant change in the leadership team and lack of accountability, it became too difficult to be happy at work. the company that i once loved working at and had so much passion for was diminishing. i recently found a new "home" and believe this will be where i'll be for many years to come!

so, for this upcoming year, i have 2 major goals. however, i'm keeping them to myself until i accomplish both of them!

btw - i have a wonderful husband!! he surprised me in the morning by making me breakfast in bed! =)

6.15.2006

i'm turning into a cream puff!

i'm so obsessed with cream puffs now! last month, the first beard papas opened in san francisco! it's deadly because they are located on mission street between 3rd and 4th street - only a couple of blocks from my work!!! i've already had them twice in the last week (of course i had more than one each time)! they have flavored cream puffs (e.g strawberry, green tea or chocolate) but stick to the original vanilla cream puff! if anyone wants to try them - let me know - i'll certainly go with you!


6.05.2006

back to the real world...

today, i started a new job!

after many years at g, i decided to leave the company to take a break to mentally and physically refresh myself. i was very particular about what kind of position i was looking for and the type of company i wanted to work at. i really think i found everything that i'm looking for at this new place. it's a smaller company with some amazing, talented and passionate people. i think i will have incredible opportunities to learn, grow, be happy and feel supported.

however, it's such a different transition to go from being at a company where you've built 5 years of relationships, credibility and comfort in processes and tools to starting all over and being the new kid on the block. i felt so helpless to not know such simple things such as where is the bathroom, the printer or even the closest starbucks?

other than the discomfort and nervousness about starting at a new company, my first day was fantastic!!! the company has a really great focus on making their employees happy and recognizing their contributions. the people seem down to earth and really focused on an appropriate work/life balance.

i really do think i've found a good home for my career. =) i hope this isn't just my honeymoon phase!