Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Perks of San Francisco You Don’t Hear Everyday


Hello everyone! Crazy to think it’s that time of the month to blog again, it’s going by too quickly. I know the last few posts I’ve mentioned a lot about my growth as a person or the fabulous experience I’m having, so I hope to accomplish something different in this blog post. My title might be promising something wild and crazy, but it’s still within some facts about this city (that I absolutely love):

1.     Amount of sports companies and teams there are in the city.

        Okay, maybe this is included, but the amount of possibilities in this city is truly unlimited. I mean, when I first moved here I immediately thought Raiders, 49ers, Giants and Athletics (go Rangers), but the possibilities are really endless. As much as everyone wants to work in these big name organizations, it’s perfectly fine if you don’t. Honestly, I’ve learned that working hard at an organization people may not familiar with, is more important towards your personal skills as an employee and person. It’s places like those that can teach you the true value of hard work by either juggling different jobs within a job or even earning that solid recommendation for that next job. With those assets, it could make your dream come true and possibly easier when trying to break into those big name businesses. This city offers more opportunities than I ever imagined.

2.     Location, location, location!

      Let’s be honest. California, it’s kind of like a dreamland. Especially having the program in Los Angeles and up in the bay, you get the best of both worlds. Now being from the south, I’m used to the heat, humidity, rainstorms, etc. So, being in weather that ranges between 50 and 75 degrees throughout the year with no humidity is perfect. The fog up in the bay was a change for me, but I’m used to it and actually like it. Lately it’s only been around in the morning and at night, so it’s perfect when I’m inside and relaxing. But having the luxury of sunny blue skies during a run or walk on the beach is perk I’ll never get tired of.

3.     This city is so convenient

      San Francisco is the home of about 815,000 people, in an area of 232 square miles. If you haven’t pictured by now, yes everything is super close. Big city, not that big in distance. This makes parking difficult, which is why the public transportation is given two thumbs up. Hailing from Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, public transportation isn’t that popular. In fact, we have a train system, DART, that is similar to the one here, BART. In my 17.5 years of living in Texas, I think I’ve taken it five times. But, let me tell you, it took me two months before I ever stepped on a bus here. I was terrified. Mainly because there’s a lot of options so it can be overwhelming, but I’m also kind of a germaphob. Not only have my hand sanitizer purchases increased, but I have a really odd, new found love for public transportation. It’s just so convenient. Buses frequently stop so you don’t have to walk far and my immune system has seriously boosted, which is why I refuse to get a flu shot (sorry mom but the shot clearly didn’t help last year). Also, I live as far west as it gets, right on Ocean Beach. I could run as east as it gets, by AT&T park and back to my house and I wouldn’t even be at a full marathon of distance. That’s just another perspective for how close everything is and how easy public transportation is.

4.     The diversity in this city is eye-opening

    Alright, I realize that I will probably inadvertently write something controversial in this section, I've lived a somewhat sheltered life and not had an opportunity like this. I normally don’t share my views, especially on topics that might be controversial or that put me into a situation where I lack experience. I have opinions but now I am exposed to so many new experiences that some reexamination is in order. The fact that my opinions require examination is testament to what makes this area unique. No matter where you live in the country or world, there will always be someone with a different and in some case opposing view.  There are so many cultures, religions, political views, you name it, that literally all one has to do in San Francisco is turn a corner and a new experience awaits. As much of a culture shock as it was, I enjoy the great diversity and that fact make me realize what an awesome privilege it is to be able to live in the area. Living here broadens my horizons and exposes me to what else is out there, not just the bubble I've lived in and known my whole life. It’s not only humbling but it puts everything into perspective, or at least it did for me. Being able to connect with people of different cultures is beneficial to my personal and professional life. In my professional life, I will encounter situations far outside anything I had previously experienced. Living in San Francisco broadens my experience so that no matter the audience or customer, I think I will be prepared for the situation. While USF increases my knowledge, San Francisco has increased my “knowledge”


Even if I would have known the in depth details about these four points before choosing where I went to grad school, I would have still picked USF. This city is unlike any other, which is why it’s important to experience in a lifetime. Yes I’ve learned a lot in class and at my jobs, but this city has taught me just as much.

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