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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