Girl in Santa Barbara.

A look into the thought process and passions of a 20-something Californian as she wanders her way through life.

[newgirlsb]

Creating the Perfect Balance for your Design

My newest blog post to Three Feathers Design.

[newgirlsb]

Fall Quarter = Busy Quarter!!

It has been a long time since my last blog post. A shout out to my dear friend Nicole who gently chastised me about it. She is a great accountability partner. The lack of activity alludes to a slight lack of work-life balance lately. The fall quarter at any university is arguably the busiest and most hectic, and this quarter hasn't been any different for me! As a staff member at a very large university, we make a rude change from the long, calm summer days to the short, bustling autumn days. Students return, the campus is packed, and all the annual academic and administrative activities are in full swing.

During the fall quarter, even though it is my busiest, I always manage to over-commit myself to new challenges! My co-worker is on maternity leave, so i have absorbed most of her job duties on top of my own. I am also chairing the campus Wellness Committee for staff, serve as the publicity chair for the Professional Women's Association, and also participate in a professional development group for emerging managers in my division. On top of all this, I signed on to instruct a class of twenty transfer students. The course is designed to help transfer students make the transition from a community college to public research university setting. Each week, I have to grade assignments and lesson plan for my class. It is extremely exhausting, yet it is stimulating and challenging!

Work = 80% Life = 20% ...I need to bring it back to 50/50!My partner often thinks I'm a bit nuts for committing to all these non-essential work activities. However, I have always been a workaholic and extreme networker. I don't know if this is called ambition, or I merely cannot stand a work life that isn't stimulating or full of learning curves.

The down-side for extreme professional growth is that it causes exhaustion and also takes away from personal time. This quarter, I've seen a big decline in my self-care. I used to religiously work out, yet I have found myself physically exhausted and don't feel like doing anything after work. I'm also an introvert (although a lot of people will tell me that they perceive me as an extrovert), so being so "ON" at work has caused me to not put in any effort in my social life. All of my good friends in Santa Barbara have moved out of town in the past year. I do have several close work friends, including a couple whom my partner and I hang out with all the time, but I think it's important for me to branch out and make friends that are not at my workplace. Since I should not be using work as an excuse, I need to re-commit to exercising 5 times a day, and also expand my social circle. I've never used "meet-up", but I think it is time. I'm not quite sure how to meet new people otherwise; it is extremely hard when you are not single and also aren't into the downtown party scene. I think it would be great to join interest-based social circles and meet like-minded professionals!

[newgirlsb]

Getting Purposefully Lost in Vancouver

Work has been super busy, but I am finally getting a moment to write about the wonderful time I experienced during my August vacation.

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My partner and I finally saved up enough money and vacation time to spend a few days in Vancouver, Canada. We got so amped up during our research process, reading how this city is a perfect combination of metropolitan and the great outdoors, how the summer is a wonderful time to visit, and how much there is to see. I was especially excited; I lived there for a brief time when I was about 7 or 8, so I wanted to confirm my wonderful memories.

Upon arriving, we were delighted to take the SkyTrain from the Airport to the city center. From the city center, we just needed to take two bus rides to the neighborhood where we were staying. We found a room on AirBnB, located just off Commercial Drive, or "the Drive" if you are a local, in East Vancouver. This turned out to be a great choice; the Drive is an up and coming street that is a way from downtown but is vibrant with young people, shops and restaurants. We actually ended up eating most of our meals on this street as we were so excited about the numerous options.

Throughout our stay, we decided to walk the city rather than using transportation. On the first day, we walked over an hour to Stanley Park. During our walk, we got to explore residential neighborhoods, Chinatown, and the upper downtown areas. I encountered kittens, murals, bicycle roundabouts, breweries, train tracks, a community garden...the list is endless. Once we got to Stanley Park, we rented a tandem bicycle and biked around the seawall of the park (although we made a long stop at the Aquarium!) Although it was a cloudy day, the views were absolutely gorgeous. We could see ships rolling in, and high-rise buildings nestled in the background of lush evergreens. After this, we walked down to the other side of town where we could take a ferry to Granville Island. We had a late lunch and explored the Public Market and took the long journey home by foot.

During the second day, we walked to the convention center where we could catch a free shuttle bus to North Vancouver. During our walk, we avoided Chinatown a bit, but we ended up in the very worst party of the city. Homeless people lined the streets, and we definitely saw some drug deals go down. I've walked through bad parts of towns before, but I don't think I've ever felt so terrified. A lot of these people seemed to have sever mental health issues. Once in North Vancouver, we spent most of the day exploring the Capilano suspension bridge park. Once you traverse the swaying bridge (suspended hundreds of feet above a river), you can walk around the "Treetops Adventure", which is a boardwalk suspended high up in the trees. After that, you can also walk along a large cliff overlooking the river (quite scary.) After getting some fudge from the gift shop, we started yet another long journey home on foot. We walked through the downtown area and stopped at a hip place called Meat and Bread for lunch, and then went through Gastown (a historical and touristy spot with cobblestone streets) for a second time to find souvenirs.

Overall, Vancouver was lovely, and made me realize that I am missing out on living in a vibrant city of some sort. Although I was seeing the town through a tourist's eyes, I still think that my life would be feel so much more lush in a happening city. Santa Barbara is gorgeous, but it is a small town (lacking the small-town friendliness and warmth) and is very sleepy. I also treasure the time I got to spend exploring a new place with my love. I cannot wait to start planning our next adventure. The main thing I learned is that you don't have to spend a ton of money or go very far away to find yourself an amazing vacation. Although I'm sure we would all love to afford to take time in Bali, Greece and the like, your next destination could only be a couple states away!

[newgirlsb]

Vancouver, Canada

[newgirlsb]

Writing for a Professional Blog!

Sometimes I think it is very cliche when people say idioms like "you can manifest your own desires just by putting out thoughts and energy into the universe," but lately I'm starting to become a believer.

Just the other morning, while getting ready to work, I was thinking about how it would be nice to pick up side work by writing for blogs. (As a journalism major, it's really important to me to continue the practice of writing, whether it be technical or creative.)

When I arrived to work that morning, my co-worker and good friend forwarded me a job posting on Craigslist; her friend was looking for a writer for her graphic design blog, and thought my skills and knowledge would be perfect for it. Now, talk about manifesting!! Ask and you shall receive!

Thinking to myself that I should have nothing to be afraid of, I mustered up the courage and reached out to the designer. After a little bit of communication, I was taken on for the job! Not only did the designer like my first blog assignment, she absolutely loved it!

Check out my first blog entry here, entitled "Creating a Visual Brand Identity through Graphic Design Standards": http://threefeathersdesign.com.

Although I am relatively new at the art of blogging, I am very proud at my attempt. I have been signed on for future blogs, so I look forward to sharing my progress in this aspect!

[newgirlsb]

Taking Matters Into My Own Hands - Progress!

I am so excited to share a personal success story (in progress). When I first arrived at my place of employment last year, I was extremely surprised to learn that there was no on-campus wellness program for staff and faculty. After doing research, it turned out that it was mostly due to budget cuts. Although there is an online "wellness resource", and a few resources (scattered across campus housed in different departments) available, there is no comprehensive resource for them to look to.

Beginning this year, a few colleagues and I got together and started our own wellness committee. We have successfully met once a month to discuss these issues, and to plan for the future. Personally, I am proud because I have been the leader in this effort and have continued to breathe energy into this project. For now, we are limited to a Facebook page, e-mail listserv, promoting at events, etc. In the future, I hope to get a university-sponsored website and funding for programs. For now, everything we do is volunteer and donation-based.

What I am most excited to share today is that I successfully implemented a "movement" program for staff during the summer quarter. It was originally a walking program, but I phrased it to "movement" to make it more accessible to those who are physically challenged or shy away from words surrounding exercise.The intention of this program is to promote awareness about how a sedentary lifestyle can harm your health. I am sending weekly articles and resources to participants in order to educate them surrounding this issue.

This contest is still in progress, but as of this morning, I have 83 staff members enrolled! Currently, I am working with our outside wellness vendor to see if they can sponsor us for prizes for the contest winners (hoping for a FitBit or the like).

Here is the contest flyer that I designed below. I cannot wait to report on the results of this contest when it concludes.  

[newgirlsb]

Reveling in post-concert glory. Got to see Arcade Fire twice in three days (at the Forum in LA and at the Santa Barbara Bowl) -- so that totals three times this year, including Coachella! I got my hands on an original setlist and got to grab Win Butler's hand. I am a totally starstuck groupie at this point, and I am not ashamed.

[newgirlsb]

Feeling A Little Lost

A theme that has been recurring constantly in my mind: my future...and it's not always pleasant. I remember that exhilarating feeling in high school and in college, where I felt like the possibilities were endless. I would daydream about what kind of job I would have, whom I might marry and what kind of house I would live in. Today, I am still asking these questions, but instead of a bubbly, mysterious feeling, I feel like I can't breathe and want to stick my head in the ground. (Well, I think I know WHO I'm going to marry, but together we are asking how we can possibly afford it!) My father always warned me that reality tends to slap people in the face once they graduated from college. Once I graduated from college, I had a really fun, career-track position at Humboldt State University...now, three years after graduating, I feel like I am getting a delayed slap in the face -- a reality check.

After moving to Santa Barbara, I have been bogged down by several socio-economical issues that has brought on a lot of anxiety. First of all, Santa Barbara is an extremely expensive place to live, so I can only assume that I will need to relocate in the near future to somewhere that is more affordable (if I ever hope to own a house and have a family.) Here, I can barely afford splitting a bedroom with my partner. I have no idea how single, young professionals can afford to live here. On top of this, I am coming to realize that my career in Student Affairs is no longer my passion -- or am I simply tired of being an assistant? Should I be patient until I get into a position at my current workplace that allows me to be more creative and autonomous? (I would also be sad to leave everyone in the office I currently work with - I love each person like family. It is simply the job itself I no longer find fulfilling.) I am considering public relations, marketing, writing and sales -- all things that I am very strong in and studied a lot of as an undergraduate. However, I am afraid to start all over from the bottom in a new career -- what if I am one of those people who never find a career they are passionate about? I don't believe in the argument that 'work is work', and I pray that I will find a job I am passionate about (or at least will take some financial pressure off.) On top of it all, my partner has not found a job yet here in Santa Barbara, so he has been applying to jobs all over California. There is a chance that we may need to pick up and move, so I do not want to make a big career change and find out we have to leave. Also, I am feeling like Santa Barbara is not my home, and I don't know where 'home' might be! I have had this weird feeling, like I have been uprooted, since moving here. I would move back to Humboldt in a heartbeat, but my partner does not want to live in such an isolated place, and there isn't much career opportunity there. I always dreamed of a fun, exciting city that feels amazing to live in -- but I never considered cost of living before now, and most "awesome" places are extremely pricey.

In summary, I am consistently confused and lost. I know that this is a part of being young and figuring out your life, but sometimes it is so goddamn discouraging. I don't want to be so whiny, but this issue has been giving me anxiety for a very long time. Time to be courageous!!! I  would like to say in closing that I am very grateful to have a good job and a roof over my head....I just hope to find an opportunity where I can grow, be creative, and find passion in my career (all the while being able to afford food and rent, and maybe a cat -- it's all I ask!!!) :)

I will continue updating my blog as my career (and home) search goes on....Here is an interesting article from the New York Times that does a great job of depicting the socio-economic status of my generation: It's Official: The Boomerang Kids Won't Leave.

To everyone out there who is going through the same struggles as I am: you are strong, smart and courageous. Just keep in mind that this is a much tougher economy and confusing generation/lifestyle shift than our parents had. I think that the main skill this generation is having to adapt is flexibility and strategy.

Until then, #thestruggleisreal

[newgirlsb]

Eating is An Agricultural Act

During my visit to Humboldt County, CA last month, it would have been unacceptable had I not visited my absolute favorite creamery. Arcata Scoop boasts a splendid selection of local, organic and hand-made ice cream (they are so good about posting their daily flavors on Facebook, and will even update followers if they have run out of a certain flavor -- after which you curl up into a ball and sob). You can watch the "creamologists" crafting ice cream in several unique and innovative flavors just behind the counter. You will also find a large waffle iron right next to the cash register, with which the staff makes fresh, toasty waffle cones. I always get the honey vanilla lavender ice cream. Heaven!

However, I segway into the original purpose of this post. Having visited Arcata scoop for the first time in over a year, a deeply pondered over a quotation on the wall by Wendell Berry that I never really gave a second thought to until now: "Eating is an agricultural act." 

First, here is an interesting article to read: The Wendell Berry Sentence That Inspired Michael Pollan's Food Obsession. 

The article shares with us that the famous Michael Pollan was originally inspired by none other than Wendell Berry, author of "The Pleasures of Eating."

For those of you who are not familiar with Michael Pollan, he is a journalist, author and activist who is described as a "liberal foodie intellectual" by the New York Times. His articles and books are well known for shedding light on the truths (sometimes VERY ugly) of the food industry. (For example, have you REALLY thought about cattle ranching and how beef reaches your table? You might not want to find out.)

I was first introduced to Michael Pollan when he came to Humboldt State University to do a talk on his book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma." At the time, I did not know his celebrity and completely took it for granted. I was so interested by his talk, as I had never really given thought to the meat industry before -- and where my food comes from. I thought that since I lived in a hippie community, I was safe from the evils of mass-production. Turns out that almost everything you put in your mouth has some sort of complexity, and that you really need to do your homework about where your food comes from -- even if you assume that it is local or organic. And let's say for example that your food is organic -- what are the lives and wages of the workers of the organic farm that the product comes from? What are the requirements to be able to slap on the word "organic" or "natural" on a product?

I will be the first to admit that I am guilty of being a complacent eater. I LOVE eating, and I even consider cooking a personal passion. However, I often choose to be ignorant because I am afraid that if I am knowledgeable about where my food is coming from, I won't be able to eat anything.

I have a theory in which everyone should eat based on what they are comfortable harvesting on their own. For example, I think that I am comfortable with catching and gutting my own seafood, but I would NOT be okay with slaughtering a cow or a chicken. Thus, I would most likely be a pescatarian. What would you be?

When I go to Trader Joe's on my weekly grocery run, I pick up a package of ground turkey or chicken without a second thought, because it is so neatly packaged and doesn't really feel gruesome at all. However, if I had to watch my selected chicken from day 1 (hatching to the day of slaughter), I would be absolutely horrified and would probably never eat it again! So, what can I do to make a difference?

A summary of Michael Pollan's new book, "Cooked" has a very important call-to-action.

"...cooking is no longer a workaday chore: It's alchemy, it's revolutionary, and it's what makes us human. Though we've tried to shrink kitchen time with microwaves and minute rice, Pollan writes that cooking is "the single most important thing an ordinary person can do to reform the American food system"—and if history is any guide, we'll soon share his enthusiasm." (excerpt from the article linked above.)

I look forward to reading this book and see what I can do to reform the food system, and I invite you to do it with me.

[newgirlsb]

In mid-July, I made a much needed "pilgrimage" back to Humboldt County. I lived in this spiritual place for a magical six years, where I did much of my growing (aka developing my own unique identity) . As an undergraduate, I attended Humboldt State University to study Journalism, Public Relations and Graphic Design, also minoring in French and Francophone studies. Upon graduating, I continued to work professionally at the campus for almost two years. In this community, I have met some of the most genuine, open and loving human beings on this earth. I'm not sure what it is about this place, but there is an unspoken agreement where the way of life is slower, happier and more peaceful. It feels like everyone in this community has chosen a path of life where they can savor every moment and stop and smell the roses. For example, everyone tends to drive around 55-60 miles per hour on the freeway (even though it is 65 mph), which is unheard of in SoCal. On Saturday morning, you can go to downtown Arcata to visit the farmer's market -- you don't even have to make plans with friends -- you know that you will see them there. I am not saying that Humboldt County does not have its own social and political issues -- but it feels like home.

I truly miss this lush, breathable and relaxed bubble of a place to live. I miss river days, I miss going to reggae festivals, and I even miss the smelly transients who will smile at you, beg you for some weed, and force you to watch them do some somersaults. I miss the sweet cows in green pastures who will nuzzle your hand with dew on their noses. (Not to mention the amazing local breweries, restaurants and businesses!)

Luckily, one of my best friends just recently moved back to Humboldt and bought a home in Westhaven (close to Moonstone Beach) with her fiance. She is getting married on her property next summer, and I cannot wait to visit every year.

Oh, magical Humboldt. Thank you for the gift you have given me; an appreciation for the sweet nothings.

[newgirlsb]

I'm Back!

After a LONG silence after my last post, I have decided to start updating my blog again. My good friend Nicole has recently started a blog, and with a gentle nudge, she has inspired me to start up again. Since when did I start feeling that my thoughts and perspectives are not worthy of sharing? Or have I just been too lazy to give myself any time for reflection? I am excited to start expressing myself again. To whom and to what audience I am not yet sure, but I am happy to share with anyone who will listen. I am no longer a "new girl" in SB, but it is very important to me to carry on my awe, curiosity and enthusiasm I had in me one year ago. Here's to a new beginning!

[newgirlsb]

Backyard Bowls - Have you been?!

I'm not sure I've had anything so delicious, fresh and healthy for breakfast. It's guilt-free and absolutely yummy! It's also right next to Yoga Soup and Santa Barbara Coffee, so I'm pretty sure I've got my Sunday mornings made.

They also have an app where you can order and pay so that your order is ready to pick up by the time you get there.

I'm just picturing someone putting in their order on their iPhone as they're supposed to be meditating at the end of their yoga sesh at the Soup.

[newgirlsb]

This is my new friend, MWF! We walked around state street to get smoothies from Blenders in the Grass (I recommend the Tropical Mango flavor!) and poke our heads into some vintage shops. Lots of fun!

[newgirlsb]

So last Friday (April 26th) I threw my first big surprise birthday party for my boyfriend Brian. He turned 26! Just having moved here, it was a challenge to locate and contact all of his friends and a restaurant, but in the end the surprise was successful! The party had been in planning for 2 weeks, but no one spilled the beans and he was truly thrilled and surprised.

Location: Los Arroyos, Montecito Party Number: 16 Review: The food was delicious, reasonable priced, and I can't stress enough how the staff was so accomodating of our group and the surprise!

Dessert: Crushcakes, Santa Barbara Price: $70.00 for 15 cupcakes, including one "Big-daddy" cupcake for the Birthday Boy, 2 gluten-free cupcakes and 2 special seasonal cupcakes. Review: These cupcakes were SO delicious! And everyone had fun picking out their individual little cupcake to eat. What I did was just asked for one of each flavor that they already have on their menu. The gluten-free cupcakes were also apparently delicious! Individual cupcakes are much better than slicing a big-old cake.

[newgirlsb]

Nothing thrills me more than a great concert venue, as well as any kind of live music that gives me goose-bumps. My boyfriend ditched me to go to Coachella, but my consolation prize was two tickets to Sigur Ros at the Santa Barbara Bowl! My best friend drove up form Palms Springs to join me for a great weekend, including dancing at the Wildcat lounge.

The Santa Barbara bowl offers a great mix of musical artists. LL Cool J, Sting and Fun. are coming up. Depeche Mode (opening act: Crystal Castles = holla!) is mos def on my to-do list; September 24th. Much like the Hollywood bowl, the SB Bowl offers classy, outdoor entertainment nestled in the beautiful hills. Goosebumps will result not just because of the music, but because it can get a little chilly at night, so bring a sweater (or a flask!)