Where to find me.

Dear Friends & Family,
I had no idea how many techonologically fun things I would come to learn about in SF which of course lies just north of Silicon Valley (the home of information technology). As I explored the web and learned some tricks from new friends, I found great new ways to stay in touch:

This webpage is where I share all sorts of things: words, websites I like, videos, pictures, etc. It is called a "Tumblr" page.
http://goldenmeg.tumblr.com/

The link below is where I will start housing photo albums to share with you and whomever cares to take a peek!
http://picasaweb.google.com/megahn.morris

This one is my newest fascination... It is called "Twitter" and allows you to say what you are doing, at any given time, and as often as you like. Basically anything goes, as long as I keep it to 140 characters or less!
http://twitter.com/goldenmeg

I update these 3 websites often and hope you will check them when you can and e-mail me a note (megahn.morris@gmail.com) if the spirit moves you!

Love, Meg

P.S. Nannie, let me know if you have any issues using these! On our next call, I will show you how to mark them "Favorites" on your computer. :-)

Into the great wide open

As I prepare for my interview which is tomorrow morning, I find multi-tasking to be the most soothing exercise. While importing CDs into itunes and folding clean laundry, I am reading the Labor Bureau's description of event planning, trying to inspire more questions for me to ask the CMO and Global Client Programs Managern about the position at hand -- Global Client Programs Coordinator. I have been mulling over my own abilities, desires and needs for the past several days, so I feel prepared to answer questions that they pose to me. But I want to be sure to ask insightful and challenging questions right back so they understand just with whom they are dealing.

GOD knows his timing. Though I craved excitement over this long weekend, to distract me from my anticipation, I was blessed with time alone, to rest. After two nights of sound sleep, the quiet excitement of an old friend found me Sunday afternoon. I went over to Lauren's new apartment to get the dime tour and jaw wag for a while. After we caught up on the news of our worlds, I went home to find my neighbor Paul about to go to a bofire on Ocean Beach. With the fuel of my good conversation with Lawlee, I jumped on the opportunity to meet new people and get sand in my shoes.

Today Sadie and I ventured back out to Ocean Beach with new friends who feel increasingly like old ones. Melissa and Brent Jordan rode ahead of us on their scooter and Sadie and I met them straight in front of the number 26 stairs. How people met up before cell phones, I remember not. We watched dogs splash in the cold waves, beside brave polar bear children. The sun was especially warm since it didn't have to fight the wind to reach our skin this afternoon. The sun zapped me and Sadie was worn out by more tennis ball throwing than even she could handle.

Back to brainstorming these challenging questions. Love to you! -Meg

It's a small world after all

Saturday night I went to 111 Minna, a hip art gallery + bar lounge, for a Matador Travel party that raised money for CORO. There was a painter creating an interpretive painting of the city using the hot peachy colors of a dusk horizon. That movie The Neverending Story was being silently projected on the high gray wall behind the main bar -- Falcor was flying through when we arrived. The people-watching was impeccable, sassy outfits, colorful heels and men in tight(pant)s.

Just before heading home at the reasonable hour of midnight, I spot a familiar face. She was standing right next to me, speaking with a friend. I could hear her voice above the ear drum hammering band in the next room, and I knew I knew her. Camp Morehead. Yep. I remember her as a spunky 13 year old who would speak her mind and was a favorite of all the counselors. I decided life is short, and that I had to say hello. Knowing that I have an uncanny memory for faces, I tip-toed to the point. "Sorry to interrupt, but may I ask you a random, random question?" Politely, she says sure. "I'm from NC and went to Camp Morehead growing up, and I think I remember you from there..." Her face lit up and we went on to talk about where we went to college, when we came to the city and exchanged emails and numbers. Low and behold, she lives about a half mile from my apartment and we're both going to the Outside Lands Festival on Saturday.

We're planning to get coffee this week and go to a cook-out (thank goodness I found someone here that says cook-out and not bbq) together next weekend.

I'm back!

I was like a 6 year old on Christmas morning when my shiny new HP laptop arrived in the mail. So I could sign for the package, I had it delivered to work. Another plus to that planning was I had captive coworkers with whom to share my joy!

My new laptop is a HP Pavilion dv6700, with Windows Vista (no complaints, yet).

On another note, picnics in Golden Gate Park have become a regular sunny weekend treat. Sadie's friend Bell is sneaking a sip while chaperones talk on cell phones.

Sunday Shopping

It's Sunday and Fido is shopping for Kate Spade flatware at Bloomingdale's.

nesting

I have cardboard box furniture and a mattress on the floor. And this is happiness.

Hiatus

My apologies!

I've been busy driving across the U.S. of A., moving into my FAB apartment, hanging out with my COOL new roomies, and digging into my new J-O-B at Latham & Watkins! Thank you for bearing with me.

Here is a snapshot of me and my new roommates, Trina and Patty. We are settling into our 3 bedroom palace very comfortably and easily!



P.S. Laura Gainer a.k.a KUNKS - Welcome to the 26 year old club!! I'm so sad I missed the festivities, but I was thinking about you!

2 weeks and 2 days = 1 apartment + 1 job

HOORAY!!!

I am really proud to say that I have a job in SF at the law firm of Latham & Watkins! To make it all the more interesting, I'll be sitting across the hall from the managing partner. I haven't met him yet but I can tell you he's no Peter Covington. I'll try not to hold that against him.

Step Up 2 The Streets

Yesterday, President's Day (observed in SF by just about all), I indulged a bit. I saw Step Up 2 The Streets. My two friends, who shall remain anonymous, and I brought the average age in theater up at least 18 months. I have an odd weakness for the high cheese factor of the teenage dance drama à la Center Stage, Save the Last Dance, Honey, Footloose, Shag... but I digress. This fantastic film event was a celebratory one. Yesterday at 12:24 pm, I landed an apartment in San Francisco proper!!!


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My new landlord, Julia, is an elderly woman from the midwest who has lived in SF since the 60s. She was very excited to have three young seemingly well-behaved women living in one of her units. That was until I brought up Sadie, "and the dog will stay in North Carolina," she chuckled. So, I let the full power of southern charm loose on this lady. I talked and smiled until she nodded and said, "how about you put down area rugs on the newly refinished hardwoods and give me an additional 1,000 deposit? you remind me of my granddaughter." Naturally, I then cried and gave her a hug. I think she appreciated it.

Tuesday in the city

I've spent an entire afternoon at a coffee shop, Notes From The Underground, that has free WIFI. I started at Starbucks and apparently they are in cahoots with TMobile, seeing as they offer WIFI and then TMobile lets you connect only to tell you you "May purchase a daypass for a mere 9.99." Whatever, I'll be walking down the street now...

Feels like I'm at a stand-still today. I have followed up on so many things, but have received no word of anything inching forward. Job interviews are in place for later this week, so that is progress at least. Apartment search is stagnant, the owners/realtors are elusive and unpredictable.

I have no shortage of hope though! I hope you are all doing well and remember to be sweet to your lovies on V-day! (Not sweet like the t.v. commercials suggest, just sweet like people are from time to time.)

It's a jungle out there

I am on an apartment hunt in the wildest city in America. There are oodles of different neighborhoods, the prices are obscene at best, and competition is no joke. It is survival of the fittest for sure, and I have unfortunately been on hiatus from the stair master (that was before walking up Lombard Street last Thursday).

Last week I saw a cute one bedroom place in Rockridge (sort of the Dilworth of Oakland) listed for $1400. There was even a yard (gasp) and it's only a block from the BART which zips you across the bay & into the city, traffic-free, in 18 minutes or less. The ceilings were high, the bath room was tiny, but there is plenty of room for 3, maybe 4 to drink wine in the kitchen while cooking a dinner.

Another fab-u-less place I saw was in Cole Valley. Just a 10 minute bus ride towards Golden Gate park (kinda south of the city) drops you into a cute, family-oriented neighborhood with a small doggie park right across the street from the 2nd floor apartment. This place had a backyard too (hard to believe, i know)!! And even a porch overlooking it...no wonder it is $1,950 a month. Inside was fab-u as well. Berber carpet, fresh paint, two large closets, a small room off the living room that could be an office or even guest sleeping quarters. The kitchen opened into the living room via a breakfast bar and across the living room from that are french doors leading out to the open-air porch with a view of the shady yard below and the hills above the city.

So now you've heard about the good.

The bad and the ugly:

Near the Panhandle (an extension of beautiful Golden GAte park--great locale) is a one bedroom for $1995. This price buys you awesome location, bathroom mold, an intersection that is louder than your alarm clock, and kitchen cabinets that look like they conceal something from a horror movie.

Thanks. Neeext.

In Hayes Valley I was one of, ohhh, 26 people lined up a three story winding staircase to see a $1350 studio near the Haight and several parks. Though we patiently waited to see the joint for 20 minutes, it only took 20 seconds to take make up my mind. Hell no. With a double bed, a chair, and a closet, there was possibly 4 square feet of room left of floorspace.

Trust me, there is more, but I'd rather not relive it.

My first week here in SF has been amazing, fun, exciting, and challenging. Thank you so much for your prayers and kind messages.

love, meg

Super Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Interview Tuesday

On this politically, culturally, and personally important day, the northern California weather cordially obliged by being sunny and breezy, high of 55. The thoughest aspect of interview Tuesday was the outfit. I had it all planned out--anthropologie skirt, black tights, high heels, edgy grey blouse. I put my no-fail outfit on to find that a button was missing on my blouse and another button was hanging by a thread... cue brow sweat. Fortunately there was a B-team blouse waiting in the wings and I made it down to the bus stop with a few minutes to spare.

I stopped for lunch at a great fresh salad counter place in the Financial District. I shared a table with another single and got to chatting. She was a born and raised San Franciscan, not easy to find those! We talked about how, when you are a native, a city stops feeling like a city and just feels like home. She wished me well on my interviews and off I went to venture to Oakland.

I started clobbering down the windy sidewalks in my 3 inch heels and realized I had no idea if I was going in the right direction. I asked nice-looking girl, about my age, which way to Market Street? Good thing I asked, it was in the opposite direction. She was heading that way so we walked together a little while. I'm not too shy, so by the time we parted she was wishing me well on my interviews as well.

I made it past Market Street and to the AC Transit terminal to catch a bus to Oakland. The terminal is a block out of the Financial District but might as well be miles away--what were suits and gel'd hair were now baggy jeans and skull caps. I got off my stop, a block away from the next interview spot, 30 minutes early. I chilled out at the best looking spot nearby, a chinese burger and donut joint. Yes, chinese food, burgers, and donuts in one family-owned drive-thru restuarant. The lady at the counter quickly pointed out that I was new around here.

Interview time, part deux, was here. I punched the buzzer on the warehouse door at 2:15, the responsible 15 minutes early. The COO, with who I had my initial phone interview, opened the door. She said it was great to meet me in person and then pointed at my Melissa Joy Manning earrings. I said there is a story to these! I explained to her how I opened them, my birthday gift from my best friend Lauren, and came across this job listing the very next day. "So they're your lucky earrings?!" she said.

The interview for the eCommerce Coordinator went famously well. We talked about marketing ideas on how to drive traffic to the site, the company's rapid growth, and how relationships are so vital to business. Tuesday was Super indeed.

My first day living in SF

My first day in the city has been a sunny one. Considering I packed goloshes, my raincoat, and an umbrella, it's only fitting! This morning I headed up to Polk Street for some essentials like toothpaste, cereal, and soymilk. The Bagelry is a small shop up there (where I bought a cinn raisin with peanut butter) that actually toasts bagels all the way to crispyness, joy!

When I got back to Lauren's apartment about an hour later, neither of the house keys she gave me would work on the main door. After 20 minutes of trying, taking a few deep breaths, and trying more, I figured I must have the wrong keys. I was able to meet Lauren for lunch at a Thai place near her office and get all her keys. Turns out there was another key that looked just like the right one on her crowded key ring.

After a warm and moderately crowded MUNI ride back to the apartment, I was relieved to have the key work and realize that my door unlocking ability was not the issue!

While walking through Chinatown and then the creative district of Jefferson Square, I stopped by a storefront and called Melissa Joy Manning to confirm my interview for tommorrow. Kathryn answered the phone warmly and welcomed me to the city. She also said, "This is incredible timing, I literally just pressed send on an email to you to confirm our time tomorrow and to welcome you to the Bay Area!" Insane, I said!

I have picts to share with you all, but the online connection here is not exactly street-legal and gives me an error message when I try to upload the files... stay tuned for more!

I'm not afraid to try new things...

like chicken liver paté, like a new city that feels a world away, or even like a blog!


In this inaugural blog, brace yourself as I stumble through an explanation of the why and how of my move from North Carolina to the city of San Francisco. I'm making this move to follow the dream of my imagined life. I imagine a fulfilling job I am honored to have, a city full of daily unexpected possibilities, and an ever expanding network of friends and colleagues that challenge me to become my best self.


I have already begun to lead this imagined life, and it's now time to up the ante. It's January and I have given notice at the distinguished institution that currently employs me. After taking some time to train and prepare the person that will continue my work here, I will leave my office not to return.