Twenty Fourteen

Dear 2014,

You are going to be a hard year to beat! You didn't go according to plan at all, but boy did you deliver some amazing memories. Years from now, what I will remember about this year are the travels and the surprises. I got to stretch my legs and go to some incredible places and see some amazing sights. From the awesome beach sunsets of California to the rolling green hills of Scotland, I got really lucky in my travels this year. One of my fondest memories will be stopping for brunch at a little coffee house in the countryside of Scotland by Balmoral. The beauty of the surroundings, the niceness of the people - it really made me realize what a wonderful we live in (yes, I stole that line from Mr. Armstrong).  My career took a step forward and that step came with a lot more work than ever before. There were definitely days and weeks where I had bags the size of Manhattan under my eyes and my shoulders were locked in a hunched position over my laptop. Still, I kept slugging through the work. I went through a disappointing few weeks when I realized my plans for going to graduate school abroad are not going to happen this year. My friends and family got me through that. My friends still held me up through thick and thin like they have always done. My personal life surprised me. I reconnected with people from the past and I met someone new who became a big part of my life. I let go of some friendships, made some new ones, and I met my new best friend. 

All in all, somethings didn't change at all this year and somethings did a complete 180. It's been an incredible year. I can honestly say that I am much happier on December 31st, 2014 than I was on January 1st, 2014. The biggest lesson I learned this year? Let go of your plans and let life surprise you once in a while. 

Goodbye, 2014! I am sad to see you go, but I am excited for 2015 to come in.

Lots of love,

M.K.

March: San Diego, California

May: Seattle, Washingtom

July: Lake Tahoe, California

August: Santa Cruz, California

September: London, UK

September: Edinburgh, Scotland

September: Balmoral, Scotland  

September: Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

October: Kauai, Hawaii

Home: San Francisco, California

Hello, I love you

Dress: Free People; Bracelet: J. Crew; Necklace: F21

Well, hello again. I don't even have any excuses for being a quiet mouse the last few weeks. Let's see - lots of storms kept me away. Work, travel, personal tasks, weather made for some very busy weeks. The crazy weather also meant I dressed pretty much in a uniform of rainboots, leggings, sweatshirts and scarves. Any free time I had was spent snuggling underneath blankets, watching movies, and just hibernating. Now that the rain has died down now and work is swiveling to an end, I am peaking out of my cave and embracing the holiday season.

I love this time of the year. Yes, it's commercialized and malls are crazy and people tend to behave like idiots on the road with all the crazy traffic. Yes, those part suck for me too but, that is such a tiny part of the holidays. I love seeing the city lit up. I love seeing people get dressed up for holiday parties and ditch the Bay Area uniform of shorts and tees. I love the baking and decorating the house in bright and glittering lights. Most of all - I love spending time with my people. This time of the year just feels like the perfect moment to tell all your people how much you love them and how thankful you are to have them in your life. I am looking forward to a week of holiday lunches, shopping with mom, watching movies with dad, dinners with my favorite dude, and wine nights with my best girls. Food + drinks + amazing people = perfect holiday season. 

London: Day 1

We're back in my favorite city to visit! Landed in London this morning to sunny skies and summer weather. True to my serial over-packing nature, me and my 50-pound suitcase made the trek from the airport to our rental unit with a lot of stubbed toes, groaning and weight lifting. Thank god, my suitcase is sturdy or else it would have been in a million plastic pieces along the concrete cobbled roads of London. The highlight of the journey was a cute British dude asking to help carry the suitcase up two flights of stairs. Class act all the way, London-town.

Places visited: Big Ben, Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey, Picadilly Circus, Chinatown

Restaurants: Waxy O'Connors in Picadilly Circus

It was really nice to walk around every where and enjoy the true summer weather. The site of Big Ben and the beautiful architecture surrounding it never gets old. We got to experience it right as the sun was setting so it made for some beautiful colors reflects off the metals. 

Life in Snapshots: August Week 4

49ers playing in their new home - Levi's Stadium

Celebrating my promotion with a few good friends! 

Best kale salad in the city

Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with my family

My happiest place on earth - beaches of Santa Cruz

Life in Snapshots: August Week 3

A little guidance from Oprah to start the week. It's easy to forget the big dreams in light of the little ones.

A leisurely dinner at Chez Maman with this little scruff and his delightful owner

Diets are really hard, especially when fresh fig ice-cream and chocolate sauce are involved. Dessert at Hops & Hominy - worth the calories.

Is it just a coincidence or fate that Gap opened up in London the same year I was born? I am thinking destiny for sure!

Made a few new friends on an evening hike; one of the many reasons I love California

Life in Snapshots: August Week 2

Source

I knew this week would be 95% work and 5% play because I had a big presentation on Friday. As expected, I worked the usual 11 - 12 hr days in preparation for it. What I didn't expect were the curveballs that would be thrown along the way. Changes are on the horizon and opportunity is knocking and it definitely looks like a lot of work, so I guess I better figure out if I am up for the challenge.

Trading in the summer sandals for fall flats

Long to-do lists call for large coffees

I dressed purely for comfort this week - soft pants and big glasses

A beautiful bridal shower for a beautiful bride at Satori Tea Company

Great new book, tea, bed; don't disturb me - I'm reading

Saturday Morning Ramblings: The World

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

 -Maya Angelou

Today's ramblings are not my own but they sure do reflect how I feel, so I decided to go with the words of a woman who put it better than I ever could.