So… it’s been a while… not really kept this as up-to-date as I was hoping to so apologies to all five of my fans out there (you know who you are), but in a way that kinda helps explain a large part of my experience so far. Busy af.
Won’t lie, the first few months were really tough. A real grind, working all day, every day — it’s still kinda like that to an extent but I’ve come to terms with it now and I’m okay with that. I’m at a small startup and it’s a fight to survive. Everyone is working day and night to make it a success and that’s just the nature of the job. If I weren’t so stubborn, I probably would have quit at the beginning. It just got to a point where I was like “Just shut up and get on with your work Aaron”, and tbf it’s improved a hell of a lot since. I’ve learnt a lot about myself, what I want to do with my life, how I want to do it. I’ve also learned a lot from both a technical and business point of view, which was probably the main goal I wanted to come away with from work in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
I don’t think I’ve really realised it until now as I sit down and write this but I’ve done a hell of a lot since I’ve been here. It’s not all been work! (Those who follow me on Instagram probably see me flexing every week) Where do I even start? I’ve done most of the main San Francisco tourist-y things like walk (+ cycle) across the Golden Gate Bridge 🌉, do a tour of Alcatraz, see man like Steph Curry drop them 3 pointers 🏀 etc etc. For Thanksgiving, my housemates (who are great btw) and I drove to Yosemite 🏔️which was incredibly beautiful and camped out there for a weekend. I’ve tried to catch a game at all the major American sports, just the NFL 🏈 left now! Been down to LA and checked out the Hollywood sign and Universal Studios 🎥! And of course a major part of my experience so far hasn’t even been in the West Coast but on the East! My work has allowed me to travel to and from New York pretty often. Feels like I’ve spent as much time there as I have in San Francisco in 2019 so far! In fact, I’m actually writing this in Brooklyn! I’ve been able to experience most of the New York tourist-y things as well, like visit Time Square, Central Park, Wall Street, The Statue of Liberty 🗽, Grand Central, Empire State Building, go to a Mets Game and so much more… One thing’s for sure, you won’t find a shortage of things to do in New York!
So yeah tbh I could have gone on for ages, quite a lot I’ve missed out but thought I’d keep it nice and short like myself. Looking forward to the remainder of my time here with some cool things planned ahead! Maybe speak to you again soon, maybe not — who knows.
Aaron
