Changes

This week I've been thinking about change. I dealt with a lot of change when I was a child. And I hated it. For a lot of years I craved peace and routine.... but it just ended in sameness. I felt stuck, and I didn't know why. Some changes were forced upon me and some changes I made myself. I didn't find peace until I finally understood that change gives me peace. It's true what they say - change is the only constant. It's better when you face it and embrace it.

I was in San Francisco this past week. I haven't been there since 2011, just after my divorce. It's the same, but different. My colleague said it's gotten worse since Covid. I opted not to do any sightseeing in San Fran proper. I think I justified wanted to keep my memories of the place. I really didn't have much time to sightsee anyway.

I got a hotel in Oakland on the water. This was the view from my hotel - the nicest part of it. There was a walkway along the water with beautiful views. It was across the water from the Coast Guard. And across the interstate from a homeless encampment.

For work, I had to drive down to Palo Alto from Oakland - which took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours with traffic. After work, I was able to take a drive through Stanford University campus and browse in the book store. It's a beautiful campus. Lots of palm trees.

Along the way, I also drove through Redwood Shores and got to see where the multinational computer company, Oracle, is based. Their campus is gorgeous as well in a different way.

I ended up driving back and forth to Palo Alto or there about several days during the week. Each time I drove across the Dumbarton Bridge on I-84. At 1.63 miles, it's the shortest bridge across the San Francisco Bay and spans from Fremont (east bay) to Menlo Park. The views are beautiful. I wish someone else had driven me so I could really get good pictures. These are the best I could manage safely.

My last night in Oakland was grey and rainy. I crossed another bridge from Oakland to San Francisco - can't remember which one - but the wind was so high off the bay it was blowing my car around. Everyone had to slow way down.

I really have loved getting to meet different people and see the amazing sights in this country. And sometimes I also get to experience some amazing food. My last night, I had the most incredible meal at Twelvemonth in Burlingame, CA. I'm not vegan, but I do love vegetables. And I love great food. I can highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. We sat at the Chef's counter with a view of the kitchen. We opted for the Chef's menu - a special selection of courses that started with Mushroom Macchiato (like warm broth) and ended with Citrus Pannacotta.

Change comes whether we want it or not. I've chosen to roll with it. It's a whole lot less stressful. And I've found joy in it. Which is a good thing, because my work involves a lot of change and rolling with the waves. I can't tell you how to learn to roll and bend. But I can tell you that you'll be happier for it.

Next week I'm going to Dallas area instead of Maine. My schedule is changing as my manager and mentor put me where I will learn the most.

"Learn to love the wind and let it change you."

"A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." - John A Shedd

As always, thanks for reading.