Finally here and then some

So it looks like the impossible has happened. I have finally "settled down" in San Francisco, California. After moving from city to city, state to state, and even country to country since 1997, I may actually stay in one place for more than 5 years - 5 years being the title held by the Chicago suburbs (1997 to 2002). So that's my goal: Beat Chicago! In an effort to really try and be Californian and to ease the "shit, this is my home" process I have gone out and gotten a California driver's license. I know, crazy. Well, to all of you readers who feel like this is no big deal, try telling that to someone who - despite my many moves - has managed to maintain his Illinois driver's license since the moment I first conned my grandmother into taking me to the DMV at the tender age of 16 (in 1999 for those who are interested in knowing). This is for real folks.

In all honesty, California is easy to love. I never wanted or thought that I would be one of those people who naturally gravitated towards the West Coast. I never had any desire to even visit California before I got the internship here a year ago that introduced me to my current employer. Now that I'm here, it's so easy to see what all the hype is about. Walking down the palm-lined streets to work in the morning. Not having to drive to work - or ever for that matter. Being sandwiched by Ocean and Bay. Seeing the mountains of the East Bay in the distance from the top of the many San Francisco hills...

The ocean is probably my favorite part. First, I love that the subway actually goes to the ocean. I mean seriously, how crazy is that?! I love just going there and looking out into the vast nothingness and just not having to think of anything other than how ridiculously gorgeous this big giant ocean is. Despite the fact that everything - the water and especially the wind - is friggin freezing, it's probably one of my favorite "beaches" out there. I do not, however, find it justified in calling it "the beach," since beaches remind me of warmth and swimming, neither of which is easily accessible on the Northern California coast (contrary to popular belief, San Francisco is no where close to Los Angeles).

So when I'm not staring at the Pacific Ocean I'm usually staring at San Francisco Bay - an equally pretty body of water. I love even more than the ocean that the Bay is viewable from my cubicle. And I know what you're thinking, no my cubicle does NOT have a window. I am, however, able to see outside of the window in the office directly in front of my cubicle! I also have a great view of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. Gorgeous! Because the Bay is right there, I'm able to just walk on over almost every work day and have lunch by the Bay. I grab a to-go bag from any of the ridiculously nice (and usually organic, free-range, and every other type of "green" term out there), affordable restaurants and sit next to the Bay to chow down. We really are spoiled here in San Francisco, it's true.

Ok, enough gushing about my new city. I really could go on forever about all of the reasons I love this place. It, like every other huge American city, does have it's negative points too. The weather never changes. Fog in the mornings, usually 57 to 60 degrees all year round. The monotony may get to be a bit much at times. I just long for a sunny, hot day. Luckily, driving any which way away from the Coast can remedy this problem in about 30 minutes. Awesome!

Second, crime and homelessness (and no, I'm not equating the two) are really big problems here. Many of the streets Downtown smell like piss and I have now seen several people peeing in the middle of the street in broad daylight. I also saw a homeless man chase a topless homeless woman through rush hour traffic in the middle of the Financial District. Insane. In the less than three months that I have been here, I have been robbed at gunpoint while walking home from a night out. Thankfully, no one was harmed in anyway and all I lost was my crappy cell phone and $20 (my boyfriend, unfortunately, lost his new Blackberry). The one upside is that I needed an excuse to buy the new iPhone and, *Poof!* there it was. As a disclaimer, I live in a really safe neighborhood - I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hopefully this is just a once in a lifetime deal. However, because San Francisco is so small - only 7 miles by 7 miles!!! - nearly every home or apartment is within walking distance to at least one, if not two housing projects. Some say that this diffuses the crime, but I honestly feel that it just places more people at risk for encountering trouble. My two muggers ran right back towards the PJs after grabbing my cash - and it's sad to think that this is the life that they feel they are forced to live. It really is sad that that is what people feel like they need to do to get by.

San Francisco is not the place for the thrifty, that's for sure. It's apparently the second most expensive American city to live in behind New York. I definitely believe it. Since moving here, I've given up all hope of ever purchasing my own place completely on my own. Clearly, this is the purpose of marriage. Not to vow to love and protect your one and only, but to be able to afford a small piece of property in one of America's most expensive cities. If only one day I could fulfill my dreams...

And finally, the Hills. Granted, the San Francisco hills offer about 3,000 beautiful vistas throughout this incredible city. However, it also makes it a bitch to get from point A to point B. Walking becomes a strenuous workout. Cars go through breaks every few months. Finding a flat running route is literally impossible (I hate running hills, but my friend Ryan insists it's worth it for the fine ass you achieve in the process). I think I would die if I accidentally found myself on a bike riding downhill - literally die. The only hills I'm truly interested in are the fake, blonde, SoCal ones they show on MTV (LC you're my girl!).

And for those of you close enough to me to read the word "running" in that last paragraph and think, "Wuh?!" That's right folks, I am training for a marathon. More on that in a future entry.

So in the end, I guess the whole point of me rambling about my new home is just that - I think I've found a home. There are positives and negatives, but the positives are absolutely amazing and the negatives are unfortunately part of American urban living (which is what public health workers are for - go Rollins!). I really truly believe that I can be happy here, and my first 2.5 months have shown me that it's a reality. So with that, I'm going to sleep in my tiny, overpriced apartment in my gorgeous neighborhood in America's favorite city.

Until the smile fades - I'm living the dream.