New Years in Joshua Tree

I spent the long New Years weekend staying near Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. We rented a house with friends in a little desert town ("town") that was fairly close to one of the park entrances. We made our own meals, watched movies on VHS, did a puzzle, and read. The place was rustic, but it was nice to come back to after exploring the park: a couple hikes, some leisurely walks, and a (tame) rock scramble. Amazing views were abundant, as were feelings of being just so tiny in such a big world.

our 'home' for the weekend

a hike up Ryan Mountain on New Years Day

view from a lone Joshua tree on Ryan Mountain

Cholla cactus garden

sunset from the cholla garden

view from within Hidden Valley

views from the Barker Dam hike

sunset from the Barker Dam

Holidays / Vacation

Union Square, SF

The past few weeks have been filled with holiday get-togethers: there was the ugly sweater party, the champagne party, a Santacon party, a birthday brunch, and an old-school-hip-hop dance party (gotta love SF).

I'm getting ready to take the next couple weeks off and end the year by catching up with friends and family on both coasts. Before I hop on the plane, I had to get some adulting done: cleaning up the apartment (which I try to do before any travel, as well as before each new year), drawing down on the food already in the fridge but having some staples in the freezer and cupboard ready for when we get back, and taking care of bills. Also, remembering to take some Airborne.

I'll probably write about the year-end activities and travels next month - in general, my only plans/responsibilities are to soak up time with loved ones and chill out. Hoping everyone out there gets to do the same.

Cheers :)

2014 Wrap Up

The past 365 days have been about simplifying life (cleaning out the closets, trying to remember to eat healthy, not committing to too many activities) so that I could focus on big-picture things like career and relationships. At year end, nothing is exactly perfect but I wasn't actually expecting becoming #flawless. What matters to me is that my actions and lifestyle were the result of actual thought and consideration and that I was living my values. 2015 will be a continuation of these efforts. 

also in 2014:

• went to Hawaii and Yosemite for the first time
• reunited with relatives and met some I'd never known in Mendocino
• visited Guadalajara (for work)
• celebrated our 1-year wedding anniversary!

What I Gave in 2014: Jewelry and Chocolate

Over the past year or so I have been trying to be more conscious about what I purchase and these are two items I have put a lot of consideration into before buying them. They came from smaller companies and I decided to give them as gifts (for myself and others).

I first heard about Zoetik (rhymes with "poetic") jewelry over a year ago from the NYTimes. They've been on my wishlist for that long and I finally pulled the trigger a couple weeks ago. I liked their designs as well as the fact that they made everything hypoallergenic. I bought a necklace for myself and another one as an upcoming Christmas present for a friend. And what a nice surprise - the founders included a sweet thank you note and free gift (a dainty bracelet). All are shown above - they are beautiful and I have been wearing my necklace ever since I got it.

When I moved to San Francisco I was pleasantly surprised at all the local chocolate companies that weren't Ghirardelli or See's. Poco Dolce chocolates are made just a few blocks from my apartment and I first picked them up at a coffee shop in the neighborhood. Their small gift boxes are easy to travel with, so they are getting distributed among East Coast relatives who won't be able to find these quite as near to their homes.

What I Gave in 2014: Charities

This post could also be named, Trying to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

I looked back at my charitable giving this year and here is what my wallet supported:


Social Justice:

• Southern Poverty Law Center: The tragedies around Michael Brown and Eric Garner made me want to support an organization that is fostering tolerance and understanding. 

Health:

• The SAMFund - I was introduced to this organization at work. They are the only charity in the country that gives direct support to young adult cancer survivors. They are pretty small (~$200K in annual grants) but growing and after meeting several survivors who received SAMFund grants, it's really evident how much impact this organization has. 
• ALS Association - Yup, did this through the Ice Bucket Challenge, but learned more about ALS along the way.

Friends' Fundraisers:

• (health) A cancer-research fundraiser brought on by the death of a friend-of-a-friend a couple years ago. When twentysomething who was beautiful inside and out dies from a senseless disease, and when her friends honor her memory by raising money for research, you give.
• (health) AIDS/Lifecycle - A friend took on this cycling challenge that supports California AIDS/HIV organizations. Seeing them go through the months-long training to raise awareness for the cause was inspiring.
• (aid) Oxfam - Another friend was part of a 100km relay walk to support international development

Schools:

• Both my undergrad and graduate schools keep calling me, and I won't stop giving them, but I'll probably give minimally from now on.

I'm using this list to consider what I'll give to next year and how to be more strategic about it, including how to fit giving in with my other financial goals of paying off my loans and saving money for 'the future'.