May Updates
It feels good to be writing a new blog post after a bit of a break since my Portland trip in April. The past six weeks have been really stressful for me as I’ve been navigating the natural ups and downs of making some big changes in my career. I’m so excited to finally, officially be transferring to a product team at Google and spreading my wings beyond HR. It feels SO GOOD to be doing something different - like a complete refresh and new chapter of my life. I’m slightly terrified, given it’s an entirely new team, people, and location - but I’ve come to realize that personal and professional growth only happens when we step into the fear that often holds us back from trying new things. I’m excited to be challenged by something different, but most of all I’m so proud of myself for embracing a new opportunity and not being scared of change or failure.
Now that I’ve transferred roles, I feel a bit more settled, although learning a new job is going to be quite intense too. But, I’m excited about it, and that’s all that matters. In between all of this change, I’ve had some great memories with family over the past six weeks… but when I look back on my photos, I realize that my favorite thing to do in my spare time is be an AUNTY! Xoxo
Mother’s Day at Santana Row
For Mother’s Day we met up at Mendocino Farms for lunch and it was so fun and delicious! We walked around Santana Row for a bit afterwards so my mom could have her favorite Pressed Juicery ice cream for dessert. Donovan has grown so much since then!
Lunchin’ with Luke, Sophia, Donovan & Nana
A few weeks ago we took Luke and Sophia out for lunch and ice cream one weekend so we could catch up with our favorite teenagers :) It’s unbelievable that they are both so tall and so grown up now. They are also cool as cucumbers and very chill, so it’s almost calming to spend time with them. We’re taking them on a road trip, just the four of us, to Big Sur over the fourth of July and I can’t wait! We have our hotel rooms and itinerary all set. I also had Donovan and my nana come for lunch since Donovan has never visited my work before and he needed to scope out his future employer. I fed him apple sauce for lunch that day and he loved it!
Park + Ice Cream Date With Mercy
In the midst of all of my stress and exhaustion, I needed to see my little bundle of love because she gives me so much energy and joy and I just love her to death. We took Mercy to the park, library, and then out to ice cream at Coldstone and she was in HEAVEN! It happened to be a really hot day that day, so it felt like summer and I just remember feeling like my spirits had been lifted after seeing her that day.
Great America with Mercy
I had planned to take Mercy to Happy Hollow recently but when we got there, they were closed for a private event. The first thing she said was: “that’s okay. we can go to your house Auntie Nay Nay… or maybe Great America?” It was so cute. Since it was a really warm day and I wanted to be outside, I opted for Great America and OMG we had the best time. It was just the two of us and we were like kids in a candy store. We went on so many rides together and she even got her face painted as a unicorn, her favorite animal. Snoopy Land was her favorite area where we rode a ton of rides. Neither of us wanted to leave by the end of it!
Mom’s Birthday Celebration
For my mom’s birthday celebration we had lunch at Banana Leaf last weekend and I’m so glad that Donovan was there to experience his first (of literally hundreds) of Banana Leaf meals he will have in his life. He is getting so big (he is 6 months already - how?!) and he loved when Aunty walked him around the restaurant and showed him everything. This weekend he’ll experience his first airplane ride, and I can’t wait!
