Blog: california

I'm moving to San Francisco

2024-07-30 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

Pablo in San Francisco

I am sharing that I am moving to San Francisco this week! I've accepted a new job out there and I'm so stoked! It still hasn't hit me that I'm moving to a different part of California.

My career path will be to continue working in IT but leaving education. Education will always have a special place in my heart. I'm excited about the new path for my career and acquiring some new skills! Being a nerd is fun!

San Francisco and the Bay Area are such places of beauty. I've dreamt of living in a city like this one since I was a kid. I've traveled and stayed in places throughout the world for extended periods but there's nothing like being in a place you'll be at for a long time.

Why San Francisco other than your new job, Pablo? Yes, thank you for asking! I'd love to answer your question!

Let me tell you that I'm curious and I like to wander off to other places. Wandering off to different parts of California is no exception. While living in Sacramento, I would hop on the train on holiday breaks and weekends to San Francisco. Who doesn't like taking a train? I have friends that I visit quite regularly. I know my way around the city. They would show me around but also I would go off on my adventure. Do you see a pattern here? I'm excited to see my friends who live down the street or across town. I won't need to travel two hours or more to get there.

I'll be close to outdoor adventures, go to my favorite hackerspace and more!

San Francisco is a place where I want to continue to flourish as an individual. I'm just getting started! It will grow my career, my lifestyle choices, my health, increased network opportunities, my love for technology, and my love for public transit. I've learned so much about myself being in the city. Now that I get to live there, I will continue to learn more! Don't forget about walking everywhere as well!

I'm excited to be working on some startup ideas in my downtime.

I can't wait for my friends, and family to visit me! San Francisco is easy to fly into! For my Nebraska people, Interstate 80 will take you to me! You can't miss it unless you drive into the bay. Isn't there a scene like this in The Office?

I still find it hard to believe that this guy from Hastings, Nebraska has made it to San Francisco! I'm going to be living in a major city! The initial idea of moving to California seemed out of this world! Moving to San Francisco takes the cake! I don't regret venturing out of Nebraska. I'm more happy than I've ever been. This is your sign to explore other parts as well. You won't regret it!

I'm sad I'm leaving Sacramento. It received me with open arms and I am extremely grateful for the people I have me. Every single one of you has had an impact on me.

To my friend on the other side of the country, I'll be waving while you drink some tea!

SF vs Sacramento

It's time to unpack boxes and enjoy the cooler weather(see picture above). Hooray!!

I Voted in the California Primary

2024-03-05 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

Today is March 5th, 2024. I voted in the California Primary for the first time since moving here. I guess I do officially live here. I love how easy it is to vote in person here in Sacramento. The original plan was to submit my mail-in-ballot but I accidentally got my primary ballot soaked when I was carrying my water bottle. Of course, I forgot to request a new one and days went on without thinking about it. Then it dawned on me that today was voting day. I had in my navigation to a specific voting location and on the way there, I saw another polling location. I canceled the navigation and pulled into the polling places I had just driven by. I was so excited because, why go out of my way when I can do it right then and there!

Checking in was easy. I gave my basic information for them to print off the ballot. There was an option to do it electronically but I chose paper instead. I was briefed on where the ballot drop-box was located to place the ballot after I have completed filling it out. My ballot was placed in a secrecy vanilla folder to provide discretion in carrying it between the voting official station and the voting cubicle. After receiving the ballot, I went to a voting station cubicle and filled in my ballot. I voted for those I felt would do good in their current or future positions. I had done some research on the candidates. If you don't, you really should see what each candidate stands for and look at the finer details. Then, once I was satisfied with myself filling in all the ovals, I placed the ballot in the secrecy vanilla folder to prepare to turn it in. I walked across the room to place the ballot in the ballot drop-box.

Finally, I got a sticker to show off that I voted. This time I chose a sticker that says, "Yo Voté" which is Spanish for, "I Voted".

It was that easy! It seemed very seamless. This really motivates me to pay attention in local elections that help shape the future of the city I am living in. Voting is important and a fundamental right which I am happy to exercise. I'm happy I participated in doing my civic duty to vote. We all have a voice. We are the voice for those who can't.

I Left Nebraska Two Years Ago for California

2023-08-30 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

I Left Nebraska Two Years Ago for California

Picture of Pablo somewhere in California

Some Back Story

Over the years, I reflected on how much I do love Nebraska and what it means to me. I moved away two years ago from my home state of Nebraska to the state of California. I believe it's safe to say that California is home. I've done a lot growing as a person. I am not the same person who was when I left Nebraska. I'm still growing.

Why Leave Nebraska?

Nebraska will forever be home. It was the place that saw me grow up. I got a great public education. It taught me how to say, "Ope!" and how to be a Midwestern Mexican Guy.

It's been in my mind for a while to leave. That, "for a while" thought has been in my mind since I was a kid. At a young age I had all these dreams and ambitions to live in various places throughout the world.

I was very fortune to have visited different places in high school and in university, I got to live in France through study abroad. These experiences solidified my need to venture off more throughout the United States. Traveling abroad since I was a young kid has helped me realize there are so many great things outside of Nebraska. It's funny because I joke around how I've traveled more outside the country than in the country I reside in. I am very fortunate to have lived in Mexico for extended periods of time throughout my life.

Preventing Resentment and Repeating the Mistakes of Others

I've always craved so much more than the simple life back home. I didn't want to feel trapped and become resentful for lack of trying to live in and experiencing new things in new places. I see many of the people who I grew up with and reflect on my own self. I didn't want that lifestyle. So many people who I had wished had left Nebraska for greener pastures didn't leave. I didn't want to be trapped.

Questioning the Environment

I've always questioned my environment. These are the questions:

  • Why don't we have public transportation?
  • Why is it weird to walk on the sidewalk in such a walk-able town?
  • Why are people of afraid of good change?
  • Why don't we think of the needs of young people who will lead the future?

My Lifestyle

Being Nebraska wasn't fitting my lifestyle anymore. I had outgrown the town of 25,000 habitants. Growing up, I never really accepted myself as a person in various degrees. I tolerated myself at best. I was smiling without actually being happy. This façade of being known as, "the guy who always has a smile on his face," was getting old. It was draining me for years. I truly wasn't happy. No one would ever guess that. I lost myself as an individual and I also lost who I wanted to become as individual. Looking at myself in the mirror was not a true reflection of me. I just didn't feel like anything was truly going for me. There are so many things I wish I would have addressed sooner.

Leaving Nebraska was going to happen sooner than later. I had a friend nudge me a few years back to finally do it. I am grateful he nudged me enough that I felt it in my ribs.

California

I'm Happier as a Person

I'm living in California now for two years now. Time flies!

I'm a lot happier here. I'm my more genuine self. I'm still not where I want to be. This is something that I am working on. California is not a perfect place.

I've made a lot more progress here. I'm slowly healing myself. This will take time.

Spending Two Weeks at Home

2022-12-28 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

I've been home since last for over a week.

Moving to Sacramento

2021-05-25 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

Life Update: I’m moving to Sacramento this summer.

I’ve accepted a job in Sacramento. I’ve thought about moving in the past. I’m finally acting on it. I should enjoy my 20s living in a different place other than in Omaha. I have nothing holding me back except myself.

There’s a lot I’ve been learning. California will be my new place of learning.

I love my family and friends. I know they love me.

I’ll be around.