Writing Topic: January 17th

I anticipate that my ability to take notes will be key to my success at Atlassian. I‘ve met with my team already and based on what has been outlined to me, I will be training for the first 3 weeks of my internship. Right now the biggest thing on my mind is “how I can get hired”. Atlassian is a largely successful company with offices all over the world. Last year Atlassian grossed over 100 million dollars in revenue, and even though Atlassian is so success full it still has a start-up feel, that certain Je ne sais pas. I know that working in a contemporary environment like Atlassian will have a lot of temptations, free alcohol, casual dress codes, and a predominantly young group of colleague’s. I will be relying on my pros kills to keep myself in check. I have committed to not wearing jeans, continuing to wear ties, and meticulously grooming for the duration of my internship. I know that one can only stand out in a good way for dressing up in a manner that is greater than expected. I have become accustomed to dressing professionally, it is a reflection of who I have become, and I like it.

Entry 3

Well here we are, another new year. 2011 was a strange one so I wonder what this way comes. I can honestly say I put in a lot of work last year, and since I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, I’m simply optimistic about my work ethic proving to be a key to this year’s growth. I don’t want to quit smoking or go to the gym or any other lofty near impossible goal for myself. I have clear practical goals I plan on turning into accomplishments. Learning HTML, and finishing Year Up top that list, and I can’t wait to face the future.  Some fun things I look forward to have me sort of excited, like a sketch- a- day journal I bought, and earning an internship. Although I have a few trepidations about not knowing what company I will be interning at, the fact that I'm less then a month away is motivating me. I really want to do well with this opportunity ,it's make or break, needless to say I want to do well. Forgive me for sounding optimistic. I'm also excited to return to Year Up tomorrow after so much time with my self I know a big part of me is there. 

Entry 2

New Year, new books, and a new sense of self

With all of three days left in the year I decided to go out and have some fun. I got a haircut at my favorite barber shop the original palace barber shop. It’s been around for about 16 years now but on the corner or mission and 2^nd street it looks ancient. It is defiantly easy to miss if you’re occupied with your smart phone, or you’re playing with your tablet, or you’re hypnotized by the EDM playing in your ear buds. When you walk into this barbershop you instantly feel like you’ve stepped of the tardus and landed in the 60’s. It’s not until you look closely that you see the subtle hints of modern life, like surveillance cameras or the barber playing angry birds. The walls are covered by wood and the sole light fixture in the shop is minimalist to say the least. The cheers are very traditional turquoise colored leather and stainless steel. Pulling it all together hundreds of vintage grooming products displayed throughout the shop. All the of the traditional barbering methods are offered at the Palace, one that I had the opportunity to experience for the first time was the straight edge razor shave. If you have not experienced this meticulous shaving experience you have not lived! With my newly tailored pompadour and clean face I made my way up 2^nd street to my favorite book store to pick up a new moleskin journal, sketch a day journal, and books for my independent studies. I really want to learn HTML and CSS so I got Dummy books on how to learn them, as well as books on professional blogging. After that it was time for the festivities to begin! My last hurrah of 2011!I’m not much of a partier “anymore” so did something small dress up picnic at Dolores Park with a couple of my more sartorially conscious friends. It was definitely a fun way to get new energies flowing at years end. While there a gentlemen happens upon the occasion, he was clearly homeless so we offered him some of our sweets and snacks. We later found that he was three years to the day sober from Methamphetamine. It was a humbling experience to see that there are people out there that appreciate life and freedom even in the less ideal circumstances. He joined us and we danced, enjoyed brioche, and wine until the sun went down.

Entry 1

It is nearly the end of 2011! The opportunity to relax and recharge for a week, for me, shall not taken for granted. I'm mapping out each day to have some fun with whats left of 2011. Since the world is ending next year, I have created my own tradition. Instead of focusing on lofty goals and New Years resolutions to bring in 2012 I'm going to try to do something I fear every day. Its similar to a bucket list but way less grandiose "although it can be". I'm not going to go jumping out of plains anytime soon just yet. However if at anytime through out the day I feel that fear is holding me back, I have to do it. I think its healthy to know what scares you and then change it.

YULE

For me the holidays start today, it is the first day of winter, the longest night of the year, and holiday of Yule. Not many people are aware the this holiday is why Christians celebrate Christmas. Originally  celebrated by Germans as a month long celebration when most of Europe adopted the christian calender the holiday fell on the 25th. Now it is celebrated on the night of the winter solstice. The preparations for Yule actually begin a month or so earlier. You begin to remove clutter from your home, donate unused items, and clean all your windows to let the light in. During this time we contemplate intentions and set goals to better our selves. This is why I prefer Yule to Christmas, we focus on improving the areas around and withing ourselves. This is much more enriching than focusing on gift giving and decorations that you will simply pack away until next year.

Small habits big results

Over the brief time I have been at Year Up, Inc. I have made adjustments to me daily routine. Small habit forming changes thoughtfully put into place to help improve my performance over all. I have emails from the daily beast sent to my phone to keep me updated on current events. I follow movers and shakers of the tech world on twitter so I can at least recognize there name and faces. I have also downloaded PDF’s on become more likeable, reliable, and proficient in the work place. I download mp3’s of classic literature and mix them into my playlist so I can enrich my vocabulary. One of the most enjoyable exercises has been learning how to read faster. I consider that to be one of the most useful skills I have learned so far. Digesting documents rapidly allows for more time to be productive. These skills and more will enable me to become a more productive and well rounded intern.

The best and the worst

After High School there where two jobs that so far have been the best and worst work experiences of my adult career thus far. At 17 I was a partner or barista at Starbucks, at the time it was a great fit, for two years I grew as a professional and service provider. Towards the end of my time at Starbucks, I found a second job as an Intern for the Center of Educational Partnerships at UC Berkeley.  As an intern I was given more responsibility professionally than ever before. Reporting to an on sight and off sight manager, planning events, and traveling where some of my favorites.  Balancing two job and school made me feel accomplished so soon out of high school. The most rewarding part of this job was working with students, the program was in its early stages and over three years my job title began to expand. By the end of my internship I was responsible for creating the bench mark of the program, meeting regularly with our board of advisers, and had instructed at three different locations. Needless to say my work was far more important at this job then the second. At Starbucks I grew and had accomplishments, however the staff there did not seem to take their job seriously and the work environment was full of drama and scandal; I was awarded for highest average transaction for the holiday season, loved the benefits of working at such a popular location, and was given the responsibility of illustrating all the in store promotion’s at POS (point of sale). “It sounds like I had fun right?” However, during my time at Starbucks it seems that for every rule in our handbook there was an exception to said rule. Fraternizing in the work place was prohibited, but the Store manager could be seen often giving massages to female workers in his office. I could go on, but in short what made this job the worst I have ever had was the lack of professionalism in the work place. Conversely what made my internship at UC Berkeley the best was all the professional , rewarding, and limitless opportunity that was available to me at that position