4 June 2009
Far in Service
The Shoe Signs
28 July 2009
Valence
The Travesty
Stable Rated
Zuno
Click View
Vicarious Living
29 July 2009
Pumping Irony
1 September 2009
Riggid
Reggid
Loveveryrevelvet
Loverevelvet
Lover Evail
Rabbit rabbit. (good luck for the month!)
I spent the weekend at home. My mom's.
It was easy for me to wake up at 5:45 am. My mind was already well awake before my alarm went off. I'm always like this in the morning when I have a flight or a big event/meeting to get to. Today I had both.
I drove Matthew's car to the airport. I took longer to get ready than I thought I would; I had to double check that I had everything. My flight was at 8:15. I left the apartment at 7:15 (!). Luckily there was no traffic. It was 7:35 as I pulled into the parking lot. I had pre-paid for my parking space at the lot right next to Terminal 1! It was my first time parking at the airport! I didn't mind because I was going to be reimbursed. I jammed into the first space I could and ran right into the terminal. (The lot reminded me of the lots they use on The Amazing Race.) I was rushed through the check-in line. It was 7:40. Luckily Southwest Airline's line moved really fast. I ran up and through security like a windstorm. There was a woman next to me, just as frazzled and hurried. "what time's your flight?" she squeaked at me.
"8:15," I responded.
"I'm at 8:05."
I let her cut in front of me. There wasn't much hassle at security. It helps that I had NO BAGGAGE because I was flying back that afternoon! Flying suddenly became much less of a drag.
In any case, I got to the gate with plenty of time to spare. There's a cantina right by the departure gate. The flight was smooth and quick, we lifted above the clouds that enveloped all of California. There wasn't much to see out the window save for a few glimpses of the central coast now and then.
Touchdown in San Jose. What a nice airport! Like a cleaned-up version of Ontario or Burbank - me likey. I, like a fool, didn't print out the confirmation of my interview time, though I had the location. I was pretty sure it was 12:30 or 12:45. So as I left the terminal, I asked a dude if I could use his laptop to check my email. He was just turning it on, but he obliged. I confirmed - 12:45. Plennnty of time!
I walked outside and took the shuttle bus to the rental car facility. The bus was there right when I walked up - great timing! The rental place was big, a lot with hundreds of cars. The system is such that they leave the keys in the parked cars in the lot; you just pick up your car, and there is an attendant at the exit gate to check that you're in the right car as you drive off.
The weather was showery as I left the airport. Only a few seconds of water sprinkled the windshield from time to time. I had a lot of time, so I drove along side streets from the airport. I headed up El Camino Real through Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. There are a lot of suburban establishments - fast food joints, supermarkets, etc. I ended up in downtown Mountain View, where I walked around for an hour or so trying to find an agreeable place for lunch. This city is posh. Lots of Indian restaurants (yum), but a lot of places only open for dinner :(. I can see myself living in Mountain View - if I were, say, 35. It's way too dull for me right now.
I ended up eating lunch at In-N-Out. I know, the safe choice. I didn't want to smell like curry.
I excitedly parked at the complex and prepped myself in the car. I rehearsed a couple answers (none of which I'd actually have to use in the actual interview). I then walked confidently into the lobby, at 12:35.
I signed in on their computer system, which printed out a name tag for me to wear. It was too cool!
The interview was good; I met with three people who told me a lot about the job and the work culture, etc. People definitely seem more intensely into their work than I had anticipated (but it does make sense...).
I finished my interviews at 2:30. I drove away, taking in the sights of the surrounding office park. All these high-tech companies. So much wealth generated just by people being nerdy! I'd be pretty satisfied if I made my riches that way. No wonder everyone here seems stress-free, despite their intensity.
I drove. And I drove. And I drove. I drove through Palo Alto and the Stanford campus. I hit the 280 and headed north. I had 3 hours before my flight. I exited the freeway at a vista point and took in the view (the showers had cleared a bit, and there were breaks of sunshine). I then continued driving. I drove all the way to Half Moon Bay. I had never been there before; it's quaint. Very Mayberry and small town. Perfect for a 15-minute visit!
I drove back, winding over the Santa Cruz mountains again, stopping once for another vista point, then back on the freeway. I never realized how big the Bay Area is. San Jose is far from SF. Like 50 miles. It took me over 45 minutes (if I recall correctly) to get back to San Jose from HMB. I tried to explore SJ for a bit, and to grab a bite to eat, and I tried to find SJSU. No luck. I found the stadium, though. Apparently the campus is closer in to downtown SJ. I ended up eating a cheap ol' Fosters Freeze! Cheap chili burger and fries and a corn dog.
Flight back was easy and painless. The lakers game was on while I was flying. The flight went right over the Goodyear blimp, which was circling above Staples Center. There are a lot of people with iPads!
I drove home happy and in time for the last of the Lakers game. Even though the parking lot exit led me to a dead end!
Posts
All Comments
