This past summer I had a chance to visit Facebook HQ in Menlo Park thanks to two very awesome people, Jill and Joanne.  I am It’s not every day that you get to visit a cultural phenomenon that has changed the world and when you do it’s important to be aware and be observant of what is around you.

It is no secret that I am a HUGE fangirl of  Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg so getting a chance to come visit her at work was really awesome.  I didn’t get to meet her but we were in the same airspace so we’re still friends in my head and we will work together someday.  Remember she did comment on MY Facebook status in 2014 so I just took that as a sign that we will collaborate one of these days.  After reading Lean In and attending Ms Sandberg’s talks, I was also excited to see that Facebook had an expectant mother parking space.IMG_0874

 

I have to say that Facebook is pretty darn impressive. I think I thought that it was just some people kinda monitoring what we do online but it’s huge and has a LOT of amenities. It was almost like Mark Zuckerberg thought,would my ideal workplace look like?”  Facebook campus LOOKS like someone asked that question and then created it.  I have attended two Sheryl Sandberg talks and she always asks the audience this question that is prominently displayed at Facebook

What would you do if you weren't afraid

I am thankful to say that I would do what I am doing now and sometimes I am still afraid, but I am MORE afraid not to do what I have been called to do!

What I love about being exposed to great things is that you realize that it all started with an outrageous idea. Mark Zuckerberg started with an outrageous idea and I am sure many thought it was a waste of time but he has revolutionized our culture with Facebook.  It was just a reminder to me to not always think about going the conventional route.  Be outrageous.  Think Wrong.  Normal and conventional is boring and has been done to death.  We tend to marginalize who say something different bIMG_0860ut being different is how society progresses  Without people saying anything different or taking risks, we are destined to just stay stuck until we die on the vine.  I’ve seen groups like that and it is a terrible way to live.  Life is about growing and taking risks.  The only way you will think you can do more and be more is when you are exposed to more and see that there is not just ONE WAY to do things.

After our field trip, I was halfway discouraged because I felt like I had so far to go and halfway FIRED UP because it really motivated me to keep going because I know there is more in store.  I settled on FIRED UP.

Reunited!

One of the best things about this experience was that this field trip included one of my favorite people and her daughter.  I think it is so awesome that her daughter got a chance to see Facebook up close and also to see professional women in action at work.  You know me and how strongly I believe in women being empowered because of their brains and drive so I was really glad to see her get exposed to that type of environment.

I was glad to see my friend after 4 years.  I think it is so important to have people in your life that inspire you to do better and encourage you to grow.  I believe that one of the reasons that I actually think I can do something is because when I was in college I was around women who were determined to do something  with their lives and they are DOING IT.  That makes me excited.

I even got a chance to spend the afternoon with my friend’s daughter at Pier 39 and that was so much fun.  She is so smart but I am not surprised. Hanging out with her made me take note of my ovaries and you know it did confirm that I do want children one of these days.  There.  I wrote it on the tablet.

Oh and we thought wrong too because we decided to go to Ghiradelli’s before dinner and eat dessert first.  BREAK THE RULES PEOPLE!

In 2016, I definitely want to reconnect with more of the women who have really influenced and impacted my life.

Great moment for sure because once again it provided a glimpse to what the future can hold if I don’t give up and the possibilities if I keep working and keep believing in these outrageous ideas I have.

I leave you with the words:

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. – St. Francis of Assisi ”

Special Thanks to Fellow Waves: Jill, Joanne, and Stefanie! Thank you to the wonderful Marlene who let me spend the afternoon with her!!