A bit of news...

[simchat_torah]

So, I'm moving.

To San Francisco!??!??

yeah. ;)

The Story:

For some time now I've been trying to find a Project Management position in IT here in Champaign Urbana. I currently manage smaller IT projects, but I have been bored (and not well paid) for a couple of years. Every position that comes open in this area there are hundreds of applicants. For example, when I got my current job (3 years ago) there were 175 other QUALIFIED applicants (many more unqualified). The IT field here in Central Illinois has been very tough since 9/11.

Anywho... I had been looking for a Project Management position for about 2'ish years now. Only about 5 come open a year in our city of 150,000. Well, I have family in San Francisco (and some north of the city that have a couple of vineyards) and one day I decided to look for "Project Manager" positions on yahoojobs in the area. Considering there's about 5 in Champaign and San Fran is only 6 times larger I thought maybe there'd be as MUCH as 50 positions listed. So when I did the search... 4,328 jobs listed as "project manager" came back! Dang yo.

That's when I realized the entire economy in the Bay region is based off of IT and Software development, where as in central illinois it is mostly agriculture. I decided my wife and I would move out there possibly next summer (summer of 2008). Eventually we decided that I might start trying to get a job now, thinking it would take 4-6 months before a position would actually materialize, and then I'd head out ahead of her by a few months (she's a school teacher, so she wouldn't be able to come until the summer).

So, the other day I was looking in Craig's List and found a job that I thought sounded amazing. I figured there was no way I'd be considered but it was so enticing I emailed out a resume anyway.

That was a Wed. night. Now keep in mind we were under the impression ti would take a number of months to get a professional position out in San Fran.

Thursday morning. I get a phone call. They want a phone interview the next day (friday). So that night my wife and I discussed what the minimum salary would have to be for me to even consider taking the position. You see, she was pretty well locked into her contract at school, she has several teaching opportunities this year for dance, and a number of things going on for her in town for this school year. This would mean we would have to pay 2 rents, be seperated for 9-10 months, San Francisco would have a higher cost of living, etc... all of this went into consideration when we talked about the minimum ammount of salary I'd even consider if I took the job.

We came to a conclusion that I'd need at least $82,000 to move now.

So... Friday morning comes and the phone interview goes amazing. Now, I never bring up salary in an interview... but at the end my would be boss says "I don't want to waste our resources flying you out here for an interview or waste your time if you're not interested in the salary we offer. So let me just say out front that this position typically starts at $82,000."

!?!?!?!!!?!?!?

My jaw drops and I cover the phone with my hand as I begin laughing. So, a week later I fly out to San Francisco for the in person interview. 5 hour interview, 30 minutes with 9 individuals each. At the end of this marathon interview my would be boss comes into the room and says, "Normally at this point we send the candidate home and we get together and debate about who likes/dislikes the candidate. However, during your interview every single person came back to my office after they spoke with you, giving you a raving review... and I'm prepared to give you an offer on the spot."

I won't get into what my specific salary is, but I was able to negotiate a bit as they really wanted me ;)

So... San Francisco here I come!

My new job is literally OVER the water, it is located on a pier. How cool is that?

Anyway, I just wanted to share the news. I'm moving to San Francisco (and I'll be spouseless for a whole school year :( )

Hey Tal, don't you live in Cali?

-Yafet

[Talmidah]

Anyway, I just wanted to share the news. I'm moving to San Francisco (and I'll be spouseless for a whole school year :( )

Hey Tal, don't you live in Cali?

-YafetCongratulations! (On the San Francisco part, not the spouseless part)

And yep, I'm here in CA, and we're up in Santa Cruz all the time, only about an hour from San Francisco. We should get together and have muffler come down from OR for shabbat or something sometime.

[simchat_torah]

Also, this position is quite amazing. I'll be interfacing with CIO's and VP's from extremely large web companies like BestBuy.com, Versign, PetCo, etc. I'll be the point man for these clients to my internal development team where I'll oversee the addition of new features.

Quite an amazing opportunity for my career.

Anyone in California that I could hook up with over the next year while I'll be friendless and spouseless? ;)

[muffler dragon]

Congrats, Japh.

Btw, once you go "west coast", you don't go back. :D

[simchat_torah]

And yep, I'm here in CA, and we're up in Santa Cruz all the time, only about an hour from San Francisco.
Hey Tal, you know I'd always love ta hook up sometime! I'll be without a car for the year (but the bus system is quite extensive). I fly out August 1st. Start my new job August 2nd.

We actually had dragon and his wife over to our house for a few days back before they moved to OR.

:D

[simchat_torah]

Congrats, Japh.

Btw, once you go "west coast", you don't go back. :DI've always wanted to move out here. When I was a kid I'd spend summers in San Fran and north of the city (Sonoma county, Russian River Valley, and other places). My wife has known that I always wanted to move out here.

But once she saw the opportunities that existed for my career she knew that's where we'd head for sure.

[simchat_torah]

and we're up in Santa Cruz all the timeI love to go to the aquarium at Monterey. Always a fun trip.

-J

[Tishri1]

Also, this position is quite amazing. I'll be interfacing with CIO's and VP's from extremely large web companies like BestBuy.com, Versign, PetCo, etc. I'll be the point man for these clients to my internal development team where I'll oversee the addition of new features.

Quite an amazing opportunity for my career.

Anyone in California that I could hook up with over the next year while I'll be friendless and spouseless? ;)I'm out here too;) congrats on the Job:hug:

[Talmidah]

I'm out here too;) congrats on the Job:hug:
You are, Tish? Up in Northern CA?

[simchat_torah]

Hey Tishri, where ya located?

[Henaynei]

:clap: a warm and heartflet Mazel Tov Yafet! B"H:thumbsup:

b'Shalom
Henaynei

[ChavaK]

We should get together and have Muffler come down from OR for shabbat or something sometime.


Hey, what about me????????:(

[ChavaK]

Mazel tov on the job!

[simchat_torah]

ChavaK, where are you located?

[insaneinthebrain]

Be honest, you finally took that job with Jews for Jesus, didn't you? :D

[visionary]

Be honest, you finally took that job with Jews for Jesus, didn't you? :D:D too funny...:swoon:

[simchat_torah]

I'm getting nervous... I move in 3 days.

No apartment (I'll be in a hotel).
No TV (I'm not addicted to tv by any means, but I won't know anyone here).
No Money (until I get my first paycheck in a few weeks).
No wife... :( :( :( :( for 9-10 months. :(
No friends.


Yikes!

But I keep telling myself... this is a good move!

Bah, give me a month and I'll be all good. I'll have money, will probably have friends, will have an apartment, etc.
but still no wife.

[simchat_torah]

Be honest, you finally took that job with Jews for Jesus, didn't you? :DLOL.

Actually, a friend of mine turned down a job there. He has since converted to Anglican. hehe

[HadassahSukkot]

Simchat, I just realized that I hadn't told you "Mazel Tov" yet.

Somehow I thought I already did, but I realized I hadn't... (I think that 'sometimers' has begun kicking up again... :P:))

You will do well, or I don't think you would have gotten a job that was so obviously tailored to you. :)

[visionary]

Hey, we are your friends and family... hang in there.. there is always something to talk about here.

[ChavaK]

I'm getting nervous... I move in 3 days.

No apartment (I'll be in a hotel).
No TV (I'm not addicted to tv by any means, but I won't know anyone here).
No Money (until I get my first paycheck in a few weeks).
No wife... for 9-10 months. :(
No friends.


Yikes!

But I keep telling myself... this is a good move!

Bah, give me a month and I'll be all good. I'll have money, will probably have friends, will have an apartment, etc.
but still no wife.


Hey, just go hook up with the Jewish community
and your problems will be resolved:) -except
for the wifeless part..:(

[Kalanit]

That's an amazing story! I don't think I could go that long without my spouse... but maybe G-d will work something out for you in that area too.

My husband's family is from CA - Hollywood and now his aunt Goldie is in San Fransisco. I've never been. I hear it is nice.
Mazel Tov!

[ChazakEmunah]

Mazel Tov on the job Yafet! Chava's suggestion is a great one. Be sure and hook up with the local Jewish community once you get there and I'm sure it won't be so bad.

[simchat_torah]

I've heard that San Fran has a great Jewish Community Center... with a pool!!!! ;)

[Henaynei]

we may not be as good as chopped liver but we still are glad your are here Yafet and can mitigate your separation anxiety a tiny bit .... at least you can vent to us :)

b'Shalom
Henaynei

[simchat_torah]

But of course ma'lady ;)

[simchat_torah]

I leave early tomorrow morning for San Fran. This means I may or may not be online for a few days... or possibly longer?

-Yafet

[simchat_torah]

Well, I'm sittin in my new office and it is gorgeous! I took a stroll down the oceanfront for lunch, stopped and had a delicious gelato.

The company has given me a laptop I can take home (well, "home" is a hotel room right now). So I can be contacted if need be.

So far I'm having a blast. Beautiful weather, great sights, and loads of culture.

lovin it...

[simchat_torah]

Today was a bit of a sad day for me. It was our 8 year anniversary, but no wife to celebrate it with.

:(

[debi b]

I guess that means you have tons of time to sniff out trolls ^_^

Now get off the computer and go call your wife!

Happy anniversary!

[GerTzedek]

Today was a bit of a sad day for me. It was our 8 year anniversary, but no wife to celebrate it with.

:(Now this was a heartbreaker post. I'm so sorry.:sigh:

[Cheriann]

Congrats on you job and your anniversary. I'm sorry you couldn't be together.
Cheriann

[simchat_torah]

Yes, we had a nice long talk on the phone, but all I wanted was for her to be out here with me. I think I'll be able to see her in about a month.

*sigh*

[simchat_torah]

Heh, I'm still living out of a hotel room. It is a very quaint place, cute indeed. But this weekend I will finally start the great apartment hunt! Crazy thing is, I'll have to move yet again next summer when the wife gets here. 3 moves in a year, yuck.

[Henaynei]

I hope you find some good council on where to look for your apartment!

b'Shalom
Henaynei

[simchat_torah]

I had a nice synagogue picked out to visit for tonight. However, it seems that there was another synagogue with the same name in Pensylvania. I guess I was looking at their website and it said services were at 8pm. Well, anyway, I just realized I was looking at the wrong website and found the right website for the congregation I wanted to visit.

Turns out services started at 6pm.



It is now 6:42 pm. :(



*sigh* No friday night shabbat for me. I guess there's always next week. No candles to light in my hotel room, or challah, or kiddush... bah humbug.

[simchat_torah]

haha, and I just finished ironing my pants... ready for services... bleh... not sure what i'll do now.

*sigh*

[Cheriann]

haha, and I just finished ironing my pants... ready for services... bleh... not sure what i'll do now.

*sigh*

:cry: :sigh:
:hug: :hug:

[FrenchAffair]

Besides the weather, a beautiful city. The hill are a bit unnerving the first few times you drive, but make sure your break work and should set at ease.

[simchat_torah]

Looking at the website it says they even had a potluck dinner at 5pm. Its only the second friday of every month, which means I'll have to wait a month for the next one... dang

[FrenchAffair]

What field do you work in? My job can also be considered Project Manager at times.

[simchat_torah]

I'm not sure if I stated this yet, but I am a Project Manager too ;)

Anyway, specifically I work in IT (what other field is there here in San Fran? hehe)

[simchat_torah]

I was at the University of Illinois, before that with video games (I'd like to go back to that field)... but now I'm with a web company that is truly on the cutting edge of "web optimization" (not necessarily analytics).

[FrenchAffair]

“I'm not sure if I stated this yet, but I am a Project Manager too

Anyway, specifically I work in IT (what other field is there here in San Fran? hehe)” -simchat_torah

An excellent field, a lot of money has been put in to develop the IT industry here in UAE, especially Dubai where there are huge office tower being built to attract company from India and China and some Europe/America. Oil will not last forever. I work in the petroleum industry, we are hired by company that own oil rights to take their prospects from dirt to fully operating petroleum production facility. Project manager is a great job, as we get to take projects from the beginning and delegate them though to compleation, so we actually feel like we have accomplished something. Our company does our own construction as well, so it is great to see a site that a year ago when you visited was nothing but blue ocean as far as your eye could see, come back a year later and there is a fully operational production facility there that you developed and worked though every stage of production. Not sure how similar to IT that is, but I feel that the fundementals of our job are the same, though different industry and maybe different products.

[simchat_torah]

The unique thing about project management is that you do the same thing no matter what field you work in. You set milestones, monitor work, watch schedules, etc. Its roughly the same job ;)
Just different technical skills.

[FrenchAffair]

Less travel I would assume as well.

[Henaynei]

Yafet - are you not allowed to light candles in your room?

[simchat_torah]

I didn't bring any with me. I was expecting to see the candle lighting at services and not deal with it while I was in a hotel. Though we usually do it at home and see it at the service too.

[Henaynei]

maybe a good way to start your introduction to getting around town is to go find some for next week ;) ii

b'Shalom
Henaynei

[ContentInHim]

Congratulations, simchat_torah, on the new position, smooth transfer, etc. Sounds perfect! I would call that a divine appointment! :clap:

[HeatherMicaela]

Today was a bit of a sad day for me. It was our 8 year anniversary, but no wife to celebrate it with.

0

:sigh: that would be tough. My 9th Anniversary was the 8th and I was upset that we were flat broke. Praying the time goes quicly till you see each other.

Oh and if you ever venture to the southern part of the State, I can tell you the good places to visit :)

[FrenchAffair]

0

:sigh: that would be tough. My 9th Anniversary was the 8th and I was upset that we were flat broke. Praying the time goes quicly till you see each other.

Oh and if you ever venture to the southern part of the State, I can tell you the good places to visit :)

It is unfortunate that there is still poverty in this world, I will pray that your family is spared of the travesty of economic misfortune.

[simchat_torah]

There are a few ways you can have fun on your anniversary that don't cost money *ahem*
;)

[HeatherMicaela]

There are a few ways you can have fun on your anniversary that don't cost money *ahem*
;)
^_^
Pleading the 5th

[HeatherMicaela]

It is unfortunate that there is still poverty in this world, I will pray that your family is spared of the travesty of economic misfortune.
Thank you.

[simchat_torah]

I just put in my application for an apartment this morning. There was a line of 30 people out the door to view the apartment, so please pray that I am able to get it. The apartment hunting here has been fierce. And I'm tired... and need a place.

This one is by far my favorite, as it should accomadate both my wife and I, yet remain within our budget.

Anyway, any prayers would be appreciated.

-Yafet

[Henaynei]

I just put in my application for an apartment this morning. There was a line of 30 people out the door to view the apartment, so please pray that I am able to get it. The apartment hunting here has been fierce. And I'm tired... and need a place.

This one is by far my favorite, as it should accomadate both my wife and I, yet remain within our budget.

Anyway, any prayers would be appreciated.

-YafetBS"D :)

[simchat_torah]

Sorry for the late update:

Just a note to everyone...
I ended up getting turned down for the apartment that I originally put in for. In fact, I was turned down for about a dozen. But the craziest thing happened. The apartment I loved the most is the one that ended up coming through for me! So now I live in a gorgeous building 1 block from the beach and half a block from the Presido (http://www.nps.gov/prsf/). The apartment is only 1 bedroom, but its like 1,200 sq. feet! Its gigantic. It even has a formal dining room with a chandalier!

Anyway, I just wanted to share the good news that I ended up in a great place to live.. Now to just bring my wife out ;)

Oh, also my new synagogue is pretty close too!


As a side note: Lucas Arts (a video game company founded by George Lucas) is located 5 blocks from my apartment... and I'm currently in talks with them about a new job!?!?!!! Crazy.

anyway, I'll keep everyone posted.

peace!
-J

[visionary]

May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you and lead you in His path of Righteouness.