First of all, it’s good to be back writing on this blog… After ten days of straight photos, my fingertips are stoked to be back on the keys.

I have big news.

***(drumroll please)***

I’m featured on another blog tomorrow! The wonderful Amy of Midtown Girl, a blog about life in NYC has this little series going on. It’s called “Single in My City.” She asked me a bunch of questions about being single in the city and what the dating scene in San Francisco is like. Be sure to check it out tomorrow!

So, this little interview got me thinking.

I’ve been in this city for a little over three months (I know! I can’t believe it!). I’m over the honeymoon stage. Yes, I still get excited when I think about where I am and how I got here. It’s still crazy to me how everything fell into place. But, reality has settled in a bit. This is my life. I wake up, go to work, come home, make dinner, go to bed, wake up and do it all over again. The weekends are still full of randomness and new experiences (and I’m sure they will be for a long time). Nonetheless, I’m through with the initial excitement and adrenaline rush of being out here.

As most of you know, I moved out here and knew no one. Not a single soul. This has truly been an adventure. And I’ve loved it and hated it at the same time.

Once the thrill of just being here wore off, I began to feel homesick. Not for the places, the food, or my actual house, but the people. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss everyone I knew back in Colorado. BUT, (and that’s a big but) I’ve met some really great people over the past few months.

It’s hard to start over – to meet people, put yourself out there and try and develop friendships from scratch. But what I’ve learned is that it takes time. Anyone who knows me knows that patience is not my strongest suit, but I’m learning and actively trying. I now have girls that I go out with, go to dinner with, drink with, have movie nights with, and that group is slowly growing. I have been dating and met some really great guys. I am spreading my social wings, and trying to wait patiently for them to take flight.

I have days where I feel like I am the only person in San Francisco. Days where I feel like I still know no one. Days when all I want to do is go back to Colorado (just to visit, don’t worry). But, it’s during those days that I push myself to remember that I am not alone out here. Regardless of the fact that my best friend is miles and miles away, my parents are just as far, my whole group of friends is back in Colorado (some scattered across the country), they are still here. With me. We’re still keeping in touch. We’re still up to date on each other’s lives. We’re still just as close as we always were.

And I am so excited for my new friendships to grow!

So, I might be “Single in My City,” but I am certainly not alone. I need to remember that. Always.

Be sure to check out my interview with Midtown Girl!

Other places I’ve been featured this week:

KaciJohanna

Hyperboleandahalf

So, I went on a date last night. I haven’t been on a real date in quite some time. You know, a real date – like when the guy actually puts some effort into planning some kind of outing for just the two of you. I know, seems outlandish, right?

It appears as if chivalry is a dying breed – that women don’t “need” polite men. However, a few manners never hurt anyone.

I met this guy at my work. We talked for a while and ended up exchanging phone numbers. He’s been keeping in touch with me for the past couple weeks and he took me out last night. He asked me what my favorite foods were and was worried that the place he picked for Greek food wasn’t going to be “fancy” enough. He showed genuine interest in making me happy. He opened the car door, doors to the restaurant and doors to Blockbuster. He paid for everything, held a great conversation and wasn’t uncomfortable at all throughout the night. We rented two movies (in case one was bad) and cuddled on the couch. We kissed at the end of the night, he never pushed for anything more. Then he drove home.

He was a perfect gentleman. And I loved every second of it.

It felt great being treated that way – kind of refreshing.

Why? You ask. I honestly don’t remember the last time someone was so polite and respectful to me. It’s disappointing. It seems like most guys are on the same track and either were never taught chivalrous behaviors or chose not to care enough to practice them. But, I can’t entirely blame the male gender.

It’s the woman’s fault not to hold men to the standards necessary to uphold the courtesy we deserve. Women are disrespected because we ask for nothing more. We don’t expect anything therefore we don’t get anything. We are taught now, to declare ourselves equal to men in all regards and we, therefore, are in no need of special treatment. Of course, I agree with this equality. However, women need to realize that chivalry shouldn’t be deemed condescending, instead, it’s a way of showing respect and affection.

I found, after this date, that if you hold someone to certain chivalrous standards, if they truly care, they will rise to these expectations.

And you can finally be treated the way you deserve.

Now, that’s refreshing.

What does it mean to be chivalrous?