Baby I can see your halo, you know you're my saving grace...

I always seem to get sentimental around my birthday, and this year is no different. Since I graduated from school in December, I've realized how truly lucky I am to be surrounded by a great community. My former teacher Ashley Roi Jenkins told me and my classmates how we'd probably start our careers by working on projects for friends and family, and she was right. Now my friends have begun referring their colleagues and associates and I currently find myself pretty busy with paying work.

On top of that, there are other communities I've discovered. Through ties with my old school, I got a chance to work on my first retail project last month. And through the online community I connected with a new client down the penninsula who's a joy to work with and is helping me grow as a designer. Today I realized how my local community (the Castro) has played a part with shaping my career, too. Omar and other local merchants have been a great resource for unique items, and this morning I got a call from a local contractor who was referred to me by my neighbor across the street. I really look forward to working with this new contact on two upcoming projects (and hopefully well into the future.)

It's through their help--your help--and advice and willingness to work with a newbie like me that my trusty vintage worktable has been piled high with paperwork and sketches for the past month.

Thank you.

I couldn't have wished for a better birthday!