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You Stay Classy, San Diego

Those who know me, know that I am a San Diego girl. I was born here, raised here and every time I move away, I always find my way back. San Diego -- it's a part of my being. I live for our sports teams, our culture, our museums, our parks, our beaches and bays, our dive bars, our skyline and the flippin' fantastic weather. 

 

I also live for my job. For nearly two years, I've reported web, tech and social media news for Mashable. Most of you know that I'm pretty passionate about what I do and the space that I report on. I go to bed thinking about potential stories and I wake up eager to get to my computer to catch up on news (even on the weekends). During my time with Mashable, the company has grown from just a handful of full-timers to a team of 30 plus individuals, a lot of whom work out of Mashable's New York office. 

Now, the company is ready to build up its west coast presence with an office in San Francisco. As such, I've made the decision to move to San Francisco and join our team up there -- Pete, Ben, Jolie, Blake and Karen. My goal is to be in San Francisco by October, but that also depends on my ability to find a new place (if you know anyone who can help me out with a deal, let me know!).

As rooted as I am here, my decision to relocate was an easy one to make. I know it's the road I was meant to take. Of course, this means I can't crash at my parents' pad when I'm having a bad day, and that my best-friend-turned-cop will have to keep the bad guys off the streets with only my morale support from afar. I also need to say goodbye to the friends I've made at NBC San Diego. I'll pen a much longer post on my year with the station, but suffice to say, Becky Stickney and Sean Monzet -- the two were instrumental in me becoming a part of the team -- changed my life for the better and instilled in me a new passion for broadcast television. 

Apparently to the outside world, San Diego is synonymous with the movie Anchor Man. As such, almost everyone I encounter professionally can't help themselves from reiterating the now famous Ron Burgundy send off, "You stay classy, San Diego." I hate to break it to all of you, but you are SO not original. And yet, I don't really care. I laugh every time. And now, as I initiate my move up North, I can't help but feel a bit sentimental over the notion that no more will phone interviews, pitches and demos include that famous phrase.

The Padres are also in a pennant race with the San Francisco Giants, which makes my decision and the timing of the move all the more ironic. Rest assured, I will NEVER become a San Francisco Giants fan. EVER. Some things never change -- I'll be a San Diego girl no matter where I end up in life.
You stay classy, San Diego.
Posted over 2 years ago

10 responses

drew olanoff said
:)
Matthew Ray Scott said
Good luck with your move and I know how it is to leave and return to our beloved San Diego. We are so lucky to live, work, and play in San Diego. San Diego helps to shape our culture and we love her for it.
ralph johnston said
i know exactly how u feel i moved to San Diego and fell in love with it but i am a St. Louis guy and that is where my heart is so i moved back there cause there was a job waiting for me and i stayed true to my roots i love the stl i have been every where and have found no other place like it and your path will take to where u want to be at.

if u ever have the chance to come to St Louis let me know ill show u the town

Peggy Gartin said
We will miss you, Jenn! I know what it's like to leave SD and come back - went to NYC when I was 19 and didn't return for 10 years. Sometimes you just have to go out and challenge yourself. SF is a great city. I'll keep following your adventures, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!
Jennifer Van Grove said
Thanks Peggy. One way or another I'll back, even it is just to check in on the SDTweetup. ;)
JenMitch said
Best of luck to you on your new venture. SF is an amazing city. I had the opportunity to work there my first year out of college. The city has so much life and so much culture. I know you will love it.
X Ramirez said
Make sure you go to Burma Superstar & B Star for the bombest food EVER!

PS Congrats and well-wishes

Becky Carroll said
Jenn, many congrats to you on moving up to the place I called home for most of my life. The Bay Area is wonderful, you will love it. But we will all really miss you here. Thank you for all the times we met up to chat about Social Media when no one else really was yet, and thank you for your contributions to my social media class.

Looking forward to staying in touch and watching you do great things! You rock!!

seanmonz said
Jenn so weird I am just seeing this post. Thanks for the shoutout...dont be a stranger.
Jennifer Van Grove said
Ha. You need to setup Google Alerts for your name, Sean. :)