Turning 40 has come with a lot of reflection—and a few things that feel like quiet rites of passage. One of them? My first mammogram. In Utah, unless you have a family history of breast cancer, you can’t get one until you’re 40. Honestly, it’s ridiculous. Preventive care should be the standard, not a privilege. Still, I went in, did the whole awkward gown and cold plate routine, and walked out feeling like I’d stepped into a new chapter of adulthood. It wasn’t glamorous, but it felt empowering to put my health first.
Earlier that week, Jared and I had a lovely night out. We had dinner—Chinese dumplings, because is there anything better?—and then headed to the Eccles Theater to see Life of Pi. It was mesmerizing. One of those shows that grabs you gently and doesn’t let go. The performances, the music, the emotion—it all landed perfectly. I’ve been recommending it to everyone since.
Then, just days later, the world stopped. On April 8th, tragedy hit Santo Domingo. The iconic Jet Set nightclub collapsed, killing over 200 people. It’s hard to explain what Jet Set meant to our culture—it wasn’t just a nightclub, it was a symbol. A place where music, memories, and community lived. To see it fall so suddenly and so violently was beyond heartbreaking. The magnitude of the loss is hard to process. My heart is with every single family affected. It didn’t feel real—and in many ways, it still doesn’t. Back at home, I’ve taken on my usual role as resident skincare enforcer. I basically forced Mario to get a facial. Teenagers and problem skin—it’s a whole thing. I swear he has skin blindness. He doesn’t see what I see, but that’s fine, because I do. And I’m here, with my serums and sheet masks and gentle nudges (okay, sometimes not-so-gentle), to help him get that glow. He may not appreciate it now, but one day, he’ll thank me. Or at least… he’ll have amazing skin.
San Francisco
We went to San Francisco for a work trip to celebrate Y Combinator’s 20th anniversary—a major milestone for the startup world. The event felt like the Oscars, but for investors and tech founders. Everyone was dressed up, the energy was electric, and it was clear this wasn’t just any gathering. Even our Uber driver was hyped; he recognized people just by seeing them walk by and kept pointing out big names like it was a red carpet.
Honestly, I was excited but also kind of lost—so many important people in one room, and I didn’t know who half of them were until someone whispered it to me. The founders of Reddit, Airbnb, and a bunch of other companies that have totally changed how we live were just… there. Casual. Mingling. It was intimidating and surreal, like being dropped into a live tech documentary. But the best part? Being the plus-one. There’s something so fun about getting dressed up for an event you’re not working, just soaking in the atmosphere, sipping mocktails, and people-watching while wearing a cute dress. I might not have founded a billion-dollar company, but I definitely brought my A-game in style.
Oren’s Hummus is one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. When we lived in Palo Alto, we would go or order food from here twice a week.
