Life is too short to not pursue your passions. From coffee brewing to crafting, tennis to dancing, we believe in making time for the things that bring us joy and help us grow. Here's what keeps us busy and fulfilled outside of work.
James's Passions
☕ Coffee Brewing
Level: Advanced
Perfecting the art of pour-over coffee, one brew at a time
From experimenting with different grind sizes to timing the perfect bloom, coffee brewing has become both a daily ritual and a passionate hobby. Currently exploring single-origin beans and refining my pour-over technique with a glass cone setup.
- Glass cone pour-over
- Burr grinder
- Gooseneck kettle
- Digital scale
Favorite Beans: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
🎾 Tennis
Level: Intermediate (3.5 USTA)
Playing competitively at 3.5 level and always improving
Tennis provides the perfect combination of physical challenge, mental strategy, and social connection. Regular matches and tournament play keep me sharp and constantly improving. There's nothing quite like a well-executed passing shot or a perfect serve.
- 3.5 USTA rating
- Local tournament participant
- Improving backhand consistency
Training Schedule: 3-4 times per week, mixture of practice and matches
⛵ Kiteboarding & Sailing
Level: Experienced
Harnessing the wind and waves of San Diego
Living in San Diego means having access to some of the best wind and water conditions in the world. Whether it's flying across the bay on a kiteboard or the peaceful rhythm of sailing, being out on the water is where I feel most alive. The combination of technical skill, environmental awareness, and pure exhilaration never gets old.
- Mission Bay for kiteboarding
- San Diego Bay for sailing
- La Jolla Shores for both
💻 Technology & Building
Level: Expert
Creating tools and solutions that make a difference
Beyond my day job, I love building tools that solve real problems. My latest project, CxPlots, automates building energy audits using AI and data analysis. There's something deeply satisfying about taking a complex problem and building an elegant solution that helps people work more efficiently.
- CxPlots - Building Energy Audit Tool
- Personal automation scripts
- Home smart system optimization
Namibia's Passions
💻 Software Development
Level: Professional
Building elegant and impactful software solutions
As a software engineer, Namibia is passionate about using technology to build products that are both beautiful and functional. She enjoys the process of turning a complex problem into a clean, user-friendly application. Her work is a blend of logical problem-solving and creative design, allowing her to bridge her technical and artistic skills.
- Full-Stack Web Development
- User Interface Design
- API Integration
🎨 Arts & Crafts
Level: Skilled Artisan
Creating beauty through handmade treasures
There's magic in creating something beautiful with your own hands. From intricate jewelry designs to home decor pieces, each project is an opportunity to express creativity and make something unique. The process is meditative, and the results bring joy to both the maker and the recipient.
- Jewelry making
- Home decor
- Mixed media art
- Upcycled creations
Current Project: Nursery art and decorations for baby
💃 Salsa Dancing
Level: Advanced
Moving to the rhythm with passion and grace
Salsa dancing is pure joy in motion. The music, the movement, the connection with your partner - it's all about being present in the moment and letting the rhythm guide you. Whether it's a social dance night or practicing new moves, every dance is a celebration.
- Cuban Salsa
- LA Style
- Bachata
Dance Schedule: Weekly social dancing
📚 Reading & Literature
Level: Voracious Reader
Exploring infinite worlds through the written word
Books are portals to infinite worlds, ideas, and perspectives. From literary fiction to spiritual texts, philosophy to poetry, reading is how I grow, learn, and find inspiration. There's nothing quite like getting lost in a great book.
- Literary fiction
- Spiritual and philosophical texts
- Poetry
- Memoirs and biographies
Currently: Always multiple books at once!
🧘♀️ Spirituality & Mindfulness
Level: Dedicated Practitioner
Deepening connection and understanding
Spiritual exploration is a journey of continuous growth and discovery. Through meditation, mindfulness practices, and studying various wisdom traditions, I seek to deepen my understanding of life, connection, and purpose. It's about finding peace within and radiating that out into the world.
- Daily meditation
- Mindfulness practices
- Yoga
- Nature connection
Things We Love Doing Together
Home Projects
Making our space uniquely ours
- Nursery preparation and decoration
- Garden revitalization
- Home organization systems
Cooking & Food Adventures
Exploring flavors and cuisines together
- Weekend breakfast traditions
- Trying new restaurants
- Experimental cooking nights
Beach Time with Dax
Our favorite family activity
- Sunset walks
- Beach fetch sessions
- Picnics and relaxation
- Dog Beach in Ocean Beach
- Fiesta Island
- Coronado Beach
By the Numbers
15
Hours/Week
James dedicates to hobbies
12
Hours/Week
Namibia dedicates to hobbies
8
Hours/Week
Quality time together
Newest Hobby: Baby preparation activities!
Why Hobbies Matter
In our busy lives, it would be easy to let hobbies fall by the wayside. But we've learned that pursuing our passions isn't just about having fun (though that's important!)—it's about personal growth, stress relief, skill development, and maintaining a sense of identity beyond our work and family roles. Whether it's the meditative focus of coffee brewing, the physical challenge of tennis, the creative expression of crafting, or the spiritual depth of mindfulness practices, our hobbies make us better, more fulfilled people.
Plus, they give us amazing things to share with each other and with our future child. We can't wait to introduce them to all the things we love!
See Our Hobbies in Action
Check out our photo gallery for pictures of our adventures, or read our blog for detailed stories about our hobby projects and experiences.