Firsts

Whenever I experience new environments or big changes in life I almost always record my first impressions.  The move to Seattle is no exception.  Most of the time, my “firsts” – whether observations, experiences, thoughts, etc -  are just for me to look back on in five years and laugh at how different the outcome was from my initial feelings.  However, I also like to paint a complete picture which includes general first impressions of the area as a whole.  Besides being abundantly green, here are some of those other “brush strokes” that make up my new environment:

1) Whoever started the roadway infrastructure of this city really should have worked with someone more creative.  Every street name is a number.  OK, maybe not every street, but close to it.  I have yet to figure out any rhyme or reason to the numbering system except that when the street numbers get to big (i.e. 165^th St.), they just start over at one.  Oh, and if that wasn’t difficult enough, the brilliant mind behind street numbers also tossed in directional reference (i.e. North or South) for clarification…or confusion.  So if you’re looking for directions and accidentally forget the “NE” portion of 813 NE 80^th St., leave early because you’re going to get lost.

2) Speaking of driving, Washingtonians drive so s…l…o…w…l…y.  Seriously, it’s like they don’t actually want to get to where they’re going.  I’m sure many would say I’m just an overly aggressive CA driver who needs to relax and enjoy the ride.  To which I would respond, I’m actually an offensively defensive driver (it makes sense, just give it a second or two), constantly aware of my surrounding, and would be happy to relax once I’ve arrived at point B.  Maybe the Lord is trying to teach me patience.  I wonder if there is a short cut to learn the lesson? ;)

 3) Coffee is everywhere.  This is common knowledge, I know.  I’m not talking about just any coffee, I’m referring to drive thru (mom & pop) coffee stands/stops on the out-skirts of parking lots in the suburbs.  I still have yet to see a car actually driving through one.  I’m thinking that’s due to the “good” weather we’ve been having which likely motivates caffeine cravers alike to get out of the car and walk into a Starbucks while they can.

4) Washingtonians don’t use umbrellas.  Tourists use umbrellas.  Then they quickly learn why natives don’t bother.  The wind will ruin your rain-repellant, quick button pop up in one unseen gust.  And no, I didn’t learn this the hard way.  I learned by watching.  It was actually quite comical.  The local alternative is water proof bags and jackets, neither of which I own.  Sounds like I need to go shopping!

The 358 - one of two bus routes I can take to work

5) People who work in the city of Seattle take the bus.  That includes me.  Definitely a first.  Generally speaking, most people living in the state of CA drive to work.  It’s just easier.  In Seattle, driving in the city isn’t easy because busses on city streets are like semi trucks on I-5; they have entitlement complexes and take over.  Also, I learned an incredibly valuable lesson on my first day using public transportation: to ride busses it’s best to have the exact fare.  Actually, it’s imperative.  Otherwise you don’t ride or you over pay because “change” is a bad word and not allowed.  Luckily I was blessed with a gracious driver on day one and he let me ride for free since I hopped on with only a $20 in hand.  Rookie mistake, won’t happen again.

That’s all for now… more postcards to come soon!

Training

Two weeks is a long time to be on the go.  In fact, since I was only in Seattle for about a week and a half before leaving for DC, I kind of feel like I've been on an extended vacation since I moved.  Now that I'm back with a check list of things to do which include getting over jet lag, unpacking, at least two loads of laundry, grocery shopping, and trying to create some kind of order in my life before diving into an unknown daily routine, I'm finally starting to feel like I actually live in Washington.  Despite the length, training went well.  Seeing the "heart" of the Livingsocial machine for my first two weeks provided a really well rounded understanding of how the company works.  And if you know me, I love to know how things work.  Highlights include meeting my boss and east coast based production team, developing a better understanding of what I will be doing on a day to day basis, experiencing the trendy, fun company culture, sightseeing, spending the weekend in NY, and my free vanilla latte every morning.  I'm looking forward to taking the knowledge and skills learned and putting them to practice in the regional markets assigned to me.  I think that starts tomorrow.  In the meantime, here are a few postcards of the trip...

An everyday sight as I walked across the street from the
Livingsocial offices on my way to lunch

Pedi-cabs to transport employees from one office to another
down the road. Who knew "taxi" rides could be so fun.

DC United soccer game complements of Livingsocial

A stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge

Lunch at Grimaldi's with Galen & Carissa -
seriously spectacular pizza & friends!

North By Northwest

(Pretend this was posted on Sept. 13th. Despite being written, lack of internet access made publishing on time difficult)

Duke's Restaurant for Shelly's Birthday, Matt's treat :)

Its been just under two weeks since making my way up north by way of the northwestern coast. The goal of getting into town to celebrate Shelly's birthday was a success and such a fun way to spend my first hours in WA! After being spoiled with a few days of hanging out, playing catch at the park during sunset, enjoying local Steilacoom cuisine, and picking berries to my hearts content with Shelly and Matt, having to move into a new place was exhausting. There is still work to be done, but my roommates are great and the townhome is coming together. I'm looking forward to feeling more settled in time. For now that is all being put on hold as I spend a few weeks on the east coast for training with LivingSocial.

Hindsight into Going Green

Since rolling into the state of WA I have been mesmerized by the greenness of everything.  If my car had an autopilot button I would happily use it so I could stare out the window (instead of at the traffic which I though I’d escaped leaving CA) to watch the passing by of lush forest like, lake filled scenery decorating the side of the freeway. It’s fitting then that people refer to Seattle as the “Emerald City”.  Also fitting is that the specific area I live in is called Green Lake.  So in keeping with the theme of all things green, the title of this blog was born.  My goal is to capture postcard-esque snapshots of adventures, observations, nuances, interesting people, favorite spots and new experiences so you can enjoy the emerald colored journey with me.

In hindsight, the road that brought me to Seattle has had what I’m going to call divine bumpers.  Similar to what a rookie bowler might experience by using bumpers to keep their bowling ball in the lane, over the past year there have been divinely appointed “bumpers” keeping me on the lane to WA.  Looking back now I can totally see why some doors closed along the way leaving me feeling frustrated, stuck, and discouraged.  Now I understand the need and purpose in the waiting period I was so anxious to escape.  Now I’m thankful for time that allowed for the growth and cultivations of treasured friendships.  Now I’m realizing that letting go of what I had despite the uncertainty of what might come next was worth the risk.  And now I’m enjoying the confident excitement of knowing the Lord lead me to Seattle with a plan greater than my own.