Water Wings

For the 5% of you who are still checking this, you might be wondering why it's been more than a week since my last postcard.  The answer is because I've been swimming.  Not literally of course, it's WAY to cold in the north for that.  And actually, I should say I've been attempting to swim.  That would be more accurate.  This is all in reference to work, which I hesitate to bore you with/ mention again because back to back posts about where I spend (way more than) one third of my day makes it seem like I have nothing else going on.  That is simply not at all true.  Life here has been quite full the last few weeks.  However, updating you on those activities will have to wait.  For now, let me tell you about (trying) to swim.
During LivingSocial training in D.C. I felt like we (the newbies) were given water wings and tossed into the middle of the ocean.  Semi-prepared, but keeping your head above water was a total learn by doing experience.  My first few weeks in Seattle the water wings slowly began to deflate as I was assigned a new market (or region) every week(ish).  Definitely more difficult to stay above water, but still manageable.  Over the last two weeks, all the remaining air evaporated from inside my water wings and somehow scuba-diving weights have taken there place.  So as you can imagine, I'm sinking a bit.  Which I why you haven't seen anything new from me. I'm getting well acquainted with the ocean that is work at LivingSocial.  The good news is that 1) I'm not alone in my sinking, other new people are too, 2) it's still really fun, and 3) a rescue boat in the from of this weekend is visible in the distance.  I'm really looking forward to the break and chance to catch my breath before diving back in on Monday.  My theory is the longer I tread water with weights, the better I'll become and soon enough I'll be able to add more.  Hopefully that hypothesis turns out to be true.
So since I obviously don't have a real "postcard" of me in the middle of the ocean with deflated water wings and scuba weights, this stock image will have to suffice.  I promise my next update won't be about work and will be a true postcard(s) from me.

One Month

When I logged onto my computer at work this morning, the third email down looked like this:

Not a bad way to start my day, right? :)  To say the last month of working for LivingSocial has been good would be like saying dark chocolate is just OK – both are incredibly understated.  From the supportive, 12-person production team I’m apart of, to 4 o-clock fever when a majority of the office breaks out in song to Justin Bieber's hit "Baby", to our constantly snack-stocked kitchen, and Spirit Week contests complete with prizes -- I have more than enjoyed the last month of work.  It’s such a blessing to not only have a job, but have one that (so far) I love.  So in celebration of my anniversary as a LivingSocialite (and for anyone who’s been asking), here are some pictures of where I spend a huge portion of my day.  Enjoy!

The Production corner -  I sit in the second row
(looking out toward the rest of the office)

If you did a 180 from the above picture you'd see this

Our break/ play room

Pretty self explanatory - this is the kitchen

Apple Squeeze

Last weekend I made the 50 mile trek down to Steilacoom to enjoy the annual Apple Squeeze with Shelly and Matt (my sister and brother-in-law for anyone who may not know).  When Shelly first told me about the event I though, “what in the world is an Apple Squeeze?”  So if that’s what is going through your mind as you read, allow me to ease your wonderings.  An apple squeeze is when you squeeze the juice out of apples.  I know, super creative title.  I was almost annoyed it was so self explanatory.  Anyway, here’s a little back ground…

Steilacoom is an adorable little town a few miles south of Tacoma which finds its claim to fame as the “first incorporated town in Washington”.    There is one main downtown strip complete with a regal yet dainty Town Hall, quaint two seater barber shop, drug & hardware store turned café/ coffee house (that serves Sunday afternoon tea), and community park overlooking the Sound (aka water).  For those of you who are familiar with Gilmore Girls, it’s Stars Hallow’s twin sister.  (For those of you who aren’t, you’re missing out).  Upon arrival I learned the Apple Squeeze is a much anticipated town-wide festival.  They block off main street, set up booths selling an assortment of trinkets and goodies (most of which have something to do with apples), and serve apple pie, apple fritters, and apple cider inside Town Hall.  It would have been Johnny Appleseed’s paradise.  And the main attraction is of course the actual squeezing of apples.

For $6.75 experience seekers buy a sterilized one gallon plastic container, are assigned to a station and patiently await their turn to toss whole apples into the mouth of a man powered grinder.  The apple remains then fall into a holey bucket below and once filled, the bucket slides forward and a manual crank is used to press the flatten grinds, thus squeezing all the juice out of the ground apples.  The seeds and rinds are filtered out using a simple strainer and the pure apple juice is funneled into the overpriced container.  Just to clarify, when I say “man powered” and “manual” I mean do-it-yourself, not that someone is there doing it for you.  Which I think makes it all the more fun! (See video)  Overall, the squeezing process (including the machines) is something I’d expect to see in Williamsburg because it’s all so old-school colonial.  And the apple juice...holy cow… SO delicious!  Almost too sweet to drink before diluting with a little water…almost.  Or toss in a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg while on the stove and you get an unbelievably scrumptious cider.  If you ever have the opportunity to enjoy the quaint community feel of a small town apple squeeze, I highly recommend buying more than one gallon.  Mine is almost gone :)

In case you're like me and understand better with visuals :)