Being Magellan

The last few weeks have been filled with exploration, which I simply define as experiencing something new. This could be as grand as traversing a new country or as easy as trying a hole-in-the-wall restaurant around the corner. Whatever it is, the discovery just has to be a first.

Having out of town friends visit is always a good reason for exploring. A couple weeks ago my fellow adventure seeking roommate, Chelsey, and her friend Jenny invited me to join their ice cave journey. Turns out, there is a place called Big Four Ice Caves just over an hour outside Seattle. Having been to Alaska and seen the mammothness of glaciers, I'm going to take the liberty of calling these so called "caves", mini glaciers with tunnels. In typical Seattle fashion it rained for 90% of our trip, but the discovery was so worth a few water drops. Here are a few postcards:

Some perspective... I'm standing at the mouth of
the middle cave entry (see picture above)

 

 

Another recent discovery is a new coffee shop in the heart of Pikes Place Market called Storyville Coffee. They've been around for a few years on Bainbride Island focusing on roasting delicious coffee beans, and decided to share the wealth of coffee goodness with the general public by opening a retail location. For anyone fortunate enough to have learned of their coolness in September, Storyville treated to complimentary pastries and coffee as a soft opening, word of mouth marketing strategy. It totally worked on me. Great location, awesome logo, welcoming ambiance, rich coffee, and I'd argue the best cinnamon roll I've ever had (and I've eaten my fair share of cinnamon rolls), I'd recommend visitors and locals alike check out Storyville for your next cup of java.

 

One Year

Today marks one year at LivingSocial.  Similar to my one month anniversary, I received a new badge – this time for one year - via email with a note basically saying ‘congratulations, thanks for contributing to the company success, we’re looking forward to more years ahead’.  Also in the email was a link to order my very own LivingSocial backpack.  They’re way better than a clip art badge, impressively fancy, and somewhat like a right of passage within the company.  Plus it’s free swag so naturally I’m pretty excited about it :)  I’m always surprised by how quickly time passes and feel incredibly blessed to still be enjoying my work, as well as the people with whom I spend 40-50 hours a week.

   Since I’m talking about work, here’s a quick update.  To better leverage internal resources, the LivingSocial Operations team did some restructuring last month.  I was asked to join the newly formed “Entertainment Team” based on my previous employment background and current performance.  My work is essentially the same except now it’s for the fun Adventure deals and newly created Live Events we run on the site, instead of regionally based dentist office or beauty salon deals.  I’m really excited about the transition into a new challenge and opportunity, which probably adds to the reason why I still enjoy the job.  Also work related yet on a completely different note, today our LivingSocial softball team brought home its first league championship (for softball, we already have one for soccer)!  Needless to say, work is going well.

   The one year marker of my move to Seattle passed while cruising home from Alaska, which gave me plenty of time for reflection.  When I think back over the last 12 months it’s difficult to be anything but thankful.  A few days ago I reread my first journal entry after relocating up north.  It ended with this thought:

The most amazing part of those words is that they’re all still true.  I feel the same overwhelming gratitude on day 366 in Seattle as I did on day 1.  While that thankfulness might not have been present everyday due to moments of feeling lonely, frustrated, disconnected, etc., the contentment that comes from a grateful heart has been the dominate theme through my year.  Despite my past 12 months of smooth sailing, not everyone around me has had the same experience.  As a result, I’m also highly aware that the tides will inevitably change at some point.  I simply hope and pray that when I do encounter rougher waters my attitude would still be one of gratitude for the abundant blessings that fill everyday. 

Seattle-Do

I am a list maker.  I make to-do lists, pro/ con lists, life lists, shopping lists, and the list of lists goes on.  Often times I include items on the list I've already accomplished simply for the satisfaction of getting to cross it off.  Yes, I'm that girl.  As you might imagine, living in a new city requires a new list.  I call it my "Seattle-Do" list.  Some of the items have been done, some of them were done then added to be crossed off, and some (actually most) have yet to be accomplished.  So in the spirit of accountability and collaboration I'm posting the list.  Feel free to check in on my progress and/ or make suggestions for items that should be included.

• Hike Mt. Si to top of Hay stack
• Go to Columbia Tower Starbucks
• Fly in float plane
• See troll under bridge in Fremont
• Buy flowers from Pikes Place
• Go on Seattle underground tour
• Visit Theo Chocolate factory
• Run a Seattle race
• UW tailgate in a boat
• Go to a Seahawks game
• Go to a Sounders game
• Hike Discovery Park
• Visit Kerry Park
• Bonfire on Alki Beach & Golden Gardens
• Visit Snoqualmie Falls (and Salish Lodge)
• Wine tasting in Woodinville - (which can totally be done again!)
• Have a bonfire at Golden Gardens
• Go on a tour of Starbucks HQ’s
• Visit the Woodland Park Zoo
• Hike Mt. Rainier
• Go to Red Hook brewery 
• See a concert at the Gorge
• Become a regular at a local coffee shop (on it’s way to being crossed off)
• Kayak, canoe, and/or paddleboard on Lake Washington
• ...

My attempt the typical "tourist" shot of Seattle from Kerry Park

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.