Olympics

I love the Olympics!! And what better way to start off a world wide competition than with my previously mentioned favorite Mexican food.  Go Team USA!!

Tuesday

Last Tuesday I ventured up to Roche Harbor for a friends wedding.  One of many harbors on the San Juan Islands, Roche is tucked away on the most western tip.  Getting there takes 3 hours, including a scenic ferry ride.  Everything about the area, and Roche Harbor specifically, is perfectly picturesque.  Although if I was a local, I'd definitely own a float plane and know how to fly it.  I think I'd feel a little trapped by the journey of getting there.  Regardless, for a two-day mid-week escape it was an ideal adventure.  Here's a few postcards that don't do it justice so I recommend making the trek in person.

Photo from the ferry

Road that leads to the Harbor, a.k.a resort

Focal point of the town

The Harbor at sunset

The beautiful bride

Canada in the distance

Mexican

Here in the Pacific Northwest, good Mexican food is rare.  Which is unfortunate because it happens to be my favorite genre of food.  I learned this the hard way after trying a local spot thinking the reviews on Yelp had to contain at least a little truth.  The real truth is that generally speaking, folks from Washington don't know what good Mexican food tastes like.  So of course they'd think the second rate stand in is great.  I was disappointed.  And not to be dramatic, but do remember thinking "I guess I'd just go without until my next trip home to CA".  That was until my roommate and I discovered a hole in the wall gem.  Actually, it's on wheels so I don't know if it technically qualifies as "hole in the wall", but you know what I mean.  El Camion, which means 'the truck', is aptly named as it's your classic taco truck (permanently) situated in the Home Depot parking lot a few miles north.  I don't usually go for spicy options or pork as my first choice, but their spicy pork burrito is pretty dynamite.  Fish tacos are a close second.  As one would expect from this type of dining experience, their seating is outdoor and not the best so we usually take our bags of deliciousness to go in search of an ambiance to more fitting for our flavorful meal.

Soccer

As you know from my previous post, Monday nights I play on a co-ed soccer team with my colleagues from LivingSocial.  Last Monday was the end of our second season (they are quarterly) and after 10 hard fought games, we came out as the Champions of our division.  Winning is much more fun than losing, which is what happened most of our first season.  Yay for improvement, exercise and being number one!

Sunsets

When change happens in someone’s life, a common question for family and friends to ask is “how are things?”  This is most definitely true of my move to WA.  And since part of my change involves a different climate, the second question that follows is almost always about the weather or rain or cold, and how terrible it must be to live in the gloom ever day.  To which I respond, “it’s really not that bad”.  Honestly, it’s not.  I’ll let those of you who aren’t familiar with the Pacific Northwest in on a little secret… it really doesn’t rain here as much as you’d think.  It’s more of a light mist.  What I call “California rain” (aka actual rain drops) doesn’t happen all that frequently.  However, the lack of real rain doesn’t mean there is a lack of cloud cover.  It’s cloudy a lot. Something I hadn’t taken into consideration is how constant grayness during the day also equates to lack of color during sunset.  As a result, I have a new found appreciation for the magical way a setting sun makes everything glow.  It’s genuinely exciting.  A couple weeks ago we had several days of sunshine and yes, amazingly vibrant sunsets.  This is one of them overlooking Greenlake…

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

Ramblings

Most of the time I don’t usually talk just to talk.  If I have something to say I’ll share it, but I’m not one of those girls who has a word quota to meet each day.  Basically I don’t do much rambling.  Thankfully, I’m not a politician so rambling isn’t a necessary skill I need to develop.  Although I am finding my lack of the skill makes consistent blogging more difficult.  I’m also learning my posts are sporadic because, like conversation, I prefer them to have a purpose.  Since most of my days are filled with routine activities, the “postcards” I could share with you are what I’d consider “word count ramblings” just to meet the proverbial quota.  I say all of this as justification for my absence over the previous month as well as a warning/ explanation in case I disappear again for another 30+ days.

Speaking of 30 days, the month of April has exactly that.  Here are a few highlights in reverse chronological order, starting with last weekend...

According to locals, last weekend was a glimpse into what Seattle summers will be like.  In short, I’m excited!  Although a few of my previous postcards have been about the weather, a topic some may argue is the ultimate form of rambling, be prepared for more once the sun decides it would like to stay and play longer than 48 hours.  Anyway, since baseball and sunshine go together like peanut butter and chocolate, Shelly and I made a last minute decision to go to the Mariner’s game on Saturday which turned out to be a complete win.  Free tickets made for quality time together, soaking in much needed vitamin D while enjoying sunflower seeds and watching White Sox pitcher Philip Humber throw the 21^st Perfect Game in MLB history.  It was an all around perfect day.  

Sunday after church I ventured out to Green Lake with sandwich in hand for an afternoon of alone time and reading.  Although I may have been there by myself, I was definitely not the only person taking advantage of the sunny day.  It was packed! (The accompanying postcard makes the park look tranquil. It wasn't.)  My attempts to find a patch of grass semi secluded for quiet reading, yet optimally placed for sun exposure semi-failed and I ended up people watching/ listening instead.  Always an entertaining way to pass time.  The weekend was capped off with a BBQ at a friend’s house nearby.  If those two days were a look into the upcoming months, this is going to be a gloriously wonderful summer.

Back in February (and relevant to this entry because it still applies in April,) I started going to a Thursday night Bible Study at Bethany for young professional women.  Having been to groups like this in the past at other churches I was skeptical (so much so that I skipped the first two weeks because I thought it would be like all the rest and didn’t want to intentionally suffer.  I know, terrible attitude).  Once I finally got over myself and simply showed up, I was met with the blessing of intellectual study, thought provoking questions, great discussion, and new friendships.  I now look forward to our time together every Thursday as the lovely ladies in my small group have become a part of my developing community.  The Lord’s sense of humor and complete provision never ceases to amaze/ entertain me.

At the beginning of April I made a quick trip home for my Mom’s birthday.  My gift to her was me, which I realize was already a gift given by God twenty-something years ago, so I’ll just say I re-gifted myself.  We spent two full days at the cabin and enjoyed every moment.  I know most people probably refer to Disneyland as the happiest place on earth, but that’s because they haven’t been to the cabin.  It’s my happy place.  It’s also my mom’s happy place and being there to together makes it the happiest.  Great conversation also makes me happy and I am so thankful to have established relationships with my parents that allow meaningful conversation to flow easily.  With one remaining day in CA I was fortunate enough to spend it with wonderful friends from past seasons of life whom I love and don’t regularly see now that I’ve relocated 400 miles north.  The trip as a whole was good for the heart.  In fact, coming back to Seattle after such a great time with my parents and reconnection with friends was more difficult than expected.  I was sad the time had to come to an end and wished in some way I could bring my two worlds together in one place.  How great it is to know that one day they will be?!

p.s. I know I said I wasn’t going to post about recipes I'm making, so I’m not.  However, these protein/ power balls are particularly amazing and I feel compelled to share a picture of them with you.  They may look like a mound of you know what, but they taste light years better!