Seattle or Bust!

Happy Holidays!

posted by Ames @ 1:35 PM 0 comments

So here I am. Seattle huh? Can you believe it? Already a month and 1.2 weeks and I feel sort of like this is home now. On one hand I do miss all of my friends, my family, my little town Monterey and other random things like Plume's coffee house, Hula's restaurant and my mom's food. But it's been amazing so far here. People are great and work, Joanne and I have had a blast exploring the city (me for the first time and her again). My parents visited last week and we did so much!

We went to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands - a great little fishing and vacation town where it feels like you are in some tropical fishing village instead of a couple hours north of Seattle.

We did the duck tour which is fun for first-timers that takes you all over the city showing places of history and interest (and you're encouraged to quack at passers-by).

We ate out at great restaurants, went shopping at Target (thanks mom!) too.

Anyway, nothing exciting or remarkable to report here - just living life here in the rainy city (although yesterday I got a sun burn while laying out at a friends' pool because it was like 75 degrees out).

More later!

posted by Ames @ 8:21 PM 2 comments

There is a city called Forks here. Yes that's right, Forks, WA


It's funny the things you notice when you move to a strange new city.


I've discovered that a news anchor I used to pretend to be (Kate will remember) when I was little (because I wanted to be a news anchor and loved her name: Margo Meyers) is actually the host on our local evening news in Seattle!






The weather has been so nice here lately. It's a great time to be in Seattle. They are saying that this month is the dryist since 1994 with only .4" of rain so far in May.

As I've been riding the bus to work each morning, here are some of the things I've seen:
1. A man sitting right next to me meditating with ear plugs in.
2. A woman with plastic garbage bags for a purse.
3. A man yell at the bus driver as he gets off at his stop because of some kid in the back who was speaking loudly on their cell phone.
4. A man wearing no shirt.
5. A doggie van called Suds and the City with the logo like Sex in the City and with doggie faces instead of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte. If I had a dog, you better believe that I would use that service!

Some of the things that I am enjoying about my job:
1. The people are really nice and I swear that there is not anyone under the age of 45 there (not that this is a good or bad thing but I've never experience it!). I'm am actually one of the oldest! J/K.
2. At our Friday staff meetings they serve a buffet snack including beer and wine.
3. They took everyone out on Cinco de Mayo for a two-hour fiesta at a local Mexican restaurant in lieu of a staff meeting.
I am actually starting to do some work and things will be challenging but exciting.
4. They have tv's on the elevators where they play CNN as you ride up and down!


That's all for now!

posted by Ames @ 6:20 PM 2 comments

After a long week of adjusting to my new schedule...

I am finally moved into the new apartment and am almost unpacked. Here are a few photos of my new place (very messy with lots of boxes but gives you an idea of why it was worth the wait). I even have a full sized storage closet that is pretty large and would be perfect when Kate comes to visit because she would have her own room. Lara can sleep in the bathroom. :)

The living room has a fireplace, which I later found out, has a fake flame thing that really looks like it should have people behind it waving fabric around to look like flames. Oh well, it looks nice from the front anyway. It's just not as good as Sarah, Dbz and Mar's (but with this one, I won't have to worry about Sarah visiting and burning her hair off!).

My view is not the greatest but I am up a few flights so I can see into the city and also have a slight view of Lake Washington with all of the cute little sailboats. When I walk out my door I can see the Space Needle which is really cool to see every morning as I ride the bus into the city for work.

posted by Ames @ 11:10 PM 0 comments

My first day at work was really good but cut short because of an immigration rally marching down 4th avenue in the downtown area. So we were all told to either leave at 3:30pm and try to catch respective buses, cars, taxes, trains etc. or be stuck until about 7pm when the ralley would end. So I jumped on my bus and rode for home.

I have never felt so welcome though. The first day was packed full of meetings and orientation. I can expect the same for today (my second day). They took me to lunch and I was even presented with a gift basket on my new desk as a "welcome". I cannot say I've ever experienced that before! Lots to learn and get up to speed on though.

More to come as the week goes on...

Amy

posted by Ames @ 7:25 AM 3 comments

In Typical Seattle Fashion...

It started raining while I was wearing flip flops walking down the street in downtown. I really need a good hooded raincoat and if you ever come to visit - be sure to bring one!

The picture above is the last of the items that we moved out of my apartment on Wednesday. I just got a call from the movers saying that my total charge for moving is $2,300. I knew it would be expensive to move but had no idea it would be this much. I will cut back on Starbucks, wine and shopping.

This is my mom helping me pack on Wednesday. I just had no idea that I had so many things lurking behind corners. My very late New Years resolution for 2006 will be to live with less material items and enjoy what I already have.

posted by Ames @ 5:15 PM 1 comments

After 16 hours and two days I have arrived....

I arrived today in Seattle after about 8 hours in the car today and 8 or a little less from yesterday. I stopped over in Ashland, OR to spend the night.

After driving on the 5 N for a while outside of Red Bluff, I hit Mt.Shasta. It was so beautiful and a place I'd love to go back and explore more. When I stopped to take a photo, it must have been about 85 degrees or more.









As I drove through Medford and small towns in Oregon I passed a lot of beautiful forest and green countryside. I stopped at a gas station in the middle of what looked like nowhere to use the restroom and the attendant begged me to wash my car window. I was happy to have it washed but being way out there - he must get really bored because he and his wife also offered for me to try some homemade jelly or peanut butter. Needless to say, I passed on that and kept on my way.

posted by Ames @ 7:00 PM 1 comments