On the 12th day since my blog...my true love gave to me....flowers..

Okay, so it's been awhile. A long while. I've been busy. Really really busy. And when I'm not working, I'm sleeping or running or talking to Scott or something random. I guess it's hard to put into words what is going on when there is nothing worth relaying, at least not in my daily happenings in Seattle. I don't know, I've been avoiding everything in my life. I need to get over that super quick it is no bueno.

Scott sent me flowers at work the other day, they're beautiful. They have hot pink gerber daisies, tulips and roses - I like them a lot. It will be wonderful to have him here in a couple weeks, just to hang out and enjoy Seattle together. Go to my formal : ) Good times.

Last weekend was wonderful. I went to B & O for brunch with Kim P (she was on PRSSA's National Committee in 2003) and we walked around Capitol Hill checking out vintage shops. We also went to Daily Candy www.dailycandy.com and I bought two super cute dresses. One which I plan to wear for formal. So precious. We also went to Fredmont's market place and just had a great time. Yay.

I wish I could say something monumental was going on here, it's sunny. That's good news.


I'll write when I'm inspired again.

Peace out homeslices.

No more summer camp

My mom told me when I moved here initially to pretend like I was going away to summer camp. Going to check things out, have some fun in the sun and then head back home. Today, I've been here two months. I think that ends my stint at "summer camp." Seasons are changing, and reality is settling. I'm surprisingly okay.

Work is good. Busy, but good. I enjoy my job, I enjoy the environment, I enjoy my clients. It's good. I think that is helping ease the transition a lot quicker. Also, I made some great friends while away at summer camp. You always do. It's those friends that you carry with you into the start of each school year. I'm taking a few with me. I spent this weekend with Kenny on Friday night at a sorority function and then Friday late night with Travis, Chirag and some girls from my sorority. Saturday morning I began with my sorority's centennial celebration and then hung out with the guys and Kaylee at an Indian (dot, not feather) dance competition. It was pretty freaking amazing. I wish I had the ability to dance in such beautiful motion. We went to the after party at EMP and danced some and that was a wonderful time. It was a great summer end bash. I'm looking forward to the next couple months, fall is my favorite time of year, anyway.

Just water under the bridge...or a troll..whatever.

Seattle wouldn't be complete without the Fredmont Troll. Troll you ask? Yes, Troll. It's a big giant Troll made out of concrete holding a real VW Beetle in his hand (which you can't see...) under the Fredmont Bridge. It's amazing. I L-O-V-E it. It was also filmed in 10 Things I Hate About You, incase you're interested. Anyway, that's just a Troll under a bridge.

I'll be the first to admit I've never been the outdoors type. I always have enjoyed the great outdoors, and always wished I was more inclined to spend a lot of time in them, but I confess I always preferred the nice air conditioned in doors. Seattle has changed that. The song "The Outdoor Type" by the Lemonheads is no longer about me...used to be though. Still a good song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QczF5hvgos

I could go on for days about how beautiful it is here. It's every where you turn. There's another cherry blossom tree blooming, another snow capped mountain, another lake. Outdoors are where it's at.

I live down the street from a lake, it's called Greenlake. I've been running around it lately and today as I was running I was looking across the lake in complete awe of it's sheer magnitude and beauty. How freaking amazing is it that I live only a few blocks away from such sheer glory.
Everyday I realize what a genius I was in moving here. I couldn't fathom my life without experiencing this...it's heavenly.

So my angst, my hatred, my fear, my sorrow....I left it where it belongs. It's all under the bridge...with the troll.

Oy Vey!

Life is starting to pile up quick. I'm trying to sort through everything but it's coming with some difficulty. I made a huge "To Do" list today which I think might help expedite the process. We shall see. One can only hope. Otherwise I'm going to have a panic attack and that would be pleasing to.....no one.

Hm.

I thought you should all know things I love about Seattle and things I miss about home. Okay, here's the list.

Reasons why I <3 Seattle:

• Every morning I wake up to the snow covered mountains outside my window
• On my way to work I pass over the Ballard Bridge, home to the locks (where the salt water changes to fresh and where the salmon run upstream) and home to boats in mass quantities...all lovely.
• I am in a beautiful neighborhood next to Greenlake, a perfect area for running and spending time outdoors
• I haven't met a person yet that isn't in love with this city. I'm slowly falling....
• It's accessible. While Seattle is definitely a city, I still can get around with relative ease
• There is so much left to explore. I love that there is so much unknown to me....
• I've made friends, great friends. I have no idea how I was blessed with such a knack for making friends. Anyway, they're all wonderful and giving individuals.
• My house is cute. My roommate bakes. How can you not love a roommate who bakes me carrot cakes in his spare time? He's amazing.

Reasons Why I <3 Alabama:

• Family. Obviously no real surprise there. I miss them tremendously.
• Friends. My best friends. All such wonderful support throughout this entire process. I guess I just miss hugging them and random adventures. So good.
• Sweet Tea, Southern Hospitality. Those go hand and hand. I've been a lot of places and nothing compares to Southern charm. Strange, but true.
• My niche. Before I moved I felt like I had found a perfect groove for myself. Making friends, getting to really know the city. Experiencing Birmingham for truly the first time in my life.
• Surin West. Sushi, enough said.
• Southside/Highland. I really just love that area. Close to my heart. Rojo days = Bomb.com

I guess it's a relief to know that there is such great things in the world. You can find them everywhere. Some are right there above the surface...like the Olympic Mountains outside my window...some you have to look for. I intend to keep digging until maybe I uncover something deeper...maybe I uncover a new part of me.

Seattle is for lovers...

There is something about this city that just makes people couple up.

I don't know what it is, but you can feel it. Love. In the air. Everyone talking about their significant others and all the places they go together. They all sound fab-o. I'm looking forward to exploring Golden Gardens and random bits of Washington State....ooo and the vineyards. Those will be lovely.

It's been sunny here the past couple days. It makes you feel alive. The second the sun hits your skin you soak it in...in the words of my highschool principal, "like a giant car wash sponge." That however was in a different context all together when he said to me "Alright, Miss Jessica, get to class and soak up lots of knowledge like a giant car wash sponge." Hah, that makes me giggle. Good times.

Rhett is sending me house warming items. I can't wait to see what he sent my way. I'm pretty sure one is a slow cooker since I told him my mom sent me an awesome slow cooker recipe book and I need an awesome new slow cooker. I'm not sure why I am so lucky to have so many friends that want to take care of me. It is amazing.

Next few weeks are going to be full of muy exciting festivities to keep me occupied and out of trouble....the agenda is as follows...just so you can know where I am and what I'm doing at all times.

This weekend: Centennial Event of my sorority at the university here. Should be a joyous occasion. Lots of alumna to meet and such.

Next weekend: Rufus Wainwright will be h-e-r-e. Need I say more? You can look at him yourself at www.rufuswainwright.com. So beautiful. Yay.

Weekend after: Tentatively NYC. We're still discussing/figuring out if it is possible. I'm crossing my fingers, though. I really would love to go!

Cinco De Mayo weekend: Seattle Art Museum reopens. No I don't have tickets...but I am volunteering :) 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Yay. I get to go for f-r-e-e!

May 11-13: Carolyn graduates. Must be in Alabama then. Milo's Famous Sweet Tea, here I come. Oh and Mom. Hi Mom. :)

May 13-26ish?: Scott will be in town. That will include lots of good times including a formal at the EMP. But you already knew that. Yay!

May 25-28: Brett is coming to visit. Good times.

Gah, this is going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER. At least I'm going to try my best to make it that way.

Happy Easter.

My life is pure insanity. I'm not going to lie. It is a continued pile of chaos. I'm still hoping that one day I'll sort through it. I've done a little bit of sorting so I have some time to post. Sorry about the delay.

Work has been extraordinarily busy since I returned from Nashville. With almost everyone out of the office I was trying to keep up with the work load and stay on top of everyone's in house projects. I had a pretty good time doing it and feel pretty accomplished for the week which is definitely a good thing. There were a few communication issues but all seem to be working themselves out and I hope to have a fresh start tomorrow. We shall see.

As far as personal, I'm doing pretty well. My cousin, Bill, came in this weekend from Rhode Island to hang out and spend a little time in Seattle. We had a pretty good time putzing around in the beautiful outdoors. Friday was absolutely gorgeous. We spent a lot of it walking around Olympic Sculpture Park which is part of the Seattle Arts Museum (SAM) and the Seattle Center. A little bit of time in the Experience Music Project www.emplive.org (where I'm going to my sorority's formal in May with Scotty, yay!). We didn't get to go into the Sci-Fi Museum but I defintely am going to make the trek there ASAP.

We also hiked Snoqualmie Falls, I didn't get to hike it last time I went with Lisa. It was quite the outdoor pursuit and I'm all kinds of sore today. Ow.

Last night we found the most fantastic dive bar, EVER, in Belltown called "Shorty's Coney Island." I can't even describe....pin ball machines, bartenders servicing up chili cheese dogs (yes they make them behind the bar) with whiskey sours...it was amazing. Not that I like chili cheese dogs or whiskey sours. Pin ball is good though.

Today we wrapped things up with some dim sum in the International District. All and all I had a pretty great time. He's definitely revitalized my spirits. I needed it.

When he left today, though, I couldn't help but feel a bit down. First holiday being away from home as an adult and I don't like it. I miss my family much. I'm going home May 11, though, for Carolyn's graduation so I'll spend some time with mi madre then. Can't wait.

I'm going to go watch some P&P and feel a little bit better about things. I'm going to try to start fresh and 86 my self pity attitude. Call it a rebirth. It is Easter, after all.