Joe and I got to have a "date day" on Saturday and we made the best of it with the beautiful sunshine. It's very rare for Joe to have a Saturday off so we decided to do something that we haven't done yet while living here. We went kayaking out on the lake. We boarded our kayaks down on the water near the University of Washington and had our choice of going north to Lake Union or east to Lake Washington. We chose east not knowing that all of the big boats on the water would be headed in the same direction. These kayaks took some getting used to as they were touring kayaks. I knew that they looked different as they were longer than the ones I'm used to. When I got in and had my foot pedals adjusted I thought I was good to go but as we got going I kept bumping into Joe and I didn't know why. He then instructed me to push on the pedals to change direction. And here I thought they were just foot rests! We headed in our intended direction and it was easy going for a while. That was until we hit the area that narrowed like a canal. Trying to make our way down the same path as the big boats proved to be challenging. The waves definitely proved to be an obstacle and left me feeling frustrated and wet. I should mention here that when I got dressed in the morning I was trying to put together something that was light weight but would keep me warm from the wind on the water. Why I thought a denim jacket fit the bill is beyond me. My sleeves were soaking wet and heavy with the first boat that went by. I learned my lesson in kayaking attire.
We continued our day with lunch near campus and then reading in the park. We did all we could to get our vitamin D.
Today brought rain and then sunshine and then rain again. Unfortunately I had to get in a 5 mile run in the very unpredictable day. I've been using a website where people have mapped their running routes and it has been helpful for me to get an idea of mileage. I was familiar with most of the area that I was going to run and knew that I would encounter a "few" hills. Well a "few" turned out to be an understatement. This was a route for the advanced runner which I am far from. My route went along Lake Washington and into a neighborhood with some really nice and very expensive houses. If it wasn't for my huffing and puffing maybe I could have enjoyed the scenery a bit. An hour and a half later I was left with aching legs and 2 battle scars in the form of blisters on the bottom and top of my feet. I've spent the rest of the afternoon moving in slow motion.

A Week of Firsts

This was a week of firsts for me in two ways......On Thursday night I went to my first "Living Room Concert Series." It was through a friend of a friend that I came to understand what this was. A few years ago a group here in Seattle decided to open up their living rooms to Singer/Songwriters. I guess it's gathered quite the following and I had the opportunity to listen to some truly talented musicians in the comfort of someone's living room. It was great to be so "up close and personal" with these musicians; hearing their stories and finding where the inspiration of each song came from. I again received an affirmation on why I develop crushes on guys and their guitars. (Insert eye roll from Joe here :-)
Saturday night brought a new first for both Joe and I. We went to our first "Female Impersonator" (aka Drag Show). There is this place called Julia's on Broadway and we have probably walked by it at least a dozen times and have always said how fun it would be to see their show. Last night we gathered with another couple to witness first hand the marvel of guys in drag. This show was a tribute to the diva's in the music industry. From Madonna to Beyonce to Britney Spears to Liza Minnelli, all of these artists were represented in true artistic form. From the makeup to the costumes to the backup dancers, we heard a medley of their music with the dancing and performances onstage. Joe was lucky enough to have an aisle seat and this allowed him to have Liza Minnelli to sit on his lap and another "woman" to stroke his chin and ruffle his hair. Needless to say we were left with a lot of laughs but also a lot of questions. These men looked truly feminine with nothing to show for their male physique. How do they do that? We were left asking ourselves this very questions as we left the show last night.
I like to try these new things. The drag show topic has always been accompanied by "Only in Seattle......" would we see men dressed as Whitney Houston looking better than half of the women walking down the street. Another piece of authenticity and another reason why we love this city.

Elvis In Seattle

We saw Elvis this weekend. Bet that sentence catches your attention. :-) I guess what I should have said is that we saw Elvis impersonators running down the street- followed by mimes, cowboys, and a group dressed up in capes. The nice weather on Saturday brought everyone out; and I mean everyone. Joe's friend Matt and his wife Brianna were visiting this weekend as they had a wedding to attend here in Seattle and stayed with us. Yesterday was so nice that we went out for a walk earlier in the day and found ourselves sitting outside a coffee shop enjoying the sunshine. That was when Elvis crossed our path. At first we just laughed as we have seen just about everything on Capitol Hill. It was when the mimes ran by afterwards that we figured out that there was a scavenger hunt going on and we helped out just a little bit as the groups were having difficulty finding a little cafe around the corner. I happen to love the crepes there and were happy to point them in the right direction.
I also completed my first week of training. Thanks to Lauren, the schedule was very doable. After Tuesdays' run I definitely felt it in my legs. By Friday I was ready for my "easy walk" (as described on my schedule). I was down in Tacoma for the day attending a workshop on Stuttering and knew that I might not make it back in time for daylight. I improvised by walking around the mall in heels for 45 minutes. That's gotta count for something right? I think my trainer mentioned that I get extra point for the heels. :-) And I happened to pick up a cute skirt on my walk so I consider that multi-tasking at its best. :-)

Sitting here on the eve of March first wondering where the last 2 months have gone? I think that time moves faster the older that we get. When we're younger it's always about looking ahead to being old enough to do the next thing whether it be riding your bike with friends in the neighborhood, driving out of town for the first time, and going away to college. My 18 year old self was always looking ahead to the next thing that I had placed on my "list of things to do before I'm 30." I never made a hard copy of this but was always cognisent of what I had planned next. I've been able to check a number of things off, have added new things along the way, and did things that my 18 year old self had never thought of. My type A personality and my incessant need for plans, lists, and post-it notes have gotten me far (along with a VERY supportive family system) and in many ways I feel content with my accomplishments thus far as I look ahead to the magic number of 30. (Yes I know I still have to hit #29, but really at this point it may as well be 30 as that is all I can think about). I do wish that my 18 year old self (yes there is a part of her that I still carry with me) could be accepting of not doing EVERYTHING on her list by the time she is 30. That might give the almost 29 year old version of myself a better piece of mind. I'm finding that my thoughts and feelings float from those of my 18 year old self, through my twenties, up until present time and wonder how the decade has gone by. I find myself nostalgic for the college years and the time in my 20's where I was still trying to figure life out-post student. The 18 year old me thought that she would feel adult and grown-up with all the answers by the time she was 30. The 28 year old me would like to tell miss 18 year old how naieve she is. As I spend the next 2 months hitting the breaks on time and turning 29 and then spending the next year in denial that yes I will turn that magic number 30, I hope to work on acceptance of the here and now and the understanding that lists should be made in pencil with opportunities to erase and spaces to add on to. I've added something to one of my empty spaces- I'm going to be running my first half marathon at the end of June. Yes I know that I am not the runner in the family, and although I do enjoy physical activity, running is not my strong suit. Thanks to my wonderful sister, she not only gave me the idea to run but also created a personal training schedule for me. Starting tomorrow for 17 weeks I will be working on bettering the almost 29 year old version of myself physically and mentally and hopefully giving myself piece of mind for the final year before reaching that magic number.

Spring time in February

It feels like Spring! Oh wait. It's only February. It can't be Spring-yet. Maybe someone should tell all the Cherry Blossom trees that have bloomed this week. Walking down the street and inhaling their smell reminds me of....well.....Spring. It's a wonderful time to be in Seattle and the sunshine has been a great mood booster for an otherwise dreary month. I was very much looking forward to a low-key weekend and I was provided just that. Yesterday morning I woke up early to blue skies. I met Sydney for a 6 mile walk around Lake Union. The trail is very "urban" but the views of the water and mountains are amazing! I kept saying that the Olympic mountains look like a fake back drop on a very clear day. On foot we walked across bridges, along the water, through the parks, and into boathouse neighborhoods, all the while chatting and taking in the sunshine. Completing the loop was a nice accomplishment before noon. By this time we had really worked up an appetite and decided to explore something off of our "food bucket list." Our list usually consists of places we've read about in magazines, seen or heard mentioned on the Food Network, or in my case just walk by and like the way it looks. (This drives Joe nuts.) Our destination on Saturday was a sandwich place once mentioned on the Food Network. It wasn't just any sandwich place but one with a Caribbean theme. As we drove by, there was no sign indicating it was the right place but the line of people curving down the sidewalk was a good give a way. This place is pretty much the size of a large shed. There are 4 small tables, one menu hanging above the counter, and many curious passerbys wondering what the long line is for. After getting our treats to go, we found a nearby bench and quickly dug into our sandwiches. They were of course delicious and drew the attention of a couple of people who stopped to ask us about them. I spent the rest of the day in rest and relaxation mode with a few hours of work thrown in. Joe came home from work later that night and we decided to visit one of the nearby bars for a drink. This bar in particular draws our patronage; not just for the cheap drinks but also for the ambiance. Sitting at the candlelit table by the window, I couldn't help but feel like I could have been in someones' basement. To the right of us were couches, in the corner there was a set of cozy chairs with someone strewn over the side playing Tetrus on Nintendo, and in the other corner a shelf with a stack of games. It was relatively quiet while we were there and we wondered why more college students weren't around as it's right near Seattle University's Campus. About an hour after we arrived we got our answer. The college students didnt' show up until well after ten. Obviously we were too early arriving at 9:15. As soon as the place filled up I looked at Joe as if we got our cue to leave. Sitting there amongst the students with their backpacks and student ID's around their necks, I suddenly felt very old. The party was just getting started for them and I was ready for my pj's and a good book. How did this happen?????
We woke up to sunshine again this morning and I was inspired after finishing the book Julie and Julia to have something for breakfast outside my norm of cereal. No I didn't find a recipe where I couldn't pronounce the title or had to use a pound of butter in something (the running theme of the book). My fear of butter will keep me far far away from "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Instead I found a great recipe for french toast in Fitness magazine and to my delight it was easy and error free. After receiving compliments from my husband for my kitchen endeavors, we headed out to wander the streets and take in as much Vitamin D as could. We found ourselves at a park people watching and enjoying the fresh air. One thing that I love (and find very amusing) is that the first glimpse of nice weather brings out the shorts, T-shirts, and flip flops. I even saw a girl sunning herself in a bathing suit. Now it was nice but not THAT warm. Never a dull day with fashion in Seattle.

Rain rain go way....Seattle has had too much as it's been 4 days. We are in a wet spell out here. Normally it wouldn't bother me so much except that it's been a long weekend for me and Joe's parents are visiting. What to do when it's raining outside? -Head to the movies. I was excited to have some female companionship to indulge in my love of chick flicks. Colleen and I went to see "Valentine's Day" while Joe and his Dad watched John Travolta shoot at anything in sight. I LOVED Valentine's Day and think it will definitely have to find a place on my shelf of "girlie movies" when it comes out on DVD. On Saturday we headed east to Ellensburg. It's a small town about 2 hours east of Seattle. It's a little embarrassing to say that we went to Ellensburg because Joe heard about a cowboy festival and wanted to check it out. Ellensburg is also the home to Central University- one of Washington's state schools. Upon arriving we parked the car and walked around what was considered the "historic district." Let's just say that it didn't take long. We found lunch at a cute little cafe but I had soon decided that if I were a high school senior and my parents had brought me to look at the University I would have had them take me home pretty quickly. But that's just me. :-) We found the cowboy festival pretty easily and walked through in about 15 minutes. I could have walked away with pink and purple cowboy boots with Eor on the front and back. I wonder if the kids at school would think I was cool if I wore those? It was back in the car again with the destination of Charlie's cabin which sits in between Seattle and Ellensburg. This was the first time that Joe's Dad has seen the place. We had a nice dinner and passed the time playing Scrabble and watching episodes on HGTV. After we all went to the bed the rain started coming down in full force and could be heard hitting the roof. Between hearing that and also the rustling of a plastic bag that I swore was a mouse trying to get at my granola bar in my purse, I awoke feeling a little groggy. Did I mention that I made Joe go through my purse before I would touch it to make sure that a mouse didn't jump out?
We came back into the city and got ourselves ready to head down to the market. We had a little reprieve from the rain this afternoon and were able to enjoy the walk through the Market rain free. Anyone who has been to the Market knows that many of the vendors have beautiful fresh flower bouquets for pretty cheap. Today was the first day that they were selling beautiful bouquets of dried flowers. We have to be careful with flowers because Nala sees them as instant toys and wants to chew them as soon as we walk in the door. I decided to take the chance with the dried flowers since they have a longer shelf life and put them on the tallest shelf we have. She took an interest when I was trying to get them into a vase but has ignored them since. I however am admiring them in all their blue and purple glory. We did get stuck in a downpour while visiting the local chocolate store-gotta have the candy on Valentine's Day but made it back to our parked car with getting just a little damp. We capped off the day with dinner in the International District- nothing says "I love you" like Chinese food and came back to watch some of the Olympics. How do the knees on the skiers survive with all of those moguls? Pretty cool to watch though. Tomorrow is my last day off....not sure what the plans for the day are but we are going to Alki Beach for dinner and to maybe watch the sunset if the rain stays away....with the weather forecast I'm not counting on that last part.

Hiking Mt. Si

Not to rub it in the faces of those suffering from the big snow storm but we've been having temperatures right along in the mid 50's and even some sunshine! With such nice weather, Joe and I decided to venture into the outdoors. We hiked to the top of Mt. Si on Saturday. This mountain is part of the Cascades and starts at 1300 ft. in elevation and climbs to just under 4,000 ft. Here's a link to some more info: http://www.mountsi.com/
It was 8 miles round trip and took about 5 hours. The nice weather brought lots of people out so we never felt alone. I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of temperature so I wanted to be prepared. I put on the layers, added my "special" hiking boot socks and the boots, and topped my outfit off with my new hiking backpack. Joe was laughing at me as I applied a "light" face of makeup before leaving and I told him I wanted to look "awake" for all the passerbys. (of course I got an eye roll here :-) It took us about 30 minutes to get to the summit of the mountain and the parking lot was packed! Soon into our journey I began to shed my layers as it was quite warm. One of the things I love about hiking out here is that everyone is so friendly; giving hellos and smiles as you pass them on the trail. I guess the fresh air and the feeling of being in touch with nature can't help but make a person feel more friendly. I realized soon into our hike that my hiking "outfit" was lacking in some accessories. Many people were carrying trekking poles, gators (these look like black sleeves that go on the bottom of the pant leg so that pebbles don't get into your boots), and a dog. Personally I feel like trekking poles are just an extra thing to carry but the I understood why people were carrying them when we got to the top of the mountain. The trail is marked every half mile and we took pictures with smiling faces at mile 1.5. I kept telling Joe that I needed the picture in front of the 4.0. The incline between miles 3 and 4 were tough and if I did have my picture taken within that time frame I'm not sure it would have been with a smiling face. When we got to what I thought was the top, there were beautiful views of the snow covered mountains and a very large pile of rocks behind us. What I didn't know was that we had to climb those piles of rocks to continue our journey to the top. Okay-no big deal, I can handle that. We get over the rocks to find our feet in slushy snow and high winds. Now I see where the trekking poles would come in handy. We continue to hike up in search of the 4.0 and the trail starts to narrow. Not only does it narrow but it suddenly stops in front of a vertical wall of rocks about 200 ft. in height. As I stood and watched guys going up I felt the beginning of a panic attack and tears. I told Joe I didn't think I could do it. Amongst the guys a female appeared and she started to tackle the wall like it was no big deal. I thought if she could do it then I could do. With some gentle coaching from Joe and focus only on the next rock that I could put my foot into (and not the drop behind me), we made our way to the very top. We could see the mountains and off to the distant right the skyline of Seattle. It was so small it looked like it could fit in the palm of our hand. I looked to the left and right and the first words out of my mouth was that I was ticked that there wasn't a sign with the 4.0 mile marker. After all that work! The wind was whipping and although the view was beautiful, I was more focused on how we were going to get down. We did a lot of sitting, legs out to next rock, sitting, legs out and repeat. I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time and was very grateful when my feet were back on the ground. I felt triumphant at accomplishing something I feared but I also just wanted to get the heck out of the blustering wind and snow. I did have gloves in my "survival" backpack but I didn't trust them to grip the rock in our descent down so I could barely feel my fingertips when all was said and done. After our climatic climb to the top, we started heading down. Going down is almost harder as there is a lot of pressure in the knees and your toes are constantly hitting the front of your boots. By the time we made it to the final mile, I wasn't sure my legs would make it. They did and we were both very happy to see the parking lot full of cars in sight. The day ended with a hot shower and a good meal. I slept for 12 hours and woke up to pain in every muscle in my body. I have a feeling I may not be able to take the stairs for the next couple of days. Was it worth it? I think the experience and the pictures give that answer a definite yes!