Joanne's visit

My second friend to make it out to Seattle for a visit was here last week. Joanne is a great friend from college days, and it was so fun to show her Seattle and catch up since we'd last seen each other four years ago. Here are some highlights:

The Fremont Troll

"Joanne, meet Troll. Troll, meet Joanne."

Peek-a-Boo

The Chittenden Locks
Go to the link above for a full explanation of the Locks, but essentially they operate to keep the water levels where they need to be and prevent the salt water of the Puget Sound and the fresh water of the lakes (Union & Washington) from mixing.

"Careful, Jo. Leave some water for the fishies."

My best attempt to capture the huge difference in the water levels. If you look carefully, you can see how low the water is at the bottom of the photo (one side of the lock) from the top of the photo where the boats are patiently waiting (the other side of the lock) so they can continue their journey into the Puget Sound.

The University of Washington
The University District is a must-do on my list for Seattle, so I took Joanne to Portage Bay Cafe, one of my favorite places for breakfast. She had the orgasmic homemade whipped cream and toppings bar, per my recommendation. Then I made her walk all over the UW campus, including Suzzallo's reading room and the fountain.
Please note the long sleeves. In July.
Most days, it warms enough to not need sleeves by late afternoon.
Today, it was actually warm enough by noon. Halle-frickin-lujah.

Kangaroo Farm
Remember the KF from last month? Well, it definitely made the to-do list for all future visitors if at all possible, so Jo and I hit it up.

The lemurs were much more visible this time. They have 3 at the KF, a family of Pop, Mom, and Lil Lemur. Here's Pop. Chillin.

The peacock wasn't in a showy mood, as he was last time. He didn't shake his tailfeather.
Not once.

This time, we did get to see a roo with a joey in her pouch.
SOOOOO cute.
Only a smidge creepy.

Jo was SUPER pumped to feed a roo. But really, who wouldn't be?

"Why, helloooooo."

I know. This is going to be the longest post ever. But I just can't NOT post this.

Ostrich was still there. And still pissed at the world.

These guys were so sweet. But let's face it...in this crowd, the donkeys don't get much notice. So I wanted to post a pic of them as an honorable mention.

Of course, the KF wouldn't be the KF without a little Llama Drama at the end Jo got to kiss the llama!

"Nobody puts Baby in the corner." Well, nobody did. He put himself in the corner and refused all kisses.

Pike Place Public Market

A view I had yet to capture of the Pike Place main entrance.

First Starbucks store visit at Pike Place

Lunch at the brand new Hard Rock Cafe Seattle

Space Needle

It's a looooong way up...

But we made it! And the views were worth it! The mountains were out...

Including Mount Rainier!

And Lake Union...

The Bite of Seattle
The annual yummy fest where all the best food you can find in Seattle is in one place, The Bite!
Shishkaberries, potstickers, fried mac & cheese, roasted corn on the cob...mmm...
And this funky chicken...not to be eaten, thankyouverymuch.

Behold, the shishkaberry. You get it now, right?

Best.Ice.Cream.EVER.

Lilith Fair 2010

On July 3rd (yes, I'm way behind on blogging), I went to the Lilith Fair 2010 with Roommate Leah & Co. The Lilith Fair, which apparently has been around for ages but was brand new to me, is a celebration of women in music. They tour all over the U.S. and Canada, with different musicians at each stop. The Lilith Fair is the brain child of Sarah McLachlan, and the Seattle Lilith featured Sarah, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland, Erykah Badu, and Colbie Caillat, among others.

It was held at The Gorge, which I'd heard RAVE reviews about but had yet to go. The Gorge Amphitheater overlooks the Columbia River and it held up to the gorgeous Gorge reviews. It also gave me the opportunity to get outta Seattle, which I rarely do, and cross the mountains--away from the lousy 50 degree weather we had until 4th of July (don't get me started) and over to the 77 degree weather of Eastern Washington. Yes, please.

See for yourself:




Seriously. The Gorge is gorgeous.

*Will post again soon because Cool College Friend Joanne came to visit Seattle...and Tall White Boy (aka Jesse) is currently on the loose in Beijing, China until July 30th.

The Perky and the Perky-Not

of living in Seattle...

The Perky: Starbucks on most any corner (sometimes two!)
The Perky-Not: Sonic is 45 minutes away (although this is now a perky, because until this morning I thought there was not a Sonic in Washington)

The Perky: People come to visit the big city, like my college homie Joanne who is coming July 11-18.
The Perky-Not: They don't already live here.

The Perky: I'm not sweating between my thighs 24/7.
The Perky-Not: I'm still frickin' freezing in June. I wore a turtleneck on Father's Day. As Whoopi Goldberg would say, "What the HELL." (To be fair, that was an extreme day. The average temp these days is 60-something, allowing for short sleeves at the high point of the day or a light mid-sleeve, which isn't bad at all. However, the average high right now is supposed to be 72.)

The Perky: Lilith 2010 at the Gorge.
The Perky-Not: My Denton girl-power girls won't be in attendance.

The Perky: Kickball!
The Perky-Not: We suck. But still have good attitudes...well, except me. I am a sore loser. Worse than sore. I'm a sores & boils loser.

Before I go, one question. Based on the title, did you think this was going to be a post about boobs?

If you come to visit...

I found another stop I will have to include in your trip! In Arlington, WA, about an hour outside Seattle, a must-visit is The Kangaroo Farm. The name is deceiving because they actually have a number of animals, including chickens, turtles, deer, peacocks, lemurs, donkeys, miniature horses, ostriches, llamas, and of course--lots of kangaroos! Even better, you don't just see them or walk by them, you can actually touch and interact with many of them. For $8, it was a steal of a deal and a very fun afternoon! (And yes, I hobbled around on my crutches...we'd been planning this for weeks and I was NOT going to miss out!)

The Welcome Wagon...this peacock greeted us at the front entrance.

This peacock loved to show off--he did this throughout the tour.

The roos love to be loved!

The roos also love to be fed!

Looks sweet, doesn't he? Don't be fooled. We weren't allowed to
touch him...apparently, he bites.

Why, hello...

My first try to feed the llama, I got skeered!

Kissing or feeding the llama?

Jesse bonds with the llama

I know what this looks like, but believe me, it will be a long time before
anything but a baby kangaroo is in this blanket!!

Ankle woes

On Thursday, I took the bus to my appointment. I had basically two options: take the #5 to downtown and transfer to the #8 to my destination or just take the #5 to downtown and walk the 10 or so blocks to my destination. I pondered the decision, and decided to take both buses.

As I stepped off the #8 onto the rocky patch of sidewalk the driver stopped at, I rolled my ankle. Ouch. I sat there on the ground while the driver asked if he could call someone for me. I said I had a phone and could call myself. I called Jesse and told him to come get me. Then I decided maybe this was like the times I've thought I hurt my ankle but after a few minutes, I'm okay. So I told Jesse I'd call him back in 10 minutes. I hobbled 2 blocks to my destination and took off my shoe & sock. After seeing that my ankle was the size of a softball, I called Jesse and told him to come get me.

Exhibit A

Two hours, a health clinic, and three x-rays later, I had myself a sprained ankle and a new mode of transportation, crutches.

I live on the second floor, and my building is like many in Seattle in that there's about ten steps just to get to the first floor. So I hopped and leaned on Jesse for a flight and a half of stairs (too scared for him to carry me). Since it's my right ankle and I can't drive, I settled into my place for awhile.

That was Thursday. The Women's College World Series on ESPN kept me company, even though my UW girls were eliminated on Saturday. :( On Sunday, I finally got out of the apartment for dinner at Dad Watson's with Jesse and our friends, John & Kiara.

We ended the evening with a trip to the grocery store...no way was I going to hobble around for groceries so I tried out one of those magnificent buggies they provide:

And the healing continues...

What's in a word...

Anyone who knows me halfway well knows that I like everything in its place. Clutter and crap annoy me to no end.

So, I've been living in my apartment for two months. For the first 2 weeks, when I thought it was a temporary arrangement, I literally had all of my boxes stacked against a wall of the bedroom and only the essentials unpacked. ANNOYING.

When Leah offered to let me stay permanently, I jumped for joy. And then I unpacked everything in 2.3 seconds. The problem? I moved from a one bedroom all to myself, to a 2 bedroom that was already fully furnished. So...not enough space. After utilizing every nook & cranny to the best of my ability, and taking a couple of runs to Goodwill to get rid of a few things from my already sparse collection of possessions (try moving a billion times and see how much stuff you have left), I was left with just my school stuff and desk supplies stacked in a corner.

Two months later, I have had ENOUGH of the school crap in the corner.

I decided to get a desk. Then I decided I didn't have enough space for a desk. Then I decided a bookshelf would do, a tall one. I also had a Pier One gift card begging to be used.

Armed with my iPhone and Jesse, I set out to Pier One. I searched "Pier 1" and drove to the closest one ("Bell Street Pier 1"), which was supposedly right next to the Art Institute, where I worked for a brief stint. However, not so brief that I would have missed a Pier One right next door.

When we arrived at "Bell Street Pier 1," we found...nothing. An old building down by the water that was most definitely NOT Pier One. Jesse called the phone number listed, and a woman with a thick accent who apparently didn't speak much English answered. She'd never heard of Pier 1; however, we could park in the garage she works at for only a billion dollars per hour.

I drove about two more blocks when it hit me. The iPhone had literally taken me to Pier 1. As in a fishing pier. There are 66 piers along the Seattle downtown waterfront and that's exactly where we were, at Pier 1.

Note to self and others who live in a city with any type of water coast: It is critical to list the word "Imports" when searching for Pier 1 Imports.

M is for...

the month of May.

and Mama.

In May, I experience lots of reminders of Mama. My birthday is in May, and I am reminded how much Mama had to do with that. Not just because she was my Mama and all mothers are responsible for the birth of their children, but because my Mama was a kidney transplant survivor, and in the 70s that made me a bit of a miracle child.

Also in May is Mother's Day. Ah, Mother's Day. When everyone else can't hang out or do anything because they are all celebrating with their mothers. For 11 years, I was able to transfer Mother's Day into Grandma's Day because my grandma was very much a second mother to me. Now, I've had two Mother's Days without Grandma too. They kind of suck now. I've tried to celebrate Jesse's mom, but it's just not the same.

And another also in May...Mama's birthday. Today she would've been 59 years young. I still can't believe she's been dead for 12.5 years. Or that she died at the age of 46. Or that I was only 19. Or that very few of my friends have ever met her because she's been gone so long. Or that I can only vaguely remember much about her. I mean, I remember things but they seem like a million years ago, like they're part of another lifetime. She'll have been gone half my life in only 6 more years...well, that's wierd too.

So, here's to you Mama. You put the M in May. And no matter how many years you are gone, you are fondly loved, missed, and remembered everyday, not just these days in May.

32 and Fabulous!

With Cinco de Mayo comes Cinco de Pegs! I had a fun-filled birthday weekend, including:

Free tickets to the Seattle Sounders (pro soccer) game! I took my friend Kiara along!

Unfortunately, we lost 4-0 to the LA Galaxy...

Pizza & game night at my place, complete with Twister!

With roommate Leah at the UW softball game
Although I lived with Leah for 8 months last year, I feel like I really only started to get to know her since I moved back 6 weeks ago...and guess what? Leah is the awesome-est--and not just because she let me move back in! :)

Did I mention the UW softball gals are #1 in the country?! Yeah, they are. I watched them win the National Championship on TV last year. They are fantastic. They won today in extra inning play--it was super exciting, and especially nice on a most lovely Seattle day (65 and sunny, thank you very much).

No photos, but Jesse and I celebrated his wonderful mom, Maggie, today as well. Joe fired up the brand new grill and satisfied our taste buds with fantastic Indian grilled chicken. We will go to the Beat Walk where you can band hop to your heart's content next weekend for Maggie's Mother's Day gift.

On Friday afternoon, I turned in the form required to officially name my doctoral committee. WOOT! All four faculty members are absolutely outstanding and I feel very honored to work with them through the rest of my doctoral journey.

Did I also mention that at some point this weekend I officially became our summer kickball team's captain? We are signed up and ready to KICK YOUR GRASS! (That would be our team name.)

So yes, to answer your question: I'm 32...and FABULOUS!

Doing things...

The Cheesecake Factory on Giant Software Company's dime...white chocolate raspberry truffle, mmm. And then I went back the next night on my own dime for another slice.

My midterm for Qualitative Methods...a critique of a qualitative study. Rough draft complete. Due Wednesday.

Our first kickball win last Sunday (and hopefully our second in just a few hours). I pitched. Roommate Leah is our captain and wanted to name The Gentle Giant the offensive MVP and me the defensive MVP. The ref told her she could only name one, and I told her it had to be The Gentle Giant...the guy kicked THREE in the park home runs. Also, I can name myself MVP on my blog.

Hanging out with 8th grade BFF, Gina. Running in the rain in my ballet flats back to her apartment after lunch. Playing Nintendo, just like 8th grade. Wheezing because of her two (very fluffy) cats.

Attending Bat Boy: The Musical at the UW with Roommate Leah and Co. Started off good, ended very twisted.

American Idol in full swing. Hottie of All Hotties Casey James almost went home last week, and I almost peed my pants of anxiety. Thankfully, he's still there. Along with Almost Hottie of All Hotties Lee DeWyze. I tell you what, if I was single, Lee & me...well, there'd be something to blog about Lee & me.

Running down the 44 bus and watching it drive off as I pant behind it. Again. And again. Damn it.

Seattle Au Natural

Two years of togetherness...

Jesse & I celebrated our two year anniversary yesterday, and Jesse surprised me with a lovely dinner at a little French bistro in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, Thomas St. Bistro. It was on par with the last place Jesse took me, Table 219 (also in Capitol Hill). Reminiscent of my days in French-influenced West Africa and the little time I have spent in France, the meal came with a fixed price that included four courses (soup, salad, entree, dessert). The owner was multi-talented, as he greeted and served customers while also cooking all of the food. I'm still unsure how exactly he did that. He offered the hospitality I would expect of an authentic French dining experience, and also had employed two young guitarists to play jazz as part of a fantastic ambience. I did the unthinkable and actually took pictures which you can now enjoy...

Thank you to my handsome guy!

First course: Creamy vegetarian basil soup

Sweet Jesse makes for a happy Pegs!
(Kari, you can see the top I chose to wear...it's matched with dark jeans and bronze heels.)

Thomas St. Bistro
(The restaurant filled up quickly while we were there, but this is when we were only the second couple in the place.)

Third course: Poulet Dijon Pasta for me (pictured here) and Smoked Salmon Pasta for Jesse

It's nice that after two years together, you don't have to worry so much about how ridiculous you look trying to eat pasta.

Fourth course: Cheesecake with strawberries drizzled on top

Our table setting

"Ooh, my man is so dreamy."

Here's to a very unconventional two years!

*Note: We will celebrate part II of our anniversary when I treat Jesse to the movie "Date Night" this weekend...Steve Carrell and Tina Fey should be a lovely couple to double date with!

What I've been up to, since clearly it isn't blogging...

Studying. I've been reading and reading, which is the typical beginning of the quarter sitch. Soon, it will transition into a little reading, but mostly writing as papers come due. Lucky for me, I like both.

Kickball. Our team had its second game yesterday, on a beautiful and sunny Sunday. I actually got hot in my one long-sleeve layer--yay for Spring! Sadly, we lost...and I am NOT a good loser. Somehow, I got nominated to pitch which was pretty fun. And I really like my teammates. I knew exactly one, my roommate who coordinated the team, so it's been great to meet new peeps.

Committee-making. I was able to meet with two faculty members who are both very interested in my topic, and able/willing to be on my committee! Yay! Three down, one to go.

Friends time. I've been able to spend time with some near 'n' dear ones...although my grad student budget may not be able to sustain this, unless I can find lots of free stuff to do. Roommate Leah has my social calendar planned through June, including Bat Boy: The Musical at the UW, the Seattle Symphony, and a Seattle Mariners game.

Exercising. Most days at the IMA, but I've branched out too...anyone done Zumba? I tried it on Saturday and it was a WORKOUT...think salsa meets hip hop meets aerobics. Really fun, really tiring. I was sweating like a...fill-in-the-blank, Mrs. Darling (you always have the best similes). However, while I've done really well with exercising, I've done very poorly at eating well. After Zumba, I had a Deluxe Huevos Rancheros brunch. Pretty sure those didn't quite balance out.

Jesse time. Have I mentioned how nice it is to actually see my boyfriend, and not rely on phone and video chats? Well, it is. And either he's gotten funnier, or I've gotten more...easy-to-make-laugher. Either way, I'll take it. Tomorrow is a special day for us...two year anniversary! And let me tell you, it's been an unconventional two years! Jesse is surprising me with dinner somewhere...don't know where yet, but I've told him I NEED to dress appropriately, so I'll need at least a hint. Although, Jesse enjoys bringing out my gullible side so he may find it hilarious to tell me it's a fancy place and take me to Taco Bell...or tell me it's a casual dive, and then I end up severely under-dressed and unable to get in to the fancy place he actually planned.

All you have to do is...

I met with Most Supportive Advisor Ever, Jim, late last week. Jim inspires me. You see, he just turned 40 and is already an Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the UW. This is truly impressive. He's one of the most energetic people I've ever been around, the kind where just watching them or reading their FB page makes you tired. Nonetheless, I always feel encouraged and motivated by our meetings. I left with this Here's How It's Going to Go (HHIGTG) List:

1. Form dissertation committee by the middle of this quarter (about 5 weeks from now).
2. Meet with the committee by the end of the quarter to have an open conversation about dissertation topic and provide my working paper.
3. Talk about writing portion of General Exam, which will likely be very similar to the first three chapters of the dissertation.
4. Go write my tail off for the second half of the summer.
5. During Autumn quarter (last quarter of coursework, unless something goes awry), defend General Exam written portion (oral portion of GE). The committee will take this opportunity to tell me the good/needs improvement areas, and (hopefully) pass me through. At that point, I am considered "ABD" (all but dissertation, or All But Dead in academic circles).
6. Starting in January, enroll in dissertation credits and DO the study! Jim thinks graduating by summer is a distinct possibility.

Other Here's How It's Going To Go Lists:
HHIGTG: Courses
*Currently in 2 for the Spring.
*1 in the Summer.
*2 in the Autumn.

HHIGTG: Professional Development
*Advising Handbook project--in progress with the COE Dean of Student Services
*Hopefully find a position on campus to fund the remainder of this degree
*Exploring a College Bound mentor program, working with college-bound juniors and seniors
*Exploring student organizations on campus, such as the Associated Students of the College of Education (ASCE) meeting I went to yesterday.

Could my life BE any different than it was a month ago?

New move, new blog!

So, you noticed. It looks different, eh? I decided with a new location, I should have a new blog (look).

I've been in Seattle for one week tomorrow. I have already established a sort of routine, mostly because I feel like it would be far too easy to lounge around in my pj's all day which leads (in my case) to lack of productivity and eventual depressed blah-ness.

The typical day right now involves:

using Seattle's Metro system
(the #7 transfer to the #48)

working out at the IMA (UW's fantastic exercise facility)


studying on/around campus
(usually in Suzzallo Library's reading room)

and class on Monday nights and Wednesday mornings
(in Miller Hall)

Oh yes, and I play adult co-ed kickball on Sundays. Woot!
Underdog Kickball League - Ballard Boys & Girls Club

Photos from here and here.