from judy's point of view

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Zak and I visits Victoria, BC

October, 14, 2010

Zak and I took the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria.  This was a 3-4 hour ordeal completed thanks to Groupon where we found the excellent deal.  We arrived in the evening and had sometime to get dinner and walk around along the harbor.  It's so pretty at night.
The buildings were lit up like a Christmas tree. We pretty much walked around and took in the sightseeing.  We went to the Museum of Victoria BC and wished we had gone on the weekdays so Zak gets one of his dreams take place which is to watch the Parliament in session. The day before we left we ate at this incredible structure of a Scottish pub. We had seen it the night before but there was a huge line in front, instead went there with no problems during the afternoon.  Zak and I found a peacock just strolling around the lake.  Just the strangest thing see a bird walking around in a public park. The biggest I've seen stroll around is a seagull. Excellent trip. It was a great way for Zak and I to get away from the city for the weekend and to try out something new.


Chuck's visit to Seattle

October, 13, 2010

Finally got a chance to Ride the Ducks and see Seattle on top of the Space Needle.  It was really great to show Chuck around Seattle.  I find that walking is not what most people want to do on any trip.  As a tour guide, I will learn to allow a few breaks in between landmarks. 
LOL

I love the enthusiasm that I got from him when we visited the market, waterfront, needle, and ride the ducks.  It makes me happy to know that he enjoyed his trip.


My family visits me in Seattle

October, 12, 2010

My family came up to visit me in Seattle and take a trip to see Vancouver as well. It was really great seeing my family again, it's been like 5 months. It was a first for everyone in Vancouver, we went to Richmond for delicious chinese food and walked around downtown,
gastown, chinatown, and granville island. So after that, we drove back to Seattle.  First stopped at Boeing for a tour of the facility and
got to see the next generation of 787s being built (more efficiently). My brother loves airplanes. It was pretty much seattle landmarks
after that. I think they had fun but not sure if Seattle was impressive in their minds since they traveled to so many places. My
favorite part was driving around the Seattle surrounding area and checking out all the corporate offices of Google, Amazon, Starbucks,
and Microsoft. Well I really enjoyed the Olympic national park/rainforest - so beautiful and calm.  The highlight of the trip was showing mom what a mommy sandwich was (she had no idea what that was thx to edward for the assist)!


My visit to LA

October, 10, 2010

Visiting LA and seeing some old friends was long overdue.  At this trip, I had a chance to see Hollywood, Rodeo drive, Getty Center, Huntington Beach, Disneyland, and had some delicious foods such as Japanese BBQ, Pinkberry Froyo, Taqueria de Anda, In-n-Out Burger, creole and korean dishes. I have to say it was a nice combination of eating, sightseeing, and walking.  This trip is memorable in many ways because I got a chance to reconnect with people and more nationally known that Saturday was the hottest day (+113 degrees) in LA history since 1877?!  I guess brought that from Seattle? Maybe not, I can't imagine Seattle going that high.  The cool air touching my face when I got off the plane was wonderful.  My favorite parts of LA would have to be the Getty Center and Disneyland.  I find museums the best part of a trip - relaxing, seeing incredible art, and oozing with cultural history.  I guess I am a sucker for educational places. And Disneyland is so fun, I enjoyed the World of Colors because it was everyones first time seeing the show - incredible music, great movie scenes, and spectacular lasers and water works.

I would like to thank all of them who made my trip exhausting, awesome and memorable. The hospitality was superb. If you guys come visit Seattle, you have a place to stay and someone to show you around :)


Photography Beginner - what interest me

August, 11, 2010

I don't mind if the photo is enhanced by software, filters, technique or which ever way.  The end results is what captivates me the most.  I am inspired when a picture delivers a message that generates a great heap of emotions in me.  I am enlightened, in awe, or it expands my imagination.  Photos that spark that fire is what I want to recreate my own.  Not only does creativity inspires me, I like the back story.  Where did the photographer stand, how did he/she prepare for the shot,  what type of equipment was used and why was that used,  how close are the results compared to what appeared as an idea, what does the photo mean to the originator? Finding an outlet for creativity is what I sought for as I begin here.  I am looking into what theme or collection that will speak to me the most and what is easily accessible in terms of location and equipment (I have Nikon VR D3000 + lenses 55-200mm).  To begin I need to find my niche and look into themes found in my collection.  Sources from interfacelift to personal blogs on posterous is where I find these great photos.  Hopefully as a result I can identify some of the things I can create that peaks my interests (that is another post).     

Themes that I like the most: 

Memorial Day 2010

June, 1, 2010

I hope everyone had a good memorial day weekend. I know mine was full
of booze, food, and friends. We went to the annual Folklife Festival
at the Seattle Center on Saturday. Free admission to all 4 days. I am
not sure how to describe this event but it was sure a clash of food,
music and people. Each corner of the festival played in a different
tune - blue grass to hip hop to grunge to etc. And scattered around
the ground were food vendors and merchants. You can count on the
usual carnival foods but there were african, thai, chinese, indian,
and german goodies. That was exciting fun checking out the people in
Seattle. I think next time I will try to wear an outfit that blends
well in the crowd.. Looked to normal with jeans and a black jacket.
So after it got dark, we hit up chinatown Bush Garden for some karaoke
and Sake. It was really fun... I don't have the nerve to sing but many
others were excellent and got the crowd going. Memorial day weekend
doesn't end without a cookout or it wouldn't be called memorial day
weekend. So we had people at the house, grilled up some juicy
hamburgers and beer-soaked brats, drank screwdrivers, and played Wii
Monopoly. Can't believe it's already June! Where does the time go?

Check out for next years annual folklife festival -> http://www.nwfolklife.org


Maritime Festival and Chowder Cook Off

May, 13, 2010

The past weekend we went to the Fourteenth Annual Maritime Festival sponsored by The Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood and Metropolitan Improvement District.  A beautiful Saturday to kick of the festival that took place along the waterfront.  We saw tugboat races, Coast Guard rescue demos, and wooden-boat building for the kids.  And of course, a chowder cook-off which was one of the reasons we went.  With only $5, we sampled and voted on the best chowder. Tried out 9 different chowders from Anthony's Pier 66, Bell Harbor Conference Center, The Crab Pot, Elliot's Oyster House, The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar, Ivar's , Seattle Marriott Waterfront, Six-Seven, and Steamer's Seafood Cafe.  All were very excellent but I voted for Six-Seven because it was delicious.  I picked that because it didn't taste or have the consistency of warm milk.  It was a medium-size sample portion, not overpowering but a balanced combo of spices and they didn't skimp on clam meat.