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.


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)!


1st Sewing Project Completed

June, 29, 2010

Zak and I just finished our first sewing project - pillowcovers and a duvet cover.   It was no small feat.  I wanted to quit after doing the pillows, but Zak slapped me silly and told me I should shut up and finish it.  So we did and I love it very much.  I'm really happy with the outcome.  We bought the comforter from Ikea and went to Stitches to handpick our fabric. I really love this fabric, It's soft, thin, light and imported from japan (matilda loves it).   We also included a 22" zipper for our comforter and it looks so pretty!  Check out our photos below.  

 


Happy 2nd Anniversary @madzak

June, 22, 2010

Photo

Thank you for the flowers honey!


Part 1 Moving to Seattle - Adjusting. Settling. Enjoying. Slowly but surely.

May, 6, 2010

A few weeks ago before moving to Seattle I was living at my parents
home, finishing grad school, and closing things with work. People
knew that I would be in Seattle less than a month. I was ready to go
to Seattle, see Zak and the kitties.

My expectations for this month was to relax, learn the city and do
things at my pace. But fudge that, it was no vacation. I love the
apartment we found... the location, the view, and everything looked
great except for the inside... we had no furniture. In fact, poor Zak
spent a few months sleeping on a futon pad along with the kitties!
Although I was excited to go to Seattle, I was nervous about it and
had the usual stress indicators. Moving to the city was stressful.
Leaving Ohio and everything I knew about Ohio was stressful. Learning
a new city and lifestyle was stressful. Living in an empty home was
most stressful. In my heart, I knew I had to start making this place
feel like a home, our home. It was top priority for me at least. I
needed a place where I feel comfortable and secure, I can be myself
and belong. Speaking of new environments, the kitties had been trying
not to freak out. But, up until now there has been a few scary
moments. Lucy hasn't been eating very much and just a few days ago
had an episode. She collapsed and started to breathe heavily. She
couldn't get up for 30 minutes and we tried to calm her as she shook.
I took her to the vet the next day in Queen Anne by taxi. After the
xrays, blood work, and exam, we learned that she has an infection in
her chest. Relieved that it wasn't cancer, we are happy that this is
treatable. And just recently, Hank hasn't been able to poop :( He
frequently would sit in the litter box for a few minutes and not have
anything come out. We have gone through 3 different brands of dry
foods and still haven't found something that all the kitties like. We
are constantly watching each of them for puke, diarrhea, loss of
appetite etc. While all that was going on, I signed up and registered
everything that a WA resident who doesn't own a car would carry. In
the last few weeks, I received my WA drivers license, ORCA card,
Zipcar membership card, Seattle library card, Safeway club card and
Nordstrom MOD card.

So if you ask me what have I been up to? all that above. If you ask
how do I like Seattle? I love Seattle. The people, food, city,
landscape, and all around equal amount of events for all types of
interests. If you ask how am I doing? I am a bit homesick but trying
to fit in. Adjusting. Settling. Enjoying. Slowly but surely.


Can I keep this kitten for myself?! She's so cute!

March, 16, 2010

I went to my mother-in-laws house this past weekend and unfortunately missed her but I had keys to visit her kitties.  Her name is Poppy and she's a Norwegian Forest breed. She's only a few months old, but so big! I thought kittens were small enough to fit in my palms.  Anyways, she is so entertaining. Her favorite toys are wands and goes nuts over them. She jumps high, flips in the air, somersaults, and rolls around with feathers in her mouth and paws.  One other night I played with her for a consecutive 3 hours long and that didn't slow her down.  She is carefree, high energy, and playful kitten. And so sweet, she doesn't bite or claw. She may not like getting picked up, but she is gentle and looks up with her inquisitive eyes asking "Can I go play now?". I just can't say no to her.


Past weekend reflection

January, 18, 2010

Two major events happened this week.  One good and one not so good.  The not so good is not the focus of this post however I wanted to use this to track a point in time so I can look back and understand the circumstance of this weekend.  
The good is my husband's family.  This family is very close -- they look out for each other.  They support each other.  If someone is not doing well, they band together and protect the vulnerable.  They are awesome.   Not that they haven't been this way, I am amazed from what I've seen and heard - how loving and supportive they are to one another.  I've been invited into their family with open arms and taken cared of as if I was one of them all along.  They threw a surprise birthday party Saturday morning and showered me with gifts.  I've been invited to the "girls night out" events with the women of the family.  I have so much fun with the family and the greatest part is that I just have to be myself.  I want to thank them for their generosity and the trust that they give me to be part of the family.  I only hope that I can do the same and live long the love and support for my future family. 

What do I think about on my 30th birthday

January, 15, 2010

OMG I just turned 30.  I am having a major life crisis.   I made goals to get married, have kids, and live in a nice home in the suburbs.  I had goals that I've traveled and seen the world by the age of 30.  What do I have to show for in the last 3 decades?  It's getting harder to loss weight, my body and skin isn't perky and good at resisting the harshness of the world.  My skin is no longer smooth and wrinkle free.  I am 30 and can I really have kids?! What will I be doing in the next 30 years?

That is the stuff that goes through my head today.  It initially depressed me and had put a number of my fragile mind.   However just thinking about the major accomplishments I've had in my life I'm happy that I had made conscious decisions to at least made baby steps to meet my goals.  I got married to a wonderful husband.  I have kitties who gives me unconditional love.  I am getting my masters in June.  I am among people that exemplifies love and support for one another.  Because of that, I am doing great and that makes the the happiest person in the world.  Sure, I’m not where I thought I’d be when I reached 30, but you know, I’m pretty happy with where I am.  It’s so cliche, but I feel like I have so much ahead of me.  There are so many exciting things happening in the world and so many opportunities to grow personally and professionally.  I’m glad to have my place in all of it, at least until things change again and I go off on my next adventure... BRING IT ON! 


What am I thankful for?

November, 27, 2009

Turkey

What am I thankful for?

  1. Family & Friends - I am thankful for my husband who is my adviser, supporter, and listener.   I am thankful for the close relationships I have with Zak's family and mine.  Especially closer to my brother throughout the years.  I am thankful for friends and acquaintances.  Their multiple interests and perspectives keep me open-minded and empathetic.  Finally, I am thankful for the kitties who show pure unconditional love. 
  2. Health - I am thankful for my good health.  If I didn't have a healthy body or mind, I wouldn't be able to do things I can do now.
  3. Technology - I am thankful for the technology.  I love my iPhone, Dropbox, and Hulu (to name a few).  Without technology, I wouldn't be able to organize, store, collaborate, connect things customized to my preference and process.
Happy Thanksgiving 2009!