Active 4th Weekend

I'll remember this year's July 4th as the active weekend. My glutes, calves, and arms are still slightly sore, but it was so worth it having my sister visiting. She loves doing active stuff and working out, whereas I'm more relaxed, preferring long walks to intense cardio. Since Seattle is abundant in outdoor activities, Michael and I planned a weekend that would suit her interests.

Friday morning we went to Alki Beach to soak in the sun, then headed to Lake Union after lunch to go kayaking.

It was such a beautiful blue day and very warm. When we returned, Michael and I made dinner for my sister before taking her to the golf course to watch the sunset.

Saturday we did about an 8 mile hike before heading over to Michael's parents for a BBQ. With plenty of food, wine, and conversation, it was a good night.

Sunday I made breakfast before we headed into Seattle and got lunch at Nue, a new restaurant that I'll be blogging about soon.

Then it was off to the airport to say our goodbye's. What a quick weekend it was!

How did you spend your 4th? Comment below!

Vegas photos, a dose of nostalgia, and a poem.

I should've blogged about my sister weekend in Vegas, but life got busy, and whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right? So instead of bombarding you with pictures, I picked out my favorites (most from just the first night). If you're curious, we did XS Friday, Rehab pool party Saturday, Omnia that night, and Sunday was spent sinning with food.

Saw Zedd. Highlight of the trip!



My partner in crime. 

After a few busy weeks, life is finally starting to slow down just in time for summer. Since I've been taking a break from writing after completing my first draft, I've had the time to finally watch Season Two of 'The Paradise' and if you can believe it, went through my entire e-mail box from college. I had 7,600 e-mails since I last checked it! I cleaned it up and started archiving old creative writing assignments and papers just because I think it'll come in handy for story ideas. Not to mention, just knowing I have that bulk of work really makes me elated at how I've evolved as a writer. It's just really amazing when you think about all the work it took to get that piece of parchment (degree). Lab reports, research papers, science papers, theoretical papers, critical essays, and creative assignments. I just love it. It's made me so nostalgic for school.

Funny how at the time I just wanted it to be over and done with and now I find myself wishing I could go back. Where has the time gone?

Stepping away from the cubicle the other day waiting in the Starbuck's line I jotted down a quick poem about it on my phone:

A strange longing
of hazelnut coffee cups and freshly mowed lawns.
Conversations at picnic tables
with minds that can read my own.
Pressed notebooks with ink stains.
Stacks of books with too many owners.

I feel brave, new, scared, but learning
with every page that I'm turning.

In the moment it feels like forever;
an impasse from reality,
but it is the reality I miss.
Along with the hazelnut coffee,
biking under arches of trees,
as the sunlight beams on me.

I know this place, I know them all,
even when I don't.
But a strange pull, and big dreams,
pull us all together.
That I wonder where we've all ended up.

My Twin

Okay, she's not really my twin, but we get that a lot. She's actually older by seven years (not that she looks it). She visited me recently in Seattle. Since it was her first time here, we did every touristy thing imaginable. Normally I would bombard this post with tons of photos, but I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

Overall, I think she had a pretty good darn trip. Her favorite tourist spot was the same as mine: Chihuly Glass and Garden.

If you've never been, I highly recommend it. For me, the artwork here always inspires me to conjure up mesmerizing scenes like this into my writing.

Super Moon over the city from the Space Needle.

Just a few more months until I get to reunite with my twin and family again. Can it be Thanksgiving yet?

Surprise Flowers and Sisters

My spirits were increasingly better Friday then they were Thursday. Then it turned out even better at work when I was called up to the receptionist desk. Turned out Michael had ordered flowers to be delivered to me. I've received flowers before, but I never had them delivered which was such a sweet gesture. Jeez I miss him! Can't wait for him to come back home!

Then at work the big boss took us out to lunch at Seastar, which was great seeing as I've been snacking all week instead of eating meals (since I absolutely suck at cooking). I had a crab bisque and scallops with truffles, yummmm.

For the evening I went to Purple after work for some wine and snacks with a dear co-worker and friend which set off the weekend right.

Then Saturday afternoon, my sisters arrived right when the windstorm hit. But it all turned out fine. We went to get lunch at Din Tai Fung in Bellevue for some dumplings then I took them to Bottlehouse.

(Taken from my sister's Instagram)

Olives, three cheeses, and wine at BH

Truffles at BH

After we headed home and got some delicious baked cookies at Hello Robin and rented "I Give It a Year," which was hilarious and my second time watching it!

Matcha green tea cookie, Macklesmore, Classic chocolate chip, Whole wheat chocolate chip with sea salt, and Habenero chocolate chip!

Then we went to my fave speakeasy, Knee High Stocking Co. for some cocktails and their absolutely amazing tots (that I forgot to take a picture of)!

"Midnight in the Garden"

Tune in to my blog tomorrow to see how my sisters and I spent Sunday in Ballard!