New Digs!

I have no idea how we did it, but somehow, somehow, we made it through the past week. My to-do list filled an entire 8.5x11 sheet of paper. Single spaced, 10 point font. And I’ve finally got everything crossed off! Oh, except that pesky little “Homework for next week” line item. Oops.

I tried to have everything all packed up the weekend prior, since I currently have class from 6pm to 9pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. That means those days were officially out. But leaving the house at 7am, working all day, riding a bus for an hour to the U. District, sitting in class for three hours, getting home to Queen Anne and then proceeding to eat dinner and do homework until midnight has already started to take a toll on me (as one can imagine).

But I made it through the week and we headed down to IKEA on Friday night to pick up our new bed. Thus, we encountered our first problem. Although I had hoped for the best, there was no way in hell the boxes we had already paid for were going to fit in my car. Oh, and the store was closing in five minutes. Luckily, we managed to get the store to hold the bed overnight and have a friend pick it up with a truck in the morning. Phew. Tragedy averted.

Saturday morning started at 7am with a final run to Fred Meyer to pick up last-minute items including, of course, an ample supply of beer for the volunteer movers. U-Haul pickup was at 9am. Friends arrived promptly at 10am to first load up my apartment and then Stewart’s. We also managed to fill to bursting two cars with my clothes and miscellaneous items.

We had another little disaster in the parking garage, where Stewart’s friend managed to back Stew’s car out almost perfectly… leaving behind one mirror, shaved off by a cement pole. Oops. But finally, we were on our way to our new Ballard home, where everyone took a break for pizza, beer and tequila shots before unloading the truck. I think everything was in by about 6pm – not too shabby!

The evening then consisted of taking extra furniture items over to my sister’s house in Eastlake for storage, and returning the truck. Then we celebrated with more drinks and the boys made it down to The Old Peculiar. I couldn’t drag myself away from unpacking, but I did go pick them up later and we made our first stop at the neighborhood Dick’s Drive In.

So we are finally home! A little worse for wear I suppose (a couple co-workers have already commented on how tired I look), but it feels so great to be done! I’m a little anxious about how behind I now am in my schoolwork, but I am going to spend this evening at the UW Law Library catching up.

Many thanks to everyone who helped / stopped by / brought gifts to us this weekend, it really meant a lot to us! We can’t wait to have everyone over to show off our new home!

I heart Ballard.

Goodbye Queen Anne, Hello Ballard!

That’s right, you heard it here first… Stewart and I are moving in together! Considering the fact that neither one of us has ever lived with a boyfriend or girlfriend before, we figured, “What the hell?” and chose to take a serious plunge… we bought a condo!!

And after four amazing years, I am finally going to be leaving the mother ship of Queen Anne and moving to… Ballard! Yep that’s right. We bought a beautiful condo at a building called the Metropole, just off Ballard Avenue and Market Street. A perfect location, if my limited knowledge of Ballard counts for anything.

The building is less than two years old and our unit has barely been lived in, so to us it feels brand new. It’s a large home with hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, our own private patio along with a rooftop deck, and a gas fireplace that goes through the wall from our living room into our bedroom. And my favorite feature? That’s right, I will finally have a washer and dryer in my own home!

Such big changes going on in our lives! Let me take a moment to try and recap everything…

• Stewart was finally hired as a firefighter! He will be working for Valley Regional Fire Authority in Auburn, and we are both thrilled that all his hard work finally paid off. He began Fire Academy this month. Unfortunately, just a couple weeks into the Academy Stewart injured his knee, badly. It will require surgery and this means he is out of the Academy for now, and unable to return until January when (we hope) he will be fully recovered. So poor Stew will have to spend some time on the couch followed by light duty at the fire station until January.


• My new job as an Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President for a downtown Seattle residential real estate development company (wow, there’s a mouthful) is going really great! I’ve been here for a little more than two months now and finally feel like I am getting the hang of things. I love my team and my boss and changing jobs has drastically improved my quality of life. Quitting my previous job was one of the best decisions I have ever made, as far as my mental health is concerned.


• I’m finally going back to school! Tonight will be my first class at the University of Washington, in the Paralegal Certificate Program. I am taking two classes this quarter: Fundamentals of Legal Practice and Legal Research and Writing. If all goes as planned, I should be a Certified Paralegal by this spring! However, I will have class from 6pm to 9pm on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday for the next nine months or so, and a huge amount of homework and reading, so if you don’t see me out and about don’t be surprised. I’ll see you all next summer!


• Stewart and I are moving in together! Did I already mention that? I’m just so excited I can barely stand it. Considering we have basically been living together for the past six months in his tiny studio apartment, our new 725 square foot condo seems like a dream come true! We move in on October 4th.

So in summary, lots of changes going on in our lives right now. I am super sad about leaving Queen Anne, and not living with Jeanna anymore, but I suppose change is good, especially when it consists of a major financial investment!

We’d love to have all of you over once we’re settled!

Summer Solstice Festival 2008

I’ve always thought that riding naked on a bicycle seems like just about the most uncomfortable idea ever, but of course I never miss a chance to see dozens of naked, painted hippies riding bikes in public all at once. Thus, I once again this year attended Fremont Summer Solstice Festival to gawk and drink beer. What a glorious way to spend a Saturday.

I think this year Fremont was more packed than ever. I only managed to catch a glimpse of the parade through the swarms of people, but a peek was really all I needed of the flabby, hairy, colorfully painted anatomy going up the street. We grabbed some lunch and then headed over to the real highlight of the festival... the Beer Garden!

Larisa, definitely enjoying herself.

The group, feeling just a little bit silly after a morning of mimosas.

Is this just way too cheesy for words?

Mike & Jeanna.
The ladies.
Larisa & Dave.

There's really nothing much more entertaining than people-watching at festivals while drinking beer. I swear, the characters who are willing to come out in public continue to amaze me. And thsi year was made even more entertaining by the fact that several homosexual males took it upon themselves to hit on my boyfriend. Is it bad that I simply looked on from the sidelines, laughing at his discomfort? Poor Stewart tried to explain to them that he is, in fact, straight. But the boys explained to him that he's actually just "confused." And with a few beers in me this was hysterically entertaining.

Poor Stew (although he does look darn cute!)

The view from our amazing rooftop patio.

A rendezvous with Crystal.

Of course later that evening there was no reason to stop the general shenanigans of the day, so we met some more friends at a local Fremont bar, followed by drinks on our glorious rooftop patio, followed by more drinks at a well-known Queen Anne establishment... complete with karaoke, Stewart-style. Hearing my boyfriend sing Oasis's "Wonderwall" drunkenly at the top of his lungs definitely brought the day to a fantastic close.

I can't wait until next year.

Hasta La Vista!

Let's face it. Anyone who knows me at all is aware that I have been extremely unhappy with my professional life for a long time now. Lately, it's been so bad that I don't even want to go to bed at night... because I know that in the morning I have to wake up and go into work. I feel like I am constantly having full blown anxiety attacks. I end up in tears at my desk at least once a week. I’m not eating much and I’ve started smoking again. I've begun to wonder if all the glowing recommendations I received from previous employers throughout my life were false. Am I a completely incompetent employee?

Think about it. Things have to be pretty bad if I’ve been reduced to such a horrible mental state. There is nothing worse than waking up five mornings a week filled with dread over how you have to spend your day. And then spending your weekend filled with terror about what you will walk into Monday morning. Knowing that no matter what you do, it will always be wrong.

I’ve been trying for months and months (let’s face it, for over a year now) to do my job correctly. And somehow to matter what I do, it’s not right. One day I could choose decision A and be reprimanded for selecting incorrectly. So the next day I choose decision B. Nope, also incorrect. It’s a constant lose/lose situation, and try as I might to identify what I am doing wrong or how I might improve, it seems that my boss is perpetually telling me that I should have done things differently.

It’s taken me a long time to realize that the problem is not me. I receive glowing recommendations and praise from both my co-workers and my clients. However, I think there is an un-resolvable personality conflict between me and my boss. The two of use could sit in front of a red wall for hours, and as much as I could insist to her that the wall is red, she would continue to explain to me that I’m wrong: the wall is black Sarah, don’t you see? And finally I would have to admit that the red wall is, in fact, black. I was wrong – the only obvious conclusion in my supervisor's eyes.

So a couple weeks ago I made a decision. I decided that my mental health and quality of life is far more important than a job (especially one that I am not in the least bit passionate about). So I gave my two weeks notice. With no other employment opportunities lined up, yesterday I walked out of a company that has made my life a living hell for the past two years. And I’ve never felt better.

So see you later… I will miss all my fabulous co-workers and clients terribly, but am interested to see what will happen with this poorly-managed company. Karma’s a bitch.

Little Brother Graduates

I absolutely cannot believe it. My baby brother has graduated from high school. For some reason I just haven't allowed him to age in my head. To me, he will always be an adorable little seven-year-old. But it's funny. Every time I go home to my parents house he's a little bit taller... his voice is a little bit deeper... and I get the funny feeling that if he wanted to, he could beat me up. I don't understand how this happened!

In any case, I went down to my hometown of Olympia yesterday to spend the day with my family and attend Capital High School's graduation ceremony, which took place in the gym at Saint Martin's University, the exact same location where I graduated from high school seven... or is it eight?! years ago. My my, how the time does fly. I think this effectively renders me "old."

It was so fun to see my brother all dressed up in his graduation garb, joking around with his friends. It seems he is quite the nerdy cool kid!

Oh my, what a cutie!

The quintessential family graduation photo, complete with three generations.

Sisters with Little Brother...

And of course, Mom and Dad. Oh they are so proud, how cute!

The whole family. Love it.

One thing I learned at AJ's graduation... these things never change. The speeches might be slightly altered, the haircuts a little different, and the teachers a little older, but these things are MIND NUMBINGLY BORING. Even Little Brother agreed. But hey, it's a necessary rite of passage I suppose, and not an event I was willing to miss, even though it required me to take the day off work. Totally worth it to see AJ walk across the stage in his cap and gown. Oh I was so proud! *Tear*

And off he goes... In September he will join the Freshman ranks at Central Washington University, and who knows what the future holds for him.

Good luck, Captain Jack McCool!

Happy Birthday, Stinger!

Steve, as you experience life one year older, I hope it is not fear that grips you, but only a heightened sense of things. We need to go shoe shopping immediately.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Relay For Life... Finally!

After months and months of planning, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life finally arrived! My team, Swift Walkers For A Swift Cure, spent 24 hours walking for all of our loved ones whose lives have been touched by cancer.

• The entire Relay raised almost $90,000 to benefit cancer research.
• Swift Walkers For A Swift Cure raised $6,633 to benefit cancer research.
• This made us the #2 fund raising team!
• And with unbelievable efforts, Stewart raised $3,575 to benefit cancer research.
• This made him the #3 individual fund raiser!

The Relay itself was super fun. Stewart and I arrived in the early morning to gorgeous sunny skies and helped set up. However, by the time the Relay began at 10 a.m. the clouds had begun to roll in and we had to rush to get our tents and canopy up before it started pouring. However, we didn't let this discourage us. Throughout the day while some team members hit the track, the rest of us participated in events and contests to pass the time. It was a great time to just chill out and hang out with my family.
At 11 p.m. the Luminaria Ceremony took place. For many people who attend Relay For Life, this is one of the most moving parts of the event. As the light dims over campsites and team members complete laps, the night is brightened by the glow of lighted bags called luminaria, each of which has a special meaning. Some luminaria celebrate the survivorship of people who have battled cancer and lived to tell the tale. Many commemorate the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. All represent a person who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to be touched by that experience.
Swift Walkers For A Swift Cure lit many luminaria candles for our friends and family who have been affected by this horrible disease. It was a great way to remember those we have lost and those who continue to battle for their lives every day.

As you would expect, the night got REALLY long pretty fast. The point of the Relay is to have someone on the track at all times, so this means while some of us slept in the tents, other people took their 1/2 hour turns walking around the track. It was cold... and dark... but it was a great opportunity to chit chat and heck, sleep is really over-rated, I think!
The next morning at the final ceremony we were in for a surprise. Swift Walkers For A Swift Cure had earned the most points in contests that had taken place during the Relay, and we won a prize package full of gift certificates to local restaurants and stores. Sweet!
Overall, even though it was completely exhausting and stressful, I am so happy that I was a part of Relay For Life. The event allows participants to fight back against a disease that touches too many lives. It's something that we forget about in our day-to-day lives, and this event really brings it into perspective.

If you'd like to be a part of my team next year, please let me know!

Happy Birthday, Cailin!

It seems to be becoming a habit for me to dedicate a blog to each of my friends as their birthdays come and go each year. However, sadly, I do not have the luxury of celebrating in person with all of my friends. So I dedicate this blog as an ode to Cailin on this, her 26th birthday!

I've chosen to plagiarize the text of a card she once gave me for MY birthday, because I think it says just about everything about this fabulously amazing woman...

For a Special Friend

In our lives, if we're lucky,
we'll have all kinds of friends.
And although we appreciate them all
for different reasons,
there are some we come to cherish.
You, without a doubt,
fall into this last category.
You are the friend who never, ever bores me,
the friend I'm always glad to see
and who never lets me down.
You are that special friend
who knows I'm far from perfect
and accepts me anyway.
We've shared a lot, good and bad,
and you've proven
you can be counted on.

All those things and so many more
come together to make you
more than just an everyday friend.
You're a lifetime friend.

Happy Birthday!

Memorial Day Weekend 2008

Even though it's pretty obvious that nothing can top last year's Memorial Day weekend shenanigans, we stuck with tradition and once again headed over to Evan's cabin in Sunland for the three-day weekend.
The crew is always the same, minus a few here and there. We always get drink, drank, drunk at the cabin. And of course, we ALWAYS go to the sand dunes, aka Disneyland according to Kelly. So this year was one in the same. We took the boat over to the dunes and parked the boat as usual. However, I think I made the mistake of not starting to drink early enough in the day, because the crazy party over there seemed to be a little too... clear or something.
I was completely appalled at the number of small children there, running in between 18-year-old girls wearing pasties and taking beer bongs. The water seemed dirtier and the people trashier. Oh, I'm sure nothing has changed... I think I'm usually in such a daze that I don't realize what I am a part of! How sad... am I getting too old for Disneyland? Has its magical powers over me worn off? Tragic.In any case, the rest of the weekend we spent basking in the sun on the boat and hanging with good friends at Evan's. Although the weather wasn't completely cooperative, and it even rained for a while, we entertained ourselves with games, food and booze. We also went over to Crescent Bar for pizza... something I hadn't done before. While we were there, a full blown drinking contest ensued.. one of my favorite parts of the trip. Besides, of course, Larisa krunking like crazy in the driveway.

Until next year... Cheers!

Jenny & Shannon's Wedding

I really don't think there is anything more amazing than when two people find love in each other. Cheesy, I know, but I really believe this is true. I also believe that there is no better reason to celebrate! So I was completely thrilled to spend my weekend traveling with Jeanna up to Vancouver, WA to celebrate the marriage of two of my good friends... Jenny & Shannon.
The thing I liked best about Jenny and Shannon's wedding was how "them" the whole weekend was. I love how casual and down to earth these ladies are with their lives, and the wedding completely reflected their style and taste. The entire extravaganza took place in the penthouse of the Rosellen Suites at Stanley Park. The hotel was completely charming and the penthouse suite (dog-friendly, of course!) had a wrap-around deck where the ceremony was held.
The ceremony itself was simple... 30 or so guests stood in attendance while dogs trotted around as Jenny and Shannon pledged their lives to each other. A friend played the guitar. I have to admit I shed a tear or two! Afterward the marriage license was singed (which I officially witnessed!)
Then, the party began! Jenny prepared a yummy feast of fish, chicken and salads with Trophy Cupcakes for dessert. Guests then got to spend the evening with cocktails from the open bar and good company.
I loved the simplicity and sincerity of the whole event. I am so happy that these two people found each other and I wish them the best in life and love.

CONGRATULATIONS!