Seattle

My trip to Seattle was not only a little vacation for me, but an eye opener as well. Seattle is a very eclectic type of city & I enjoyed everything that it had to offer. As you look down the street in front of my friend Karyn's house you can actually see the Cascade Mountains. How wonderful it would be to wake up every morning and as you are driving away you see beautiful mountains! Karyn does not live downtown, but still her house is in an area where you can walk to the local store, restaurant, bar, school, park, & even a veagan donut store. She also lives 10 minutes from one of the most beautiful zoos I have ever seen. Beautiful in that it was small and you were so close to the animals. The paths & surroundings were so natural, not commercialized like many zoos here. It was not crowed, so it was very peaceful to walk around with Karyn, Coen, & little Maria & catch up. That night, Karyn introduced me to Indian food, & I would have to say that it was very good. After that, we went to a local coffee house & talked some more. Friday, we just relaxed. I had tofu for breakfast & actually liked that as well. That evening, Kevin & Karyn made a polish chicken dish that their mom used to make, & it was wonderful. Peter's best friend, Michael, was also over for dinner. Peter & Michael taught Kevin & I the game hearts while we drank some really good wine. Later that evening, Kevin & Peter insisted I walk to the corner bar with Kevin & his friend Chad. I had some interesting political debates with Chad & some REALLY good Seattle wine, too much actually. Saturday Karyn took Kevin & I to a Sushi restaurant. I had every intention on again trying something new, Sushi, but my stomach would not take it because of the night before. I spent a good amount of time in the bathroom! I really wanted to try Sushi, oh well, maybe next time. We shopped for a while, then returned home to make dinner. Peter made a wonderful homemade marinara sauce, & we had ravioli's with it. I would have to say that Peter & Karyn are wonderful cooks. Karyn also made Chili for the Superbowl, & even though the meat was soy sausage, it was really good! Saturday night, we relaxed & watched Cars with Coen & then turned in early since we had an early morning. Maria's baptism was beautiful. She did really well & didn't cry until the end! After the ceremony we all went back to Karyn's for brunch. Again, she made a wonderful meal. I did alot of walking that afternoon around a beautiful lake, and to the veagan doughnut shop. All the walking gave me a new outlook. How much I actually enjoyed to exercise, & how good it made me feel. Maybe it was the company & my suroundings, but I really enjoyed it. I wanted to walk outside today, but it is just too cold. So, I got Jeff's Ipod, but on some Nickleback and JOGGED on the treadmill. It was so awesome. I just pretended I could see the nice scenery, instead of the wonder pets that Lauren & Ryan were watching.

Seattle was so peaceful. No screaming, no yelling, everyone I encountered seemed so content & happy & RELAXED. That is what I crave & what I want. I thrive on peacefullness, & when it gets loud & caotic, I just go insane. My New Years resolution is to make my house as peaceful & quiet as Karyn's house is. I know I can do it!

Anyway, I hope my new outlook stays postive & as soon as it is nice out I want to run every morning before Lauren goes to school.

Here are just a few pictures. Sadly, I didn't get any of the beautiful scenery.