Savor Seattle: Pike Place Market

Pike Place is one of my favorite "landmarks" in Seattle. Everyone knows it. The sign is iconic. The flowers are always gorgeous and inexpensive.

But mostly, I really, really love the food.

So when my good blog friend, Sarah, suggested meeting up there for the Savor Seattle Food Tour, I jumped. Sarah and her fiance, J, left for Japan this morning, so this was our last hurrah for a while. And the tour was an awesome activity to end with.

The tour stops at a number of famous Pike Place restaurants and shops. While the portions seemed small at the beginning, by the end I was very thankful.

I have a few pictures to share, but mostly I was busy eating. I'll do my best to fill in the gaps between pictures.

The group met up at a Starbucks just across the street from the market. I got there early thanks to my bus being speedy, so I helped myself to a little caffeine. We got the run down on the tour, inserted our ear pieces, and headed off into the cold, rainy, windy Seattle day.

Once we entered the market, we got to sample donuts. Delicious, deep fried, sugar covered donuts. Also, we took a gander at all of these donor tiles.

Then we moved on to tea and spices. How I love tea and spices. If only I had all the money in the world to buy the nice stuff.

Tea and spices were followed by seafood, a sampling of smoked salmon (one of my favorite things in the world), and one lucky tour member getting to catch a fish. He did it like a pro.

We all stopped by the pig. She has a name. I can't recall it though.

The we crossed the street to sample some apples and oranges from the produce stands. Then I wanted to buy all the fruits and vegetables. Also, did you know the eggplant is the largest berry in the world.

We followed produce with clam chowder, another one of my favorite things. Seriously. And this stuff was award winning. I can't wait to go back for a full-sized version.

We followed chowder with Chukar's Cherries. My favorite was the dark chocolate merlot covered option.

Cherries were followed by cheese. Cheese and world famous mac 'n' cheese. I'm a cheese addict, so this was pretty heavenly.

This is the point that I stopped taking pictures. After cheese we sampled piroshkies, savory and sweet, and crab cakes.

It was all delicious and just made me want to go eat all the food. And buy all the things.

Even if you're from Seattle and/or have been to the Market, I strongly recommend this tour. The guides are friendly and helpful, food can be modified to meet your dietary needs, and everything was delicious.

Awkward and Awesome: Madness

I'm really busy right now. The first two days of March Madness are pretty much my two favorite days of the year. And luckily I continue to have a spring break that coincides.

(Although actually it's final's week and I'm attempting to write a law paper and watch four basketball games at the same time.)

So I drove up to my parent's house last night after class, set an alarm, and have been parked in front of the TV since. That's all I have planned for the next 36 hours or so, too.

(Well, that and the paper. Obviously.)

Now, onto the main event (or maybe it's the halftime show), my awkward and awesome moments from the past two weeks (since I didn't get to it last week).

Awkward:
- The number of parentheses I have used so far in this post. I've lost control of my punctuation!
- Taking my car in for an oil change and having to get a new battery for $100.
- Being in the throes of winter (which here means tons of rain falling where we live and tons of snow in the mountains) while the rest of the country seems to enjoy summer-like weather. The mountains are supposed to get 15 inches of snow today (Cue avalanches). Great for snowboarders/skiers if you can actually make it to the slopes.
- A classmate losing her wedding ring while traveling home from SXSW. Go here for more information and help her out by spreading the message via Twitter. She thinks it's in the Denver airport.
- My expected productivity level > my actual productivity level

Awesome:
- My final group presentation going really well last night. We had a ton of survey respondents, found significance in our key metrics, and are ready to expand from the pilot study. Plus, it's about a subject that could actually get some attention. But I can't talk about the details, so you'll just have to enjoy that teaser. I'll let you know when I become famous.
- Paying $3.99 to be able to watch every single March Madness game from my iPhone or my computer. This is especially helpful in the earlier rounds since I only get CBS.
- Being at my parent's house and being to use my iPhone, computer, their TV, and my mom's iPad to watch every game possible. (SN: if electronics are bad for one's health, I'm screwed.)
- Showing up to a meeting for the student-run blog and ending up Facebook page manager. Care to find out what I'm talking about? Visit Flip the Media on Facebook.
- Queer on for the Straight Gay on Netflix Instant. It's even funnier than I remember. Also, the sis and I haven't started in yet, but Saved by the Bell is also on Instant.
- The power going out on campus as I was pulling up to pay for parking. Free parking for all!
- Not being last at trivia night. This is for a real an awesome after our team only scored 1 point in the first round.

I'm sure I forgot some important points. But I try to block out the awkward from my memory as much as possible.

What's been awesome or awkward for you this week?

Almost Wordless Wednesday: For My Dad

Here at school, we take our lawn just as serious as our buildings. And it better look gorgeous for spring.

Baseball, Not So Much

I was going to take part in Ten on Tuesday, for fun. But the questions were all about baseball and while I love sports, I don't have much baseball experiences to share - watching, playing, or anything.

I've been to a handful of baseball games in my life and live games (when the sun is shining and the beer is cold) are a lot of fun.

Growing up, the sum total of my baseball experience in terms of playing was one year of t-ball. That's it. No softball. No little league. Nada.

So while I don't feel like answering ten questions about baseball, I'm perfectly comfortable writing a few sentences.

I'm attempting to get some school work done tonight, but my sister has Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on Netflix Instant right now, so productivity has gone down the tube.

I have my last class of the quarter tomorrow, which means presentation time. Then there's just a 15-page paper standing between me, spring break, and all the college basketball I could ask for.

And look! Second blog post this week. Things are looking up.

Years Later

Hi! Remember me. I blog here very occasionally.

This past week wasn't a planned break, but I had school stuff to get done (still in progress), was fighting a cold, and had a few other items come up along the way.

Plus, I wasn't feeling very wordy and it's hard to write blogposts if you don't know what to say.

But I'm not leaving forever. This weekend I plan to ease back into my semi-regularly scheduled programming. (Meaning I'm setting the bar low for myself.)

I have tried to comment on blogs while I've been on break. But if I missed your blog, let me know.

One of those "things" that came up: Draw Something. Are you playing? Hit me up (username: ewiley), because what I really need right now is more distractions. That 15-page law paper will be fine as long as I perfect my stick figures.

I hope you are having a wonderful, lazy, relaxed Sunday. Or just a wonderful one.

Networking, Eating, and Sweats

Yesterday, after a full day of hanging out babysitting (legos are my friend--seriously, so much better than make believe), I stopped by the house for a quick outfit change and headed to the park and ride to catch the bus downtown.

Side note: my university ID also functions as a bus pass (which we pay for each quarter), so I've been working hard to take the bus when possible. Especially when headed downtown since parking is such a pain and not cheap.

There was a networking happy hour for my program at a local university. The company that hosted us (with amazing food! and drinks!) also gave a presentation on their global apprenticeship program. I've really enjoyed that my program has worked to build connections in the professional community as give us, as students, a chance to learn more about the industry outside of the classroom.

After the happy hour, a number of students continued to a local restaurant and bar to relax and catch up. We quickly took over the place, both with our size and our noise. :)

Then my driving buddy gave me a ride home (she only lives a few blocks away and I was even in bed before midnight. 

This morning I woke up to Skype with my cousin who is Finnish, but volunteering in Israel. It's fun to hear about her adventures and just to catch up. After spending 6 weeks together this summer and luckily getting along really well. We keep in pretty constant contact.

Then I met with a friend for breakfast/brunch at a local all night diner that specializes in grease and an atmosphere that has remained fairly constant since the building was constructed in the '50s (meaning it hasn't ever been upgraded). Their 6- and 12-egg omelets were even featured on an episode of Man v. Food.

Since then I've been home, being somewhat productive on school work, watching college basketball, and wearing my sweatpants like a champ. I have plans for G+ hangout later tonight, sushi with my sister, and a couple options for meeting up with friends. 

For someone who spends a good chunk of her time at home in sweatpants (it's what I do. Can someone pay for me it, pretty please?), it's almost as if I have a real life.

I hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend as much as I am, even if my school's team lost out on a chance to clinch the conference title today.

Happy Saturday!!! I hope it's as sunny there as it is here.

Awkward and Awesome: Awkward Wins

I have big plans over the next day or so. Babysitting. I'm pretty excited about it. I'll probably walk away with some good awkward and awesome moments for next week, too.

Awkward:
- Accidentally driving in the carpool lane while by myself. No idea how that happened. And no, I wasn't talking on the phone, texting, or even messing with the music.
- My grandpa made me kiss him twice yesterday on the lips as my dad and I were leaving. We are not a kissing family. Also, my dad got a handshake. (SN: my grandpa has Alzheimer's. This is not normal behavior.)
- First I miss out on celebrating National Margarita Day, then National Pancake Day. That's just not right.
- Realizing that I had missed a call from UPS at the front door and running into the street in my sweats and bare feet. But I got the package!
- I'm totally sitting in the dark as I write this. Sweet.

Awesome:
- My friend (who I had brunch with last week) had her baby on Feb. 29th. A little leap day baby! So exciting! I hope I get to meet her soon.
- Not having to babysit until 9:30 (instead of 8) tomorrow morning. That extra sleep is much appreciated.
- Brunch plans for Saturday. I'm always excited about brunch. Best meal ever.

Honestly, I know I had more awesome in my week than that, but it's late and nothing is coming to mind. So awkward rules the week.

Help me out by sharing what was awesome in your week!