How is 2013 almost over?

Hey friends! 

Sorry I disappeared. I decided to give myself a little break. And it was wonderful. I have lots of saved up ideas for blog posts, but for I'll save those for later.

Instead, I thought I'd take a look back on the past year and wish you all a happy new one.

My 2013 (which seriously flew by) -->

January: I went to a Seahawks game, celebrated a friend's engagement, and started a contract position at the TV station.

February: I visited family in Eastern Washington, moved again, and celebrated my grandfather.

March: Apparently March was boring apparently -- I admitted my nail polish obsession and went for a run (which is pretty remarkable).

April: I enjoyed a weekend at my parent's and accepted a full time, permanent position at the TV station!!

May: Spent a summer-like weekend in Portland and went on a little Ulta shopping spree.

June: Had an offer on a condo fall through, walked in graduation, barely blogged (this ends up being a trend)

July: I bought a condo (!!!) and celebrated my birthday.

August: Shared one of my favorite places for sweets in Seattle, went to a Sounders match, and showed off bits of my condo.

September: Celebrated a friend's wedding in Tennessee, started working on the sidelines at Seahawks games, and bought a plane ticket to see my sis at Thanksgiving (all in one post).

October: Took a whole week off from work and got my hair cut (it was sooo needed).

November: Celebrated Thanksgiving and shared some things I'm thankful for. Recapped my Oct. vacation (Part I and Part II).

December: Shared a billion photos from a visit to Chihuly, enjoyed a ton of time with family and friends, and had a great Christmas (more on that soon, I think).

What were some of the highlights of your year? Are you happy to see 2013 end or wish it would last longer?

Chihuly in photos

Warning: major photo dump coming

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Chihuly Glass Musuem for an event. Located right next to the Space Needle, it had been on my list of places to visit in town.

The event was fine -- good wine, great friends, but not enough good. The exhibits were definitely the highlight. I'd say the museum is worth the price of admission. 

(I attended the event for free but was not compensated for this post. In fact, they don't even know I wrote it. All opinions/pictures are my own. )

Post-holiday recovery mode

Thanks to Twitter I know pretty much everyone felt about Monday the way I did: it was painful to go back to work.

My morning was made even worse by my starting time: 5:30 a.m.

Plus sides of working that early: really quick commute, getting of at 2pm. I'm sure there are more, but as a non-morning person that's what I came up with.

My break from reality was great. The fam and I went down to the Bay Area to visit my sister. I have plenty to share: good food, pictures of our adventures, and more. But I have to get organized before that can happen.

Plus, I'm really distracted by the Seahawks game tonight. Hard not to feel good about our team right now. Even with some injury/suspension issues, we are dominating so far tonight.

#GoHawks

I'm taking tonight and tomorrow to gear up for what will undoubtably be a crazy November, full of parties, work, events, gift shopping and very little time to recover.

So tonight is for laundry.

How was your holiday? Are you fully in the holiday spirit?

P.S. Want a holiday card? Fill in or update your contact info here and I'll make sure to mail one to you!

Time to get ready for Christmas?!

Can you believe Christmas is just over 3 weeks away? This late Thanksgiving is throwing me off.

I'm hoping to send out Christmas cards this year. I meant to last year (even asked for addresses), but never got around to it. I blame the stress of finishing grad school, job hunting, etc.

But this year I definitely want to get them in the mail. Interested in getting a card? Fill in or update your info here.

The short time left before Christmas also has me thinking about presents (in no small part because of the never-ending ads). I've found presents for a few of my favorite people, but I am still on the hunt for a number of them.

I also want to put together a few gifts I'd love to open Christmas morning.

For the home 

To wear 

To be honest, I'm much more excited about the home goods than the clothes. Home ownership does that I guess. Plus, I've been lusting over copper mugs forever and now I have a little bar space.

What is on your wish list this year? And make sure to let me know if you want a card!

Giving thanks

Happy turkey day from Kincade and I. May you have loved ones to celebrate with, delicious food to eat and plenty to be thankful for!

I'm someone's sunshine & so are you!

I was super excited to get an email and tweet from Sarah at Life as Always letting me know she had given me an award.

I don't remember how Sarah and I found each other in the blog world, but it's been a blast to get to know her virtually. She and her husband are expecting their first little one and I'm super excited for them!

Back to the award...this award is recognizes bloggers who brighten your day.

The rules:
1. Include the award logo in your post. (check)
2. Link to the person (Sarah) who nominated you. (check)
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself. (see below)
4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award. Link the nominees to your post and notify them! (see below)

1. What's the nicest thing someone else has done for you?
I've been lucky to have some pretty amazing people in my life so it's hard to choose one thing. But I'll go old school for this. When I was in middle school I had four teeth pulled plus some other dental work done all at once. It was pretty brutal. My brother (younger) knew I wasn't feeling well and used his savings to buy a moving for me to watch. So thoughtful!

2. What is one thing you always wanted as a kid, but never got?
This list could be long. Isn't part of being a kid is having unrealistic dreams? Here are a few things I always hoped for: a horse, to play in the NBA (ha!), and siblings that didn't drive me nuts (just kidding, we love each other now).

3. What is your most impressive skill?
I'm pretty good at mental math. My sister likes to take me shopping so I can calculate sale prices.

For my most impressive skill, though, I would probably say my ability to adapt. I consider myself pretty good at being put into a new situation/meeting new people/etc. and being easy-going enough to make it work. It's only later I that I let people know how stubborn I am.

4. What would you refuse to do for one million dollars?
Kill or physically hurt someone. Commit a felony. I'm sure there's more, but I won't know for sure until someone asks for real. $1 million is a lot of money (especially for someone with student loans and a mortgage).

5. If you were home on a rainy Sunday afternoon, what movie would you like to watch on TV?
When Harry Met Sally is definitely a go to movie for me. I also really like the Oceans (11, 12, 13).

6. If fat, calories, cholesterol, etc. were not an issue, what two foods would you feast on?
Chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Queso dip and chips. Those were the first two that popped into my head, so I'll go with them.

7. Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
I didn't actually meet him, but I sat just a few chairs away from Ashton Kutcher once. Does that count?

8. What is the greatest pain you have ever suffered?
Major migraines. I've been lucky enough to be pretty healthy, but I do get migraines somewhat regularly. Every once in a while I'll get one bad enough that I throw up, which is pretty much the worst feeling ever.

9. If you could be a member of any TV-sitcom family, which would it be?


10. How do you like to relax?
Catching up on TV shows, baking/cooking, catching up on blogs, spending a lot of the time on the couch watching sports, being outside in the sunshine (when it shows up).


My nominations and questions:
I read a lot of great blogs, so it's hard to narrow it down to a list of those that always make me smile. If you're here reading this, consider yourself nominated. Answer the questions in a post (if you're looking for content) or in the comments below. I just find it really fun to get to know each of more!

(P.S. Sorry I'm not sorry for taking the easy way out.)

My questions:
1. What's one nickname you've had that you have hated and who gave it to you?
2. Who is one person you've tried to model yourself after?
3. How do you recharge?
4. What is your favorite holiday and why?
5. Where is one place you've always dreamed of vacationing?
6. If had to be one a reality TV show, but could choose, which one would you be on?
7. What is one dessert you can never say "no" to?
8. If you could spend time with any living person for the day, who would it be?
9. Is there a commercial that can make you tear up? What one?
10. What is your go-to karaoke song?

Feeling Thankful

I have a couple blog posts in draft stages. I had hoped to get one done today, but it's taking a little longer than planned. Instead I thought I'd take some time to talk just a few things I have to be thankful for.

It's cliche I know -- talking gratitude in November -- but I don't think that makes it a bad thing. It's just a practice that I should happen all 12 months.

Regardless, I'm jumping on the November "thankfulness" bandwagon.

Here are a few things I especially appreciate in my life.

1. My family and friends. I could easily fill up this list with just the people who mean the most to me. I feel very grateful to have an amazing support network here in Seattle and just a phone call away. I wouldn't be where I am or the person I am without these people in my life.

2. A job that challenges me. Not only do I work with some great people, I have a job that is a little different every day and one that forces me to work hard, be creative and thorough.

3. My health and health insurance. I am a fairly healthy person (though I need to be more active -- especially with a full time desk job now). That's not something I want to take for granted.

4. My own condo. It's hard to believe a year ago I was a grad school student/nomad and now I'm pretty much settled. And owning my condo is amazing blessing, even on days (like today) when I have to make a big mortgage payment.

5. Living in a city I enjoy and enjoying the city I live in. I know that sentence sounds redundant, but I really am thankful to ended up in a place I like. I didn't necessarily plan to stay in Seattle and except for occasional visits, didn't know the city well, so it's been fun to get to explore and like what I've seen/done. Plus, really, it's beautiful here.

6. Travel adventures. I really enjoy traveling and I've been lucky enough to get to have the resources and opportunities to do it quite a bit. The chance to explore new places, try new cuisines, and see new sights is not something I take lightly.

7. Technology. Sure, there are downsides -- like my complete addiction to playing Solataire on my phone and obsessively check Twitter. But it's pretty cool too. I am much better connected to people around the country (and world) because of all the ways to stay in touch, whether it's sending an email, Skyping, or following a blog, all from thousands of miles away.

8. An education. Having grown up in a family where getting a college degree was expected, it is sometimes easy to forget what a privilege getting a higher education is for most people. The opportunities I have to learn, to network, even to travel, because of school are priceless. My job even came directly from an internship while in school.

9. A sense of humor. Daily I am thankful for my ability to laugh at the ridiculous. It's a skill my parents taught me and it often keeps me from total frustration.

What's on your thankful list?

Vacation Recap II: Playing cowgirl

The visit to Pullman was actually (mostly) to outside of town where my aunt and uncle live. My uncle (and cousin) is farmer and rancher.

While these days you can just barely get a cell signal at their house, I've always relished the freedom of escaping to their house and the farm. Away from the connectedness and everyday distractions of life.

Plus, the area is beautiful. Full of rolling hills, river canyons, and gravel roads. I've always enjoyed helping out when I'm around, so I was pretty excited when my uncle asked me and his daughters if we could help him Saturday.

We went down to their property on the river and helped him treat cows (just-weaned heifers, to be exact). I hadn't come prepared with my boots and had to borrow a few things from my cousin. But overall it worked out.

 A cow loaded in the chute. 

 Giving a vaccine for respiratory ailments.

Horse selfie! Gus didn't really understand. 

Have any questions? Ask away.

Vacation recap: stadium tour

I took a whole week off in October. I didn't have anything major planned, but I hadn't had a real break from work and I didn't want to lose my vacation at the end of the year.

For the second half of the week, my mom and I headed over to Eastern Washington to visit family. Both my parents grew up in Pullman and I went to undergrad at WSU (with a handful of cousins), so it's always great to get back. The whole weekend was fun, but there were a couple highlights.

Thursday, I got to catch up with someone I worked with in the athletic department when I was in school. He gave me the lowdown on everything going on there and set me up so I could tour the new stadium facilities with my cousins the next day.

When I was in school, I spent every football Saturday in the press box. The space was old, involved climbing rickety ladders, and luxury/club suites were pretty much unheard of. A few years ago, that all changed.

Now there a huge multi-story struction that sits behind the south sideline. It has club seats, luxury boxes, and multiple elevators...which is way more fancy than anything that existed before. WSU's stadium isn't the biggest (not by a long shot), but the athletic department has really invested to improving facilities.

Here's a look at our tour:

 Club level seats

 The new football ops building, under construction.

Club-level concourse.

Cool mural.

Leather embroidered seats -- like you do.

The AD's box: 

My favorite part all the Cougar helmets from over the years.

The president's suite. It seats 77 and has a pretty nice view of the 50 yard line.

Another cool feature, all the windows can actually slide open from the bottom. 

The press box included an open air section that has gorgeous views of campus. 

Helped by fall colors. 

A panorama from inside the press box.

Another view of the main luxury stretch on the left 

and the new football ops building at the end. 

Go Cougs!