Puyallup Fair!

I am happy I got the chance to visit the Puyallup Fair with Lyndsey, Ashley, and Chirs. Puyallup is a little less that 50 miles south of where I live. We went a little later in the day and scored an awesome parking spot! (I get really excited when good parking situations happen around here.)

First there were a ton of people! The fair is a prime place for people watching.

 

Next, we get animals! There was a whole entire barn of baby animals. Baby animals are the best kind of animals! There were plenty of horses, bunnies, chickens, and other animals. I just got pictures of a cow and cute baby goat!

 

And then, games! We are poor struggling college students so we didn't spring to play any games but they were certainly fun to look at!

 

The most important thing about the fair... FOOD! Oh man, they will deep fry anything. Personally, I could not resist the corn on the cob. Num, num, num, it was so delicious! I was going to try something deep fried as well, like a twinkie, oreo, or something but we didn't get around to it before we left.

 

Going to the Puyallup fair was certainly a good day up on the West Coast. :)

Honesty.

I think it is time I be honest with myself: Moving away from home is a lot harder than I expected.

I have this huge heart ache. I'm not sure if it is from home sickness, nostalgia, or just nerves. But this ache is changing my character and effecting those around me. I'm trying not to let it get to me, but it is hard to ignore.

My working out and diet plans has not been up to par. I am still doing okay (not gained any weight and occasional yoga) but not as strong as I should be doing. Why am I having a hard time improving myself and sticking with my healthy living goals?

I am lonely. I miss my family and friends in Salt Lake City. I feel empty without people who care about me around every corner. Meeting new people has proven to be more difficult than expected. I hope I find a way to get out there a little more and show people I have a lot to offer as a friend.

The best advice I have:

Lately I feel I am showing I care by service; cooking, cleaning, doing chores, and favors. But I need to remember I am doing these things to show I care and to be nice, not for recognition. Working hard and being a nice is my #1 priority. That is what I have to hold onto right now. A simple concept that I feel can take me to good places and people. 

I love Seattle, I love it so much. I am trying so hard not to be weak and stay strong but some nights it is hard. I am trying my best to remember things are going okay and they will get better. I am determined to make my life here better ... the best it can possibly be.

Here is hoping for experience, adventure, and perspective to keep coming.

Vans

I was rehired at Vans here in Seattle.

This is where I spend most my days, and I love it. Vans is an amazing company. It has such a great history, culture, and lifestyle.

 

I am so happy to be wearing this name tag again and representing the greatest and most authentic brand. 

This is the part most people don't get to see, the backroom. This place can be quite chaotic; moving racks, grabbing boxes, climbing ladders; great workout on busy days. 

Of course Vans started and is still all about the shoes. The history of how this all got started is awesome. In 1966 Paul Van Doren worked in the rubber industry, he decided to make shoes and sell them directly to the public, which at that time was an insane thought. But it worked, 46 years later his company is still at an ultimate high.

Oh yeah, baby shoes are cute. Rhasta Checkards, Sharks, T-Rex, Monkeys, and Owls. 

PS, My co workers are incredible. Every single one of them is fun, outgoing, and amazing to work with. 

I love my job.  <3 <3

Carkeek Park

Today Lyndsey and I took a trip to Carkeek Park.
I have mentioned this beach before. I really like it.

I really enjoyed the relaxation of listening to my Ipod, reading the new John Green book I started, and feeling the beachy breeze. I also packed a PB&J to eat while there. :)

I don't get service there so if you ever can't reach me it would be a safe assumption I'm enjoying myself at Carkeek.

4th of July

My first holiday living on the West Coast.
So glad it was the 4th of July.

First, Lyndsey and I had Chris, Ashley, RJ, and Jennifer over for food. Jennifer made really awesome homemade chili and Ashley made her delicious spinach dip. We hung out, ate food, and played some games.  I hear that at the end of Apples to Apples the green cards you had won are supposed to describe you.... I'd say so:

Then Chris and Ashley invited Lyndsey, Jennifer, RJ, and I to go watch fireworks from Chris' co-worker Kass' boat. I thought it was super neat!


Most people watch the firework show from Gas Works Park. It is a huge show, I am glad we had somewhere to watch the fireworks across from the park because there was so many people!

We had finally found a parking spot 1 mile away from Kass' boat. But the walk wasn't that bad. These were all the boats that went out on the lake to watch the fireworks. There was a giant ship in the middle of the lake which is where the fireworks came from.

The camera wouldn't really get the Space Needle in with the fireworks but here is the view of the city line from the front of the boat.

And some fireworks: 

 I was the only one who wore a life vest. This was not only safe, but also a great conversation starter with the strangers on the boat. Yes, it may have been a little silly for me to wear, but I do silly things sometimes.

I sure hope everyone enjoyed their holiday because I feel I had a successful 4th of July in Seattle with some good friends. :)

A Walk Around the Block.

This is where I live.

We are in the middle of the apt complex on the corner of 2 busy roads, Northgate Way and 1st Ave NE. But it is surprisingly quiet.

Some days I enjoy taking a walk up 1st Ave NE and around the block. There is a very cute, quiet neighborhood north of our apt complex. They have the cutest houses and the tallest trees I've ever seen, right in their front yard! While you go up 1st Ave NE, before you turn into the neighborhood, they have flowers and trees all along the side (top middle picture). Very pretty.

Across the 1st Ave NE street (west) is the I-5 freeway. Super Convenient. 

Let's talk about 5th Ave NE.
5th Ave NE has almost everything you would need.

I took this from a small park behind this is the 7 story shopping center right across the street (east) from our complex. It has Target, Best Buy, Petco, and Ross. Also some small restaurants and things like that. 5th Ave NE also has a Jimmy John's, 24 Hour Fitness, the Library, a liquor store, and much more. 

Across the Northgate Way street (south) is the Northgate Mall, which has a 8 story movie theater behind it and all the proper stores and food opportunities malls usually have. 

Hope you enjoyed this small tour of my neighborhood! I find new great things around all the time. :)

Week One: Survived.

I survived the 1st week 900 miles away from Salt Lake.
It has been a good week.
No jobs yet, but high hopes for one soon.

Some things I have experienced:

While Lyndsey's parents were here we went to Beth's Cafe, of course. If anyone ever visits me we are definitely going here. No battle.

If you don't know anything about Beth's Cafe, google it, it was on an episode of Man Vs. Food. Very delicious.

Jennifer then took us to Carkeek Park. The last few times we have visited I've been to Alki Beach and Golden Gardens, but Carkeek Park was a small and intimate beach. I liked it. Another stop I will take those who visit. 

I believe we are now all settled into the apt. It took us a while to find/ decide on a microwave ... those things are expensive. But we now have one and a ton of groceries from our closest grocery store, QFC. Kroger brand, so I'm pretty happy. 

My kitty has found her favorite spot to nap and hang out, the window behind my bed. 

Lyndsey and I make popcorn often with my super duper awesome popcorn maker I got for Christmas from my Sister-in-law Kelli. 

I have been cooking and cleaning an abnormal amount but I guess that is what happens when you don't have money or a dish washer. 

"Your Ex-Lover Is Dead"

Off the album Set Yourself on Fire. by Stars

God that was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said 'yes I think we've met before'
In that instant it started to pour,
Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
And all of the time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name...

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
Tried to reach deep but you couldn't get in
Now you're outside me
You see all the beauty
Repent all your sin

It's nothing but time and a face that you lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard
I'll send you the news
From a house down the road from real love...

Live through this, and you won't look back...
Live through this, and you won't look back...
Live through this, and you won't look back...

There's one thing I want to say, so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save

I'm not sorry there's nothing to save...

Reading

I have not always been a reader but I now love it. One of my favorite pass times.
Please feel free to check out what I have read, am looking forward to reading, and think of books at Goodreads.com.
Currently reading another book by John Green.
John and Hank Green are amazing men. I love them very much!
If you want to check them out yourself view some of the video blogs at http://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers

I am only on Chapter 2 of Paper Towns but I have high hopes for it. :)

Healthy Living

As some of you may recall I participated in a Healthy Living Challenge at my old job, Rescue Alert.
This challenge helped me change my lifestyle completely.
I quit smoking, started to exercise, found out my love for yoga, and eating right.

This is me last summer, 2011. I'm not sure how much I weighed at this point but I know it was one of my heaviest.

In January 2012 I weighed 178 lbs.
After 8 weeks of being strict and working very hard
in March of 2012 I weighed 154 lbs
And guess what? ... I won the challenge. I had lost more weight (by percentage) than anyone else in the challenge.
My best friend Lyndsey was also partaking in the challenge, she helped motivate me and keep me on track, as I hope I did for her. She came in 2nd place.
Of course, being best friends, we split the money I had won and went shopping together. It was fun and great to celebrate our success.

The next few months after that didn't go as well as I would have hoped. I still did some yoga and started training for a 5K, but did not keep up very strong with my the lifestyle changes I had made during the challenge.
There was Vegas for spring break, stress from finishing the semester and graduating Salt Lake Community College, and then moving with Lyndsey to Seattle.

However, now that I am settled in Seattle I am going to work extremely hard to reach
my goal weight of 130 lbs.

This is me, 

June 28th, 2012

Weight: 152 lbs. 

I am hoping to work hard enough to complete my C25K app training and reach my goal weight by October 2012.

Wish me luck!