It's been about 2.5 weeks since I've arrived and although I think this is a great city, somehow I don't feel quite ready for it. At some points I just feel so lost. I've always had something to hold me up like friends and family and I just don't quite have that here right now. Don't get me wrong, I know God's always watching out for me, and I love my sweetie but he's away overseas right now which is why I'm just feeling a little on my own. It's crazy too because I've always wanted to be on my own and now that I am, I feel like I'm just not getting a grip. I know it's more a frame of mind and yes, I need to be proactive -- get out there and take the city by storm..hiii yah!...er...or something of equal or greater value. :)

Anyhow, on the home front, I'm half living at my apt downtown and half house-sitting in redmond. I inaugurated the downtown apt by making dinner for Denise (whoohoo! my first visitor!)...surprisingly, it was the first edible, chinese-ified meal I've made in a while. haha course, I guess you really have to work hard at messing up noodle soup with fishballs, dumplings, and veggies -- but hey, you know i'm up for the challenge ;) Dinner was - needless to say - followed by dessert. I bought Mochi! They're ice cream balls with a tapioca-like skin (for the chinese restaurant goers...it's kind of like law-maei-chee stuff...i think). Go for the red bean or green tea! :) I'd take pictures and all that but my camera broke and J's is with him in Europe sooo....just take my word for it that downtown Seattle is pretty :) (sorry hermit! I know i told you i would take pictures of pike place!)

On the work front, haha uhhh....there just isn't enough time for me to spend holding my head in my hands and crying :$ Learning curve is pretty steep but I can't wait to be fully integrated here. It's such a cool place to work and you really see the value in your work :) It goes without saying that I really do miss T-dot and big blue immensely though. But for now, I'll try to pave a path here and well, if that doesn't work....anyone looking for a freelance SDE? :)

okay, time to get back to work and all that stuff....*sigh*...oh and btw, driving in seattle terrifies me. especially the cars that come up close to you when you're stopped on a steep hill because you KNOW the car has to roll back before it goes forward...that plus the rental did its share in screeching just to move...my apologies to the pedestrian who I scared...no, no one was hurt in my mobile endeavour ...whew.

More stories later!

Right now...i'm wondering if I want to go showshoeing this weekend. I think it would be awesome but I also want to enjoy my last weekend in downtown before I head home....hrm. tbd. until then, work and either trivia night or dinner with Denise tmrw! :D I love food :D

On the note of food..(haha like my segue?)...Chef Thierry did a talk at work today about his restaurant, places he likes to go, how he got started, etc. Check out his restaurant at Rover's. It's a little more upscale but known by a lot of people as a dining experience to have. That, plus he makes great food (he brought some hors d'oeurves for us). He and Tom Douglas are good friends and so for more good eats, try The Palace or any other restaurant owned by Tom. He also recommends The Harvest Vine and a few others...which I wish I remembered because I wanted to eat at them all. I'll figure it out slowly....anyone want to go restaurant hopping? :)

haha okay, and NOW...back to work :)