Life

so i've been trying to think of something interesting to blog about (besides Joanna's visit-she already nailed that one on her blog-i'll post a few pictures anyway)...and i can't really come up with anything so you're just gonna get a myriad of thoughts that have been running through my mind recently-take it or leave it...that's all i got....
1. i found a secret rooftop parking lot above the Seattle Opera-it has an amazing view of downtown/Olymic mountains and Lake Union/Gasworks
2. i'm ridiculously thankful it's the weekend!!
3. money, in so many ways is just part of life, but sometimes dealing with it feels like a curse
4. i have been needing an uncanny amount of alone time recently-don't know why...it seems like there's never enough time to think through everything in my head-yet i feel lonely for friends sometimes...what is going on?
5. cars are vexing me right now
6. i'm worried about my grandmothers health
7. i'm desperate for some consistent Vitamin D-vacation?
8. i think about things way too much sometimes

ok, here's some pictures of Jo's visit-it was absolutely fabulous!

UW Cherry Trees

They are in full bloom and gorgeous! Enjoy!

Coffee-Italian Style

I'm reading a book called Italy out of hand: A Capricious Tour and it talks about quarky facts related to specific people and cities in Italy. The chapter on Milan has a page on coffee and it's origins. Here's an excerpt:
"Italian coffees are based on strong espresso, usually three or four sips' worth. The first patent registered for the steam espresso machine was in Milan, by Luigi Bezzera in 1903. Depending on whom you read, Desiderio Pavoni invented the machine or he bought the patent from Bezzera in 1905. In any case, Pavoni manufactured the machine, and it was soon found all over Europe. Chances are that the espresso you take at one of Milan's historic caffes will be dripped from one of Pavoni's machines."
Here are some terms defined Italian style and sorta amusing.
Cappucino: only served after 10 am to children and tourists
Macchiato: "stained" with steamed milk; also slang for repeat offender.
(i am a repreat offender of caramel macchiato consumption!-how fitting.)
[p.s. the machine seen above is one of Pavoni's]

good quote

"The way we communicate with ourselves and with others ultimately determines our quality of life."
-Anthony Robbins

An Unforgettable Weekend

Anna came up to visit and we had the time of our lives! Here's a few pictures.
love the bunny ears in the background-haha.



this is how much anna liked seattle!


why is she so gorgeous?!

it was so unbelievably windy up there (as noted by the hair-do's)

stormy beach

Anna, dear, what a delicious weekend filled with your company! it was such a treat to show you my favorite city and i was so blessed by your visit! :0)

On the Verge...

...of an overload/shutdown. In the last 4 days, i've barely had time to think. i'm juggling so many things that if one of them goes wrong, my entire world will collapse (or at least it seems that way).

My car is still sorta overheating, despite a new thermostat, and i have no time to take it back in.

i've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off because i'm working in a contracted design position for some friends and their company. i got the call thursday, worked a little on friday night, all day saturday,half the day on sunday and the entire evening tonight putting the 'design touch' on their flagship store. by God's grace it's almost done, and it looks amazing. i can't believe that two and a half days ago it was just an empty building and now it's an inviting space that captures the essence of what their company is all about. pending a few finishing touches, i think it will be ready for the grand opening on thursday.
i am overwhelmed on a personal, professional, and financial level by the blessing this has been. Personally, i have wanted to use my design to bless friends and family-check. Professionally, this has put to test, in a very short time frame, my design eye and training, and it was reasonably successful-check. Financially, it's been an extra source of income in a tight spot-check. ISN'T GOD GOOD?!

as my schedule fills up, my body starts shutting down-so predictably, i'm fighting a cold and a potential kidney stone-which i hear is always awful. (i'm still praying that the pains are just a CO2 bubble in my gastro-intestinal system.)

BUT the good news to all of this is that my best friend since 7th grade, anna forbes, is flying in on friday for the weekend!!! I CAN'T WAIT. she has never been here and i am anxious to show her the most intricate parts of the city i am so proud to call home...it will be such a joy to share this part of my world with her!!

then i will be able to breathe...