My Last Day in Seattle

Tuesday morning Sonny dropped me off at the West Seattle Fauntleroy Ferry that goes to Vashon Island. I was to meet a couple of artists, Kara of MotherHenna and Siren of The Deep from Dream Out Loud on the island.

Backpack slung heavily over my shoulder, the day was overcast, grey, and chilly. As I walked away from Sonny towards the toll booth, a feeling came over me. It was almost a feeling of deja vu. I felt like I was back in Japan again, my life in a pack, heading out for great, unknown adventures. It was just me and the world. Everything would be new. People to meet, sights to see, life to experience. I was enthralled, totally present in the moment.




This was one of the few times I missed having a decent camera on my trip. All the photos on this travel blog were taken with my iPhone. This view was so picturesque though, I had to alter it for a black and white photo look. I think photography is one means of expression that I long for from younger days. Being able to look at the world through a lense, and see a point of view that ordinarily might get missed.

Having bought my ticket at the booth, I didn't realize that I was supposed to enter this small building to the side (where most people wait) to get my ticket scanned before I boarded. I was too busy walking around just looking at everything. The water around us appeared icy, cold and clear. I could see to the bottom, and wondered just how deep it was. I didn't take a photo for fear of dropping my phone into the depths.


This caught my eye in the building. Recycling is a huge deal in the Seattle area, more so than it seems to be here in Atlanta. I'm not sure why the motto "A Very Ferry Thing To Do" tickled me, but it did.


The ferry arrived and we waited for passengers to disembark. Like most ferries, this one carried cars as well as people. When it was time, I made my way on board. In the upper level deck, there was a cafe like area. People could buy coffee, drinks, snacks, and there were seating and table areas. I went out to the front deck once the boat got underway, stood there for a bit till the wind had chilled me to the bone, then went back inside. As we neared Vashon Island, I stepped out again for a pic.


The plan was for me to arrive at the dock and wait for the bus that went into town. Not wanting to be the last person off, I headed down to the disembarkation area before we docked. Surely the planets were all aligned, for guess what I saw on the ferry with me?? The very bus I was supposed to take into town. So I got on board, paid my fee, and was on the bus when it drove off the ferry into the great unknown of Vashon.

Seattle is very metropolitan, and cruising through Vashon was like stepping into the countryside. Not the countryside of Georgia, of course, but an environment not unlike what I remember from the series Northern Exposure. The tall fir trees, expanses of nature with small houses here and there inbetween. There was one main drag down the middle of the island. Vashon is about 8 miles long, and the town center seems to be at an intersection with one stoplight. This is where I got off the bus, and looked for Cafe Luna. I had no idea what it looked like, and just as I was about to try and find someone to ask directions, I saw it.



Inside I got a wonderful breakfast sandwich (I was cold and hungry!) and Oregon Chai tea. When Kara arrived, we talked excitedly, and I listened to her adventures she'd just come back from.

Kara and SirenoftheDeep

We traded art journals and commented on each other's work. Siren joined us, and Kara did henna on her and me, then I got to do henna on Kara.

My design on left, Kara's on right

Kara gave me the walking tour of Vashon, and it was awesome to see all the neat artsy stores they have. I even saw some of her husband's photos for sale in one! We eventually made our way to her home, and oh... the joyous art that abounded there! It was totally AMAZING to see in person all the artwork that I've seen and read about on her blog. I was also fortunate to meet her husband, Hawk. He radiates this peaceful serenity that immediately puts you at ease. What a blessing. I also got to see her deck of healing art cards that artists participated in as a swap. It's something I'd definitely sign up for the next time she hosts one.

At the end of our time together, Hawk drove us to the ferry. This time I took a "commuter" ferry that carried only people, ran only during peak commuter hours, and would take me to downtown Seattle instead of West Seattle.

My cousins picked me up and we drove to the University district for a dinner of what Karla claims to be the "Best Brazilian Food" anywhere outside of Brazil. Real, authentic, it always reminds her of home. We ordered drinks and an appetizer. The drink was made from a sugar cane liqueur and packed a punch. The appetizer was phenomenal, and my favorite part of the whole meal. It was almost like home fries, except instead of potatoes they used yucca. The fries were sprinkled with parmesan cheese and came with a green hot sauce for dipping. Very hot.

The food itself consisted of poultry or fish in various sauces. Rice and beans are a staple in Brazil and each entree came with lots. I was almost too stuffed to try the dessert, a Brazilian version of flan. Wonderful! I need to see if I can find a Brazilian restaurant here that's not a churrascaria (steakhouse).

I was sad that night, knowing my trip was over. I got up early the next morning, packed my things, made the bed, and ate breakfast. My shuttle ride to the airport came a little after 8:30, and two hours later I was at the airport.

Since I've been back, I've missed dearly the cool weather. Atlanta seems more humid and hot now that I've experienced what for me would be spring or fall weather in July. Would I want to move to Seattle? I don't know. I think the constant overcast days would get to me. In addition, I love that my henna business is established here. I do miss my cousins though. Guess that means I have to return next year :D

Seattle, Day 5

Monday morning Karla took me a Park and Ride where I caught a bus to downtown. I remember feeling very small, with an almost "lost" feeling. I was supposed to meet my high school friend Sonny and his wife today. I'd heard from them last night, but not the details for this morning. So, it was 10:30am, and I found myself sitting at a Starbucks (natch) waiting. Waiting to either hear from Sonny, or to get up the courage to go out and explore. At this point I was cursing my last minute decision to leave the AAA tourbook at the house. I had maps, and knew where I was, and where the Pike Place Market was. That was about it.


Pike Place Market is a famous tourist destination in Seattle. For one thing, you can see grown men lobbing fish at one another. Also, it was where a scene in Sleepless in Seattle was filmed.


I heard from Sonny's wife, and walked to the market to meet them across the street from it. Ironically, I passed 4 Starbucks in the 4 blocks I walked, and settled to wait in a "Seattle's Best Coffee" place. They do love their coffee here.

When we met up, we walked over to the market. Immediately we found the flying fish place, and a crowd of people. How funny was it though, that everyone was waiting to see them throw fish, and no one was buying fish so that they could throw?
Most of the market was similar to farmer's markets back home. Large variety of seafood (fresh of course), flowers, produce. Tons of people. At one point there wasn't even room to walk. It was just enough space to stay standing upright and inch your way forward while people did the same thing in the other direction. And then people in front of you would stop, and look at what was for sale in a stand. I found some smoked salmon for B as a thank you gift.

There's also a lower level that wasn't as crowded. Here was more arts and crafts, gifts and souvenirs, as well as curiosities. I bought my cousins some soapstone hearts that would go well in their living room, and later picked up a Barnes and Noble gift card since they enjoyed reading.

At one end of the lower level, we came out to a cobbled street area. Sonny evidently, knew of a "underground" tourist attraction.

The WALL of GUM


Yes, disgusting and fascinating, it was a huge wall where people for decades have been pressing their used chewing gum on top of other people's used chewing gum. It made my skin crawl, but I couldn't *not* take a photo of it. I didn't, however, have any gum to contribute. Such is life.

We walked around downtown as Sonny and his wife got some errands done. I think I've walked more in the past few days than I had all summer! We stopped for lunch at a restaurant in the basement of Nordstrom's. They used to work there, and everyone remembered them and greeted them as old friends. The food was fantastic, and it was the best salmon I've ever tasted.

Finally we went back to their apartment and collapsed. Their place was gorgeous. Better than that though, was the view. At sunset you could see Mt. Rainier.


Ryan, another friend from high school, came over that evening and we ate cheese and crackers and drank wine on the patio. Within 10 minutes though, I was fetching my jacket from inside. It was cool and windy. The wine flowed as the night wore on, the wind taking with it the sounds of our laughter and jokes.

As Ryan went home, I made myself comfy on the couch, looking forward to tomorrow, an adventure on Vashon Island.

Seattle Trip, Day 3 and 4

Saturday dawned bright and sunny. The high for the day would be 78, but it felt like 80s in the sun. My cousins and I went to a festival called Bite of Seattle. It was on the old world's fair grounds, and free to enter. A mix of vendors and restaurants, it was a day heady with sights, sounds, and smells. I dare say the people of Seattle loved the weather more than I knew, for it seemed everyone in town was there!


In the above photo you can see two guys and girls dressed up. Turns out there'd been a wedding nearby, and they all came to the festival afterwards.

This was one of the best smells around. These salmon are being smoked, using a traditional method.

We met up with Ken's brother and his family, so soon it felt like all the extended family was there. We found a comfy place to sit with our lunch, and listened to an 80's tribute band called "Mr. Miyagi". They were pretty good actually, and many people got up to dance.

We got back in time for a brief rest, then it was on to dinner at the The Rock Wood Fired Pizza. With a Rock and Roll theme, this was a fun place to meet my Seattle friends. All the pizzas were named for songs. Before the food arrived, I'd done some designs on a few addicted-to-henna people.





That night I flopped into bed exhausted and happy. It's been a totally fantastic day, and I'd even gotten some sun at the festival.

Sunday morning Karla and I went shopping, spending "girl time" together. We hit a couple clothing stores and a book store, but my favorite was a bead store. She had taken some lessons there, and I purchased some beads for my friend that was watching Rose. They had gorgeous unique beads, and I told Karla at one point that she "was never allowed to bring me there again." I'd spent too much money.

That evening we spent at the home of a friend of mine from college. We met his wife and 2 year old son- who was soooo cute! They grilled out and we drank wine with the wonderful food. My friend and I caught up on all that'd happened since we'd last seen each other.

That evening I had a moment of nostalgia, realizing that my trip was half over.

Seattle Trip, Day 2

The day dawned cloudy, promising to be sunny later. The view outside my room showed trees, and a water tank / tower. This was no ordinary tank though. It was painted white, and on that were painted silhouettes of fir trees. Some dark green, some light green, some in between. Yesterday afternoon, against the blue sky, I wondered why it was painted white. This morning I knew.

It blended in against the cloudy sky, giving the illusion of trees fading into the background.

This was actually the 2nd time I woke up. The first time, it was still dark, around 4:30 PST which would have been my normal 7:30 EST. I had gotten up, fixed myself an English muffin, then went back to bed. I'd adjust to the time change sooner or later.

At this second time, Ken was already up, playing Vanguard. He was off work that day. I said hello as I walked past, and went downstairs to fix some cereal and watch TV. Only problem was, I couldn't figure out the remotes, and waited till Karla was up to come rescue me.

That day Ken and I went shopping while Karla was at work. We went to a local mall and ate lunch at a place called World Wrap. I got the Bombay chicken, which promised chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions and rice in a curry sauce. I envisioned all the goodness of a samosa tucked into a wrap. Bah. It was more rice than anything.

Ken at lunch

After lunch we went to a store called The Walking Company. Ken needed to replace his shoes, which he'd had 3 years and were just now giving out. Ken walks a LOT, so I was impressed. My current shoes had lasted about 6 months. I agreed to try on shoes as well, since I knew we'd be walking a lot at the Bite of Seattle on Saturday.

I tried on a pair of lime green and grey Merrells. Boy what a difference! The service continued however, with me stepping on what looked like a padded scale, barefoot. It was hooked to a computer, and analyzed my stance. I knew I overpronated my feet, but this machine was able to recommend an orthodic insert. Now, the insert cost almost as much as the shoe, but if it could help relieve my back pain, it'd be worth it.

Sure enough, I was amazed at how steady I felt on my feet with the proper alignment and balance. The first time I took them off, after a couple of hours, I actually felt wobbly in my socks. My feet and legs were sore the first day or so, but I got used to it.

Ken and I did some more errands then went back to the house. I napped before dinner, knowing we'd be seeing the Dark Knight that evening. Dinner with friends was at Red Robin, near the theatre. This was a treat for me, because in Atlanta I always see commercials for Red Robin, but none are near me- at all.

Karla and Ken at dinner

We went the movie after, and it was phenomenal. The acting by Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Aaron Eckhart was some of the best I've seen recently. Especially Heath's. I went to bed that night tired, but content.

Seattle Trip, Day 1

The night before the trip, I felt very anxious. Excited, but also anxious. Now, I usually feel anxious the day of the trip, until I am at my gate. I can get there 2 hours early, and wait- reading or whatever, but get very stressed at the thought of missing my plane for some reason.

So I as anxious the night before.... and it hit me. B had offered to take me, but later that morning, or I could take a cab and leave earlier like I wanted. After studying my fears, I realized my anxiousness the night before actually had to do with lack of friendly human contact before departing Atlanta. Weird. So I called B and he agreed to come pick me up the next morning.

I also take only carry-on. Ever since I came back from Japan, and stuff was stolen out of my checked luggage, I do carry-on. This is the first time I've flown since I got my CPAP. So it was an additional carry-on.

We got to the airport in record time, and I got to my gate with time to spare. I bought my usual plane food, since it's mayyyybe a couple dollars cheaper to get it before you board than buying it on. Usually fresher, too. The flight was about 5 hours long, and the TVs on the back of every seat weren't working right, so no movie or TV channels (unless I wanted to pay 2 bucks). I read magazines, watched Princess Bride again on my iPhone, and kept track of our flight through the plane's TV interface.


As we approached Seattle, it looked like we were soaring over a sea of cotton. Seattle was cloudy, 52 degrees, with the promise of sunshine that afternoon. Fifty-two! I was glad I brought my jacket.


In the distance I could see the mountains. How gorgeous! It was an amazing feeling as we skimmed the clouds before diving beneath their fluffy frothy waves to the city beneath. I could almost imagine I was on a great whale that was dipping into the sea.

Once we landed, I got in touch with my cousin's wife Karla and made arrangements for pick up. They lived north of Seattle, and the airport is south of the city.




Their new house is Beautiful! Four bedrooms, 2 and half bath, with a lovely combined area for eating /living and kitchen. The backyard was cozy, and I could see it from my guest room window. She gave me the tour and we talked until Ken came home. They are geeks like me, and play an online game called Vanguard. And sure enough, they got me playing the rest of the evening.

...to be continued.

I am back!!

And I have a ton of stories and pics to share with you all. I just need to sort them all out and download them! :D

Foot Henna, Tea, and My Nose

This is an adapted Lezard design that I did on a customer last week. She wanted something pretty on her foot.

Lately I have fallen into the embrace of tea. I love the ritual of heating the water, choosing my tea, and steeping it. I have a "one pot" with cup that sits neatly below the teapot when not in use. This is a good substitute for coffee for me. I've also taken to using Almond milk (a non dairy product) instead of milk or powdered creamer. Dairy seems to aggravate my allergies.

I'm getting excited about the trip to Seattle I'm taking. I spent 20 minutes on the phone with Delta yesterday regarding my CPAP. It's a carry on, and considered medical equipment so it doesn't count against my regular allowance of 2 items. However the gentleman I spoke with initially kept telling me that since it was for oxygen, I had to have my doctor fill out a form and fax it to Pittsburgh 48 hours in advance of my flight.

Looking over the form, it was clearly for machines that were not a CPAP, that had oxygen and gave oxygen (mine just takes in surrounding air and directs it to my nose) and had to be used in flight (I don't use mine in-flight). After questioning the reasoning twice of filling out a form that didn't pertain to my machine (it didn't even mention CPAP) or my situation, I explained I had no qualms with him, but was there a supervisor I could speak to?

The supervisor was knowledgeable and pleasant. A CPAP is considered an Assistive Device, not an Oxygen Machine, and yes I could carry it on. I asked, does it need to be noted on my reservation that I have it? She said yes and then did so. She also sent me to the TSA.gov website, and navigated me through some links to find the specific information on getting my CPAP through security and what I needed to know beforehand.

On another subject, Saturday night I did something I've been wanting to do for awhile. I've been saying I'd get it done for my 40th birthday - a nose piercing. But in talking to two different people in the same week, and they recommending the same place, Piercing Experience, I decided not to wait. It was meant to be. A friend went with me, and I was very pleased with the cleanliness and service I got. The first night the area hurt as if I had a pimple there, but since then it's been pain free. My biggest challenge is to keep my fingers away from it, or to use sterile gauze pads if I do touch the area.

The Pirate's Dilemma

An interesting look at something I'd never thought much about. Also learned the meaning of "Jankes."

Thanks Xavier!

Big Collage

This is a big collage piece that I did for a workshop. We were to take about 5 magazines, ones that we didn't normally get, and as quickly as possible flip through and tear out pages with images that caught our eye. This is my finished piece. I used gel medium to glue them onto a cardboard backing, and I keep this by my art desk.

If you'd like to use it as a desktop wallpaper, you have permission.

Henna and Yoga

My hand this afternoon. It's a Moroccan design by Lezard. I made a fresh batch of henna and decided it was time to decorate some of my blank skin. This is probably the best smelling, and best flowing henna paste I've ever made. Hopefully the stain will be great as well.

This morning I went to Yoga class again. This was my second time going. I'd seen from the schedule the instructor would be a guy. I was very prepared for a well muscled hottie to be instructor, or a wiry-thin older guy.

I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a guy with long hair (LOVE long hair, you know) and he was a bit overweight. This immediately made me comfortable because to me it said he wouldn't think I was a total fattie that should go jog on the treadmill instead of being in his class.

The class itself was different from the first one. He explained more about the postures, breathing, and really emphasized listening to your body and taking it from there. I had more trouble with some of the postures than in the previous class, but oddly enough it was from my feet getting achey and tired. My arms had to take a break or two as well, but I was fine with that. I felt like it was more work than the first one, but the first one left me feeling more relaxed. Also, I don't feel as sore after this class than the last one. Not sure what that means.

Altogether, I'm really hoping I can stay with the yoga. I like that it doesn't emphasize the heart pounding beat of cardio workouts, instead focusing on breathing and body positioning. I feel like I've had a workout, but I don't feel worn out by it- just good.

They don't offer night Yoga classes, so I'll have to find someplace else that does once school is back in.

In other art news, I'm not doing as much consistently as I'd like. I'm not sure why that is. Whether it's the workshop I'm in- not being sure what's expected at times, or whether it's making it feel like work to me. Regardless, I know that it's a boundary in me that I must cross.

Such a warm feeling

I went to the dog park this morning as is my usual routine. When I got back in the car to leave though, my car wouldn't start! Thinking it was the battery, I walked back down the hill to the park and let me friends there know while chewing over what to do.

I have AAA plus, so I can call a tow truck. I just didn't know where a good local place would be to have the car taken to, or - after getting a jump- drive to.

No one there had cables, but since I have a manual transmission, they said they could push it, and then pop the clutch to get it going. It worked! Took 3 people pushing but we got it to start. YAY for dog park friends!

I took it to a nearby place and waited and waited. I missed my yoga session that I'd been looking forward to. Rather than feel angry or impatient, or self-criticizing (I hadn't had a new battery in 8 years... just didn't know they're only supposed to last 4 or 5!) I realized I could only be in the *now*. Just wait, and appreciate the fact that I'd had such good people willing to help me.

It was $127 all told (lifetime battery replacement which I'd had no choice about) but I tried not to grouse about it. I didn't want to feel like all this money is flowing out from my account, because in reality, in the *law of attraction* reality, that's what'll continue to happen.

So I spent some time this morning trying to picture money coming in. Henna appointments, etc.

One of the things I could do was finally call my old life insurance agency to cancel my old policy. The woman I spoke to on the phone was so warm, and knowledgeable, and did her best to keep me as a customer. But I've had my new policy since April, and frankly, it's less money per month for a better payout.

It was such a welcome change to actually speak with a human, rather than bounce around automated menu systems for hours- I asked her if there was someone I could speak to regarding the excellent service I received from her. She got all happy and said that meant she got to go to the Treasure Trunk! I did a double take for a second, thinking she might be poking fun at me since I'm a teacher and all... and we have treasure boxes. But no- apparently the management goes to Dollar Tree and gets things for the box, and the service rep gets to go when they get a compliment! I spoke with the supervisor and gushed about the service I'd received.

Never have I left a phone conversation with such a good feeling. To think that here I was calling to cancel, and she could have been short with me, but instead took time to be a normal, sane human being. Her enthusiasm for me talking to her supervisor made me feel very warm.

Here's to you, Debbie.

It started out such a good day.

This post was going to be about what a great day I had.

The cop however, had other plans.

I was having a PERFECTLY good day.

Took Rose to the park this morning.

Went to my first Yoga class and left with a blissful feeling like I'd just had a good massage. (Thank you Vickie!)

Went to get some veggies from Farmer's Market.

Came back, and turned right on red. Granted, I didn't see the signs not to, but there weren't any cars coming and it was a bright and sunny day. I should have heeded my tingling spidey sense.

Cop on motorcycle came up behind me and gave me a ticket (didn't even ask to see my registration). In about 5 days I get to find out how much my bad decision cost me.

What is God trying to tell me?? I've gone years with no tickets, and now this is the 2nd one in 4 months. None of them even a respectable speeding ticket.