Chelan

Chelan, Washington.

Population 3,995, known for it's unparalleled combination of breathtaking scenery, vineyards, wineries, orchards, golf, hiking trails, boating and fishing, and hometown of good friend, Jake from University of Montana.

Chelan is not too far from my new residence in Seattle. So when I got wind that Jake and oldest college friend, Eric were going to be in Chelan for the weekend. I had to make a small road trip to go see my friends.

I fell in love with Chelan. Located at the very end of Lake Chelan, the little town sits right in the heart of Washington wine country. The hills around the lake stretched with vineyards of grapes and apples. Jake’s family actually owns one of the largest apple orchards in Chelan.

Upon my arrival in Chelan, we went on a wine tour. Started on one side of the lake and made our way around the hillside. We went to about three different wineries. Smelling, twirling, and sipping, I learned a little about wine.

We than painted the town (apple) red. Small local bars with a few mirco brews lead to a series of bad kareokee tunes, and equally impressive dance moves. Special thanks to good friends, Eric and Jake, for showing me everything Chelan has to offer.

Black Friday

Black Friday. Why do they call it "black" Friday? Is it because it is still dark outside when the stores open? Is it because you black out and spend more money than you ever wanted/expected to? Or is it because it turns people's souls black as they compete to get the best deals?

After my first ever Black Friday experience, I think it is a combination of all three. I popped my black Friday cherry this year when I went out with cousin/roommate Heidi and her mother. Our first, and most important stop, was Target/Best Buy. I wasn’t really out shopping for anything particular so I was there as more of an assistant to the die-hards.

My given task was to get a 6’ prelite Christmas tree for a screaming deal of $25. After waiting in line for about 40 minutes, the workers of Target opened the doors. The doors opening to target was like opening Pandora’s box. Pure pandonem broke lose. People began pushing and crowding, so of course I joined in. I raced with my chart to the back and luckily snagged one of the said trees. Fewww. I didn’t let the team down. Not gonna lie, it was quite the rush. I can see why people get consumed it that initial thrill.

We continued to do some shopping at the mall, but the lines and all the people were kind of getting us anxious to get home and go back to bed. We had a few Zzzz's to catch up on. By 9 we had already put in some serious shopping!

Thanksgiving

To give thanks. I am thankful for my family. This year was the first that I did not get to spend Thanksgiving with my family. I unfortunately was unable to afford the time off and plane ticket home for T-giving. However, the holiday wasn’t all lost.

Roommate, Heidi, had her mother come to Seattle for Thanksgiving. I didn’t refuse because Marilana is not only a good time, but she is an amazing cook. So for a holiday that is mostly based on eating with good company, of course she was welcome.

We had a delicious meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, Giardelli rolls, asparagus, and of course pumpkin pie for desert. I always overdo it on Thanksgiving. Helping after helping, till I am so full it hurts. But I feel as though it is kind of exempt on Thanksgiving. Plus it will all get consumed eventually via leftovers for the next week!

After dinner we played Scategories, which was hilarious. Our family is a little competitive and when we get playing games, things get serious. Sometimes we even chant taunting cheers to our components.

As the turkey coma slowly set in, it was off to bed early for an exciting morning of shopping, Black Friday style. It was a good Thanksgiving. Pretty low key and calm. However, I did miss my family like crazy. Next year, I will work it out so I can be with them.

Here Kitty Kitty

One day a year I love second to most next to Christmas is the beloved Cat/Griz game. Falling usually at the third weekend in November, the University of Montana Grizzlies take on the the Montana State Bobcats.This is the biggest rivalry game in the entire big sky conference. It is completely bad blooded as well. Once a Griz, always a Griz. Once a Bobcat, always a pussy.

This was the first year I was not able to watch the game in person. I did however attend a Satellite "party" of the game. In Seattle, it is held at a bar in downtown called Sluggers. I went with fellow alum, Heidi and Dooooonielle. We then meet up with a few of the other "recent grads" Deidre, Britney, and Katy.

The Griz beat the Cats!!! Woot woot. Not really a shocker. They have been playing 1897! the Cats have won 35 times. The Griz, however, have won a whooping 69 times! (*5 times they never played each other).

All and all, it was a GRIZ/cat weekend for the books. GO GRIZ!!!

Ring-a-ding

My dear phone finally bit the big one. It has gone to the greater place in the sky. All cell phones go to heaven. And so I would like to take a moment of silence and remember the time I shared with my beloved LG Voyager.

....

It didn't take long for me to move on, as I am now in a committed relationship with a new celluar device. I am a proud owner of the Blackberry Pearl Flip.

I can openly say that I love my Blackberry. I know understand why they called it a crack berry. Our first few days together we were inseparable. Blackberry and I went everywhere, always letting me know as they happen Facebook notifications, Twitter updates, BBM (Blackberry Messenger), oh and of course phone calls.

But the real story in this post is my bizzaro trip to the Verizon store.

It started out normal. I went into the Verizon store in downtown Seattle, got my name on the list to be seen by a service representative, and took a seat to wait my turn. Thats when it went down hill. As I was sitting, clearly taking up a two seated bench with my purse and bags, a man asked if I would scoot over for him to sit down. All while there was a completely open available bench just across the room. I shifted over allowing him to sit. He then began to ask me about my religion, politics, and the end of the world. And this all ties together because, according to this man, Obama wants to kill all the christians and this was the end of the world. Right.... I was just praying that they would call my name to be next! I couldn't even fake text, because I had no working phone.

Finally they called my name. I went up to the counter to purchase my new love. There at the counter was a mother (50-ish), "son" (25-ish), and a younger girl. The lady while waiting for her new phone to be programmed began to roll her own cigarettes on the counter! Seriously? I don't know much on rolling cigarettes, but I would dare to say it's not that public of an activity. Then between telling her life story about moving to Seattle from Ohio, she would turn to her, what I thought was her son, and start almost violently making out with him. This lady/family/whatever was a real work of art.

I was very glad to finally leave the Verizon shop, new phone in hand, in one living-christian-inbreed-free, piece.

Halloweenie

This year for the festive season, I traveled all the way across the great state of Washington, through the town of Pullman, crossed the boarded into the gem state, and arrived at the foot of Vandal county. Yes, I drove 4.5 hours to see my little brother in Moscow, ID.

The night before Halloween, if falling close enough to the weekend has unofficially become a day to dress up and celebrate the holiday. So, Friday Nathan and I headed to a small house party near his Fraternity. I kind of love the greek system in Moscow.

I dressed up as a boy scout. I found the shirt for this costume at a local Goodwill. I was from Berkley Heights troop in New Jersey. And later Nate informed me that I was a Weebalo (spelling?) Nate went as a sailor, but not just any sailor, an OLD sailor (pulled off with a gray mustachio).

Next on the agenda was U of I's homecoming game. I must say, I am very impressed with how the Vandals "get into" there homecoming activities and spirit. We went to some tailgates then into the beautiful Kibby Dome to watch them take the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. It was a very exciting game. The Vandal's won by one point in the final seconds of the game. GO VANDALS!

Saturday night (actual Halloween) I dressed up as Minnie Mouse and Nate dressed up as an hombre, ole! The night was filled with crowed frats, "guess my costume", a certain game played on a ping pong table, and many memories. HAPPY HALLOWEENIE!

It was very good to see my brother and a few of his close friends that I have come to adore! I just simply love my hermano!

Working for the Weekend

This post is quite dated, but I felt it necessary to let you know this story. On October 11 I took a day off of work to go to where I work. Confused? I went to the Seahawks versus Jacksonville Jaguars football game at Qwest Field. Normally I would have been working the event, but I really wanted to experience a Seahawk home game.

I went with roomie Heidi, Danielle, Christina, and Christina’s sister Nicole. We started the day with Bloody Mary’s and breakfast at Buckley’s. We caught the bus and rode down to Seahawk nation.

After entering the stadium, we immediately got a few beers, which were sooooo expensive. Then we located our seats. They were on the third row! Ok, just kidding, they were more like three rows from the top. However, it was a pretty cool view. You could see the city skyscrapers if you looked one way and the Puget Sound if you looked another way, oh and you could see the game too!

The game was amazing! We won, but not only did we just win, it was a shut out. Poor Jaguars didn’t even score a point. It was actually their first time ever playing in Seattle. Better luck next time.

It was so interesting to be on the other side of the event as a guest. I of course was looking for our security people to see how good of a job we were doing; quite top notch I might add. It felt great to take a day off and enjoy great company and good football.

Go Seahawks!