Thursday, August 28, 2008

Ohhhhh Seattle

Dear Blog,

I stand corrected. Seattle is NOT the rainiest city in America. After my dad read my last post he promptly busted out the almanac and looked up the rainiest city in America. Seattle wasn't in the top 20. I believe the rainiest city is somewhere in Alabama, I think it's Mobile. While I was talking to my dad I had to explain it's not the same kind of gully washers that we would experience in Charlotte and Columbia, but more like a spitting rain that lasts for about half an hour and only seems to happen when I hop on the Vespa to come home.

I felt the need to clarify to all you readers that Seattle really is beautiful and the days when the sun is shining and there is a view of the water, the views are breathtaking. So, for this next post I decided I would list out all of the things I like and dislike about my new home.

LIKES
1. The views! It's so beautiful sometimes that I can't believe I live here. I do like the weather. The mornings are brisk and I need a jacket to walk Bella and the afternoons usually dont get out of the 70's, sometimes 60's.

2. lululemon! I love my job. I think that has made a huge difference in the move out here. I have a lot to do and I genuinely like all of the people that I work with.

3. Activities. Aaron and I have been leading a much more active lifestyle since coming out here. I've been doing bootcamps and Aaron has been rocking the volleyball tourneys! I'll include some pictures later.

4. Possibilities. I know that one sounds dumb, but I honestly feel like I can do anything after packing up all belongings and trekking across the country. I know no one thought we would actually move but we set our mind to it and we did it! I think that means we can do anything :)

DISLIKES

1. Our stupid pot head, chain cigarette smoking, dumbass, next door neighbor. Whenever we open our window to let the air in, we have to hear his dumbass talking about all the stupid things that potheads talk about. And also smell all of the fumes that he puts off. Sick.

2. Hippies. There are a lot of weirdos out here that think it's a good idea to be vegan. Whatevs.

3. Being so far away from my peeps. I didn't think it would be as big of a deal to 3000 miles away from my friends as it is. I have to literally plan times to call my family and friends. Three hours time difference is definitely harder than I thought it would be. I'm also missing out on my best friends babies growing up :( At least they have blogs that I can follow.

Even though I've never claimed to be a huge fan of the South, there are things that I miss about it. I can't exactly articulate it but I'm sure all you Southerners know what I'm talking about. There's just a different way of living down there that no other part of the country can replicate.

Anywhoodle, here are some pics of a bootcamp that I did last week! Please laugh as I find it hysterical.








xoxo,
Alison

Thursday, August 21, 2008

All I wanna do is a vroom, vroom, vroom and a zoom zoom!

Dear Blog,

So, I'm wondering if people just equate me and Vespas. Because I received this in the mail yesterday.




It was from my sweet Momma who said it reminded her of me and all of my new adventures! I realize I should have used the flash when taking the picture but I was too lazy to take another one and then upload it again, so sorry kids. It's funny that she sent me this yesterday because this is the first week that I've been brave enough to take ole Birdie out on the Seattle roads. Now, if you'll remember, I am directionally challenged. Like, I don't even know if that describes it. The only way I can get from place is to place is sheer memorization. So, my first day of riding the Vespa to work I made Aaron drive in front of me so I could memorize how to get to work. Even though he had been driving me everyday prior to this adventure by myself, I wasn't confident in my abilities to get there and on top of that, I have OCD regarding being to places on time so I couldn't handle the thought of being lost and being late to work. Whoa. Man overboard. So, I get to work and it's all good. I clip my helmet on Vespa and go in to work my 8 hours. I have mild anxiety about getting back home by myself but little did I know that would be the least of my worries. When I get off work I go outside and come to find that my helmet is not full of water because at some point in the day it rained and my helmet acted as a rain gauge. Which leads to me to...

Lessons in Vespa riding #1: Do not leave helmet clipped on Vespa outside in the rainiest city in America. DUH.

I did the only thing I could think of to do. I turned it upside down, poured the rain water out and stuck it on my head. Wet. I didn't even really think about getting lost on the way home because I was thinking of the rain trickling out of my helmet and onto my neck and back on my commute home.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise!

xoxo,
Alison

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Made my day


Dear Blog,

A friend of mine sent me this link as it is the cover of the latest skirt! magazine and said it reminded her of me. It totally made me smile and reminded me that I have the best friends even if they are 3,000 miles away.
Thanks Nini!

I'm working on putting her website up here but I forgot how to add links and I'm pressed for time right now! It will be up later!

xoxo,
alison

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Teach me!!!

Dear Blog,

I've often said that I should teach a class on how to interview. It's a skill. There are things to do and things not to do, things to say and things not to say. Whenever I'm applying to jobs I know as soon as I get the interview that I'm golden, I've just got it down. Don't know why but I can market myself like a champ. Now, what I canNOT do is shine in a group environment. This is where I need the teaching. I'm sure we've all been there. You have to go to a corporate dinner and the president of the company is there, or some bigwig that everyone is trying to impress and so you're on your best behavior right? Well, for me, I'm always on my best behavior but I'm really not going above and beyond to impress the big wig because I'm not going to be fake and sometimes that is a skill I wish I had. You have no idea. I can't be that person that hangs on to their every word or laughs at their jokes. I'm sure that sometimes I've come across as a bored, self righteous beeotch but really in my brain I'm dissecting the persons behavior who is engaging the big wig and wondering if that is a learned skill and if so, can I learn? Because surely that person will be remembered and I will be remembered as the girl who was clearly more interested in her sushi order that contrived conversation. Thoughts?

Anywhoodle, Aaron and Bella came to visit me in Vancouver for my last weekend here. This is my 4th week in Vancouver!! Crazy how time goes by. We had a grand time, ate a lot of food, did a lot of walking, went to some parks, had fun with my crazy roomie Christie. Oh, we took Bella to the Pacific Ocean!! We took some great pics.





Anyway, wish all of you were here!

xoxo,
Alison

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Groove Camp



Dear Blog,

I hated camp when I was a kid. No lie. One time at Girl Scout camp I awoke my dad from a deep slumber and convinced him that I had hypothermia and he needed to pick me up from camp, right now. And he did! Thanks Dad!! I never had to go back to Girl Scout Camp, yesssssssssss. So, I totally feel like I'm at camp right now back in Vancouver. There is a total of six of us here and they have us paired up in threes, all with roomies. It's kind of terrifying being around new people and all of the old insecurities that used to haunt me back in the day and I thought I had gotten over come rushing back; "Will they like me?," "Will they think I'm fat?," "Will they think I'm funny?" "Will they think I'm smart?" And there's an added layer of comparisons here because we're all yogis, and lead active and healthy lifestyles and so some people are afraid to admit they eat meat and are afraid their yoga practice is not as up to par as others. But, that's why it's called a practice, duh. Yesterday I was asked if I was a vegetarian and when I said no I was met with a truly disappointed, "Oh." Crazy huh? I love hot dogs too much to give up meat!!
Anyway, so I'm here for another week and a half and then I'm done with camp! Yay. I'll be a Groove camp graduate. My roomie is from Cleveland, OH and she's pretty funny and nice. She drew me very detailed instructions to a yoga studio because my "sense of direction scares her." I would say it scares pretty much everyone. It's awful. Take a look at the map though, I had to take a picture because I thought it was hilare. She way dumbed it down for me.


Anyway, Aaron is going to attempt to bring Bella across the border this weekend for some fam time in Canada.
That's all for now folks!

xoxo,
Alison