Spring up

We had over a week of very nice weather here in Seattle before this weekend started... now it is all rainy and sad (which is disappointing because I know two groups of people visiting the city now and this is not the best impression to get of it). But I love sunny days. This particular shot was made on my walk to work - I walk down Denny Way, which is one of the steepest hills in the city over I-5 and has pretty nice views down toward the Space Needle and Olympics. Not as good as my old walk to work, but pretty good.



And no - I will not stop taking photos of flowers. I love spring and all the beautiful trees, bushes and flowers that start blooming. This will not stop anytime soon. :)

Spring is finally starting!

Sorry to the rest of the country stuck in negative temperatures and snowpocalypses, but spring is starting to come to Seattle. Spied some trees starting to blossom on my way to the bus stop this morning. YES. I am tired of being cold and I want to actually catch the cherry blossoms at UW this year. So excited. Oh and not being cold. That'll be awesome too.



In other news, I went to Ignite Seattle today. Lots of fun, but I did not find the talks as interesting as last time. There was less learning new things, and more people telling me things I already know. I know that we should be empathetic, I know that travelling alone is awesome. These are things I know. I want to learn about some new idea. My favorite was the talk about how he lived as @TheRealNPH on twitter for so long until @ActuallyNPH came along and had him banned. How everyone assumed he was the celebrity and how awesome that was. Pretty hilarious.



Shirt: Forever 21
Sweater: Forever 21
Skirt: China
Leggings: Hue
Boots: Germany
Earrings: gift
Necklace: China
Scarf: China

Looks like most of my outfit came from various markets in China. It was a pretty amazing trip when it comes to shopping cheep. My mom and I went in Summer 2006 and we ended up buying another suitcase in China to carry all of the things we bought back to the US. I am glad we did this as... I am still wearing these things! I got a couple of random gifts there that proved useless, but mostly it was cheep and useful!

As for the outfit... not that happy with it. With the spring and excitement in the air it is too dark. I tried to use the scarf to make it a little brighter but it is still dark. I want to wear more colorful things but I did not put enough of those into my clothing choices. And sadly I already know that my outfit for tomorrow will involve a black dress. Oh the dark times we live in. I resolve to bring more colors to my outfits as soon as this challenge is over. For now... one third through!

Spring vs winter

The snow storms of the east coast have been on everyone's minds lately. More than a week off school? Insanity. I think the maximum I got per year was three days in college? Let us make a contrast here.

On the streets of Seattle this week. We have had such a warm winter that the trees have started blooming. The mountains have so little snow we can get up trails that are supposed to be snowshoe only in a light jacket, if that, and not touch any snow. A bit of  a problem for the Winter Vancouver Olympics...

The opposite of an early spring/lack of winter? DC area's snowpocalypse.

My parent's yard this week. Paving the way through the snow for the x-country skiing around the yard. 

So much snow (this is not all, I think they did it in several stages), that it cannot be simpled shoveled. Their solution? Break it into blocks and stack it like an igloo. Love it.

Sad to be missing the snow, but then it seems that after a week of being trapped indoors one could get some cabin fever? I will treasure this mild and rather dry winter of Seattle. =) I guess the city has decided to make me fall in love with it before next year it unleashes the never ending rain. 

Spring in the City

I do not even try to pretend that I know DC well. I don't know it at all. I know the vague outlines of it, but if somebody was visiting me, I would not know where to take them: no special coffee houses, restaurants, knookes, small art galleries. Nothing. Only recently have I tried to break into this strange world of DC amazingness from the 'I am too scared to drive in this scary crime-filled city'.

The past three days have been the start of an amazing spring. Saturday I went to my fraternity's retreat near Salisbury, MD. It was a beautiful day and we wandered outside, cleaned some leaves for fire safety, sat on the dock, and had snow ball fights (while wearing t-shirts in 70 degree weather). Just an amazing day leaving me gleaming with a permanent smile on my face.

Today was no different. Started off the day with a delicious breakfast at Kramer Books. Omlette, pastries, mimosa (my new favorite drink), and unlimited coffee in a bookshop. Can a Sunday morning get any better? Also combined with the life and energy of the Dupont Area--people running around outside, farmers market.... just life!

The day continued its awesomeness with a trip to the Zoo. Sadly many other people had a similar idea and the place was overflowing with children and families avoiding spending money in this recession and enjoying the wonderful weather. Many of the pavillions were closed for renovation/winter but we did see some nice birds, sea creatures, and some zebras starting mating season. I'll love to come back... maybe on a less crouded weekday.

The amazing finale was me visiting some family friends for dinner (just me! without parents!) who just moved to D and 11th st. The wife is an artist who lived in Seattle for 17 years and was telling me about life there. Made me feel such love for that city and excitement for that new adventure. Also made me realize that I want to steal their appartment: they are several blocks from Eastern Market, several from the Capitol, two stories, lots of plants and her paintings all over the wall. And the most important feature is that there is a 'pushed out' window and a small mini-sofa that fits right under it where you can sit and look out the window. My dream apartment. :)

So here is to spring in the city. Spring in any city really. Here's to exploring and loving the world around us. May this happy mood infect everyone. :)