these are a few of my favorite things...

One ought every day at least to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

halllo everyone!
happy monday!...well tuesday for most of you now. anywho i just wanted to start by making a list of things that make me happy about seattle:

-lavender bushes everywhere! makes the air smell amazing!
-palm trees. yes- palm trees. what up with that? i dont know but its cool.
-the amount of older couples who hold hands and kiss (general pda-ness). its adorable.
-the views! ahh! mountains and bays and sunsets and...its beautiful!
-there is a farmers market in every neighborhood on any given day of the week. and then there is always pikes market which is open everyday ;)
-when i read the church program this week advertising for a cookout, veggie burgers were offered as part of the food being provided. pretty sure that would never happen in buffalo/midwest
-every building here is ordered by law to spend at least 1% of their building budget on artwork. the result=awe inspiring work.
-speaking of art, the downtown public library looks more like the cleveland rock and roll hall of fame mixed with the museum of modern art. and it has practice rooms in it for musicians. what what!
-theo chocolate: the only organic and fair trade chocolate company in the united states who are environmnetally friendly. whats that? the factory is a 20 minute walk from my house with heaps of free samples? yes please. also- hey give these tours for 5 bucks and tons of free samples, so please come visit so i dont go by myself and eat the whole place...the dark chocolate cherry almond bars have been getting me through each and every week here!
-the fashion here, although very legging oriented- makes me smile. people mish mash colors and patterns and i am finally at home with my fashion ridiculousness. my roomies always check me in the morning to make sure i havent overdone anything- but yeah, black and brown outfits happen. and it rocks. (that one is for you e....)
-there are bike lanes as well as bike racks on the front of buses...annnd they have handicap accessible ramps on every bus for anyone who needs it.
-do you know when you go to the store and they advertise for washington apples? yeah, they are from here. i had one the other day that was straight from the orchard. yuummmmm. cant wait for some cider!
-the weather, (i know i have mentioned it before) has been awesome so far. i know it will get more cold and overcast- but it is never humid and is so refreshing!
-every sunday night at 9:30 at the st. marks epicopal church there is a Compline service held. basically, an all men's choir sings in perfect harmony with each other in this gorgeous chapel with great acoustics and people from all walks of life come into the church- lay on the alter, sit in the pews, you name it. it lasts for half an hour- everyone sits in silence. it is one of the most moving things i have ever experienced.i think i am going to go every sunday i can. if you come visit me and happen to be here on a sunday- we will go ;)
-there is a floating bridge! over lake washington. AND it is the 90! its like being on the other side, but being connected to the other end to my loves in b-lo.
-the food! although i am living on a limited stipend- i have been able to experience some of the many amazing restaurants and such in the seattle area. some of my faves: molly moons (like jenis splendid) where i experienced strawberry balsamic ice cream, the dahlia lounge (thanks aunt linda and larry!) where i ate one of the best meals of my life and had a kick-ass creme caramel and coconut cream pie, and dicks (an old dive place with greasy burgers) where i got a tasty cheap milkshake.

in case this list has not indicated, i am pleased with life. of course to every city or place there are some downfalls. the distance from all of you, for example, makes being in the emerald city not quite as great as it could be. but i am going to stay positive for now, and i will let you know what else i observe along the way. sending love all your way and thanks for reading!

love!
~me