update (finally)

Hello, Friends! First of all, my sincere apologies for not updating this blog for so long. To be fair, I did say in my first post (and last…oops) that I am bad at these things. Oh, well. Anyway, I’ll try to be better about this in the future, and promise to update it at least once a month (hold me accountable, please).

In the meantime, I have a lot to update y’all on. I’ve been in Seattle now for about 3 months. I feel very settled here—my room appears messy and well-lived in, I can make my way around the city and only get slightly lost, I can give bus directions to strangers, and I’ve staked out my favorite coffee haunts (I’m sitting in one right now). I’ve decided that I really love this place, and while I miss home, I’m very fortunate to be where I am.

One thing that I’m really bummed about is that I’ve been bad at keeping in touch with people (i.e. this blog or lack thereof). I’ve been incredibly busy out here and have discovered that it’s much more difficult keeping in touch with people when I’m so far away. If you’re one of those individuals, please know that I love and miss you, and feel free to shoot an email or call and let me know what’s up in your life J

As per what I’ve been up to, I’ll give you the abbreviated version. Work has been simultaneously fun, stressful, frustrating, and rewarding. I work with high school students, organizing a service learning club. Specifically, I work with alumni, and I LOVE that part of my job—those kids are amazing. I also work in a high school twice a week, doing tutoring and in-class support. My position there has been kind of confusing, so that’s frustrating at times. I feel like I’m starting to form some relationships with those students though, so it’s getting better.

As is normal for me, I’ve started taking on more and larger roles, and so I’m beginning to feel a little stressed. This is good though, as I need a little healthy stress in my life to feel sane.

I’ve also got a babysitting gig now to supplement my stipend—a friend of a friend of a friend (never underestimate the networking power of the Kevin Bacon Theory).

Ok, one last thing before I don’t before I don’t write again for a long time (let’s be serious, this is me, you’ll be lucky to hear from my again by Christmas). I got the opportunity a couple weeks ago to visit Mt. Rainier National Park. Again, relative of a friend (thanks again, K.B.!) let me and a few of my roommates stay in her cabin at Mt. Rainier for the weekend. She and her husband even bought me a park pass for the year so that we can come back a lot (the generosity of people amazes and humbles me). We’re going back for Thanksgiving weekend, and I can’t wait. It can be overwhelming sometimes to live in the city and be surrounded by mountains but never go there. Luckily for me I have the opportunity to visit the biggest and most beautiful one in sight!

That’s all from me. Again, please write or call and let me know what’s up with you. Since I’m the type of person who needs deadlines, I pledge to write in my blog again by a month from now, December 8^th. If I fail at this, please harass me until I post something. Thanks!

All the best,

Regina.

Seattle

Greetings from the NW!

Because of the encouragement and good advice from a few awesome people, I have decided to keep this blog during my time living in Seattle and working with City Year. I'm gonna try to update it semi-regularly, but I am bad with such things...so we'll see.

Anyway, things are pretty good my way. I'm living in what's known as "the Amerihaus," near the University of Washington, in the heart of things. I live near the water which is very cool. My house is modest, but I have a fippin' green fireplace in my room, and a big picture window…what more could one ask for? Oh, and, now instead of having trains lull me to sleep, I have the sounds of the freeway and hydroplanes. I like it, though I do miss the occasional lonely train whistle.

My dad drove with me up to Seattle--that was an experience, to be sure. We did some traveling...went down to Crater Lake, drove down the Pacific Coast HW (101), saw the Columbia and the ocean. If you ever get the chance in your life, travel to a little town called Astoria, Washington. It’s situated right where the Columbia River meets the Pacific. One of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen.

I've been out exploring these past few days. My neighborhood is absolutely beautiful, and the weather has been toooooo nice…I could actually use some rain in my life. The University District is like a real COLLEGE TOWN! Who knew such a thing existed? ;) Wallingford, which is situated slightly west of the University, reminds me a lot of Valpo. I like both areas, and am fortunate to be situated between them.

I love how friendly people are out here. Even in the city, strange people emerging from alleyways will great you (slightly creepy, yes...but cool nonetheless). People are kinda "hippieish," but even the creepers mean no harm. I've adopted the moto "fear no hippie" when walking the mean streets of the Emerald City.

Yesterday, I had a lot of Seattle “firsts.” I went with a friend all around the city. We went to Green Lake, and Lake Washington (where I guess Bill Gates lives…yeah, it’s that pretty that Bill Gates chooses to live there), and we went downtown to Pike’s Place. That was so much fun. It’s like the coolest farmer’s market/flea market you’ll ever see. I ate a white peach and looked at the ocean and islands and remembered why I believe in God.

The only thing that really bugs me about Seattle is that it is so damn HILLY. No one warned me about this. People said, “Hey, Regina, don’t kill yourself when you’re in Seattle, ok? It rains a lot and there’re lots of bridges to jump off of, so try not to get too depressed.” They DIDN’T say: “Hey, Regina, try not to die coming downhill at a 70 degree angle to an intersection that has no stop signs.” That might have been better advice ;)

My program doesn't start ‘til end of next week, so I have lots of time to get settled, and just to explore and relax. It is really, really nice. First time in my life that I've had an experience like this, and I feel like I can really breathe. Hope it lasts :)