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 :)