building permit: first pass

We recently started the process of applying for building permits for our house and we learned about some significant issues related to building there.  There are two major issues and the solution to them both requires the cooperation of our future neighbors. 

backyard wedding: love party

In August we attended the wedding of an old friend.  It was a gorgeous lakeside wedding, complete with a dance floor and sweet, funny and touching toasts by the two brides’ friends and families.  It is a good year to live in Washington.

30 for my 30th: goals are great

Five or six months ago, my friend in Boston mentioned some goals she had before her 30th birthday.  I was inspired and on the plane ride home I came up with 30 personal goals. 

picking out charitie$

Recently we decided to take a more organized approach to charitable donations.

baby pictures – because we scanned them

In honor of my upcoming milestone birthday and the fact that we’ve scanned a lot of old pictures, I thought I’d share some old ones here.

cake time

My friend from Vienna introduced us to the deliciousness of the famous Viennese chocolate cake called a Sachertorte.  

volunteering

My mom has always encouraged us to volunteer and as cliché as it sounds, I find that you really do get as much as you give.

statistics

I like most aspects of the career path I am on and I think it’s a good fit for me.  Nevertheless, it’s fun to think about what I would study if I had to do something completely different. 

physician-writers

Earlier in the summer I went to a book tour presentation by Khaled Hosseini, the author of The Kite Runner and several other books.

hiking versus climbing

Having just come back from camping near Mount Rainier, I have mountains on my mind. 

surprise!

On Friday Jack earned A MILLION HUSBAND POINTS by throwing me a surprise 30th birthday party, complete with good friends, good food, a beautiful park and trimmings like glow-stick decorations, kites and frisbees. 

Emo unleashed

Recently we took Emo, who has spent all of her 10 years as an indoor cat, on an experimental outdoor adventure at my parents’ house.  She absolutely loved it, quickly assuaging any guilt I felt for stuffing her in a bag and taking her on a car ride. 

Viaduct/Alaskan Way tunnel: part 4

On Saturday I went to the official launch of Bertha.  We were allowed to go in and walk around the site and even to sign our names on a few of the curved tunnel panels.   I’m happy to confirm the rumors that Bertha is really big.

Japanese

Today I noticed that the city added Japanese street signs to all of the streets of the International District, making the previously fuzzy distinction between Pioneer Square and the ID very clear.

Winthrop wedding

Two weeks ago we celebrated my cousin’s wedding in Winthrop.  It was a simple and stunning ceremony that took place on a scenic hillside. 

hiking report 2

My apologies for this laundry list post, but I’ve done some fabulous hiking in the past six months and I want to keep track of it.  This is a follow-up to hiking report 1.

Is it still yard work if there’s no house?

On Sunday we spent about 8 hours clearing blackberries and Japanese knotweed from our lot, which is totally dwarfed by our borrowed truck. 

happy retirement!

Earlier this month, my dad retired.  Two years ago my mom took the leap, but I think this is when the fun really starts.  Now they can forget about days of the week and really get down to the active life of leisure to which they aspire. 

views from my flight

I just flew in to Denver where I am about to meet my sister for a few days of talking, hiking at high altitudes and ... catching our breath. 

the corner of 4th and Madison

Two of my favorite places in the city, the YMCA and the public library, can be found at this intersection.   They give me the gift that keeps on giving, which is the ability to help myself.