Farewell, Faithful Friend

In December 2001, my college friends and I exchanged gifts before we took our very first college finals and parted ways for the holidays. Lucky for me, Megan gave me the blue Nalgene bottle that would go everywhere with me for the next 7 years. In that time, my Nalgene and I hiked across Spain, caught the train across Morocco, explored the hills of Pennsylvania, snorkeled in Ecuador, napped in parks around San Francisco, checked out the sites in China, got to know George's family in New Zealand, hiked and snowboarded around the Pacific Northwest, explored southeast Alaska, and attended many, many undergraduate and law school classes.

Last week, our journey came to an end. The handle, which was so convenient for hooking onto my bag or belt, broke. I'll probably replace the handle and take my Nalgene on a few journeys in the future, but she's going to be retired from everyday use.

In her place, I have a new Bilt stainless steel water bottle. I love the ferns that remind me of New Zealand, and I look forward to having many adventures with my new bottle!

Pat's Visit

It's been a hectic start to the year. Can you believe fall semester is already 1/3 over?

We really enjoyed our visit with George's mum, Pat. Although I spent most of the time studying and at school, George and Pat got out and about to see a bit of the Seattle area.

Much of Pat's trip was actually a working vacation. She is an incredible gardener, and - lucky for George and I - she was anxious to get her hands on our very sad and empty garden. We planted new grass in the spring, but we hadn't done anything with the surrounding flower beds.

In the main part of the back yard, she put together a lovely set of beds full of really beautiful, colorful plants. In the mix are hummingbird-attracting fuschias, hostas, plumbago, tickseed, cone flowers, bleeding heart, eupatorium, crocosmia, silver mound, garden aster, alumroot, and walker's low. Click on the pictures to get a better look. We're already seeing more birds, bees, and other pollenating creatures, so we really hope all these flowers will withstand our local squirrels and cats. We know they'll die off as the weather gets cold, but Pat assures us that we'll have all this wonderful color back in the spring.

Even better, Pat developed a plan for our garden that we can work on when we have time and money and that she can work on when she comes back. When it's all finished, we'll have several distinct areas in the back (including a section with New Zealand plants), a deck off the back, a utility area to one side, a bit of privacy from taller plants in the front, and perhaps a veggie patch to the other side. I can't wait to see how it all develops!

Just before Pat left, she and George planted a very special tree in our front/side yard: a feijoa (aka pineapple guava). George really misses having them, so we really hope that we're able to grow a little bit of New Zealand here in Kirkland. I'm particularly fond of this photo of mother and son wearing matching shirts, glaring at the feijoa as if they're demanding that it grow well. We'll see how it works out next summer. Hopefully we'll have lots of fruit on our feijoa tree.

Even though that's the only specifically Kiwi plant Pat put in during this go-around, George and I think of her every time we see the garden. Pat, thank you for sharing your time and gift of the green thumb with us!

2L: Prepare to be worked to death

I'm finding the start of my second year challenging. Supposedly, 1L is the hardest part of law school; however, after experiencing 2L for just two weeks, I have to say that it's a strong contender.

Admittedly, much of the stress I'm feeling is the product of my decisions. My load consists of the maximum allowable credits (3 4-credit classes, a 1-credit clinic, and 3-credit legal writing II). I'm also applying to (and hopefully interviewing at) a few local firms that are hiring clerks for next summer. Adding insult to injury, class periods have changed from 50 minutes to 110 minutes...so my attention span is really being tested.

On the bright side, I can feel myself slowly adjusting. My legal writing II course (reputed to be very difficult and demanding) is off to a good start with glowing reviews during my practice oral argument. Since I have managed to schedule Mondays without class, I know it's possible to tackle what I've undertaken if I manage my time wisely. With any luck, I might even be able to carve out a life outside of school. :-)

Speaking of life outside of school, George's mum, Pat, arrived from New Zealand last Friday. She's been on the Olympic Peninsula at an elderhostel for the last week, but, after she returns, I hope to get away from my school work and enjoy as much as possible of her last two weeks here.

Paul and Robyn in Seattle

George and I really enjoyed hosting Paul and Robyn last week. Here are a few highlights from the visit:

We started with a lovely walk along Alki. The weather was perfect and gave us a really nice view of the city. (Little did I know, George had arranged to surprise me with a birthday BBQ later in the evening.)

Paul and George visited three flight museums in two days. (Robyn and I set out the last two museums in favor of a day at the mall.) Here, they're in the cockpit at the Future of Flight Museum.

We all escaped to Mount Rainier National Park for a hike up Tolmie Peak. The view of Mount Rainier was amazing, and wildflowers were blooming near the top (seen above). Even though the mosquitoes, horse flies, and deer flies were overwhelming, I think we'd all agree that the view was well worth it. Back at the snow-covered trailhead, George and I continued our tradition of swimming in Lake Mowich (not pictured above).

For Paul's 60th, he flew a Cessna over the Seattle area.

The week wrapped up with a special birthday dinner at Herb Farm. What a treat!

Thanks for a very special week, Paul and Robyn!

San Franciscan Dream

George's dad, Paul, and stepmum, Robyn, are currently visiting the US from New Zealand. Last week, George and I went to San Francisco to visit with them. While George was working, I shared my little knowledge of SF with Paul and Robyn. We put many, many miles on our feet in the process of seeing much of the city and getting to know each other a little better.

For me, the most exciting thing we did was take the ferry across the bay to Sausalito, bus to the Golden Gate Bridge, and walk across. As a child, growing up in rural Ohio, I idolized all things Californian. Most of all, though, I fantasized about the Golden Gate Bridge. I'm pretty sure it's related to my love of Full House and friendship with Richelle, my pen pal in San Jose (with whom I corresponded from ages 6-16). Even living within a few flying hours of San Francisco and seeing the bridge plenty of times, I still haven't been satisfied; I had to get closer to the bridge.

Walking the bridge was neat. I was right there...one with the bridge...up close and personal. While one childhood dream has now been realized, I know the Golden Gate Bridge will continue to hold a special place in my heart as a symbol of all those other childhood dreams yet to be realized. Thanks for the fantastic company on a very sunny and windy day, Robyn and Paul!

More more pictures from San Francisco, check out this folder in the gallery. Pictures from our adventures around Seattle with Paul and Robyn have been posted in a few different folders in the gallery, and I'll blog about it next week. Stay tuned. :-)