A Year Later... and Better...

So there have been many changes since I last wrote (skip ahead about 12 months)... the Parsons gig was great but (fortunately) I discovered something or someone better. So I am living in Vancouver and married to Mike. I couldn't have imagined a more different or better change. So, because of this I thought that I have a great reason (although I probably could have started posting when I got married but have been too lazy/busy to blog.)

*Side note - I am apparently in love with parentheses. I don't know when this love affair started but someone please stop me!

Yesterday was my 26th birthday (even though I still think of myself at 19). I thought that I would be spending the day away working but Monday afternoon Mike walked into my office with flowers and my favorite White Chocolate Reese's. I was utterly confused. My first thought wasn't even HOW he got there (we share a car) but rather, what the heck he was doing there!

The flowers that are still at work.
I already ate the Reese's... it doesn't last long around me. 

Mike was trying to figure out where I had parked the car - apparently he thought that I just pretend to go to work everyday - when in fact I just park across the street. He told me that I was to talk to my manager and tell her that I was leaving, luckily she came out and told me to leave and "see you on Wednesday." I kept checking with her to see if I could actually go. I was so confused. Mike wouldn't tell me where we were going but I knew we were headed south. I thought maybe a concert, zoo, but those all passed by. The only place left was THE COAST!

We got to the hotel at Cannon Beach and there was a gorgeous view from our window:

We went to Mo's for dinner and sorry Dad, I did NOT get the clam chowder. Mike did, you can ask him about that experience another time.

Our creature friend that we met along the beach.

Later that night we lit a bonfire on the beach. For all of my times going to the coast growing up, this was the first time that I had a fire on the sand! Mike surprised me with marshmallows to toast (no S'mores for us).

Mike very proudly displaying his golden marshmallow.

The excellent bonfire that Mike built (he became enthralled with the
lighter fluid, couldn't put it down)...

On my birthday morning we went to my mom's favorite breakfast place - Pig N' Pancake. Probably wouldn't think much of it, but believe me, it's delicious. 

This trip seemed to involve A LOT of food... on our journey home we decided to take a detour south to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Many of my roommates or those of you who know me well would remember that I would only buy Tillamook butter (it's the best). We had ourselves some delicious ice cream... but when we came out of it, somehow we felt different. Almost like we were transformed...

It was a really good birthday.

                   

Whim-sically Mine Continuation...

After many years (about 4 and half, to be exact) of thinking and talking about going to Parsons The New School for Design, I finally applied. Just this last Friday I received the letter congratulating me on being accepted into the fashion design program. Having applied on a whim I thought this nearly impossible. However, I am elated. Now, I just need to decide (by next week nonetheless) as to whether I will be picking up everything and moving across the country to New York City! I am thrilled and terrified - having never been to the Big Apple as of yet. Will it live up to the movies, books and comments of others? Am I "too nice" to fit in with New Yorkers (haha)? It is one of the most enthralling cities in the world, entices millions of visitors every year and I have the opportunity to take a bite out of it. So, my decision will not be one taken lightly. Regardless of what I decide to do, I feel amazed to be accepted into a school that has housed such icons as Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Donna Karan and even (though not in the fashion industry) Norman Rockwell! To follow in the footsteps of these designers would be a lifetime experience not soon forgotten. Alors, I will have to make a choice and all too soon, unfortunately.

'Whim'-sically Mine

I finally did it! I decided that it was time to stop talking in dreams and just go for it. So, after literally three years about talking about applying for the fashion design program at Parsons, I actually completed it! It was  on a whim and turned in fairly late so I'm uncertain as to the fate. However, I am glad that I have at least taken one step forward towards doing something that I love.

I submitted a collage with various cut outs from magazines for the admission directors. I only wish that the picture of the collage truly showed how hard I actually worked on it, mais c'est la vie. It is supposed to be representative of the man or woman for whom I wish to design. Basically, I wish to design for anyone who will wear my clothing. More seriously, I would like to go into haute couture because I like to wear frilly dresses myself. But I also have plans for a very nice ivy league inspired line.

We shall see what comes of my whimsy nature with future plans. I can say that it was incredible to be working on something creative once again.

Bons baisers!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

I do love rain drops on roses, but at the moment I happen to be living in a snow-infested ville. I thought I moved from Utah to be done with winter's chill, but apparently Mother Nature loves to pull a cruel trick. Since I am confined to the house for the next day or so (people in Washington are usually afraid to travel anywhere in the snow - even if it's only a quarter inch) I wanted to write about the places I do enjoy visiting when I am able to leave the homestead.

My last post listed some of my favorite spots in Seattle (albeit a very limited amount). This time around, I wanted to expand my list of mes endroits preferés to introduce some of my most cherished restaurants, landscapes and other locales throughout the Northwest.

The Oregon and Washington Coasts are most assuredly the most spectacular part of the Northwest for me. Seaside, Newport, Depoe Bay, Astoria, Long Beach and really any speck of beach all along the upper Pacific Coastline. I love the ocean. I truly am amazed by the high waves, shell-lined sand and colossal rocks. The Oregon and Washington coasts have a rugged and untamed feel about them. The beaches are stormy, overcast and dark. Something that Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allen Poe would be proud to write about.

The second setting is one of the grandest hotel I have ever stayed in - The Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. The Empress Hotel is located on one of the most beautiful islands in the Northwest. I have fond memories enjoying my Afternoon Tea under the magnificence of the chandeliers just beyond the sweeping staircases. The lobby feels as if you are in one of the palaces of the Queen. The Empress combines the stunning landscape of British Columbia with the traditions and style of the old monarchy. 

Number three (and these are in no particular order of preference at this point) is a restaurant love of mine. Portland has many divine food spots, but Pix Patisserie holds my heart. I've been here several times with a good friend of mine. We've ventured here for events or just for a nice treat. They have French pastries, French drinks, delicious plates and a Parisian café feel indoors. Oh, and the desserts are works of art. It is worth traveling to Portland solely to have une tarte de fruits or des bons bons from Pix. 

The fourth place is another delightful restaurant in Portland - they just have a plethora! If you are interested in experiencing a very Metropolitan site, then Urban Fondue is your place! I adore their White Chocolate Lavender Fondue with an assortment of dessert options. But never fear, they have more traditional cheese fondues as well. If you want to feel ultra trendy, then this is your dream. High-backed seats that give your posture a lift and low lighting give Urban Fondue and you the ultimate "I'm trendy!" vibe, if only for the night.

At this point, you might be thinking that I am more interested in food spots than anything else - but this is not so! Another treasured spot of mine (also in Downtown Portland) is The Crystal Ballroom. The Crystal Ballroom was built in 1914 and architecturally is rather exquisite. The floor is designed to literally make you feel as if you're "dancing on air" (as cheesy as it may sound). But more than dancing, it used to host such bands as The Grateful Dead, James Brown, Buffalo Springfield and Billy Idol. All during high school and after I would hit the Crystal Ballroom for concerts. I was privileged to attend many a-great-concert in this dazzling building (and only for about 10 bucks each!)

I honestly could have a list of my most beloved places that goes on and on. But, for now at least, I will end with a favorite from my hometown. In Downtown Vancouver, Ice Cream Renaissance combines art with - wait for it... ICE CREAM! The ice cream is marvelous and they are constantly adding and changing flavors. However, it is not so much for the ice cream (although it's homemade) but more for the local art on the walls and on your dish that always brings me back. Creative titles and alluring designs will make you wonder if you should be eating the dish or placing it in a museum.

I am sorry this picture is not larger, but if it were you would be forced to go to
Vancouver and have some of their ice cream right now. So, perhaps, it's for the best. 

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me... Glad?

The Carpenters were great, but they had it wrong. Living in Washington, if I let "rainy days and Mondays always get me down", well then, I would be 'down' about every other day. When you live in an environment that has rain showers nearly every day, you know that you must venture outdoors regardless of the forecast. And after all this time, I've learned that splashing in the puddles can be much more exhilarating than walking on dry ground.

A week ago my cousin, Katie, and I hit the streets of Seattle to explore some of the more 'tourist-y' places of the city. Regardless of how lengthy or brief you have been in Seattle, these are still engaging endroits to explore.

The Gum Wall at Post Alley

Look closely, you may see our gum

too! ... or don't get too close, probably

the better option.

Kate and me, after placing gum on the

very famous wall. We will now contribute to

all future pictures taken by tourists.

The following are novelties from

my new favorite store - Pirate's Plunder.

Keeping it classy.

The Pirate within Pirate's Plunder, a

kitschy shop on the waterfront.

Favorite man in town.

Second favorite man in town.

We may not have actually been able

to go into the aquarium due to the

high prices, but they were nice enough

to bring the aquarium to us.

Treasure!

The Puget Sound and a ferry, perfect

picture taking moment!

Pike's Place Market. Starbucks, rain

and tulips, couldn't be a

more typical day.

Welcome to the Emerald City, maybe I'll find Oz.

My favorite film has been the Wizard of Oz since before I could walk the yellow brick road. I should have guessed that I would end up in the Emerald City searching for my Oz. I have left behind the great and lesser-than-great things of Provo and come back to my homeland of Washington. I am not entirely certain what I will find while I'm here, but I'm ready to meet the tin mans (tin men?), scarecrows and lions along the way. I've already enjoyed the fine Pike's Place Market in the rain and having the Space Needle nestled right outside of my window. The next year (or maybe longer) of my blog life will most likely consist of my adventures living in the realm of Seattle. Mariners games, Seattle Pacific Science Center, Post Alley, NOT the aquarium (19 dollars? Really, Seattle? It used to be five.), and venturing up to Victoria when the weather improves.

It feels only proper to say, "Toto, I don't think we're in [Utah] anymore!"

Le Petit Prince of Reason.

When we were children all we could think about were the things we wanted to be when we became grown-ups. At least, this is how it was for me. I wanted to be a race car driving - Egypt tomb exploring - traveler - astronomer - dentist. Why did I have to choose just one when there were so many interests I had? When you're a child, you believe that the world was literally created for your taking.

But, something morphs when we become adults. There's a societal expectation that we need to become an expert in just one specific field. I don't want to be ostentatious enough to proclaim myself a polymath, but I will say that the expression "Jack of all trades, master of none" is befitting to me. I have a number of passions and interests I wish to consider (as do most people). Some may see this as being indecisive. For me though, I want to learn as much as possible from the world around me. There are so many countries, ideas, landmarks, beauty, cultures, beliefs and skills out there that I would like to explore.

I feel like we lose the effervescence we once had for life as a child when we hit a certain age. I am reminded of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's story Le Petit Prince. A young boy travels to various planets where he meets adults who are acting foolish in various ways. It's the child in the tale who has the insight and wisdom to see through the unhappiness of the poor choices of the adults.

Understanding that there must be a sense of reality in conjunction with the desire to dapple in so many fields, I know that there are bills that must be paid, money and shelter that are required to live in this world and hard work that goes into becoming a race car driving - Egypt tomb exploring - traveler - astronomer - dentist. However, I do believe that sometimes it's better to have the mind of a child. I think that it is much more beneficial to examine as many disciplines as one is able. Finding one's passions and motivations of what compels them to be content in this world is what makes life intriguing. As Saint-Exupéry stated in Le Petit Prince, "Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux."