It's been close to a year since my last post. Clearly, I'm not much of a blogger!
So what's happened since my last post? Oh yeah, I moved back in February (yes, again) to Redmond, WA which is on the east side of Lake Washington (Seattle is west side for my out of town readers). I love it here. Since moving to Washington, I was never a huge fan of living in downtown Seattle but Mike and I had agreed that we would give it two years to live where he wants to live, and two years to live where I want to live and then decide from there, where we want to finally settle down. I feel like we are getting a good feel of the areas that we are considering moving to. The east side is more suburban, quiet, and a little more family friendly in my opinion. It's also less expensive than the downtown Seattle area. Seattle has its perks too of course! The ability to walk outside and have a number of restaurants not only less than half a mile but right under your apartment building. I truly miss my favorite sushi spot. It's been awhile since I've gone but we try to make it a point to at least go once a month which is good. I used to go three times a week and that kind of food is not so good for your waistline! The commute into Seattle from here isn't bad at all. By car, it takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes (Could be longer in rush hour but that's the same for any place I would think), and by bus around 45 min or so.
Mike and I do like the fact that we can skip driving altogether into the city due to the fact that public transit is not only convenient, but also the recommended way to travel to alleviate some of the traffic stress. Living out here has also helped me to break through some of the anxiety I experienced living in downtown with regards to driving. Living in such a walkable city, you seldom had to drive so I suppose I just lost my touch and stopped being comfortable with it. The traffic there is so overwhelming and I still won't drive into the city. I'm not at all comfortable with the big merging but I'm learning some reroutes that I can take to help me feel a little better about it. I am driving more. Since moving to Redmond, for the most part I've fully taken over driving to places (except Seattle). I've driven north as well as south and I overall feel comfortable here, mostly because the traffic isn't as horrendous as it is as you approach the downtown exits of the freeway.
We managed to snag a beautiful two bedroom/two bathroom apartment! Not only is it gorgeous, but it's also brand new as in we are the first people ever to live here. In fact, we were the second to move into the building which is awesome. We got to meet almost all of our neighbors as they move in and it just feels nice to get to know everyone. Almost like a giant family. It also helps that the leasing team hosts breakfasts, and pizza parties and things like that for the residents and we get to meet everyone and reconnect with those we've already met. There's talk of a wine tasting party. I am certain that will draw a nice little crowd as I've learned that we have quite a few wine enthusiasts living in the building. I love wine myself so it should be a fun time.
No new information on the baby front. We had a few set backs but we are getting back on track. I go in for more testing and stuff July 6th or somewhere around that date. I decided to leave Pacific Northwest Fertility and find a doctor on this side because once treatments start, I'm having to go back and forth to the doctor daily for ultrasounds and it just got expensive and tiresome to have to bus in everyday and walk up/cab up giant hills. I knew that when I was pregnant, tackling those hills would not be an option and again, cabbing over time gets pretty expensive. The doctor I found here is about seven miles from my apartment and just outside of downtown Bellevue. It's pretty much one road all the way there. Very easy to get to by car or by bus and absolutely no hills!
Anyway, I guess that's a good enough update for now. It's 10am and I think it's time to wake Mike up! Until next time... :)
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Beginning the Journey of PCOS
This may be a little bit of TMI but honestly, I don't care as it's my blog and if you're reading it, you're making the decision to do so.
So for most of my life, I've been a bit.... irregular. No big deal, it's normal. In the recent weeks I've actually learned HOW normal it is. Like a 1 in 20 women normal. Anyway, after a BUNCH of blood tests, I learned that I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). It's not quite as bad for me as for some people. I have a lot less of the male hormone than a lot of PCOS women. But I have enough which is causing my body to freak out a little bit.
I was lucky to meet an amazing group of women at Pacific Northwest Fertility who are going to help me along my journey to finally getting pregnant (and having the baby stick, rather than miscarry). I've taken the first steps by getting into an exercise routine and losing 11lbs in the first month. That's an amazing accomplishment for me. I've been overweight for a long time. Granted not SUPER overweight but enough that it was increasing my blood pressure and some of my numbers. I then did some googling (WHICH YOU SHOULD NEVER DO- I'm working hard to stop as it's causing me more anxiety and making me distrust my own physician's diagnoses) and learned about PCOS and how many overweight women develop something called Insulin Resistance which is pretty much prediabetes. I decided that I don't want that to happen to me so I took it as a sign and jumped on the exercising bandwagon and began the 5K101. Just doing that three times a week combined with my usual day to day activities has gotten me to lose enough weight to drop my BP back to normal and regulate most of my numbers to put me back into the healthy range. I am still a little overweight but I overall feel great and I plan to continue exercising until I reach my goal weight.
Another thing that I think is rather unusual for me is my faith. I grew up with really no education about religion or God. I just learned what I could from friends and of course, the Internet. I had a phase where I didn't believe in God, to where I believed in some sort of a power and now to where I am at this moment. During all the testing and anxiety that I was feeling in the last few weeks, I found myself sitting on the bed rocking myself and crying because I was so scared of hearing bad news (due to googling everything which is why I say to STOP). Finally, I just tried praying for I think the first time (aside from what they had us do in preschool and the superficial prayers). I don't know if that's what did it but I felt such a sense of relief and comfort. I know I'm going to get knocked for saying these things but I feel better because I feel like I am going to be taken care of. Not that Mike doesn't do a terrific job taking care of me but you know what I mean. Sometimes, you just need that extra support and I feel like I have it.
So for most of my life, I've been a bit.... irregular. No big deal, it's normal. In the recent weeks I've actually learned HOW normal it is. Like a 1 in 20 women normal. Anyway, after a BUNCH of blood tests, I learned that I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). It's not quite as bad for me as for some people. I have a lot less of the male hormone than a lot of PCOS women. But I have enough which is causing my body to freak out a little bit.
I was lucky to meet an amazing group of women at Pacific Northwest Fertility who are going to help me along my journey to finally getting pregnant (and having the baby stick, rather than miscarry). I've taken the first steps by getting into an exercise routine and losing 11lbs in the first month. That's an amazing accomplishment for me. I've been overweight for a long time. Granted not SUPER overweight but enough that it was increasing my blood pressure and some of my numbers. I then did some googling (WHICH YOU SHOULD NEVER DO- I'm working hard to stop as it's causing me more anxiety and making me distrust my own physician's diagnoses) and learned about PCOS and how many overweight women develop something called Insulin Resistance which is pretty much prediabetes. I decided that I don't want that to happen to me so I took it as a sign and jumped on the exercising bandwagon and began the 5K101. Just doing that three times a week combined with my usual day to day activities has gotten me to lose enough weight to drop my BP back to normal and regulate most of my numbers to put me back into the healthy range. I am still a little overweight but I overall feel great and I plan to continue exercising until I reach my goal weight.
Another thing that I think is rather unusual for me is my faith. I grew up with really no education about religion or God. I just learned what I could from friends and of course, the Internet. I had a phase where I didn't believe in God, to where I believed in some sort of a power and now to where I am at this moment. During all the testing and anxiety that I was feeling in the last few weeks, I found myself sitting on the bed rocking myself and crying because I was so scared of hearing bad news (due to googling everything which is why I say to STOP). Finally, I just tried praying for I think the first time (aside from what they had us do in preschool and the superficial prayers). I don't know if that's what did it but I felt such a sense of relief and comfort. I know I'm going to get knocked for saying these things but I feel better because I feel like I am going to be taken care of. Not that Mike doesn't do a terrific job taking care of me but you know what I mean. Sometimes, you just need that extra support and I feel like I have it.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
The Right Thing
At lunch today, I was talking to Mike about how badly I feel for this homeless man who sleeps under the awning of the building behind ours. I have the want to leave him a jug of water and some food but I'm afraid of turning this business into a homeless haven by leaving it there. Another thing is that if for whatever reason the guy DOESN'T sleep there, the food I leave will just be sitting there for the owners of the business to see the next day and then it might get the man in trouble for sleeping there. They open around 10am so I could possibly get there before they open in the event that the man doesn't come by. I just feel so terrible when I see him come up late at night and I'm sure he can see into our apartments and see people eating and drinking and having themselves a good time without giving it another thought. I don't want to go down there at night because I don't know this person and it might not be safe for me. I definitely have to put that thought ahead of all others.
I know I shouldn't feel bad for what I have because we worked hard to get here. At the same time though, no one knows why the homeless man is living the way that he is. I know most of the shelters here are full to capacity leaving a lot of homeless people no other option but to sleep outside. I have purchased copies of Real Change before and we have given our leftovers to homeless people before. We have also given money on certain occasions. I know we are helping in some ways by doing out part but I can't explain why I feel so empathetic towards this one man in particular. I haven't even seen him up close. I have only seen him from my window either setting up camp under one of the covered parking spots or the awning of the building.
I know what I want to do but is it necessarily the right thing to do?
I know I shouldn't feel bad for what I have because we worked hard to get here. At the same time though, no one knows why the homeless man is living the way that he is. I know most of the shelters here are full to capacity leaving a lot of homeless people no other option but to sleep outside. I have purchased copies of Real Change before and we have given our leftovers to homeless people before. We have also given money on certain occasions. I know we are helping in some ways by doing out part but I can't explain why I feel so empathetic towards this one man in particular. I haven't even seen him up close. I have only seen him from my window either setting up camp under one of the covered parking spots or the awning of the building.
I know what I want to do but is it necessarily the right thing to do?
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
It's been a long time....
I really let this fall onto the backburner. I never mean to but forcing myself into a schedule also never works. A good friend told me to write when I'm inspired and she was right. I should write only when inspired because then you will get more fulfilling blog posts rather than half-assed boring drivel. However, because of the amount of time that has passed since my last update, this will probably be a little bit all over the place. But those of you that truly know me, know that I'm already all over the place so why not have my blog post do the exact same thing? :)
So what has happened in the last few months? We have fully moved into our place, we have done a small bit of traveling to Florida to see a couple of great friends get hitched. I even got to film the entire wedding and highlights of the reception. I do need to put that together. Perhaps I will start that soon.
As much as I used to say I miss Florida, I decided that I don't miss Florida as much as I miss my family (and by family I also include the couple of friends that I consider to be my family). I occasionally miss my friends but I know that the distance definitely puts a damper on the connections I made and therefore, I seldom keep in touch with quite a few people. I suppose after awhile of being the person people come to only when bored, it takes its toll and you just don't see them in the same light as you used to. There are those couple that I REALLY need to contact but that will have to wait until I get my phone back. I'm still happy at where life has lead me thus far and I truly look forward to what my future will hold. It promises to be exciting!
Mike asked me the other day where I would like to live in the end and it surprised me when I said I want to live here. The only other state I would seriously consider is California because of family and friends living out there, and the people I enjoy watching on YouTube do lots of meet ups and go to events down there. I think it would be fun. Really though, I have a few other places I want to explore around Seattle but so far, from the places I've been, I really would love to settle down in Tumwater. It's not only beautiful but from what I've researched, one of the more affordable places in Washington to live. Maybe one day...
I miss my dad. He moved to the Philippines a couple of weeks ago to retire. Makes things really tough because now I know when I visit Florida, he won't be there. My dad and I get along so well and I hate the idea of going there and not seeing him. As it is, it's pricey enough to travel to and from Florida but now to add a whole new location to the list? It's so overwhelming. I know that Mike will do anything in his power to help me to see him. I'm grateful for Skype and its ability to let me physically see my father even if we aren't in the same country anymore.
Last thing I want to mention for right now is that I'm SUPER excited about going to Mt. Rainier for my birthday/anniversary August 3-5. We are staying at the Alta Crystal Resort in the honeymoon cabin which is simply amazing. I cannot wait at all for this trip! July better fly on by!
Anyway, that is all for now. Love you all.
So what has happened in the last few months? We have fully moved into our place, we have done a small bit of traveling to Florida to see a couple of great friends get hitched. I even got to film the entire wedding and highlights of the reception. I do need to put that together. Perhaps I will start that soon.
As much as I used to say I miss Florida, I decided that I don't miss Florida as much as I miss my family (and by family I also include the couple of friends that I consider to be my family). I occasionally miss my friends but I know that the distance definitely puts a damper on the connections I made and therefore, I seldom keep in touch with quite a few people. I suppose after awhile of being the person people come to only when bored, it takes its toll and you just don't see them in the same light as you used to. There are those couple that I REALLY need to contact but that will have to wait until I get my phone back. I'm still happy at where life has lead me thus far and I truly look forward to what my future will hold. It promises to be exciting!
Mike asked me the other day where I would like to live in the end and it surprised me when I said I want to live here. The only other state I would seriously consider is California because of family and friends living out there, and the people I enjoy watching on YouTube do lots of meet ups and go to events down there. I think it would be fun. Really though, I have a few other places I want to explore around Seattle but so far, from the places I've been, I really would love to settle down in Tumwater. It's not only beautiful but from what I've researched, one of the more affordable places in Washington to live. Maybe one day...
I miss my dad. He moved to the Philippines a couple of weeks ago to retire. Makes things really tough because now I know when I visit Florida, he won't be there. My dad and I get along so well and I hate the idea of going there and not seeing him. As it is, it's pricey enough to travel to and from Florida but now to add a whole new location to the list? It's so overwhelming. I know that Mike will do anything in his power to help me to see him. I'm grateful for Skype and its ability to let me physically see my father even if we aren't in the same country anymore.
Last thing I want to mention for right now is that I'm SUPER excited about going to Mt. Rainier for my birthday/anniversary August 3-5. We are staying at the Alta Crystal Resort in the honeymoon cabin which is simply amazing. I cannot wait at all for this trip! July better fly on by!
Anyway, that is all for now. Love you all.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Hot Lava and Zero Visibility
Today was an adventurous day-- so many dangerous obstacles! While apartment hunting we encountered the ferocious hot lava and survived! We fought our way through the fog and found ourselves no longer homeless! Okay, so we did have a couple hurdles as we lost miserably to some terrible henchmen and an evil doctor... (Just kidding, it's only a board game).
Okay, okay, I know, we were never homeless. However we now have two homes! At least until April 7th. What do I mean? Well, the answer is simple. We paid our deposits and got a brand new one year lease at a beautiful apartment in the wonderful South Lake Union at Rollin Street Flats. Yes, I know this is a little pricer BUT! We got a terrific moving in bonus! Not only do we get the first two weeks free, but we also got the one unit that in total (including parking and pets) winds up cheaper than our current apartment (which is wayyyy smaller) because renewing our lease will add $200 to our rent on top of the $220/month parking. So yes, we are officially saying goodbye to Harbor Steps.
We have already put a few items into the new place.... we are going to slowly move our stuff by ourselves until we get the majority of our small stuff over there. Hopefully it won't take forever and a day to do so.
Where did the Space Needle go? Nobody knows....
There it is! (View from the terrace on our floor which is directly in front of you when you get off the elevators)
Hot Lava Survival Map
Kitchen!
Gas stove!
So excited about this place!
Awesome sink and European style cabinets.
Our leasing agent Nick, showing me how the A/C works.
One angle of the bedroom
Closet view of bedroom
Awesome sink and vanity area!
This is the first apartment I've seen that comes with full sized front load washers and dryers!
Big tub with a large shower head (that Mike will probably hit his head on.... darn tall people!:) )
Mike's man cave (aka the den)
Friday, February 1, 2013
It's Friday, Friday...
Hi! Yes, I know, I haven't posted in awhile. I do apologize. I suppose it's something that I should have expected as I have never actually been able to keep up any journal or diary I ever had. The fact that I decided to post now is amazing in itself!
Quite a bit has happened since I was last on here. I suppose I will start with last Saturday. We all (and by we all I mean Casey, Jenn, Mike and myself) trekked out to Bothell for Brandon's birthday party. Lots of fun was had by all! It was a pot luck style party so I brought over some mini cup cakes. They were consumed really quickly so I was happy for that! After dinner, we played some Cards Against Humanity. If you've played Apples to Apples, then you'll pick up on this because it's the exact same game play. However, the topics on the cards are for horrible people. Seriously... the tag line is "A Game for Horrible People." I definitely don't advise playing amongst children or anyone who is overly sheltered because they may get either offended or just not understand the game. We all enjoy it though!
Sunday we didn't do a whole lot. Talked to Mike's parents on Google Hangout which is a lot like Skype only you can talk to multiple people at once. We have a pretty nice time too. We all get on our iPads and play games such as Ticket to Ride, Ascension, Carcassonne and Penny Arcade. We always enjoy our time on it and it kind of makes us feel like we are actually with the family when we can play games together virtually.
The week wasn't all too exciting. Monday-Thursday was spent catching up on the TV shows I missed throughout the previous week. I always enjoy catch up time as we don't have cable so I rely on the iPad apps for the channels. We are almost at a year now without cable and I can honestly say that I don't really miss it. With the exception of a few shows that don't play online (and for those we just buy the season pass on Amazon and watch them as they air), I really haven't missed it much. The time I used to spend watching TV is now spent being more productive. I either read, or take care of my apartment, catch up with friends etc.
So this brings us up to Friday. Today, I made an appointment with Nick at Rollin Street Flats to look at the unit we are interested in. With all that we need for it, the rent comes out to only $20 or so more than we pay at our current place, but for almost 200 square feet more. Just thinking about the place makes me SOOOO excited to move! And I hate moving! But because we live so close to it, We will be doing it ourselves for the most part... Packing a few boxes, taking them over, unpacking them, bringing the boxes back and repeating until all the small stuff is moved. Then, we will hire actual movers for the large pieces of furniture. Lots of cool things in store for the future! I hope you're as ready for the ride as I am!
Last Saturday afternoon we went to LunchBox Laboratory where Mike ordered this burger called The Burger of the Gods. It was GIGANTIC! I ordered a sandwich called the Churken (Chicken and Turkey) which was not as big but definitely tasted EXCELLENT.
Some of the awesome decor at LunchBox Laboratory!
Caught MeMe being all inappropriate!!! Look at that look she's giving me!
If you follow me on Facebook, you probably saw this photo. Rosie took over Mike's desk!
MeMe and I watched The Bachelor together!
Talk to you guys later!!! Enjoy your weekend! <3
Quite a bit has happened since I was last on here. I suppose I will start with last Saturday. We all (and by we all I mean Casey, Jenn, Mike and myself) trekked out to Bothell for Brandon's birthday party. Lots of fun was had by all! It was a pot luck style party so I brought over some mini cup cakes. They were consumed really quickly so I was happy for that! After dinner, we played some Cards Against Humanity. If you've played Apples to Apples, then you'll pick up on this because it's the exact same game play. However, the topics on the cards are for horrible people. Seriously... the tag line is "A Game for Horrible People." I definitely don't advise playing amongst children or anyone who is overly sheltered because they may get either offended or just not understand the game. We all enjoy it though!
Sunday we didn't do a whole lot. Talked to Mike's parents on Google Hangout which is a lot like Skype only you can talk to multiple people at once. We have a pretty nice time too. We all get on our iPads and play games such as Ticket to Ride, Ascension, Carcassonne and Penny Arcade. We always enjoy our time on it and it kind of makes us feel like we are actually with the family when we can play games together virtually.
The week wasn't all too exciting. Monday-Thursday was spent catching up on the TV shows I missed throughout the previous week. I always enjoy catch up time as we don't have cable so I rely on the iPad apps for the channels. We are almost at a year now without cable and I can honestly say that I don't really miss it. With the exception of a few shows that don't play online (and for those we just buy the season pass on Amazon and watch them as they air), I really haven't missed it much. The time I used to spend watching TV is now spent being more productive. I either read, or take care of my apartment, catch up with friends etc.
So this brings us up to Friday. Today, I made an appointment with Nick at Rollin Street Flats to look at the unit we are interested in. With all that we need for it, the rent comes out to only $20 or so more than we pay at our current place, but for almost 200 square feet more. Just thinking about the place makes me SOOOO excited to move! And I hate moving! But because we live so close to it, We will be doing it ourselves for the most part... Packing a few boxes, taking them over, unpacking them, bringing the boxes back and repeating until all the small stuff is moved. Then, we will hire actual movers for the large pieces of furniture. Lots of cool things in store for the future! I hope you're as ready for the ride as I am!
The Seattle Great Wheel lit up red for Heart Cancer awareness.
View of the Denny Way Hill and Seattle Times from Greg and Jill's apartment balcony. We will more than likely share a similar view only way lower to the ground so you may only see a portion of the hill in fact.
Last Saturday afternoon we went to LunchBox Laboratory where Mike ordered this burger called The Burger of the Gods. It was GIGANTIC! I ordered a sandwich called the Churken (Chicken and Turkey) which was not as big but definitely tasted EXCELLENT.
Some of the awesome decor at LunchBox Laboratory!
Caught MeMe being all inappropriate!!! Look at that look she's giving me!
If you follow me on Facebook, you probably saw this photo. Rosie took over Mike's desk!
MeMe and I watched The Bachelor together!
Talk to you guys later!!! Enjoy your weekend! <3
Friday, January 25, 2013
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