I had a good day

Yesterday morning I saw my best friend. We walked through the neighborhoods of the central district, looking for ziploc bags and tacos. (We found the bags, and ate the tacos, which were absolutely delicious). The neighborhoods were filled with interesting houses, each with it's own distinct character, and the ground was covered in multi-colored leaves. It was a sunny, warm, perfect fall day. I saw a bike shop filled with vintage cycles and I am determined to get my new bike from it. To top it off, the conversation was superb.

After that beautiful morning, I took a new bus home, and noticed some of Seattle's beautiful architecture.

Then I came back to my apartment, chatted with my roommate while eating delicious pizza, and took a 2 hour nap.

After waking up and feeling extremely groggy from my nap, I headed to the art center to paint, achieving the compliment of, "You look like an art student." Yessss.

I spent the next 3 hours in this position, finishing up a timed still life and beginning my homework painting. (Assignment was to paint the ugliest painting ever. Harder than you'd think).

Here's a junky cellphone picture of my final product. Note: This project was given 3 hours maximum to complete, and I would have spent much more time on it if I wasn't restricted on the time.

After my painting session was finished, I came back to my apartment, engaged in a BB Seaweed facemask, and slept. What a nice day.

A mental bath

Do you ever experience an environment that gives you a feeling of rest and contentment? I love these moments. To me, they feel like a sort of mental bath. I feel warm and complete, even in a simple setting.

Last night I was painting in the art studio and listening to Jazz on 88.5 KPLU, and I felt content and mentally stimulated.

Right now I am hearing 60s era R&B at one of my favorite coffee shops, El Diablo. I am texting my best friend and the weather is fall-ish.

I just had some of my favorite Mexican hot chocolate, too.

Other relaxing situations that I love:

-Sipping tea on my couch while listening to classical music, reading a book.

-Taking a bath with a Lush Honey Bee bath bomb (my favorite bath bomb, smells like honey and comfort and relaxes any tense muscles).

-Hugging/cuddling/blanket sharing. I am a very cuddly person.

-Hanging Christmas ornaments on the tree while listening to Christmas music.

-Sitting with my mom in the morning, reading magazines.

-Soaking in sunshine.

What are the little moments that make you sigh with relief?

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These are the bane of (today's) existence:

Soggy moccasins and wet feet (due to rain).

Book stores not carrying what you need.

Not getting paid on time.

Cold, uncomfortable libraries.

The prospect of missing cupcake happy hour at Wink.

Needing to read and report on two books that you do not own and have not read.

Positive things that balance out the day to make it tolerable:

Coffee at The Grinder with Elyse, Danny, and Josh.

Delving into the Old Testament with Professor Spina.

Waking up and having naturally messy hair.

A clean bill of health at my doctor's appointment!

Yummy breakfast: toasted everything bagel and pomegranate green tea.

Beautiful mist, drizzle, and fog.

Duwamps

During the past hour and fifteen minutes, I have felt the most Seattle-ish than I have ever felt. Plus, I accomplished many things. Let me walk you through it.

First, I headed to Fremont for a meeting with my Craigslist job. I was supposed to meet them at 1, at by 12:57 I still had not left my apartment. (Fremont is about a 15 minute walk from where I live). I decided, on a whim, to ride my bike instead. I don't have a bike lock, so I never ride my bike alone, since I don't want it to get stolen. But I decided to do it anyway.

This is when I started to feel like a true Seattleite. It is an unseasonably warm, sunny day. I pedaled out into the sunshine and wham, it was magic. I realized that I love to bike.

Pause along the canal. I only had my phone camera so these pictures aren't the best.

(side note: I wore my hair in a large knot on the top of my head. This style is typical of the male Seattle hippie with long hair and/or beard, and even though I am not a man, I had fun "not caring" about what people thought of my hair.)

I got there, and told them that I couldn't handle the work load, and that I had to quit. They were really understanding about it, so I left the office feeling good.

Next, I decided to purchase a bike lock. If there are more sunny days like this ahead, I'm definitely going to need one. After checking at a local bike shop, (Wright Brothers Cycling, they were so helpful and nice. Photo here.), I saw that their locks were a little out of my price range. I decided to bike to Fred Meyer in Ballard.

 Piggy watering cans, found at Fred Meyer.

I have NEVER been to Fred Meyer. For those of you who don't know, Fred Meyer is the Wal Mart of Washington, but a little nicer. They have everything. It was amazing. I knew I couldn't spend a lot of time there, so I went straight to the sports section.

Bike locks are confusing. I ended up getting one with a "teflon" core, so bad-guys won't be able to cut through the rope. And unfortunately, they didn't carry the bike lock of my dreams: The snake lock.

Oh well :(

 

After that, I biked back along the canal trail, hit up Yak's in Fremont for a chicken and veggie humbow, and made my way back home. All in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Today was what I call a day to "take care of business." (Side note: I hate that song) It was a day to check off my to-do list, and not be lazy in-between check's.

I have junk to take care of in California, that I can't do while I'm in Washington, and I got a ton done today. And, it was probably the worst type of  junk anyone can imagine spending their day doing: renewing my license at the DMV, and paying a fine at the courthouse. The courthouse was easy, but the DMV was more challenging. 

Whoever here dislikes the DMV, raise your hand. Everyone? I thought so.

I had to wait for two hours to get any progress, which sounds horrible, but in the meantime, my grandparents picked me up and took me out to lunch! I came back and waited only about 1/2 an hour until my number was called. Not too shabby. When I was done at the DMV, I met up with my friend Megan and had a lovely conversation with her. Then I came home, dyed Easter eggs, and watched part of Toy Story with my little brother (he's 1 year, 10 months old). Then, me and my step-sister participated in some Tim Tam Slams...

It was just a pleasant day.

I really want to post pictures that I've taken while I'm here, but my uploading capabilities at home are limited. Check back Thursday.

P.S. from C.S. Lewis:

"What does not satisfy when we find it, was not the thing we were desiring."