Autumn.....

According to Chinese Medicine, the season of Autumn is associated with the element Metal, and is a time for letting go of the old. It is the time for gathering fruit and vegetables before getting through the winter. As Nature prepares to retreat, leaves are turning golden colour and starting to fall form the trees. For us too, Autumn should be a time to slow things down, take the time to take in the fresh the fresh revitalising air of these bright crisp Autumn days and letting go of what isn’t needed in our lives.

I LOVE Autumn! I think I enjoy it more than summer and well that is saying alot from a girl born and raised in Arizona. I enjoy so many things about Seattle......but by far I love living somewhere that actually has seasons. I enjoy the crisp air......the excitement of watching the leaves and trees change before my very eyes.... and the colors......they are just beautiful.

A few years ago I was introduced to 5 Element Acupuncture from my friend Autumn ( yes that is her real name) who was studying Chinese Medicine in New York. I really enjoyed reading about the seasons and what they mean......what I most enjoy about Autumn is that fact that life will be slowing down......we will start drinking tea, eating yummy soups, wearing scarfs and wool socks. Wrapping up in a blanket at night while snuggled on the couch reading a book. It is a time to give our bodies permission to "rest" to slow down for a bit. To recharge and nourish ourselves.....I love living in a place where I can be in sync with nature.

Snow Lake

Two weekends ago I FINALLY went on a backpacking trip! I really enjoy backpacking and was looking forward to getting back into it once I moved to Washington..........2 years later........and my first trip has happened. I went with a fellow teacher/friend.......Tracey.

We went to Snow Lake.......it is up in the Alpine Wilderness Area. It was only a 3 1/2 mile hike in........BUT with an 1800 ft elevation gain. It would be putting it mildly that I was a bit slow. Poor Tracey was a trooper as she is Miss Mountaineers and I am sure felt like she was backpacking with her 3 year old son.......but she kept a smile on her face and talked about where we should go next summer........thank you Tracey!!

This is the view from our camp site

Saturday morning we got up had a little breakfast and headed out for some more hiking and exploring. We hiked another 3 miles to Gem Lake. This is a picture of Gem Lake........I need to work on my photography skills as none of my pictures look as amazing as it did in person.

a view from the trail......love the Alpine Area....

What I love about backpacking is it's simplicity. Carrying everything you need on your back......cooking all meals out of 1 pot.......wearing the same clothes for 3 days straight.......sleeping in the fresh air......... no frills or fluff just the very basics. It is nice to be reminded of how very little we really need when it comes right down to it. I really needed this trip.....my soul really needed this trip and it came at the perfect time. Fall is around the corner and I have a backpacking trip planned for the end of September......from what I hear it is Fall that is the perfect time to camp and backpack. I am looking forward to my next trip!

Strike A Pose

On Monday, September 1st, 2008.........the Bellevue Education Association went on strike!! Yes that means instead of teaching students this week, I am out holding a sign for hours each day on the corner by my school. Now those that know me......know that I did not want a strike and actually voted against it. However one thing I have learned about this great state I call home, is that it is very much a union state. I am a member of the union......and that means I stand in support of my colleagues and walk the line with them. What are the issues?? They are compensation, Health care and the curriculum web.







me and Tracey with signs and smiles

Mary and Jillian striking a pose

Sarah taking her job seriously

What has been great about this week is spending time with fellow teachers that I don't usually get the chance to visit due to schedules and locations in the building. The community support has been wonderful.......I really expected to get yelled at.....possibly a tomato thrown at me.......but we have received constant honks, waves, thumbs up and shouts of "we support you". Students have been constantly coming by bringing us homemade cookies, cakes and coffee. Even one of my kiddos came by and brought me some water. It is really touching to know that you are supported so much by parent and students. It is great to watch them stand behind us on our issues.......for those who are fellow teachers you know how difficult it is for us....teachers.....to make this kind of stand. It is against our nature to stand up for ourselves.......we are use to giving ourselves to our profession.... to the kids......it feels wrong to not be in the classroom ........teaching. But if we don't stand up for ourselves ...what we need and what we think is best for kids.........who is going to??

P.S. A HUGE thank you to my dear friend Velvet Brick for all of her help and inspiration on my blog......and the idea for this post name!!!

After Awhile

I read this and just had to share it.........



After a while you learn the subtle difference Between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning And company doesn't mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman,Not the grief of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today, Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine Burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers
And you learn that you really can endure...That you really are strong And you really do have worth, and you learn and learn...With every good bye you learn.

-Veronica Shoffstall 1971

The Troll

So next to my apartment complex is the Aurora Bridge. One of the top suicide bridges in the country but that is a story for a later time. Under the bridge lives this troll. It is a major tourist attraction in Fremont and well quite honestly a pain for me at times when trying to get out of my neighborhood by car. Hundreds of people flock to the troll to take a look, climb on it and even take pictures with him. I am always so surprised to see how many people come to see the troll.....they are just fascinated by him. Even the Seattle Tour buses make a stop here. I always laugh as I think the troll is a bit scary.

I decided to go online and see what I could find out about the troll. Surely there is so sort of history as to why he exists.......well unfortunately there is no great story. He was sculpted in 1990 by 4 local Seattle artists, commissioned by the Fremont Arts Council. He is 18 feet tall and is crushing an old style Volkswagen Beetle. Every October 31st they pay tribute to the troll with a mobile "Trollween" party. It is an artistic party that starts at the troll and winds into the heart of Fremont. The neighborhood wanted to have a community event that was a bit different from the usual tradition of this night. I have yet to spend October 31st in Fremont but I hear it is so fun. All the businesses are open and the streets are crowed with families. I will make sure to attend this year!

Glad to be back home!

Yesterday was the most perfect day. As many of you know I have spent the past two weeks in AZ, dealing with my house and battling the heat. I am now back in Seattle and spent the day with my friend L. We went on an amazing hike to Talupus Lake, in the Alpine Wilderness Area. It was a perfect 4 mile hike and we got to sit at the edge of the lake and indulge in cherries. Afterwards we went to L's house and sat in her backyard drinking some wine, eating Raspberries off of her Raspberry bushes in her garden......absolutely delightful!!

On a side note....I am on the hunt for a camera so I will soon be adding photos!!

Welcome to Seattle!!

Welcome to my blog! So in just a few weeks I will have "officially" lived here for 2 years now.......boy does time fly! I decided to start a blog so I can share with my friends and family all the many things I love about this place. I hope you enjoy!