(Map of Capitol Hill area...some of it anyway)Hmmm, where to start? I've been incredibly busy since I got to Washington, which is somewhat good and somewhat stressful too. I feel bad because I haven't had much time to touch base with friends lately. And when I finally do have downtime, it seems to late to call my friends who are in a time zone two hours ahead of me. But I digress. I'm sure things will become more settled and less busy once I become acclimated to my surroundings and have a steady routine with a job,etc.
Yesterday was alot of fun. My mom, stepdad and I headed up towards northern WA to meet up with my cousin, his wife, and their son for a little day trip adventure further north. It took about an hour and a half to get there. We took a ferry ride to a place called Friday Harbor/San Juan Islands, which isn't too far from the Canadian border if I'm not mistaken. Oh, and when we drove through the toll to get tickets, I seemed to be mistaken for a 19 year old because when my cousin went to pay for our tickets (I was riding with them in their car at that point), the lady said something about two youth tickets. Ah, even at 30. Not sure whether looking 19 should be a compliment or not, but it made me laugh.
Once we got off the ferry, we went in this cool lavendar store, where I bought lavendar lip balm and lavendar pepper. I didn't know you could make dishes with lavendar in it, but I guess it's technically an herb/flower? I thought I'd be adventurous and give it a try. Maybe it will make for a tastier salad or soup! Apparently they have a lavendar field on the island where they make all their lavendar products for the store. I was hit with the strong smell of lavendar when I walked in the store. My cousin's wife Juliana and I loved it, though my cousin Ladd wasn't so much of a fan of it. hahaha.
Although it became rainy shortly after we arrived on the island (and many stores weren't open on Sunday, go figure!), we still had fun walking around looking in a few of the shops. I sampled a bit of Riesling, but restrained myself from buying a bottle. I REALLY wanted this black short sleeved shirt with 3 sequined wine glasses on the front that read underneath "Group Therapy," but I wasn't willing to pay $25 for it. Still, I thought it was funny...especially if I (because I'm a therapist) were to wear it. :)
I bought yet another book that I stumbled across at a bookstore. I have no idea when I'll find time to read all the books from my latest impulse purchases, but something to look forward to eventually I suppose.
Today was another adventure into the unknown of downtown Seattle. I found myself feeling more nervous about finding my way there than I was about the interview itself! I was glad I left when I did because it took me awhile to get there. Seattle's roads and transportation systems are different; I'm still observing and learning alot, today only being the second time I've been on the buses around here. I find myself comparing and contrasting (as I think I mentioned already in my second to last blog entry) how Seattle's buses are to what I was used to in Chicago. In this aspect, I miss Chicago. Maybe it's a case of 'the grass is greener on the other side' (because I knew where I was going in Chicago), but I also think Chicago's directions and streets were easier to figure out. Around here, it feels a little more vague. I'm just glad I was able to find a Metro Trip Planner online this morning, which is like the equivalent of Chicago's CTA trip planner. You type in your starting and ending address, hit 'enter' and it gives you a travel itinerary of how to get where you want to go. I felt a little more at ease with the knowledge of what buses to take, but anxious once on the bus. I notice they don't tend to announce or post each bus stop like they almost always do in Chicago, so if you're new you really have no clue where the hell you're going! Fortunately, I'm not afraid to approach people and ask, ask, ask away! While sitting next to this woman on the bus to downtown this morning, I asked her where the Westlake Center stop was at under the tunnel. She happened to be getting off at the same stop and was very kind to walk with me and point me in the general direction once we got off the bus. We also chatted a bit about the economy and how more people are taking the bus now that gas prices are increasing. I quickly got turned around once I started walking down 4th Ave for half a block. I retrace my steps, whereupon I must have had that "I think I'm getting lost" look because one of the helpful city guys in neon yellow and black approached me and pointed me in the right direction....diagnolly across in front of the Rite-Aid on Pike Street to catch the #10 bus to 15th Ave and Pine Street. Funny enough, I felt like I had stepped into an alternate universe of Chicago #2. Why? While I waited for the bus, it was really windy like Chicago and there was a crazy guy mumbling obscenities to himself, something that included 'heroin addict' in the phrase. The irony made me chuckle a bit. Once I finally got to my destination, I went into a co-op hipster/alternative-ish looking grocery store in the Capitol Hill area to ask for directions to Olive Street. The people were real nice; I discovered it was right around the corner. It was only a little after 1:00 and my interview wasn't until 2:00. I decided to grab a sandwich and coffee from their deli and coffee area. The weather has been great all day. I actually felt silly for carrying around an umbrella all day because I never had to use it: sunshine! But if I didn't have it, sure enough it probably would have rained....
The interview went ok. The man and woman who interviewed me were easygoing, non-intimidating. Most of the questions were easy to answer, though some of the questions were annoying simply because they were of the essay variety. I don't mind answering essays in writing, but I'm answering orally in an interview isn't my forte. I'm the kind of person who needs to think about something before I answer right away, in order to articulate in the best way. But I still think I did well. I honestly was put off by the fact that the guy never told me anything about the salary, neither while I talked with him briefly on the phone (I asked and he gave a vague generalization, "DOQ") nor after the interview. I honestly walked out of the place feeling indifferent about a job with them, which is fine because I ended up getting 3 more phone calls about potential interviews today. Two are for Child and Family Therapist positions and another one is with the same place I interviewed with today, but a Community Support Position.
After the interview, I wandered/walked down the Capitol Hill area on Pine Street. Lots of stores, coffee shops, and tattoo spots. I stumbled upon an Old Navy and needing new clothes, I went in to look for some pants. Bargains indeed! I got two pairs of pants, a long sleeve button down shirt (for work), and I found a purse that was originally $14.99 marked down to....$1.94! On my way out, as I approached the end of the sidewalk before crossing the street, I gaze to my left and see two youngsters (probably in their teens to early 20s) holding a cardboard sign saying "Need beer. Happy St. Paddy's Day." Made me laugh. I turned around to look at them again and see some guy hand them a slice of pizza from his pizza box instead. At the next corner, I spot a young pregnant woman (early 20's?) sitting on the ground against a building holding a sign that says "Homeless and Pregnant. I appreciate any help. God bless." I immediately think of Dan Savage. I wonder to myself if this is the 'gutter punk' mom whom he and his boyfriend adopted their son in the book "The Kid" I read months ago. You never know.....
It's after 4:00 by this time. I decide to head home. Fortunately, the bus route home was alot more direct and stressfree.
All in a day's 'work.'
Yesterday was alot of fun. My mom, stepdad and I headed up towards northern WA to meet up with my cousin, his wife, and their son for a little day trip adventure further north. It took about an hour and a half to get there. We took a ferry ride to a place called Friday Harbor/San Juan Islands, which isn't too far from the Canadian border if I'm not mistaken. Oh, and when we drove through the toll to get tickets, I seemed to be mistaken for a 19 year old because when my cousin went to pay for our tickets (I was riding with them in their car at that point), the lady said something about two youth tickets. Ah, even at 30. Not sure whether looking 19 should be a compliment or not, but it made me laugh.
Once we got off the ferry, we went in this cool lavendar store, where I bought lavendar lip balm and lavendar pepper. I didn't know you could make dishes with lavendar in it, but I guess it's technically an herb/flower? I thought I'd be adventurous and give it a try. Maybe it will make for a tastier salad or soup! Apparently they have a lavendar field on the island where they make all their lavendar products for the store. I was hit with the strong smell of lavendar when I walked in the store. My cousin's wife Juliana and I loved it, though my cousin Ladd wasn't so much of a fan of it. hahaha.
Although it became rainy shortly after we arrived on the island (and many stores weren't open on Sunday, go figure!), we still had fun walking around looking in a few of the shops. I sampled a bit of Riesling, but restrained myself from buying a bottle. I REALLY wanted this black short sleeved shirt with 3 sequined wine glasses on the front that read underneath "Group Therapy," but I wasn't willing to pay $25 for it. Still, I thought it was funny...especially if I (because I'm a therapist) were to wear it. :)
I bought yet another book that I stumbled across at a bookstore. I have no idea when I'll find time to read all the books from my latest impulse purchases, but something to look forward to eventually I suppose.
Today was another adventure into the unknown of downtown Seattle. I found myself feeling more nervous about finding my way there than I was about the interview itself! I was glad I left when I did because it took me awhile to get there. Seattle's roads and transportation systems are different; I'm still observing and learning alot, today only being the second time I've been on the buses around here. I find myself comparing and contrasting (as I think I mentioned already in my second to last blog entry) how Seattle's buses are to what I was used to in Chicago. In this aspect, I miss Chicago. Maybe it's a case of 'the grass is greener on the other side' (because I knew where I was going in Chicago), but I also think Chicago's directions and streets were easier to figure out. Around here, it feels a little more vague. I'm just glad I was able to find a Metro Trip Planner online this morning, which is like the equivalent of Chicago's CTA trip planner. You type in your starting and ending address, hit 'enter' and it gives you a travel itinerary of how to get where you want to go. I felt a little more at ease with the knowledge of what buses to take, but anxious once on the bus. I notice they don't tend to announce or post each bus stop like they almost always do in Chicago, so if you're new you really have no clue where the hell you're going! Fortunately, I'm not afraid to approach people and ask, ask, ask away! While sitting next to this woman on the bus to downtown this morning, I asked her where the Westlake Center stop was at under the tunnel. She happened to be getting off at the same stop and was very kind to walk with me and point me in the general direction once we got off the bus. We also chatted a bit about the economy and how more people are taking the bus now that gas prices are increasing. I quickly got turned around once I started walking down 4th Ave for half a block. I retrace my steps, whereupon I must have had that "I think I'm getting lost" look because one of the helpful city guys in neon yellow and black approached me and pointed me in the right direction....diagnolly across in front of the Rite-Aid on Pike Street to catch the #10 bus to 15th Ave and Pine Street. Funny enough, I felt like I had stepped into an alternate universe of Chicago #2. Why? While I waited for the bus, it was really windy like Chicago and there was a crazy guy mumbling obscenities to himself, something that included 'heroin addict' in the phrase. The irony made me chuckle a bit. Once I finally got to my destination, I went into a co-op hipster/alternative-ish looking grocery store in the Capitol Hill area to ask for directions to Olive Street. The people were real nice; I discovered it was right around the corner. It was only a little after 1:00 and my interview wasn't until 2:00. I decided to grab a sandwich and coffee from their deli and coffee area. The weather has been great all day. I actually felt silly for carrying around an umbrella all day because I never had to use it: sunshine! But if I didn't have it, sure enough it probably would have rained....
The interview went ok. The man and woman who interviewed me were easygoing, non-intimidating. Most of the questions were easy to answer, though some of the questions were annoying simply because they were of the essay variety. I don't mind answering essays in writing, but I'm answering orally in an interview isn't my forte. I'm the kind of person who needs to think about something before I answer right away, in order to articulate in the best way. But I still think I did well. I honestly was put off by the fact that the guy never told me anything about the salary, neither while I talked with him briefly on the phone (I asked and he gave a vague generalization, "DOQ") nor after the interview. I honestly walked out of the place feeling indifferent about a job with them, which is fine because I ended up getting 3 more phone calls about potential interviews today. Two are for Child and Family Therapist positions and another one is with the same place I interviewed with today, but a Community Support Position.
After the interview, I wandered/walked down the Capitol Hill area on Pine Street. Lots of stores, coffee shops, and tattoo spots. I stumbled upon an Old Navy and needing new clothes, I went in to look for some pants. Bargains indeed! I got two pairs of pants, a long sleeve button down shirt (for work), and I found a purse that was originally $14.99 marked down to....$1.94! On my way out, as I approached the end of the sidewalk before crossing the street, I gaze to my left and see two youngsters (probably in their teens to early 20s) holding a cardboard sign saying "Need beer. Happy St. Paddy's Day." Made me laugh. I turned around to look at them again and see some guy hand them a slice of pizza from his pizza box instead. At the next corner, I spot a young pregnant woman (early 20's?) sitting on the ground against a building holding a sign that says "Homeless and Pregnant. I appreciate any help. God bless." I immediately think of Dan Savage. I wonder to myself if this is the 'gutter punk' mom whom he and his boyfriend adopted their son in the book "The Kid" I read months ago. You never know.....
It's after 4:00 by this time. I decide to head home. Fortunately, the bus route home was alot more direct and stressfree.
All in a day's 'work.'
4 comments:
You'll learn your way around, it will just take some time. I had a feeling you'd miss the CTA just because they run so often - but you'll get the hang of when buses stop running, etc.
So you are in Canada now?
Very funny, smartass. :)
Hey there. I stumbled across your blog very randomly looking for Capitol Hill mentions on the internet... Just wanted to say WELCOME! ;)
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