Sittin' on the dock of the bay

I arrived in Seattle this past Friday, and unlike previous moves, I was nothing but excited. My most sublime discovery? The city is so green that even the interstate bridges and overhangs downtown have vegetation dangling from them! After meeting some CY folks (quite kind people!), Mom and I headed out to Bothell, a northern 'burb of Seattle, for the night. We headed to the local ale house and I had my first true meal in Seattle: a half-portion of Mac n' Cheese made with penne pasta, tillamook cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and bacon with a mixed greens side salad and an Alaskan summer ale to drink. Delicious! (Mumsie had fish and chips with white wine.) The Bothell area was beautiful, but definitely too far from the CY office for me. The housing search is ongoing, but hopefully I will find a place soon (and yes, I'll post pictures!)

The next day we headed out to Whidbey Island, an island just to the northwest of Seattle and apparently a popular summer hangout. Dogs, frisbees, and barbeques everywhere -- and I thought we were only going to go to small arts and crafts towns, so I wore a dress! Despite my inappropriate attire, I managed to hike onto some rocks at Deception Pass and admire this amazing view.It's amazing to be in such a lush, beautiful, and fairly warm area and see the snow-covered Olympics just over the water. Even though this area isn't particularly close to Seattle, I had this feeling that this is just where I was meant to be. I was at peace, calm, and oh so close to what I hope was the feeling of freedom.

However, this feeling didn't last long. While I enjoy a quiet view, Mom was fidgety and talkative -- two qualities that don't describe her particularly well. Later she admitted to me that she almost regretting coming to the island for the day -- talk about a guilt trip! Luckily, we happened upon a street arts + crafts fair in Langley on the southern side of the island. Choochokam apparently takes place every year, and my mother just went wild. Huge woven rugs, handmade leather crafts, family-owned pottery businesses, knitted hats, a shady backyard that sold locally brewed beer and wine, local music, and one ADORABLE hand-blown pig light fixture were just a few of the booths that brightened her day. Now she dreams of moving there and holing up in the winter to weave and touring the northwest the rest of the year selling her crafts.

I just now realized how weird it is that I'm writing a lot about my mother. I really miss her these days, along with everyone else. As I've said before, the CY people are nice, but it's always hard for me to get to know new people, especially when I'm in a new place, and especially when I have so little sense of permanency, what with no housing, true work routine, or close friends. Through everything, my mother has been there for me, and I am so happy that we got to road trip together and spend my first couple of nights in Seattle driving around listening to Car Talk and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!. Perhaps it's also easier to write about this right now rather than my own situation. I'm confident it will improve soon though -- the days will get easier, the nights will be less long, and I'll not only enjoy the beauty of this town but be a happier, less lonely person in it.

Corey

-- This is a reminder to myself that I need to write about the Feminine Mystique and its influence on bringing me here :)