Only in Seattle can you go veggie bowling for local produce!
Tuesday May 28, 2013
4 pieces of produce this week & totally crushed my handicap of 100 from last week with scores of 97, 142 & 133!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Market Basket League
Tuesday May 21, 2013
Only in Seattle can you go veggie bowling for local produce!
4 pieces of produce this week & totally crushed my handicap of 100 from last week with scores of 97, 142 & 133!
Only in Seattle can you go veggie bowling for local produce!
4 pieces of produce this week & totally crushed my handicap of 100 from last week with scores of 97, 142 & 133!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
successfully completed the Architect Registration Examination!
May 19, 2013
Structural Systems: PASS! I have successfully completed the Architect Registration Examination!!!! Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers over the last 3 years of testing. I owe Joe Liang a tremendous thank you for the loads of love & support and a whole lot of patience in dealing with a stressed wife for half our marriage. I love you!
Structural Systems: PASS! I have successfully completed the Architect Registration Examination!!!! Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers over the last 3 years of testing. I owe Joe Liang a tremendous thank you for the loads of love & support and a whole lot of patience in dealing with a stressed wife for half our marriage. I love you!
Sailing, kayaking & camping San Juans
Thursday-Sunday May 16-19, 2013
I was so excited for our 6th wedding anniversary mini-vacation to begin: sailing, kayaking & camping on a remote San Juan Island in the Puget Sound accessible only by boat! Sucia here we come!
We took Friday off since it would take over 5 hours to sail on one of Joe’s coworkers, Darren’s boat to get to Sucia Island. Thursday night we drove up to Anacortes to spend the night at Darren’s before an early morning on the water.
We went down to the Anacortes Cap Sante Marina.
Jorge planned to ferry over to Orcas Island, spend the night and then kayak over to Sucia Island to join us for our remote vacation. This left 4 of our us with 3 kayaks: 2 singles and our big old tandem. How are we getting our kayaks to the remote Sucia Island when we are riding on the sailboat there you ask? This is how!
We grabbed dinner and drinks at the Brown Lantern in Anacortes. Darren’s house overlooks the Anacortes and the waters to the north. Joe and I slept on the futon in the large glass room overlooking the water. Since we were camping on the island, I got up early that morning to shower. As usual I felt Joe nudge me that it was time to get up. I got fully ready and then went to go wake Joe up. It was still pitch black out with many stars in the sky. It turns up I got up to take a 4am shower! At least I got to view the stars until I fell back to sleep for a bit.
Andy met us at the marina. Joe sat in our kayak that we towed behind the sailboat. He paddled along keeping it from hitting the other boats or docks in the marina. Once we were out we had him board the sailboat and get ready to begin our journey among the San Juan Islands.
Learning to sail from Darren (far right)
Near Saddlebag Island there is a buoy where this large seal lays out. Now that’s a big seal.
Our tandem kayak towing behind the sailboat was tracking back and forth the whole time.
Joe running the crank
Andy navigating the sailboat
We were getting a little cold and wet above the cabin.
About 2 hours into our 5 hour sail, Andy was coming out of the cabin and noticed lots of oil coming from the back-up engine room! Darren couldn’t find where it was coming from. There was no telling how much oil was enough left so we could not run the engine safely. Jorge had already started his paddle over to Sucia Island from Orcas Island. It was time to make the conservative judgement call and head back to port and meet up together on Orcas Island.
We came back around the large seal on the buoy again.
Bald eagle spotted in the trees on Guemes Island.
We got back to the marina and coasted the boat into the slip with the sails down and a whole of luck guiding the boat down the docks. We loaded the 3 kayaks atop Darren’s suburban and head back to his place to pick up a few more camping essentials since he’s plans of sleeping on the sailboat had been foiled. We got to the Anacortes ferry terminal an hour before and still didn’t make the ferry! We waited in the parking lot for hours to go to Orcas. It was a good thing we had a cooler full of beers and the makings for sandwiches.
We finally made it to Orcas Island around sunset. We got ourselves a campsite at West Beach Resort which has direct water access. They also have cabins with firepits and patios right on the beach. The hot tub was full and partying in full swing. Sunset at West Beach Resort
Jorge decided to stay the night on Sucia Island since the best current conditions weren’t until morning. In the morning, we got a surprisingly text from Jorge. He had gotten food poisoning over night and was paddling back while the water looked smooth! While we waited on Jorge, we went to an estate sale at the Ocras Island Pottery, a cooperative of about 24 potters. Joe happily picked up a souvenir container to keep salt in on the kitchen counter.
We drove over to the north side of Eastsound to await Jorge’s arrival.
Once we figured out the spot in the distance had to be Jorge, Andy decided he wanted to paddle out to him. The man had a bad case of this could be the last time he gets to paddle before moving back to Columbus.
It took Andy 30 minutes to even get ready to paddle. Jorge made it back by then.
Discussing Jorge’s tracking pattern and paddle choice.
Jorge sure looks happy to be back on an island with hot food!
While Jorge, Darren, Joe & I head into Eastsound for a bite to eat at the grocery store, Andy paddled from the north shore of Eastsound to West Beach Resort where we would all go paddle together.
Time to paddle!
Beautiful mossy Cliffside
Admiring the houses on the shoreline
Our view from the kayak
Seal!
Purple starfish!
We also saw some bald eagles but the point and shoot camera in the waterproof container doesn’t take the greatest pictures as you can see from the others posted from on the paddle part of the trip. The sun is starting to peak through and I see some blue skies!
We were close to the southwestern corner of Orcas Island and Jorge said we were able equal distance from the resort we were staying at and Eastsound. We decided to trust him and continue paddling instead of turning around to go back to the resort. As we hit the southern tip, the currents became stronger and we became tired quick. We took a quick pitstop at O’Connell Island. There a smart local kid out on a boat with his dad informed us that Deer Harbor was the closest marina. We were way too far to even make it to the Orcas ferry terminal, much less Eastsound. We decided to paddle over to the Deer Harbor Marina and get a cab back to the resort to get the suburban to take our kayaks back to camp.
Deer Harbor Marina
Back at camp we ate triscuits and some awesome cheese Darren brought and roasted hot dogs for dinner over the campfire. Jorge ate 9 hot dogs! I think he got his stomach back in full condition!
Jorge brought some great tequila from Mexico. It was so good.
In the morning we packed up camp and tried to get on an early ferry ride back to Anacortes. Yet again we were only a few cars short of making the first ferry. Here’s to another few hours of waiting around for the next one. We ate ice cream from Lopez Island.
There was a bunny under the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal sign just like every other time we’ve been here
We walked over to a neighboring marina to the ferry terminal to ogle some boats.
These sailboats moored outside the marina rock pretty hard when a ferry goes in and out of the terminal.
Finally on board the ferry! I’m watching you mister!
Leaving Orcas Island
I was so excited for our 6th wedding anniversary mini-vacation to begin: sailing, kayaking & camping on a remote San Juan Island in the Puget Sound accessible only by boat! Sucia here we come!
We took Friday off since it would take over 5 hours to sail on one of Joe’s coworkers, Darren’s boat to get to Sucia Island. Thursday night we drove up to Anacortes to spend the night at Darren’s before an early morning on the water.
We went down to the Anacortes Cap Sante Marina.
Jorge planned to ferry over to Orcas Island, spend the night and then kayak over to Sucia Island to join us for our remote vacation. This left 4 of our us with 3 kayaks: 2 singles and our big old tandem. How are we getting our kayaks to the remote Sucia Island when we are riding on the sailboat there you ask? This is how!
We grabbed dinner and drinks at the Brown Lantern in Anacortes. Darren’s house overlooks the Anacortes and the waters to the north. Joe and I slept on the futon in the large glass room overlooking the water. Since we were camping on the island, I got up early that morning to shower. As usual I felt Joe nudge me that it was time to get up. I got fully ready and then went to go wake Joe up. It was still pitch black out with many stars in the sky. It turns up I got up to take a 4am shower! At least I got to view the stars until I fell back to sleep for a bit.
Andy met us at the marina. Joe sat in our kayak that we towed behind the sailboat. He paddled along keeping it from hitting the other boats or docks in the marina. Once we were out we had him board the sailboat and get ready to begin our journey among the San Juan Islands.
Learning to sail from Darren (far right)
Near Saddlebag Island there is a buoy where this large seal lays out. Now that’s a big seal.
Our tandem kayak towing behind the sailboat was tracking back and forth the whole time. 
Joe running the crank
Andy navigating the sailboat
We were getting a little cold and wet above the cabin.
About 2 hours into our 5 hour sail, Andy was coming out of the cabin and noticed lots of oil coming from the back-up engine room! Darren couldn’t find where it was coming from. There was no telling how much oil was enough left so we could not run the engine safely. Jorge had already started his paddle over to Sucia Island from Orcas Island. It was time to make the conservative judgement call and head back to port and meet up together on Orcas Island.
We came back around the large seal on the buoy again.
Bald eagle spotted in the trees on Guemes Island.
We got back to the marina and coasted the boat into the slip with the sails down and a whole of luck guiding the boat down the docks. We loaded the 3 kayaks atop Darren’s suburban and head back to his place to pick up a few more camping essentials since he’s plans of sleeping on the sailboat had been foiled. We got to the Anacortes ferry terminal an hour before and still didn’t make the ferry! We waited in the parking lot for hours to go to Orcas. It was a good thing we had a cooler full of beers and the makings for sandwiches.
We finally made it to Orcas Island around sunset. We got ourselves a campsite at West Beach Resort which has direct water access. They also have cabins with firepits and patios right on the beach. The hot tub was full and partying in full swing. Sunset at West Beach Resort
Jorge decided to stay the night on Sucia Island since the best current conditions weren’t until morning. In the morning, we got a surprisingly text from Jorge. He had gotten food poisoning over night and was paddling back while the water looked smooth! While we waited on Jorge, we went to an estate sale at the Ocras Island Pottery, a cooperative of about 24 potters. Joe happily picked up a souvenir container to keep salt in on the kitchen counter.We drove over to the north side of Eastsound to await Jorge’s arrival.
Once we figured out the spot in the distance had to be Jorge, Andy decided he wanted to paddle out to him. The man had a bad case of this could be the last time he gets to paddle before moving back to Columbus.
It took Andy 30 minutes to even get ready to paddle. Jorge made it back by then.
Discussing Jorge’s tracking pattern and paddle choice.
Jorge sure looks happy to be back on an island with hot food!
While Jorge, Darren, Joe & I head into Eastsound for a bite to eat at the grocery store, Andy paddled from the north shore of Eastsound to West Beach Resort where we would all go paddle together.Time to paddle!
Beautiful mossy Cliffside
Admiring the houses on the shoreline
Our view from the kayak 
Seal!
Purple starfish!
We also saw some bald eagles but the point and shoot camera in the waterproof container doesn’t take the greatest pictures as you can see from the others posted from on the paddle part of the trip. The sun is starting to peak through and I see some blue skies!
We were close to the southwestern corner of Orcas Island and Jorge said we were able equal distance from the resort we were staying at and Eastsound. We decided to trust him and continue paddling instead of turning around to go back to the resort. As we hit the southern tip, the currents became stronger and we became tired quick. We took a quick pitstop at O’Connell Island. There a smart local kid out on a boat with his dad informed us that Deer Harbor was the closest marina. We were way too far to even make it to the Orcas ferry terminal, much less Eastsound. We decided to paddle over to the Deer Harbor Marina and get a cab back to the resort to get the suburban to take our kayaks back to camp.Deer Harbor Marina
Back at camp we ate triscuits and some awesome cheese Darren brought and roasted hot dogs for dinner over the campfire. Jorge ate 9 hot dogs! I think he got his stomach back in full condition!
Jorge brought some great tequila from Mexico. It was so good.
In the morning we packed up camp and tried to get on an early ferry ride back to Anacortes. Yet again we were only a few cars short of making the first ferry. Here’s to another few hours of waiting around for the next one. We ate ice cream from Lopez Island.
There was a bunny under the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal sign just like every other time we’ve been here
We walked over to a neighboring marina to the ferry terminal to ogle some boats.
These sailboats moored outside the marina rock pretty hard when a ferry goes in and out of the terminal. 
Finally on board the ferry! I’m watching you mister!
Leaving Orcas Island
Joe is worn out!
Today is a beautiful day for a ferry ride. Too bad we didn’t have time to kayak today.
We started planning our next kayak trip. Saddlebag? Guemes? Cypress? I’m already ready to head back to the San Juan Islands!
Today is a beautiful day for a ferry ride. Too bad we didn’t have time to kayak today.
We started planning our next kayak trip. Saddlebag? Guemes? Cypress? I’m already ready to head back to the San Juan Islands!Wednesday, May 15, 2013
One Car Family
May 15, 2013
We officially became a 1 car family. We sold my 2008 white Volvo S60 since I bus commute (& in nice weather bike commute-Yay Bike to Work Month!) and have barely used it for 2 years now.
We officially became a 1 car family. We sold my 2008 white Volvo S60 since I bus commute (& in nice weather bike commute-Yay Bike to Work Month!) and have barely used it for 2 years now.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
West Seattle Garage Sale
Saturday May 11, 2013
Last weekend we went to the Mill Creek garage sale and came home with a rusted milk container from Arden Farms in Ellensburg, WA, a Sunkist cooler, and a clear vase. Today we went to the West Seattle garage sale hoping for the same success.
Alki Beach with many sailboats taking to the Puget Sound waters
We went to Cactus for lunch with Jamie & Jason.
I found a scarf I liked for $5 and Joe was extremely ecstatic when he found the sailor brim Goretex hat he had been wanting that was only worn once. I think he about pooped his pants when they said they wanted $2 for it! They go for $60 in the store! My man is still bouncing off the ceilings with that one.
We also got a 2 hinged/ 3 panel mirrored room divider for $12 that just needed a little love to clean up and repair.
Joe’s favorite find was at a house a young couple had recently bought as an estate sale. They had some interesting things inside that house. We bought a Poultry House Time Switch from the 1950/60s still in the Sears, Roebuck & Co box with the original price tag of $6.88. Joe loves it. Not quite sure why but he loves how unique and ‘antique’ it is.
Last weekend we went to the Mill Creek garage sale and came home with a rusted milk container from Arden Farms in Ellensburg, WA, a Sunkist cooler, and a clear vase. Today we went to the West Seattle garage sale hoping for the same success.
Alki Beach with many sailboats taking to the Puget Sound waters
I found a scarf I liked for $5 and Joe was extremely ecstatic when he found the sailor brim Goretex hat he had been wanting that was only worn once. I think he about pooped his pants when they said they wanted $2 for it! They go for $60 in the store! My man is still bouncing off the ceilings with that one.
We also got a 2 hinged/ 3 panel mirrored room divider for $12 that just needed a little love to clean up and repair.
Joe’s favorite find was at a house a young couple had recently bought as an estate sale. They had some interesting things inside that house. We bought a Poultry House Time Switch from the 1950/60s still in the Sears, Roebuck & Co box with the original price tag of $6.88. Joe loves it. Not quite sure why but he loves how unique and ‘antique’ it is.
We then stopped by the Northwest Paddling Festival at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah for Joe to see how he fit in certain kayak designs and how I liked the lighter weight carbon-fiber kayak paddle.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Via6
May 3, 2013
Today I took a tour with work of one of our recently completed apartment towers at Sixth & Lenora in Downtown Seattle.
I can't get over the view from the 24th floor corner penthouse of the Via6 apartment building by my office. Panaramic view from Olympic Mountains & Puget Sound to Space Needle & Queen Anne to Lake Union & Cascade Mountains. Only 1100 sqft for $5400/month!
Today I took a tour with work of one of our recently completed apartment towers at Sixth & Lenora in Downtown Seattle.
I can't get over the view from the 24th floor corner penthouse of the Via6 apartment building by my office. Panaramic view from Olympic Mountains & Puget Sound to Space Needle & Queen Anne to Lake Union & Cascade Mountains. Only 1100 sqft for $5400/month!
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