*I wrote this a week or two ago and forgot to publish it. I'm feeling a whole lot better now (easy to improve from this kind of state) and will be posting the proof of it shortly!
I'm cranky. And cold. Because my room has this weird stink right now so the window is open and even though it's July 3, it's only 50 degrees outside and I bet it rains again tomorrow. I'm annoyed that the only place where it's any kind of quiet is in my car and I can't be in there with the windows closed because it still reeks of gasoline from a tiny spill three weeks ago and the vanilla tree hanging from the mirror doesn't work for crap. My house is a disaster. The kitchen sink is clogged and it looks like diarrhea is coming up the pipe whenever I try to do anything to remedy the situation. I'm thinking of torching the whole house and starting from scratch. I'm sick of breaking out, breaking up and breaking earrings, which somehow never ceases to surprise me how often all three of these storm through. I can't believe my dryer takes 2 hours for a full dry with no mildew smell or that girls who I think of as 7th graders are married now with babies, which means they are having sex and I don't get to. I can't ever decide what to eat and that is not getting easier. I miss Thailand. A lot. Weather, food, people I love and the weird sense of humor I get when I speak Thai. I have angry feelings towards some people who are driving me crazy. It's rare that I hold a grudge for more than 5 minutes and I don't know how people do it for longer than that because it is exhausting! I'm praying for a get-over-it heart, a little humility, and a lot of patience. And a better mood.
7.03.2010
6.19.2010
Happy Solstice
Happy Summer Solstice! In Seattle, the longest day of the year means daylight for as long as you could want it, with twilight peeking in the late four o'clock hour, kicking into bright white by 5am, and fading into dusk approaching ten at night. It also signals a far scarier phenomenon slash freak show: The Seattle Solstice Parade!
The fun begins with a dream come true (or nightmare, if you're me) parade of Fremont locals on bicycles, totally naked. Naked. They're mostly painted head to toe with body paint, some with a costumey effect that looks like complete outfits, some with pathetic swirls and smears only pretending to cover their most delicate parts. While the shock of it all was fun AND exciting, this section of the excitement was longer than it needed to be, the hundreds of bicyclists making unnecessary laps along the parade route, bouncing and jiggling with every turn and shout.
The remainder of the parade is a caravan of Fremont crazies in their most homemade and celebratory costumes, dancing and cheering. There was no rhyme or reason to the 'floats' on display- most memorable to me were several sets of belly dancers, a group in red handing out free hugs and love and one group manning a paper mache volcano on wheels that periodically erupted a litter of stuffed kittens. (Pics at your own risk)
I'm traumatized. And so glad I'm female. But how fun!
The fun begins with a dream come true (or nightmare, if you're me) parade of Fremont locals on bicycles, totally naked. Naked. They're mostly painted head to toe with body paint, some with a costumey effect that looks like complete outfits, some with pathetic swirls and smears only pretending to cover their most delicate parts. While the shock of it all was fun AND exciting, this section of the excitement was longer than it needed to be, the hundreds of bicyclists making unnecessary laps along the parade route, bouncing and jiggling with every turn and shout.
The remainder of the parade is a caravan of Fremont crazies in their most homemade and celebratory costumes, dancing and cheering. There was no rhyme or reason to the 'floats' on display- most memorable to me were several sets of belly dancers, a group in red handing out free hugs and love and one group manning a paper mache volcano on wheels that periodically erupted a litter of stuffed kittens. (Pics at your own risk)
I'm traumatized. And so glad I'm female. But how fun!
6.18.2010
Gainfully Employed
I have a job now! A great one in fact (don't be jealous). You can even email me at my dot o-r-g company email address. Please don't though, I have a lot of very important correspondence to deal with, or at least will once I go from the slow chug of training to actually being functional in my job responsibilities. Plus, I have this irrational fear that the IT department (guy) is somehow tracking all the times I (never) get off task. It's a paranoia surely left over from some necessarily strict computer lab rules in High School, but all for the best, I suppose, as I've got my to-do list for the evening, and snippets of this very blog scribbled on neon green post-its for a post-work update.
Rewind!
I dragged (drug?) my feet through the whole job search thing for a good month or more after I got back. I've got plenty to keep my busy even while unemployed around this (disaster of a) house. Ultimately, I finished phase one of garage clean-out (one garage sale and about twelve trips to Goodwill) and my Craigslist return from furniture and knick knack sales was dwindling so the hunt was on.
Round one of applications (minus the Gates Foundation, World Vision and Unitus who are unfortunately smart for not hiring me) yielded two interviews and basically two job offers, one where I'd get down and dirty in the business world, the other in nonprofit. If you know me and my philosophies on development, you know that both are pretty appealing. In the end, a higher salary and shorter commute lost out to my current title: Food Resource Developer.
Basically, I get food manufacturers (you know, farmers, fishermen, factories and the like) to donate their food products directly to us, and we distribute them out to 17 counties. Who knew such a job existed. Making sure the hungry people in the 300+ Food Banks in Western Washington don't have to live on just peanut butter and Ramen noodles. Produce, meat and pretty high quality stuff... most of the time at least.
More later on the work I'm doing but here, I'm sure the first of many stabs at helping people be aware of what hunger in America looks like today:
(cheesy elevator music and a bit boring in the middle, but good fast facts and a powerful message)
Rewind!
I dragged (drug?) my feet through the whole job search thing for a good month or more after I got back. I've got plenty to keep my busy even while unemployed around this (disaster of a) house. Ultimately, I finished phase one of garage clean-out (one garage sale and about twelve trips to Goodwill) and my Craigslist return from furniture and knick knack sales was dwindling so the hunt was on.
Round one of applications (minus the Gates Foundation, World Vision and Unitus who are unfortunately smart for not hiring me) yielded two interviews and basically two job offers, one where I'd get down and dirty in the business world, the other in nonprofit. If you know me and my philosophies on development, you know that both are pretty appealing. In the end, a higher salary and shorter commute lost out to my current title: Food Resource Developer.
Basically, I get food manufacturers (you know, farmers, fishermen, factories and the like) to donate their food products directly to us, and we distribute them out to 17 counties. Who knew such a job existed. Making sure the hungry people in the 300+ Food Banks in Western Washington don't have to live on just peanut butter and Ramen noodles. Produce, meat and pretty high quality stuff... most of the time at least.
More later on the work I'm doing but here, I'm sure the first of many stabs at helping people be aware of what hunger in America looks like today:
(cheesy elevator music and a bit boring in the middle, but good fast facts and a powerful message)
6.13.2010
Knudson dynasty
It's official, the Knudson dynasty is ready to rule.
Exactly one year ago, the only Knudson family member living in the state of Washington was my oldest brother Brent. My parents were in Utah for the summer and the rest of us were out and about, living some version of our own lives. Since then, Brent got married and brought Mia into the fold, my parents are back in the house, Jake started a business up here so he and Kelsie and their munchkins are here, I graduated and moved back after traveling, Scott high-tailed it out of Florida after finishing his mission and finally, as of about a week ago, the set is complete. Brian and Heather, holed up in Princeton, NJ with their little ones and threatening to stay there forever, finally gave in and moved back west.
Yesterday was moving day for the Kwnudsons to their newhouse in Lynnwood/Mukilteo/Everett border area -an adorable house with almost the exact same layout as my childhood best friend's house. I didn't realize until yesterday how good I am at helping people move. It's so much easier when it isn't your own stuff. I've got the hangnails from all the carboard boxes to prove it!
I'm excited for these siblings to be here because Brian, of anyone in the family, thinks most like I do. The last time we were really in the same place was my Freshman year at BYU when I would treat him to weekly Dining Plus meals and he'd treat me in return by winning at our usually weekly tennis games. And, even though Heather has been in the family since I was in high school, I don't know her as well as I'd like. Plus, their kids are stinkin' cute.
Exactly one year ago, the only Knudson family member living in the state of Washington was my oldest brother Brent. My parents were in Utah for the summer and the rest of us were out and about, living some version of our own lives. Since then, Brent got married and brought Mia into the fold, my parents are back in the house, Jake started a business up here so he and Kelsie and their munchkins are here, I graduated and moved back after traveling, Scott high-tailed it out of Florida after finishing his mission and finally, as of about a week ago, the set is complete. Brian and Heather, holed up in Princeton, NJ with their little ones and threatening to stay there forever, finally gave in and moved back west.
Yesterday was moving day for the Kwnudsons to their newhouse in Lynnwood/Mukilteo/Everett border area -an adorable house with almost the exact same layout as my childhood best friend's house. I didn't realize until yesterday how good I am at helping people move. It's so much easier when it isn't your own stuff. I've got the hangnails from all the carboard boxes to prove it!
I'm excited for these siblings to be here because Brian, of anyone in the family, thinks most like I do. The last time we were really in the same place was my Freshman year at BYU when I would treat him to weekly Dining Plus meals and he'd treat me in return by winning at our usually weekly tennis games. And, even though Heather has been in the family since I was in high school, I don't know her as well as I'd like. Plus, their kids are stinkin' cute.
After all the dirty work was done
6.08.2010
Good day
I had the best day. Three potential job interviews, each of which with pretty different qualifications and responsibilities, all of which I kicked serious butt. I'm a pretty together lady, if you didn't know. I interview like a rockstar. Two pretty sure job offers, one for sure volunteer thing with a great organization I can learn a lot from. The wrapping up of some other personal junk- the kind that puts a smile on your face and the anthem 'I'm free' on my lips. Afternoon golf with my dad, and by that I mean driving the cart around most of the front nine, hitting about 5 good hits with a 7 iron and sucking it up with anything close to pitching or putting, but my dad is so cute! An evening walk and a little giggle time with the nieces. A killer set by New Directions on the season finale of Glee. A blue sky day with a rainy, breezy night. Couldn't ask for more!
6.03.2010
John Mayer is a slimeball, but he really does get what it feels like
From this:
"half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you that half of my heart won't do" "made a plan stay the man who can only love himself"
To this:
"don't say a word, just come over and lie here with me..." "love is really nothing but a dream that keeps waking me" "silently screaming, I have to have you now"
And finally:
"nothing to do, nowhere to be, a simple little kind of free" "and this is not to say there never comes a day i'll take my chances and start again"
Or maybe all three at once, depending on the day!
"half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you that half of my heart won't do" "made a plan stay the man who can only love himself"
To this:
"don't say a word, just come over and lie here with me..." "love is really nothing but a dream that keeps waking me" "silently screaming, I have to have you now"
And finally:
"nothing to do, nowhere to be, a simple little kind of free" "and this is not to say there never comes a day i'll take my chances and start again"
Or maybe all three at once, depending on the day!
5.28.2010
New Look
Before:
For the month I've been home, I've been living in the guest room. Sure, it's the room I grew up in with the same totally sweet princess bed frame I've had since about the 4th grade, but with gray walls and Dutch china decor, it has not been my room. It looks like I'll be here a while (this party's just getting started!), and I'm always looking for new projects to keep me busy and learning new house renovation skills (they're important?) so out with the gray, in with the new.During: 
First off was spray retexturing and painting the ceiling. I wasn't too happy with the first round finished product, mostly because it looks like a herd of birds shat all the freak over my walls (and face), but after an extra coat of ACE Hardware's nicest looking paint from the Oops bin (I've named it Blush beige, my dad called it Desert Storm) and new baseboards, it looks lovely. I'm achy in all sorts of weird places now and still working on decorating, but what a difference a little color makes!
First off was spray retexturing and painting the ceiling. I wasn't too happy with the first round finished product, mostly because it looks like a herd of birds shat all the freak over my walls (and face), but after an extra coat of ACE Hardware's nicest looking paint from the Oops bin (I've named it Blush beige, my dad called it Desert Storm) and new baseboards, it looks lovely. I'm achy in all sorts of weird places now and still working on decorating, but what a difference a little color makes!After:
5.25.2010
5.12.2010
Home of the aroma
The Greater Seattle Metropolitan Area is often divided into parts: The city, the east side, the north end and the sorth end (clever, right?). West of Seattle is, of course, the Puget Sound and the Islands (Bainbridge, Whidbey, Vashon and more), a sort of pleasant yonder in my book, well worth the trek out and over the water. Seattle proper, the champion of them all (rightly so) is surrounded on three sides by satellite cities. I come from the East Side, centered around the thriving Bellevue. My side of Seattle is sometimes known as the snotty side. Microsoftees, dot-commers and other random millionaires (not in my neighborhood, but around) may justify the reputation. Regardless, though many would deny it, there's an unspoken air of self-importance from the East Siders in regards to the other regions of Seattle. The North End has its hub in Everett, though I will admit that I often forget that anything is up there. In my head it goes Downtown-Northgate-Wilderness-Canadian Border. My brothers' new company is starting in Lake Stevens, though, so the area is officially on the radar.
I know plenty of cities in the The South End, and don't think poorly of them, but somehow their value is clouded by the perceived Tacoma Aroma- a distinct smell wafting from Tacoma's manufacturing district. Apparently the sulfur/arsenic pollution was cleaned by the time I hit high school, but the damage was done and the reputation remains.
Well, I am here to say that I am an East Side Snob no longer (I never really was, I promise!). I spent some time down south last week and while Fife is yet to impress me (any city with a 'Diabetes Shoppe' makes me a little nervous), Tacoma has won my respect.
The city doesn't smell (apparently unless the wind blows from the east), and while the manufacturing plants aren't so beautiful, the historic downtown is just perfect. Red brick buildings, my favorite kind of suspension bridge and tons of GLASS.
The Chihuly Glass Museum is right on the marina, named for the oh so famous Tacoma native, Dale Chihuly. Chihuly's known for his Wonka-style glass works - I've seen them displayed in the Salt Lake's Abravanel Hall and floating in a pond in a Chicago greenhouse. Glassworks are all over Tacoma (I took pictures of the way more welcoming than my town's City Hall, Flickr has much better shots than mine). Tacoma has officially won me over.
5.05.2010
Elder Knudson no more
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