Sunday, June 28, 2009

My First Month in Washington

On Monday, May 25th we (me, my parents, Big B and his mom) took a break from packing and explored the area. We visited Chateau St. Michelle.


And the Columbia Winery. After the wine we took a picnic break with a riesling, cheese, salami and some pita chips.

Later we visited Redhook Brewery and tried their beer sampler.

Then we watched some of the excitement at the Locks (we have gone to the Locks since then and enjoyed some free music).

We rounded up the evening at Pyramid for some more beer sampling and food. Then we ended up the evening by watching the Nuggets in my parent's hotel lobby.

On Tuesday, May 26th Big B's mom flew home and I had my 5th interview with Knowledge Learning Corporation. After that we met up with my parent's and drove around Emunclaw, Auburn and explored the pier at Des Moines. For dinner we met my dad's cousin and his wife at Anthony's.
There wasn't much more excitement the remainder of the week other than Big B starting his job and I was offered a job as an Assistant Center Director in Federal Way.

I have lost track of time, so all of the below isn't necessarily in order. We have seen a good number of movies: Night at the Museum, The Hangover, Taking of the Pelham 123 and Transformers. We have also eaten at a bunch of different restraurant with different cuisines.

We also went to the Museum of Flight.



Then this weeekend we went to the Taste of Tacoma. I don't have any photos, but it included: me tripping and having splinters all over, fairly good food, lots of interesting people, and music. Later that evening we went to Laughs where they were having a local comedian competition.

Monday, June 15, 2009

The week (about) of my move in recap

I had a lot of help preparing for my move, but I especially had help cramming in all the stuff I "had" to do. (Check out my sister's and dad's blogs for slightly different recaps).

Wednesday
One of my friends, my sister and I went to Cheese in Estes Park. We saw some elk on the way in and enjoyed some delicious wine and food (especially the cheese).

Friday
I attended my friend's graduation party from vet school and then we enjoyed some beverages at Zquila and Old Chicago with some other friends.

Saturday
Breakfast at the Rainbow with some friends from Larimer Humane Society. Then my sister and I enjoyed Easy Streets from Odells (my favorite beer), while my friend kept us company. Then we grabbed some food at Coopersmiths (I will miss their hobgobblers and pub chips) and watched a chick flick (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past).

Sunday
Breakfast at the Silver Grill (I love their cinnamon roll bread french toast) with the bookclub that eats instead of reading books. Then my sister  and I went shopping and I got a massage while she had a pedicure. Then later that day I went camping at Red Feather with some friends and one of their dogs.
Bookclub that eats instead of reads

View near camp site.

Haley teaching Sienna how to get as dirty as possible.


Monday
It was back to reality and time to get packing.

Tuesday
My sister headed over early to help me wrap up packing. Shortly after two friends also came to help me out. Then to round out the group two other friends came by. I don't know what I would have done without their help....it would have been much later nights (mornings)! One last friend also came by after work to wrap up the night.
The back of the moving van about 10 pm.
Wednesday
My dad drove up and helped me finish loading the truck. I rehomed my rat with a boy who sounds like a great home and the trip to Bennett should have been much less stressfull then the one to Seattle would have been (thanks Danielle!) Then it was to the Elephant Bar for dinner with the newly graduated Big B, his mom and stepdad and my parents. Much later that night my parents, my sister and brother-in-law helped me clean.

Thursday
Finished the last minute cleaning and headed out around 6:30 am. Drove to Sun Valley, Idaho with lunch at a great rest stop in Wyoming. My brother welcomed us with a delicious dinner and brownies baked by his roommate.
The moving van with my car in tow.
Clover hiding.
Curious Mars.
The seasoned traveler, Haley.


Friday
Spent the day in Ketchum including a hike, wine, appetizers, and dinner.

Saturday
On to Seattle with a very small detour to drop my brother off at the Boise airport to pick up his new truck. We arrived at the hotel in Kent around 6 pm. After checking in we enjoyed dinner at The Ram (they must be somehow associated with CB Potts because they carry the same beer...I enjoyed the Wit) and watched the Nuggets game (we were the minority cheering for them).

Sunday
I signed my lease and moved into my new apartment. There was some excitment in the parking lot that made me a bit nervous, but it helped me meet some of the neighbors.

I am excited about exploring a new state, but miss my friends and family! Come visit any time.

Running in Fort Collins

Before I moved I decided to run in my two favorite 5 Ks. I have ran in both of them for at least the last 3 years. The first one was the Fast & the Furriest which benefits vet students at CSU. The weather wasn't great (and it had even been rescheduled due to the weather the weekend before - at least we didn't have to run in the snow), but my sister and I did fairly well. After the race my sister and I snapped some photos of the campus during spring time (although the cloud cover isn't usually present).

Outside the Ammons building.
The oval.

In May I volunteered at the Fire Hydrant 5, which benefits the Larimer Humane Society. I really enjoy doing this because I get to run with a dog and interact with lots of people. My companion was a boxer (and I think husky) mix named Yoshi. If I could have kept up his pace we would have ran my fastest time, by far. However, he wore me out in the first mile and I had to walk a lot the last 2 miles. I haven't been that sore from running that distance in a LONG time.
My parents and my sister with their dogs, and Yoshi and I.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Stay Tuned

We just got internet this morning so stay tuned for blogs about my last weeks in Fort Collins, the move to Washington and our first few weeks here (I just need to upload some pictures).