Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Snow in Seattle

Sometimes I forget about the differences between living in Washington state versus Colorado.  There is always the obvious ones such as missing families and different friends, but today I am reminded about the differences in weather.

It snowed while I was visiting Colorado for the twins birthday.  The snow started about 4 pm on Monday night and snowed until around 10 pm and there was probably around 4 inches of accumulation.  There was no obsessive talk about the snow at the twin's party on Sunday.  There wasn't even much news coverage of the snow.


I was nervous driving in the snow for two reasons.  One, I don't drive in the snow as much as I used to.  Two, I would be driving my parents' nice car.  However, I still went out (although I met my friends, at their apartment and rode with them) and my friends still met me out for dinner.  After dinner I still went to watch The Bachelor with my sister and drove home safely (after 3 attempts to get the car up their steep driveway and into the garage).  The next morning the sun was up and shining bright, but the snow hadn't melted at all yet (and the roads didn't appear to have been plowed).  My mom and I still went to the Loveland Rec Center to work out.
My point being that life continues as normal after snow in Colorado, unless the snow is so deep that you actually can't get your car too move through it.  

Compare this to Seattle.  I have been hearing the coverage about the all the snow that existed and was coming to Seattle while in Colorado.  United Airlines canceled their last flight out last night due to the snow, it would have arrived around 10:30 pm.  While we were preparing for landing our captain warned, "In the rare event of an emergency evacuation" which I assumed meant treacherous conditions on the runway.  So, imagine my surprise when we landed and there was no snow.  Alright, there was a tiny dusting on some edges of the road.  The roads and sidewalks at Seatac, by Southcenter Mall and our house were all just wet, if not dry, when I arrived which was between 7:30 and 10 pm.  Also, Seattle Public Schools had a late start and an early dismissal yesterday!

This morning when I woke up there was snow.  It has continued throughout the day and despite Big B and I's efforts the sidewalk outside our house is not clear.  But it still astounds me when it snows here because everyone seems to react as if the world is coming to an end.

Lastly, while I was reading Happiness Is, a blog by another Seattleiete, I saw this YouTube video.  Pretty accurate.

Quick Recap of Books I Have Read Recently


Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith
This book was about the middle daughter in a family dominated by women.  There were some great relationships in the book and I didn't want to stop reading it.  There is a very strong Christian message in the book, but that made me like it even more.  
The Long Run by Mishka Shubaly
This memoir about a man with a very addicted personality.  He stops doing drugs and drinking pretty much cold turkey and starts running.  I found the book inspiring even if I don't have the vices that Mishka obviously has, nor the ability/determination to run as far.
Ryan's Return by Barbara Freethy
Another romance that is well written.  The book is about a family in a small town near a river.  The story follows a man and his estranged family.  Again there was some mystery and excitement that kept the book really interesting.
Mrs. Jones by B.A Morton
This is the first book I read on my new Kindle Fire.  
**As a side note I LOVE my kindle.  It is very similar to an iPad, but much more reasonably priced.  I can read both of my magazine subscriptions on the Kindle.  Also, because I am a Amazon Prime member, I can borrow books and movies for free.  All the books above I read for free, which is great because I am really trying to cut back on buying books.  I have been trying to save the money, and more importantly space, by borrowing.  The only thing I don't like about the Kindle is that I cannot share the books with my family and friends.**
This book was a romance, but one of the better ones I have read.  There is a lot of mystery in the book plus some of those "aww" moments that come along with romances.  Plus who wouldn't like a book with the name Jones in it!!
In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
In The Garden of Beasts was for our December meetup.  This book was also a nonfiction book.  This book was about William Dodd and his a part of his life in Berlin right was Hitler was beginning to take over Germany.  I am not a big fan of history in general, but this book read more like a fiction book!  I really enjoyed reading it and learning at the same time.  Although it is important remember that the book is pulled from letters and might be the truth for William Dodd and those around him.
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
November meetup book was Packing for Mars.  This is a nonfiction book about astronauts.  I found the book really interesting and found out a ton information that I did not know before reading it.  However, if I am honest I scanned through some of it instead of actually reading it.  Because of the book I am really interested in reading another book by Mary Roach.
The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie
This book was for the October meetup book club.  Although I thought the book was good it wasn't really my type of book.  There was quite a bit of violence and was actually a book I recommended to Big B.  It did have some nice twists and kept me interested.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I feel like everyone knows about The Help, but if you haven't read it or seen the movie (which I have heard is good, I haven't seen it) than you should!
Kindred Spirits by Sarah Strohmeyer
Kindred Spirits was the book for my online July meetup.  I really liked the story about friends and how they are there for each other despite how your lives may change.  To be honest though I didn't read it in July, but our club has a blog.  When we had some discussion questions up Sarah actually commented on our blog.  I thought that this was so cool that I HAD to read the book and I am glad I did!
Personal Day by Ed Park
This book was for my July meetup book club.  This book is about an office that has been laying their employees off after the last couple years.