A week and a half ago I was in Greece with my best friend Devika. When we would approach a Greek person to ask them a question, before we could even get the words out of our mouths the person would say "tell me." My first encounter of this was at the Acropolis. I was trying to find one of the ruins, and as I was approaching one of the workers at the site she said, "tell me." Initially I was very confused since I haven't spoken a word to her. I pushed my confusion aside and asked my question. She gave me directions to where I needed to go to. Yet what stuck with me the most is this phrase "tell me" more than where I needed to go. At the end of the trip I began to love that phrase. It's really direct and causes you to state your question as concise as possible, which is hard for me to do since I love to ramble on and to have a back story to everything. As I have realized that I have not posted since July of 2013, I have felt the need to update you all on my life since Uganda. So here is my approach to "tell me"... as concise as possible.
August 2013
When I wrote in July of 2013 I was pretty optimistic about my career path. I knew I would get a job, but I just needed some time for things to fall together. Once August hit, I felt as though there were no prospects in sight. I was searching for jobs everyday, applying for jobs everyday, and trying not to be discouraged by not having a job. This also meant I couldn't spend money since I didn't have a job. I spent a lot of time indoors or walking to Lake Washington. Actually a lot of time was spent pleading and praying with God that I would at least get something. Was it too much to ask to be at a job I would enjoy and would still help other people? I started to wonder.
September 2013
I FINALLY got a solid interview for an organization I was interested in learning more about a couple of years ago. I had three interviews for this job. The final one was with the VP. He asked me where I saw myself in five years and I told him a Mitch Hedberg joke as my response, "Celebrating the 5 year anniversary of your asking me this question!" He didn't really laugh, but I did get the job! Currently I work at FareStart (http://farestart.org/). It's an organization that teaches those who are homeless and disadvantage culinary skills so they can get jobs in the restaurant industry. My official title is Operations Assistant. I assist the social enterprise department, but my main focus being the main contact person for childcares and shelter sites that receive meals that our students make. We serve over 2500 people a day.
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FareStart. Located downtown right in next to Amazon.
My desk has a window view. Top right corner. |
So far this role has been really great for me. It has been challenging and has really connected me to local non-profits in the Seattle area. A couple of months ago I did an event at the Gate's Foundation. Last month I was at an event sponsored by United Way and yesterday I spoke at a regional HeadStart program about FareStart. I love that my job gets me out of the office and really interacting with the community.
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| First business card ever! |
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| I get a badge too. So official. |
October 2013
I dressed up as Stevie Wonder for Halloween. I was the only person in the office who dressed up. I guess it was a good way to get myself known real fast!
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| Google Stevie Wonder. I nailed it! |
November 2013
I FINALLY moved out of the Stu and Diane's house! They were gracious enough to let me stay with them until I could save up for a place. I ended up moving to a new place with Jess (old roommate and grad school friend from 3 years ago). I love our place. It's less than 2 miles away from my job. When it's not raining I walk home, which is great since I have days when I'm sitting all day.
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| Jess and I |
December 2013
Jess and I had a house warming/Christmas party. I hate hosting, which is why there are no pictures of the party. I busied myself with wondering if everyone was having a good time. By the end of the night I was in the corner of my couch with a blanket over me. Oh there were still people there, but I was ready to pass out.
Also, my job has a cookie party for the students for Christmas. It also includes giving away free pillows (since most of the students live at shelters) and a toiletry bag. I loved that my job did this for the students.
January through April 2014
What can I really write about the winter into spring months? At this point life is just really normal and routine. I wake up and take the bus downtown to work. I walk home. I work out. I come home and read, re-watch The Mindy Project (LOVE that show), and attempt to cook. On the weekends I usually end up at a karaoke bar or at Goodwill. Nothing too exciting. Oh, I did go to the Seahawks parade. Never seen so many people in Seattle. I somehow ended up in the front to watch the parade go by. I might have pushed a few kids out of the way.
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The view from my office.
A motorcade for Obama when he stayed at the hotel near my job. |
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| Seahawks Parade! |
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| Pete Carroll |
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| Russell Wilson |
May 2014!
May is always a good month. That mainly has to do with the fact that it's my birthday Month. It was also a good month since Devika and I went to Greece! Pictures below are just a taste of everything we did while we were there.
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| At the Acropolis |
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| Eating our 5 souvlaki (Or gyros. They were so cheap! Only 2.50 euros!) |
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| I rode a donkey up a mountain |
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| Oia in Santorini. So beautiful. |
What to write about Greece... hmm. It was surreal. When you watch movie that take place in Greece it's very idyllic. Yet when you get there and realize that it is reality, your mind can't comprehend it (at least mine couldn't). When touring around the Acropolis and knowing that these structures have been around over 2500 years, it makes you question if you have created anything that will last that long. When walking around the town of Oia in Santorini and seeing this place you have only seen in movies actually existing, it causes you to stand in awe. Well, maybe that was just me. I guess when fantasy becomes reality, it makes me stand still. I recommend visiting Greece. Such a beautiful country with great people. I was only there for a week, but I hope to go back next time to see more of Greece.
Still May 2014
After I got back from Greece, my roommate Jess and I had a joint birthday party. It involved eating, dancing at Havana where they played 60s music and going salsa dancing. (I forgot to mention that during January-April I got into salsa dancing. I go every Thursday.) It was a really great birthday. I love when my different friend worlds come together and everyone has a good time.
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| The birthday girls! |
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Miriam came home for a visit! Perfect timing.
No clue who that girl is on the far left. |
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| Kim's Salsa dance partner |
After May 2014...
My hope is that I keep this blog up. With working full-time and settling into a route, it becomes so hard to break that cycle. I hope to write about my ordinary adventures in Seattle. Speaking of some ordinary adventures...
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| Hiking with Ellie in November |
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| Mariners opening week. |
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| Sarah and Raoul's baby shower in early May |
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| Seattle Sounder's game |
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| Drinks with friends before the game |
I wrote in July that so far I am happy being back in Seattle, I still feel the same way. July will be a year since I've been back. I still love Seattle, I still love Washington State. On Sunday I was driving to the Eastside for a co-workers BBQ. I was out in the woods. It was raining a bit, there weren't too many people on the road, and the trees were so green. I forgot about the beauty that is only 30 minutes away. Forgetting about the beauty is what keeps me in Seattle. When you're in the middle of it all, you forget what is around you. So I'm hoping to keep on seeing the beauty that is my daily life in Seattle. I have good friends and good food (free lunch at work everyday!) with me everyday. I just gotta value it more.
Click here to see more pictures of Greece!
