Santa Letters

 

We are all probably guilty of writing letters to fictitious characters; I wrote so many letters to the tooth fairy indicating the appraisal value of the tooth I just lost. However, no one gets more letters than Santa Claus. I have a niece, and her entire school wrote letters to Santa Claus and the city newspaper printed them. This blog posting will contain some of the more amusing letters and things I learned from reading the letters.


After reading the letters there were several things that I became more aware of:

• There are a lot of toys that kids want these days that I have no ideas what they are (i.e. doggy doo game, beyblades)....and this makes me feel old and unhip.
• In the letters, kids are really concerned about Santa's reindeers and how they are doing.
• Approximately 90% of kids want at least one electronic device.
• Children still want Easy Bake Ovens and Furbies.
• Kids of all ages want pogo sticks.
• Many kids promise to barter milk and cookies for gifts.
• Children of all ages cannot spell correctly even if their Christmas gifts depended on it.
• Most common misspelled words: trampoline, want, horse, Claus, Christmas, and reindeer.

Below are some of the more amusing letters that were printed. Bill Cosby was a genius when he had the show "Kids Say the Darnest Things" but kids also write the darnest things. Disclaimer: spelling and grammar have not been correct for the reason that it is funnier that way :)

• I wan't a furby from you on Christmas morning. That is all I wan't from you. Thank you very much. P.S. Have a wonderful Christmas and tell your elves, raindeer, and your wife I said Merry Christmas to.
• Hi, I've been good this year. There is something I really want. An airsoft gun. I want one sooo bad, but my dad or my mom won't get me one. So, can I PLEASE have an airsoft gun? All I will do with it is target practice. So, please?
• All I want for Christmas is a DS and a new clothes and I want a quilt that has my name on it and I want it hand made by Mrs. Claus and I want a pony and Just lev it outside in the back of the fince and lock it. I also want a new little pupy for Christmas. That is all I want for Christmas.
• Can I please get a ninja turtles truck and a bunch of stuff anmils, and a cell phone, and a tramplen. A zipline to my bustop. Please a hudge class room and a Christmas tree. Please can I have a elf and a quilt. And a PSP. And some games for a PSP. And my own pool.
• I know I'v haven't been good this year. But I still love you so please fill my stocking up. But most of all I love you and Mrs. Clus. First, I want a new dog. Well I think you know why? Then, I want a camera. Next, I want a quilt from Mrs. Clus with my name on it. Please and thank you.
• For Christmas I want a go cart. And I would really want it charged and some gas in it. I also want some lego's, really big lego sets that come with some lego minifigures. I also want a ipod with 100 songs on it. And thats all I want.
• What I want for Christmas is a new game for my 3DS. Do you think you could help me try to remember what game I wanted? Can you also make sure you get all the nursing homes and orfans. Don't forget the infants! I also want a wii and mabey my own cozy blanket.
• I just wanted to say thank you for my presents from last year! And if your going to bring me presents this year. Oh and I love your red cheeks! But I don't really like your beerd! But I would really like a new wii. My old wii broke. Oh and I would also like a new magic kit oh P.S. I have been very good this year! Please and thank you!
• Thank you for the presents. You are the best Santa in the hole wide world. Can I please have a bar?
• How are you? Are you ready for your long journy? Has Mrs. Claus making cookies Thank you for my bike last year. I've been ridig it a lot. I would like a new wii game. Have a safe trip.
• How are you? I want a Dora dancing doll. My dog chewed up my last one. I would also like a new Hello Kitty microphone. I will leave yo milk and cookies. Your elves are working hard. I wish I could give them a present. I would also like a piggy bank to save up all my money.
• Are you ready for a long trip? Do your elves do all of your work? Do thay make toys for you? If thay do, I want a four wheeler. I want a Bumblebee Transformer. See you on Christmas.
• My mom and I are making cookies for this year. Can you get me a cudlupit please santa pritte please. You are the best if it wasn't for you there would be no Christmas.
• I'm 7 years old looking good Santa. Thank you Santa for the presents last year. I like how your belly shakes when you laugh. And I like your beard. Please get me a remote control 4 wiler, a axe set, a foot ball with a kick set on it.
• I wunt for Chris is a reel puppy and a jeeps or frind.
• I want an alive kitten.
• I know it's close to Christmas and I can hardly wait until snows. How are Rudolph and you and your wife doing? I was wondering if you can give me a few things that I want? Ive been trying to be good but my brother and sisters just get me so mad. I know you are busy but I really want a Bean Bag, American doll make up set, and please my own puppy.
• How are you and Rudolph doing? I hope you guys are doing good. Here are 4 things I want for Christmas. A ds game called puppys, sea monkeys, monster high high school playset and last I want a pink collar for my cat. I'm still trying to earn these thigns. And hopefully I don't get coal.
• For Christmas I want three brothers and three sisters so wen they grow up I can hav som wun to play with and dad to de hoom and as pack scoter so I can a ackeire for my dad wen we roest marshmelow and picture of Rudolph.

Dummies

Okay, before you get to laugh at me, allow me to explain myself....and then feel free to judge and laugh away. I just finished reading my first book in the well-known self-help book series "For Dummies." I compare the "For Dummies" series as the adult version of Sparknotes on "How to do something better". And believe me, I have read my share of Sparknotes, so I asked myself why not try the "For Dummies" series. Now here's my backstory:

• My father just recently acquired Windows 8 for his computer. He is retired now and has very little knowledge about computers (he can turn on the computer and he knows how to double-click the Skype icon, and then that's about it). Therefore, he thought why not have my daughter teach me how to use this program.
• One problem with that thought, I am strictly an Apple products individual. I have my own little Apple family (MacBook, iPod touch, iPod nano, iPad 2, and iPhone 4S). Therefore, my knowledge of PCs is extremely limited as well.
• Therefore, I wanted to be able to help my dad and so I began looking for the best resource.
• So my dad and I go to Barnes and Noble during my Thanksgiving break and we found Windows 8 for Seniors, and EUREKA! It has large-print which also helps out my dad with his vision deficits. However, this book didn't have color pictures, which my dad really needed. I mean who wouldn't like to have a picture book over detailed step-by-step descriptions.....
• We decided on another book series (Maran illustrated) that had copious amounts of colored pictures but wasn't in large print, which was unfortunate.
• However, it was then that I realized I never actually perused the "For Dummies" books until now, and was wondering if there was something I could further my knowledge in.

And then I saw it....iPad for Dummies. I began contemplating, how much do I truly know about my iPad 2? I never read any handbook, just kind of taught myself (which I think is how a lot of people become knowledgeable). So I knew I didn't want to purchase the book; therefore, I got it from the Seattle Library. And I gotta say, I actually learned a few new and positively awesome things/shortcuts from the book. Yes, there were complete chapters I could easily skip, but then I would have missed the subtle humor that the authors threw in. Overall, it definitely was worth the time and the four mile walk to the library.

I wish my thirst of knowledge would end there, but then I was curious...what are some other "For Dummies" books? So I visited dummies.com and this is what I found out.

• Topics included: Business & Careers, Computers & Software, Consumer Electronics (my iPad book), Crafts & Hobbies, Education & Languages, Food & Drink, Games, Health & Fitness, Home & Garden, Internet, Music & Creative Arts, Personal Finance, Pets, Photography & Video, Relationships & Family, Religion & Spirituality, and Sports & Outdoors.
• Surprising subtopics: Reunions, eBay, Casino, Crosswords & Other Puzzles, Cryptograms, Role Playing, Canning & Preserving, Special Diets, Homeschooling, Holidays & Observances, and Coin Collecting.
• Topics/subtopics I would be interested in reading about: 
• All of the Religion & Spirituality (I am not a religious person, but I enjoy learning about what others believe in and why)
• Etiquette (I am sure I will find out quickly that I have zero manners)
• Digital Photography (as long as I do not have to buy any additional equipment/accessories)
• Dogs (I just want to read a book telling me that yes Beagles are superior to all other dogs)
• Home Buying & Selling (I am currently looking to become a homeowner and would like to not look like an idiot or have buyer's remorse)
• Blogging & Social Networking (same interest I had in reading the iPad book, just wondering what else I could be doing)
• Home Organization (any excuse to live at The Container Store)
• Crosswords & Other Puzzles (I have never completed a crossword puzzle in my life)
• Cooking & Recipes (who doesn't want their own Food Network show)

Seattle Bucket List Progress

On a July 28th posting, I came up with a bucket list of things that I wanted to complete before I left Seattle (which I thought was going to be in March 2013). But now that I am staying in the Emerald City, I no longer have to meet a deadline to accomplish everything.  However, I was curious on my progress in 4.5 months, and so I thought I would take another gander at my initial Seattle Bucket List. Those in red are the things I have accomplished. I accomplished 29/78 things so far.

• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Kerry Park
• Museum of Flight
• Pike Place Market
• Safeco Field
• Washington State Ferries
• Green Lake Park
• Hiram M. Chittenden Locke
• Seattle Public Library
• Columbia Center Sky View
• Giant Wheel
• University of Washington (Suzzalo Library)
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations Visitor Center
• Volunteer Park Conservatory
• Theo Chocolate
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
• Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
• CenturyLink Field
• Kubota Garden
• Washington Park Arboretum
• Alki Beach
• Space Needle
• Burke-Gilman Trail
• Gas Works Park
• Golden Gardens Park
• Waterfall Garden Park
• Smith Tower
• Japanese Tea Garden
• Fremont Troll
• Lake Washington
• EMP Museum
• Fry Art Museum
• Olympic Sculpture Park
• Victoria Clipper
• Lake Union
• Seattle Aquarium
• Seattle Center Monorail
• The Center of Wooden Boats
• Blake Island State Park
• Original Starbucks
• Pacific Science Center
• Taproot Theater
• Seattle Asian Art Museum
• 5^th Avenue Theater
• The Gum Wall
• Myrtle Edwards Park
• Seward Park
• Chinatown International District
• Tillicum Village
• Sand Point Magnuson Park
• Key Arena
• Occidental Park
• Edmonds Underwater Park
• Mount Rainier
• Museum of Glass
• Argosy Cruises
• Belvedere Viewpoint
• Chateau Ste. Michelle
• Underground Tour
• Jimmy Hendrix Statue
• Snoqualmie Waterfall
• NW African American Museum
• St. Ignatius Chapel
• Fishermans Terminal
• Lenin, statue of Vladimir
• Otter Falls
• Fauntleroy Park
• Golden Gardens Park
• Kinnear Park
• Lopez Island Vineyards
• Madison Park Beach
• Parsons Gardens
• Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
• Ride the Ducks
• San Juan Safaris
• Seattle by Foot
• Tacoma Art Museum

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

The first and last time I went bird-watching was back in undergraduate for my field biology class. Our professor had us out there to "see" birds at 4am. Trust me at 4am, I didn't see anything. Plus I was no happy ducky because I was sans coffee.

However, round two was absolutely awesome! I went to Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and got to see Bald Eagles,  River Otters, and a slew of other birds (aren't I just so knowledgable about birds; that field biology class really paid off).

I haven't used my digital camera in over 6 months; I rely on my iPhone solely to capture memories for me. Although I couldn't zoom in and invade the bird's privacy I was able to look through my friend's camera; which captured amazing pictures.

I don't know if Washington has the ability to make everything fun (i.e. bird-watching) or it was other factors but Nisqually is tucked away and is simply serene. Below are some of the scenic pictures from the visit.

This is the pathway that you take onto the water. Disclaimer: it is really slippery when it rains.

At the end of the path. There's a little bit farther that you can go when it isn't hunting season. 

It started raining a little harder...hence the less fluffy hair look.

The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

I just finished reading my second Mary Roach book, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. It's definitely one of those books that you probably will only read once; however, Roach illustrates how compelling the human body can be postmortem. As a past and present science geek/nerd, I have seen my share of cadavers (a statement my mother tells me is nothing to gloat nor talk about), but it was engrossing to go through Roach's forensic investigations in this book. Roach still has the talent to take a subject that would make readers cringe one moment and then laughing in the next.

Below are some excerpts from the book:

• The way I see it, being dead is not terribly far off from being on a cruise ship. Most of your time is spent lying on your back. The brain has shut down. The flesh begins to soften. Nothing much new happens, and nothing is expected of you.
• Death. It doesn't have to be boring.
• Cadavers are our superheroes: They brave fire without flinching, withstand falls from tall buildings and head-on car crashes into walls. Their heads can be removed with no deleterious effect. They can be in six places at once.

Here are some anatomy jokes to go along with the humor premise (these were not in the book):

Q: Why is anatomy so hard?

A: Because the professor is really sternum.

Q: Why is the eye like the moon?

A: They're both in orbit.

Q: What are the epic poems about the pelvic region?

A: The Illiac and the Oddysey

Q: What punctuation mark can be found in the body?

A: The colon.

Q: What part of the digestive tract was named after a famous psychologist in the 1800s?

A: Sigmoid Freud.

Q: What is the main act in an anatomical circus?

A: The man on the flying trapezius.

Q: Why was the endocrine student so upset?

A: He failed a teste.

Q: Which arteries have gender?

A: The male and femoral arteries.

Q: What is anatomists favorite musical instrument?

A: The organ.

Jokes are from: http://boomsblog.blogspot.com/2006/09/anatomy-jokes-final-cut.html

Baking My First Pie

My grandmother was a pro at baking. She made all of her pie crusts from scratch, and she hardly ever followed a recipe when baking, and her things always came out delicious. I am definitely not a baker. The only baking utensils I possess are a scone baking pan (used once), a muffin pan (used once for cupcakes and a few times for muffins), cookie sheets (that have never been used to make cookies) and mixing bowls (that I use to marinate meats). Another reason I don't bake is that I live by myself and I usually just want a bite or slice of something and NOT to eat the entire thing. Therefore, I have developed a habit of a grabbing a cupcake from a bakery (best one is Yellow Leaf in Seattle) and the sugar craving dissipates.

However, my niece absolutely loves to bake, and of course I make baking educational (since I am the fun aunt). She works on her reading and math through the recipes....I view it as edible chemistry experiments. And that is exactly what they are...experiments. Most of the times when we make something it is the first time for me as well. Thanksgiving was no exception; we made our first pie. Unlike my grandmother, we diligently followed a recipe.

Below is our edible experiment and I gotta say it was all kinds of yumminess! We made a Mixed Berry Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• pinch of salt
• 3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4 cups frozen mixed berries (we used raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries)
• 3 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup butter, salt, cinnamon and lemon juice with a fork. Mix until they are pea-sized. Quickly stir in the cold water and combine until a dough forms.
• Form the dough into two round disks. Chill at least 30 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll each disk into a large circle. Place one in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Add the berries and toss to combine. Sprinkle in some lemon juice and combine well.
• Spoon the berry mixture into the pie crust and sprinkle any remaining sugar mixture over the top. 
• Slice strips in the other dough and place across the top of the pie, weaving them one over the other.
• Brush the top crust with melter butter.
• Bake for 45-60 minutes.

Well it sure does look like a pie.

Evidence that we made a pie

Flour Aftermath!

No fire and it tastes like a pie= SUCCESS

Magazine "Seattle Met"

I have just recently became aware of a magazine called Seattle Met because I work with an individual that received the prestigious 2012 Light A Fire award for Extraordinary Board Member which is so commendable!!

Seattle Metropolitan magazine is a definitely a great resource for individuals living in Seattle but it's still one of those magazines that I kind of thumb through. The only magazines that I have subscriptions for are Entertainment Weekly and Real Simple. However, there were three articles/pages in November's Seattle Metropolitan that I found amusing and would like to share them with you:

"More Buds than Beans"

"A Job Seeker's Flow Chart"

"In the Bedroom"

First Attempt Making Pad Thai

Chicken Pad Thai

I love cooking, but sometimes it is simplier and more pragmatic to just go and buy the entree you want from your favorite restaurant, especially if you live by yourself because you will be eating that dish for many days as leftovers. I have about 10 Thai restaurants within a 5 minute walk around my Seattle apartment, but I thought I would give preparing Chicken Pad Thai a whirl. There are so many recipes out there, but I chose to go with the "Shrimp Pad Thai" recipe from the cookbook What to Cook & How to Cook It. Of course I made some substitutions/adaptations for my preference. Below is the original recipe and in red are how I tweaked the recipe. The recipe was really good but it just felt like a lot of work and preparation and there were plenty of leftovers (and the leftovers were even better than when I ate it fresh).

Ingredients:
14 oz wide rice noodles
12 oz firm, tofu, drained (did not put in)
3 fat cloves of garlic (I put 5, major fan of garlic not so much for the heartburn though)
1 bunch of scallions
1 small bunch fresh cilantro
1 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil (I used vegetable)
3 tbsp tamarind paste (optional) (I could not find this at my local QFC)
3 tbsp sweet chili sauce (I used 9 tbsp because when I used 3 it did not seem to have enough sauce)
3 tbsp nam pla (Thai fish sauce) (I used 9 tbsp because when I used 3 it did not seem to be enough)
1.5 tbsp sugar (I used 3 tbsp since I tripled the other liquids for the sauce, and no I did not mess up the math I just wanted it to be too sweet so I only doubled the sugar)
1 handful roasted peanuts (optional) (did not put in)
4 large eggs
7 oz uncooked shrimp, shelled and deveined (I substituted with 2 boneless chicken breasts)
1/2 tsp dried chili flakes (or more if you like) (I used 1 tbsp)
2 limes
3.5 oz bean sprouts (did not put in)

Directions:
- Put the noodles in a large bowl, then pour enough boiling water over them to cover. Stir gently and let soak until you get to step 8.
-Crush the garlic, and thinly slice the scallions. Pick the leaves from the cilantro.
-Put a wok over medium-high heat and cook chicken breasts.
-Meanwhile, put the tamarind paste (if using), chili sauce, fish sauce, and sugar into a small measuring cup and stir together. Roughly chop the peanuts (if using). Crack the eggs into a bowl and loosely beat them with a fork.
-Put cook chicken back in pan, add oil, chili flakes, and half of the scallions. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the garlic and scallions smell fragnant.
-Transfer the chicken to a plate, then add the beaten eggs to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, moving the eggs around the pan a little with a wooden spoon until just set, like an omelet.
-Lift the omelet out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Roll it up like a pancake, then cut across the roll to make long thin strips.
-Return the pan to the heat, drain the noodles and add them to the pan. Add the sauce, most of the cilantro leaves, the shredded egg, chicken, the remaining scallions, and a squeeze of lime juice, and toss well.
-Add peanutes and beansprouts at the end on the plate before serving.

101 Places NOT to See

I have currently just finished reading the book, 101 Places Not to See Before You Die by Catherine Price. As a person who loves to travel I was curious if I had visited any of the places mentioned in the book. I have been to 5/101 places (Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore, Seattle Gum Wall, Las Vegas and the sidewalk outside the Roman Coliseum during Crazy Gladiator's shift).

Here are some of the memorable places that I do NOT have the travel bug to explore:

• The Testicle Festival: A festival dedicated to bull testicles that attracts 15,000 people that has the slogan "Come Have A Ball."
• The Beijing Museum of Tap Water: A 2001 edict required the city to open 150 new museums by 2008; hence this museum along with museums devoted to goldfish, honeybees, and red sandalwood. 
• An interesting fact in this chapter is that in 2007 Beijing was the first Chinese city whose water officially passed a test for 106 contaminants; but is still unsafe to drink.
• An Overnight Stay at a Korean Temple: After reading this chapter I know I am absolutely not cut out to be a monk
• Other museums to not visit are the Needle Museum (in England) and the Tupperware Museum.
• The Blarney Stone: And here the Rolling Stones thought they saw the most kissing action obviously were not aware of this famous stone that gets approximately 400,000 kissing visitors that risk contracting STDs for some good luck...Luck of the Irish, I don't think so....
• Fucking Austria: a village that refuses to change it's name because it's annual GDP is highly dependent on it's T-shirt sales. Also there is a Newfoundland town that is called Dildo, home of the Dildo Museum, and holds the Historic Dildo Days summer event.
• Any Place Whose Primary Claim to Fame is a Large Fiberglass Thing: This includes a Big Banana in Australia. For those of you that do not know I absolutely loathe bananas. I have even posted about my abhorrence for bananas in other blog postings.  
• Manneken Pis: Means "little pee man" that has a sister statue called Jeanneke Pis
• The Annual Poison Oak Show: Festival that involves the Best Arrangement of Poison Oak, Best Poison Oak Accessory or Jewelry, Most Original Poison Oak Dish, and Best Photo of Poison Oak Rash. This show is another reason why I despise plants (I don't stereotype, I hate ALL plants) and this is why when I own a yard I will replace the grass with concrete....no mowing the grass for me.
• The Next Eruption of the Yellowstone Supervolcano: Between the volcano that is due to erupt (it erupts every 600,000 to 700,000 years and it's been 640,000) and the major fault line that in the past has caused an entire mountain to collapse, I have decided that Yellowstone Park is getting removed from my Bucket List of Things to do Before I Die, because I would most likely die there. I love nature and hiking, but not that much!
• The Bottom of a Pig Lagoon: I have concluded that this is the worst way to die; it has been know to wipe out entire families.
• Fun fact: The average pig produces three times as much feces as your average human and it all ends up in a lagoon along with other "goodies".

My overall review of the book is that I learned a lot of informational tidbits; however, I was reading it initially for comic value. There was definitely parts that made me giggle, but not as much as I had anticipated.

Way-Too-Early Christmas Song and Traditions

This may get me labeled as an absolute Grinch, but today (November 5th) while I was driving and listening to the radio, the song "White Christmas" came on; I couldn't believe it!  Halloween just ended less than a week ago and it's already Christmas time; each year the Christmas holiday seems to start earlier and earlier. At this rate, I can envision after Valentine's Day that the aisles in department stores will be filled with candy canes, wrapping paper and fake snow.

Now that it is November I must prepare myself to be constantly reminded that Christmas is just around the corner; therefore, for my coping mechanism to deal with the extremely too early Christmas celebration that starts every year, I have come up with my ideal pre-Christmas celebrations:

• Christmas songs cannot begin to be played on the radio until it snows or when Thanksgiving is over
• Christmas decorations should not be in aisles of stores until the week of Thanksgiving; having them stocked in the store the day after Halloween is far too early 
• Holiday music albums should not come out until the month of December
• Stores should not have Christmas sales until at least Black Friday
• Starbucks Holiday Red Cups do not come out until December, NOT November. I do not wish to look at Santa and Frosty while I am enjoying the fall weather of the leaves changing while downing my coffee
• Santa hats should not be worn until December because I keep thinking I am seeing "Where's Waldo" around town and it shouldn't be that easy to spot him
• It is never okay to tie jingle bells onto children shoes; although I appreciate the warning that a child is approaching, the constant jingling is causing me to have pre-hypertension symptoms and I am only 26 years old
• Animals should not already be subjected to being put in holiday costumes; if you wouldn't wear it than you shouldn't put it on your pet
• Nativity sets should not be out in front of religious establishments until the month of December
• Do not wish a "Merry Christmas" to people until the middle of December....and why is every other holiday "happy" (i.e. Happy Easter, Happy Thanksgiving) but Christmas gets a "merry"?
• Egg Nog should be discontinued all together and so should Fruit Cake...no one has ever said "yum Fruit Cake"?
• Respect the Thanksgiving Turkey and do not put up Christmas decoration until after Thanksgiving, and don't use the excuse "well I want to put them up before the weather gets bad"
• Caroling is absolutely not allowed until December
• Christmas list making is not permitted until December
• Santa sightings at stores should not be until the month of December
• The time frame for parents to tell kids if they aren't good then Santa will bring them coal is December 1st-December 23rd
• October is the month for carving pumpkins, November is the month for killing turkeys, and December is the month for cutting down trees

I found the lyrics to the Way-Too-Early Christmas Song:
It’s not December
It’s barely even November
Outside it’s still too warm for snow to fall
Halloween was yesterday
And winter’s still a ways away
But try to tell that to the folks down at the mall
Inside’s a winter wonderland
I’m sorry, I don’t understand
‘cause mistletoe on Veteran’s Day seems wrong
But the shops are filled with Christmas cheer
And on the speakers, all you hear
Is the way-too-early Christmas song
Leaves just started changing
But the stores are rearranging
Their décor to wintry Christmas themes
See the red and green displays:
“Just 58 more shopping days”
And cardboard elves are planting plastic trees
Jesus in his manger cradle
Plus a little token dreidel
In a big display next to the Cinnabon
With three wise men and gifts they bring
Just plug them in, and they all sing
The way-too-early Christmas song
I know you need to satisfy your investors
But couldn’t you wait at least until the Savior’s third trimester?
Finally, just outside the Master-Cuts
Was Santa, and that fat bastard’s
“Ho ho ho”-ing drove me up the wall
Something snapped, I lost control
And kicked him square in his North Pole
And as he dropped, I decked him in his halls
So, my friends, I wish you well
From the mall security holding cell
I hope that they don’t keep me here too long
May you and yours find peace and love
Unless you are the writer of
The way-too-early Christmas song

Halloween Humor & Politics

Seattle Arboretum: Autumn

Leaves changing from green to vibrant colors is the best part of Autumn. Nothing feels more comforting than taking a walk and being surrounded by changing trees and falling leaves while wearing a jacket and a scarf. As children, most of us despised having to partake in the chore of raking leaves; but nothing was more joyful than jumping in piles of raked leaves. I still at 26 years old kick small piles of leaves on sidewalks and am filled with pleasure when the leaves flutter back to the ground. Something so innocent takes me back to cherished childhood memories.

Therefore, I was definitely looking forward to exploring the Arboretum for the first time during Autumn. The Arboretum is located less than a block from my work so I parked there and walked with my friend and we began doing the trails. There were some trees that were already completely turned, and then there were trees in transition (half turn half green). Trees in transition are by far my favorite; you see the past, present and future all in one tree.

With the changing of the leaves plenty of people were out taking pictures with their kids and families. One of the most interesting spots to see at the Arboretum is the "Musical Trees." It's just a small area but with the way water was flowing it was so serene to hear; it sounded just like someone playing a harp in my opinion.

One could easily spend half a day walking throughout the Arboretum but I truly couldn't imagine a more breathtaking time to visit than during Autumn. For those that live in areas that deprive you of experiencing the most amazing season of the year in my opinion; you have my deepest sympathies. Fall is the one season that I cannot live without in my year!

Stairway off the main trail

Graham Visitor Center

Pond off Azealia Pathway

In front of a fully changed tree :)

So many interesting vibrant colors

The beauty of Nature

Canadian T-shirt: Hockey > Women

Hockey and Canada go together like two peas in a pod. While I was walking downtown Victoria, I saw this t-shirt and definitely found it amusing...hopefully you will find it amusing as well! Due to the reflection in the window I went ahead and type it out as well to make it easier to read, enjoy.

1. In hockey, everyone likes it rough.
2. You only get 5 minutes for fighting.
3. Puck is not a dirty word.
4. You don't have to play in the neutral zone.
5. It's possible to score a few times a night.
6. When you pull the goalie nobody gets pregnant.
7. Missing teeth doesn't stop you from scoring.
8. You can always get new wood if your stick breaks.
9. The Zamboni gets to clean up the mess.
10. Periods only last 20 minutes.

And here's another amusing thing I came across while walking downtown, I think the same could be said about coffee:

Apron says: Wine improves with age. I improve with wine.

2nd Trip to Canada: Victoria, British Columbia

My first trip to Canada was a road-trip to Winnipeg, Manitoba and it did not end well. My last few moments in Canada involved being interrogated by Canadian customs, my car searched, and all of my other belongs....yes fond memories. Therefore, I was slightly hesitant to embark on another Canadian adventure; however, Seattle has so many tempting options to make the endeavor back to Canada. My dad was visiting and we thought why not try our luck and do double the dose of Hosseins for the Canadians.

Thankfully our round-trip was drama-free. My dad and I took the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria; I love how the pier is less than a 10 minute walk from my apartment.  It was lovely and convenient that the Clipper drops off passengers in downtown Victoria so there is no need for a car.

First stop in Victoria was stopping at The Empress hotel to catch our bus, the Cruise Victoria Sightseeing (CVS) which I booked on the Clipper. My advice, don't book it on the Clipper wait til you get to Victoria and then chose a different bus line. The CVS bus line clientele was filled with an older population that look like they are on their way to a bingo championship game; however, the bus drivers were hilarious. The CVS bus line has five main stops that one can get off and on at: China Town, Craigdarroch Castle, Oak Bay Village, Cook Street Village, and Beacon Hill Park. The whole tour took about 90 minutes. The bus tour involves a lot of historic real estate. Since my dad and I did not spend the night in Victoria we did not get to visit the Butchart Gardens because that tourist attraction alone is an all day event. Going to the gardens is something I definitely look forward towards visiting in my next voyage.

The Empress Hotel

The BC Parliament 

My dad and me at The Empress

On the bus beginning our tour of Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

My First Castle: Craigdarroch Castle

I remember exactly the day that I wanted to live in a castle; it was when I watched Disney's Sleeping Beauty on VHS...ahhhh simpler times before the world of DVDs and Blu-ray. I remember one year I dressed up as Jasmine from Disney's Aladdin and imagine living in a palace. What little girl wasn't enamored with being a princess? Well, fast forward 20 years and I finally got to visit a castle, Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Although this castle doesn't look like it would be fit for a Disney Princess it was still intriguing and well worth taking the stop on seeing this legendary landmark on the sightseeing bus tour.  It reminds me of the architecture of Hogwart's Castle from Harry Potter, but sadly the Castle was sans a Headless Nick. Admissions to the castle is $13.75 for adults and $8.75 for students. You will also receive a map and a short history brochure. Some of the rooms to the castle are closed, and you have to be able to climb four flights of stairs to tour the castle. I recommend allowing at least an hour to go through the castle. My dad and I just had 40 minutes until the next bus arrived, and we felt a little rushed.

Here's a little advertisement announcement from the pamphlet we received on the ferry ride from Seattle to Victoria:

Coal baron Robert Dunsmuir was the wealthiest man in British Columbia. He died in 1889, just months before Craigdarroch Castle was completed. He left his entire estate (28 acres) to his wife Joan, who lived in the Castle until her death in 1908. Their immense fortune is reflected in four floors of exquisite stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and ornate Victorian era furnishings. The Castle speaks of the lifestyles of the very rich at the end of the 19th century. Experience breathtaking views of Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains from high in the Castle's Tower.

As my dad and I were exiting the castle grounds, a little girl of maybe 4 or 5 years old asked, "Did you get to see the Princess inside the castle?" Now as many of you know that I am not too fond of children that I am not related to but it was the look on the girls face..wishfulness and hope; she reminded me of myself from two decades ago and so I answered her. I tried to quickly think of an answer that wouldn't disappoint the little girl but yet I wouldn't be lying either. I told her that no I didn't see a princess inside but you will to see lots of princess dresses. The little girl got super excited....and that was my good deed of the day :)

The front of the castle

My dad and I in front of the castle

Me in front of the sign that is located on the side of the castle

Stained glass window

Stained glass windows

The spiral staircase that goes up four floors

Classiest bathroom sign

Table is all set for dessert in the billiards room

View from one of the towers

Discovery Park

There are days definitely when I consider Seattle to be "the city of parks". There are just so many of them that I feel like I have only visited a handful of them. However, I get to cross another one off my bucket list, I got to visit Discovery Park with my dad.

Discovery Park is over 500 acres, making it the largest park in Seattle. It's about a 15 minute drive from downtown Seattle, and it's nestled in the neighborhood, Magnolia. Discovery Park offers spectacular views since it's situated on Magnolia Bluff, which allows you to have breathtaking views of tidal beaches and a lighthouse.

There are many trails leading to the lighthouse and unforuntaely since the signage is a little scarce (especially on the Loop Trail), it makes it a little difficult to be confident you are still on the same trail. But half of the fun of a new park is the exploring aspect; I was definitely on several different trails. If you end up taking the Hidden Valley trail from the lighthouse to the visitor center, you are going to end up climbing about 100 stairs. At the visitor center they sell maps for $1; however, there are free (somewhat blurry) maps available on the kiosk at the park's entrance. If you have a teeny tiny bladder, no worries; there are several bathrooms throughout the park. Parking was a little difficult, but my parking lot stalking skills are superb, so I was able to get a parking spot in less than 5 minutes on a Saturday afternoon.

The beach was really pretty and especially on the North Beach Trail, which has an array of rocks and seashells. It was definitely peaceful in the park with several great views of the mountains (Cascades and Olympics) and the sparkling water of the Puget Sound. The day we went, it was definitely a little hazy but the views were not disappointing.

An expected surprise was that along Discovery Park Avenue (the main road to the park), the intersecting streets are named after states. I started noticing this when I saw a Nebraska street sign. Also along this road there were little entrepreneurs selling Gatorade by the glass; I guess lemonade stands are so 2011.

Meadow and the Puget Sound

At the top of the bluff, the lighthouse is sort of located on the peninsula; the trail that is visible is South Beach Trail

My dad and me at the lighthouse (from the South Beach Trail)

My dad at the lighthouse (from the North Beach Trail)

Trying to locate rocks and seashells

The precious seashells for the grandchildren

A little touch of the Midwest in Discovery Park