Beautiful moments

"These moments, as beautiful as they are, are evil when they're gone." ~Ultraviolet

There were two moments that stick in my mind, these beautiful painful moments that remind me of what once was. I knew even in those moments that they were fleeting, and wished with my whole heart that they could last forever.

Once was on the pier looking out over the Seattle waterfront. We had just finished dinner at a local seafood restaurant, and we wanted to walk along the water. The last of the sun's rays fell behind the horizon, and I shivered a bit in the cool of the evening. In the dusk, he wrapped his arms around me, and we gazed out at the water and the colors the sun had left behind. It was magical and over far too soon.

The second time was again on the waterfront, but this time it was the Edmonds waterfront. He wanted to show me how beautiful it was watching the sunset where he lived, so we walked down to the beach. After he took a family picture for some tourists, he leaned against a large rock, pulled me against him, and we took in the breathtaking view. Somehow, despite the beauty all around, I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on what I was feeling, encased safely in his arms. I wanted to make this moment into a memory that would last for some time. I didn't know when I would ever feel this at peace, this content, this happy, or this perfect again.

Dreaming of moments to come,

~K

End of Budget Week #1

Yesterday was the end of my first week on the $30/week budget. How did I do? Not so well. I spent $34.76. I had spent only $13.76 up until Saturday night, but I figured I could spring for Taco Time for my mom, little brother, and I. Yes, it went over, but sometimes that happens.

So what happens this week? I could give up as a complete failure. I could shrug it off and just start over. Or I can do what I am already choosing to do...roll over the amount I spent over my budget to this week's expenses. Today is only Sunday, but between that and a Starbucks run (caffeine was necessary today), I'm up to $11.93 for this week. I think I'll be able to manage. I have food in the fridge as well as some $0.79 pot pies for lunches I bought on Friday.

It's good to know that I can manage well enough, even if I did go a few dollars over. In the scheme of things, it really isn't that much and I'm learning where my money goes.

Saving-challenged in Seattle,

~K

Mardi Gras in Seattle

2011 marked the return of Mardi Gras to Seattle. Back in 2001, everything got out of hand with violence, cars being turned over, and at least one death. The city put a moratorium on the celebration, which ended with this year's celebrations. My mom, being a mother and all, warned me that there may be riots.

There wasn't. In fact, the streets seemed pretty tame. Of course, Mardis Gras has the misfortune of falling on a Tuesday, so the majority of the city was in bed.

My friend Liz and I were not in bed that night. We attended the Seattle Erotic Ball, which was a masquerade. My mom had helped me in putting together my corset, which I paired with a full white skirt for more of an angelic look. I kinda stood out from the girls passing pasties off as tops and the guys walking around in thongs.

Despite this, we had a lot of fun dancing the night away and watching the burlesque acts. Our friend Kirk gave us passes into a neighboring club where we enjoyed some delicious libations. While there, we were given several sets of beads, including one that had a flashing Jager bottle.

We then returned to the Ball, where we danced some more, received more beads (for being awesome, not showing anything!), and had our pictures taken over and over. We did, in fact, end up as the second picture featured in The Stranger.

10 years after the violence, Seattle has redeemed itself.

~K

A Dating Drought

It seems like most girls begin dating in highschool. I didn't. I didn't think I was allowed to, but it was a moot point since I wasn't asked out. To be fair to all the awkward homeschool and youth group boys of my acquaintance, I was quite an ugly duckling. I had acne, braces then a retainer then braces again, I had no idea how to do my hair, and my fashion sense was a bit off.

College brought more dating opportunities, but I still didn't go out that much. Since moving back to Washington, I've gone out with a few guys here and there, but nothing of substance.

At the age of 25, I have had one boyfriend. Will there be a second? Hopefully.

So right now I'm in a drought...and a funk. Oh, guys will hit on me when I go dancing with my friends and I did have dinner with an adorable firefighter. But I am still single.

In the past, I have taken what I could get. That doesn't really work anymore. I don't want to be a doormat. What do I want? Nothing exceptional; I simply want to be adored. It is my belief that a lot of insecurities that arise in young women regarding their relationships are caused by the fact that they are not given any reason to feel secure.

I live in a land known for its lack of connection. We have what is known as The Seattle Freeze. It's just difficult to meet new people!

Any tips for my dating journey?

Single in Seattle,

~K

Summer Plans

It has still been pretty gray and rainy here in Seattle, but that doesn't keep summer away. Oh, no, Seattleites love summer! We start getting out our shorts and flip flops when it hits 60 degrees. I actually hit the beach this past weekend and got a tiny bit of sun.

Now that the overcast skies appear to be clearing, it's a good time to start planning my summer. I'm still not sure how many things I can actually manage to do, but here are some things that I plan or hope to do.

1. Go to Chelan with the roomie
2. Have a wine and chocolate tour day at Chateau Ste Michelle and Boehm's Candies
3. Kayak (back home, and maybe near the Arboretum)
4. Explore more beaches along Lake Washington
5. Take the Underworld 21+ tour through Seattle's historic red light district
6. See Rob Thomas in concert
7. Attend SeaFair
8. Go to the Mercer Island Summer Celebration
9. Watch a movie at Marymoor Park

Ok, can't think of 10 at the moment. Anyone want to contribute some ideas?

~K

Skating back to my youth

Sometimes it's easy to forget our youth and childhood; those wonderful carefree days where the worries were trivial and the styles were frightening. Back in those days, I would take roller-skating lessons with my sister Sunday afternoons, and would attend the homeschool skate session every third Friday of the month. I wasn't cool, and I was quite the ugly duckling. But when I got on the rink, I was like an eagle soaring free! ...in a circle.

Last night Koko and I went to the local skate rink for the 18 and up session. Neither of us fell, and while the music left something to be desired, it was a fabulous, carefree, and somewhat nostalgic night. It helped, of course, that the rink hadn't really changed since junior high. Same gross carpet, same giant shoe car in the corner, same mural of Seattle showing the no-longer-in-existence Kingdome, and the same smell of junior high awkwardness. Compared to everyone else, we were true amateurs. There were people skating backwards, flipping around, and doing little tricks. It was intimidating, but a little inspiring. At the end, I found out that the man who had taught me to skate all those years ago still worked there.

Koko and I decided that this will need to be a regular thing, so we plan to go once a month. We really have no excuse now, since the locker rental guy gave us each a couple of free entrance passes.

May even more memories be made!

~K