Her zipcode is now 98115

Wow. What a crazy past two weeks. I'll quickly sum up the departure so I can tell you about this beautiful new place.

My last few days in Utah consisted of running last errands, saying goodbye's, and separating everything I owned into a category (taking with me, don't want to get rid of but can't take so going to mom's, DI, and furniture to sale). Then the packing of the vehicle. From the moment I found out that renting a Uhaul would cost me somewhere between $800-$1200 I was suddenly not so attached to my stuff. So, I downsized and downsized and then downsized some more, the items that were going to be packed into my car and make the journey with me. Apparently my sight sees smaller than actual size because not even half of the "small" amount of stuff I planned on taking, could fit into my new luxurious Nissan Sentra. The only items that made the cut were: some blankets (not even all of them), pillows, towels, clothes, shoes (so many shoes! But how could you ever decide which ones to leave behind), my Dison Vacuum, 4 plates, 6 bowls, pots and pans, a strainer, cooking utensils, bathroom stuff, 42' TV, my camera (with a few accessory items in the camera bag), me and the new addition to my life that I haven't shared with any of you yet (all in good time my dedicated readers). Saying the car was packed to the maximum capacity is an understatement. I filled absolutely every crevice there was. There were towels shoved under the seat, kitchen items shoved in the glove compartment, the back seat filled to the very top (no back window visibility :-Z), and the trunk bulging. Every time something new was being put in we'd have to shove it in while holding everything else then quickly shut the door. We packed the car until about midnight and then cleaned the apartment until about 1 am. I didn't think I would be so sad to leave my sweet little apartment in Ogden. It represented something more to me than a place to rest my head. It was my start over. It was my first place that was my very own. It was a stepping stone in my life that gave me the reassurance that I can do it on my own if I need to. It was home. I probably would have bawled like a baby looking at the empty place I was leaving behind, but I was much too tired and exhausted to let any tears fall. So, I took my keys off the key ring, put them on the counter, turned off all the lights and shut the door.

The plan was to leave at 5 am the next morning. As you can imagine that didn't go quite as planned. By the time we were on the road it was about 9:30. We took the route up through Idaho and up the eastern part of Oregon. I had never really driven past Twin Falls, Idaho so parts of Idaho were new sights to see. And I have never been to Oregon or Washington so they were both new as well. Oregon was beautiful. There was so much open land. It was like you could see the whole state on top of a hill. There were a lot of orchards and vineyards. It was such a different kind of scenery than I have seen before. We stopped to get gas in Oregon before we were on the home stretch to Washington. WARNING TO ALL!!! Do NOT try and pump your own gas at ANY Oregon gas station! Apparently the gas stations in Oregon don't have insurance so they hire "licensed pumpers" to pump it for you. lol It's actually a pretty big deal. They will charge you $500 just for touching the pump. Luckily, we got off just this once. It must have been the Utah plates that made him be so generous;-)

The drive into Washington was like driving through some of prettiest mountains back home. Except these mountains had much taller trees and so thick you couldn't see any further than the first layer. They line every freeway. And in between the trees, every once in a while, there will be a city. But, I have to say aside all the beautiful greens all around, it can't compete with the amazing city scape of downtown Seattle. All of the sudden we popped out of the trees and there was the night scape of the city. It's not quite as big as I imagined. Maybe that's because I've been to New York :) It's not just the city that was amazing. It was the water surrounding it and the hills of small cities on every side. I had arrived at my new home.

Here I was in this new city with only what I could fit in my car, a new job, and no place to live. Very exhilarating and terrifying. I did nothing, but apartment search for days. I did have someone with me to help share all the stress with, but like I said, all in good time. After days of no call backs, viewings, likes and dislikes, the apartment was found. It ended up being the first one we looked at. A week and one day after arriving my stuff was being moved into my new place.

Instead of places being split up into cities they are called Districts. They are generally about half the size of one of our small cities back in Utah. The District we decided on was Greenlake. It's called Greenlake, well, because it's green and there is a lake that is smack dap in the middle. Okay, so I'm not sure if that's the real reason it's called that, but that's what I think. The lake is about 40 miles around. So, back home, that wouldn't even be called a lake. lol People go swimming and take canoes out in the lake.Apparently, the paddle boat sport out here is big too. Greenlake is very active. There are always people out jogging around the lake and walking through the city. There are a few ice cream shops, restaurants, pubs and bars within walking distance, so most people don't even drive a ton. I have learned very quickly that parking is like gold. If you have a parking spot at your apartment it's considered to be luxury. And everywhere you go in the city you have to pay for parking. I not only have to pay $35 for parking at my complex a month, but every time I want to go to say, Capitol  Hill or Belltown, I will most likely end up spending 3-7 bucks an hour. Not so luxurious. That being why I chose Greenlake. I have pretty much everything I need close by so I don't have to deal with the hustle and bustle every day. And then on the weekends when I'm feeling sassy and wild I can take the ten minute drive to downtown for dinner or Pike's Place flowers or seafood.

I have gotten to do one touristy thing since I have been here. We went and ate at the Crab Pot. It's pretty pricey, but a fun atmosphere and an experience you must have at least once while out here. You pick your assortment of seafood and they bring it to you in a bowl that they dump on your table. You get butter and lemon to marinate as you wish and a bib so you can dig in without holding back. We got Dungeon Crab (a sweet grab. Very tasty), halibut, salmon, red potato's, corn on the cob and little pieces of sausage. Me, not being a very big seafood fan to begin with, was actually pleased with the meal. I guess it all tastes a little better when you're sitting right next to the water it just came out of.

A week from today I had to send my partner in crime (the new addition) back home. :( I won't lie. I did not like doing that one bit. I cried the whole way home. And I've had a few other break down moments in between then and now. But, all in good time....we will be together again.

I have done nothing really but work nonstop. I have not felt like I can get on top of my work load yet so I end up working 10-12 hour days. When you get paid salary it's a bit rough. I'm hoping I can get a better hold on things once I know my areas a bit better and a system going. The store visits are easy.  I've been one of them before, selling cell phones, so I can mesh well with the reps. The hard part is the driving. Sometimes it's not bad. Sometimes it's just a straight shot to your visit. Other times you get stuck in traffic in the nightmares of the suburbs.

So, I go to work literally all day and come home to an apartment without anyone or anything in it. But, this is just the beginning of the adventure. I have only been for a little over two weeks. Don't worry I don't plan on packing all my stuff back up tomorrow and heading back to Utah. I am giving this place a real shot. I would hate to go back to Utah with regrets. This is the opportunity I have wanted since I was in junior high. I have wanted to move to another state, live in a different culture, meet new people, eat different food....I am living that dream right now. It's just not as glorified as I pictured it in my mind. ;-) Then again, I guess no dreams are ever as good as we have built up in our heads. More Seattle adventures to be had. Stay tuned.

Ashley Remarkable - South Seattle LG Product Specialist