Still Here

Yesterday morning the president of my college walked by my cube, smiled, and said, "Oh great! You're still here!"

Now - I wouldn't be so concerned if he had been the first (or the last) person to say this over the past week. If I had to guess, the current count is somewhere around half a dozen. I try not to think too hard about it.

This might be because it's been a rough week. Most likely it's because my area has been at half-staff (or less) for quite some time and it seems like my arrival has been eagerly anticipated. I think it was abundantly clear there was plenty of work waiting for me when I met people in my first days and they would say, "They're SO glad you're here!"


To be honest, I'm not worried because I feel like we're the right people in the right place at the right time. And I think I am in the position to make a positive impact on my institution, on myself, and most importantly on our students. So, despite what moments of stress may lead you to believe, I'm totally stoked!

Oh - and have I mentioned that it's really pretty here?! Because it is.

On Campus

Here's to walking over I-5 on my commute
instead of driving on it!

Ballard Locks: reopened!

On the Up-and-Up: 13x13x13 - 10

It's official: I have survived my tenth half marathon of the year!

With the hustle and bustle of moving from Houston to Seattle and starting a new job, saying I haven't had much time for running is an understatement. The truth is, I squeezed in one 3-mile run since my last half about five weeks ago. And that was last week.

You might not be able to sense the anxiety that I was feeling in this photo, just before the race began, but let me tell you - I was scared.

Much to my surprise, I did pretty well! This race was my third fastest time, just three seconds behind my PR, which was my first half ever.


Final Time: 2:37:21

The weather was perfect, and I think the cooler temperatures really helped me not lose too much momentum (read: crash and burn). I still haven't hit my goal of 2:30:00 and I'm determined to do it by the time all 13 are said and done. The good news is: I think this is a really attainable goal!

Casey's proposed training plan: stop running - since it worked this time around! It would really be a time-saver...

I'd also like to take a minute to brag about my speed-demon partner in crime who set her own personal record on Sunday by finishing in 1:55:45. I told her my motivation for improving my time will be to finish before the awards ceremonies so I don't miss out when she starts to place in the top 3 for our age group!

Here are some more photos and a peek at what it looks like to run for 2+ hours (and 12+ miles at this point in the course).

At the start!

Lovely views!

We were so close to being done!
This was taken right after the video above.

We made it! Sadie a little faster than me, but we both got it done.
SO happy we can run in the same place at the same time again!!!

Seattle Bound: Settling In

Although we arrived in town a little more than a week ago, it feels like we are finally starting to settle in to the city and our new lives in the last day or two. 

We spent almost a full week at my cousin's invading their home (you guys are saints!) while we searched for our own. Here's a brief-ish rundown of the week:

Sunday: We drove around a LOT and submitted our first apartment application, which was for a condo that ended up going to a buyer instead of renters like us.

Monday: We submitted our second apartment application with higher hopes. We were also held "hostage" by a chatty woman with a beautiful apartment in her basement and decided it wasn't worth the landlord risk factor. The viewing took 2 hours and included items like how to properly close the shower curtain and full run-down of her 70-year-old husband's career. Thanks but no thanks.

Tuesday: We were accepted and approved for apartment #2. Yay!  

Wednesday: Final cleaning and carpet replacement for the apartment and driver's license, vehicle registration, and general logistics/errands day for us. 

Thursday: In the morning we re-loaded the little bit we had taken out of my car (so as to fit the two of us in one vehicle) and drove our jam-packed cars to the new apartment. Our appointment to sign the lease was at 10am, we got the keys around noon, unloaded the cars and went to a city parking office to get a neighborhood parking pass and were headed south to Portland by 2pm. 

Friday: Was my 10 year high school reunion. WHAT?! I went to the homecoming game where we got crushed (Tualatin football just isn't what it used to be, I guess) and got to see some friends that I haven't seen in ages. Saturday: We loaded furniture from my dad's basement into a U-Haul and then headed back up to Seattle to unload the truck and return it. I would just like to note that Casey is a moving pro and single-handedly got all of our large furniture to the third floor of our building.

Sunday: We slept until we woke up! There was grocery shopping, household things shopping, a two-hour nap on my part and exploring the neighborhood on Casey's. We made real dinner for the first time and started opening a substantial amount of our boxes. It is starting to feel like home.

Today was my first day of work and although you never really get into your work on the first day, I'm super excited to start! I took buses to work and walked home, we'll have to see what my regular routine becomes.

Where did we end up, you might ask...

Prettymuch in the middle of it all!

Seattle Bound: Home Stretch

Despite lack of evidence on this blog, Casey and I arrived in Seattle on Saturday. I was proud of my speedy updates for the first half of the trip, but then we got really really tired. Drive, eat, sleep, repeat.

Friday took us from the Salt Lake City area through Idaho and into Oregon.

Travel day 4: 570 miles

We got to see lots of family, stopping in Idaho to see some of Casey's family and then staying over night with his parents in Hermiston. The dogs enjoyed the break to be outside and play, although Bear isn't too fond of the cold. Kitsune, on the other hand, loves it. She stretches out of the car window into the cold rain and tucks her little ears back. Pure joy.


Friday also brought us more mountain passes in the dark - something I never desire to experience again. Overall, the views were still nice and the drivers started becoming more polite than previous states and more reasonable as far as speed is concerned.

Travel day 5: 260 miles

Our fifth and final travel day brought us into our new home state of Washington! (and over more mountain passes) We left Casey's parents in the morning and arrived to my cousin's house in the afternoon. We were greeted by western Washington's typical weather: tons of rain. Surprise! (not)


Since arriving on Saturday, we haven't given up on our new hobby of extreme driving. It seems like we're still in the car all day looking at and visiting both neighborhoods and apartments. We've had a few promising prospects, and hope to get a phone call today that we have a home! Until we have a home update, here are some pics of our last driving days:

Welcome to Washington!