Grandpa's gone

I have to come clean about how sucky things have been lately. Usually I try to look at the bright side of most things because in all truth, who wants to dwell in negativity? Not me, but lately things have been bumming me out...
While I was in Seattle, my grandfather took a turn for the worse and that means he stopped getting out of bed and stopped
eating. So while there trying to enjoy my time with friends, I felt like I was pretending just a bit because my mind was racing with hope that I would make it to Colorado for one last visit. I booked a ticket to Colorado and changed my ticket back to California. CD luckily found a cheap ticket to Denver for that very same Saturday. Plus Kendall and I were going to travel together. Grandpa didn't make it to that Saturday, he passed away on Friday morning. I went to work and refused to talk about it because I felt like any opening would just make me crack. I buried all those sad feelings until I could hug my grandma and CD could stand by me and hold my hand. My grandfather lived to 91 years of age and he was a great man. I am really sad that he is gone from us, but hope that his serenity and quiet wisdom will influence my own life for as long as I live.
On a positive note, I got to see a lot family I hadn't seen in ages.

Connie, Kendall and I


Kendall and Aunt Suzy


The cousins


the next generation


Jim, Carissa and Amy


Uncle Art and Sandy

Work that seemed like fun

A lot has been going on in the last few weeks, but I've been too busy to blog about any of it until today. Early February sent me to Seattle to help my group prepare for the upcoming research cruise into the North Atlantic/Artic. I made sure my instrument was working and that things were getting packed, but everyone else had twice or three
times as much work. In some ways I would have liked to stay longer to help more, but am definitely glad to be back home to spend some time with CD.
Here we are at work: the new intern Caitlin(?), Kristen, Lindsey (my soon to-be roomie) and me


While in Seattle I was fortunate enough to see a lot of my good friends. I was very excited to see Adam and Celia who recently returned from a two-year stint in Madagascar. Celia surprised me with a bottle of wine that we made together more than 3 years ago!


I decided to couch surf while in town which afforded me the opportunity to see friends further. I arrived at Jason's and we spent many a late night catching up- he also cooked a delicious tagine that I enjoyed tremendously! And we made so much of it that i enjoyed it for several days. JR, I want that recipe!



Next stop: Charlie's kingdom. I stayed with my friends Shelly and Chris and their 18-month old son, Charles (and Ruby, the beagle). I always enjoy spending time with them since Shelly is one of my closest and dearest friends. I also feel like I'm missing out on Charlie's childhood now that I've moved away (I feel the same about my nephew and nieces). The boy is growing like a weed and enjoying all his "cars" (he pretty much calls anything with wheels "cars").
Here he is enjoying yogurt:


On Saturday night, their neighbor babysat Charlie so that we could hit the town. Much fun was had at the Viking in Ballard. It was awesome to see sooooo many good friends gathered together, including Robyn who made it up from Portland for the weekend.
Robyn, Betsy and Sarah:

Adam and Shelly(sorry about the blurriness):


I also got to spend a couple of days at my brother's house where we shared many stories and watched an old video of my grandfather describing his youth, growing up in Kansas and hopping the train when he moved to Colorado. And so much more! I can only hope for that much experience and wisdom. I really felt like Kendall and I were bonding, although we've always been pretty close. No photo of Kendall, he is elusive...

Dear friends Sarah and Stefan took me in for the last few days. We enjoyed watching "Lost" and I was very excited to be in town for Stefan's birthday. A large gathering occurred at the Tin Hat in Greenwood/Ballard. So many good friends came out and I got to see people I hadn't seen the week before.
Sayeeda, Chris, Stefan (the birthday man) and Jason: