Blogs from Kirkland, Washington, United States, North America

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North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland June 26th 2015

We all know why it's important to take vacation-why: it reduces stress gives us time to recharge helps us renew our bond with family keeps burnout at bay, and so on; However, that is usually not enough to get us to actually take it. Reasons are many and varied- because: we're afraid to be away from work and our electronic connections we don't want to return to a desk-load of work, no one else can do my job, I don't want to appear replaceable, I don't have either money or time, what about the children, etc. These are genuine, valid reasons but what if after hearing a phrase that sings to us, we would realize how important it is to take time off and manifest what it took to get ? I need a break And ... read more
Happy in Bangkok
Group exercise
First Class All The Way

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland May 26th 2015

The countdown clock is ticking, with only 3 days left before departure to Fairbanks. Needless to say, the last week has been pretty hectic. The spreadsheets have been ruling our lives more than ever before! Last weekend was time for the final packing of the paniers on the bike, plus the one duffel bag that will be strapped to the rear luggage rack. The things spread out on the garage floor are the entire list of equipment for 3 months and 17,000 miles. It may not look like much, but our weight and storage constraints have acted as a great forcing function, pushing Zoe and me to ruthlessly prioritize only the items that are truly needed. Once everything is laid out on the floor, it’s funny to see how few things one actually needs to be ... read more
the packing


Down to the final preparations! We have got less than a month before departure, and about two weeks before we ship the motorcycle to Fairbanks, Alaska. Finally, after several years of mental and physical preparation for this trip, the final count down has started, and it is with a certain sense of excitement that we are counting down to our final departure. Christer has, in total, put in close to 1,500 hours of preparations into this trip, and he is definitely looking forward to get on the road and start driving. Zoe is still buried with tons of school work, and has probably not yet fully realized what is coming... The preparations have included a countless number of things to do; so many that it is impossible to keep track of them several years later after ... read more
snoopy MC

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland June 21st 2014

Maddening-that is the direction NOT traveling pushes me; I'm not talking lose your mind maddening, but what's happened to my life priorities maddening. Not having the perspective of other cultures or being someplace different where life slows down guarantees, most assuredly, that your life goes by without any fresh perspective--isn't that what Anton Ego (voice of Peter O'Toole) says in 'Ratatouille': "you know what I'm craving? A little perspective." When traveling abroad you can't help but to see many things anew, and new, and begin to have a rediscovered interest in life. It's not the same as being at home where there is very little of a noticeable change when one can't help but know what's right around the corner: a Starbucks, a McDonalds a dry cleaning business. Don't get me wrong-I love where I live ... read more
Abigail
daBlob
Gridlock Yangon

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland December 16th 2011

Bee and I are spending the long weekend with family East of the mountains (Leavenworth, Washington). It's an annual event where we rent a cabin in the mountains and talk, eat, drink, sit in the hot tub, and generally catch up. We also happen to be getting married here as well. I am the last of my siblings to tie the knot and my Dad agreed to become ordained and marry us;how lucky can I be?... read more

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland June 8th 2011

K- Have just spent a lovely couple of days with our good friends M&P & their dog O in Seattle. We have had some great times over the last 4 years with these guys and hope they will catch up with us on our trip. If not - well, they are also kindly looking after our car for the year so we will definitely be catching up with them afterward! British Airways just manged to rip us off for $100 for canceling a flight - no fee for the cancellation but $100 if we want our 50,000 air miles back.........?! As we had telephoned and asked about cancellation before we made alternative plans and were told that we would get a full refund and our miles back we were less than impressed. That's 10 days travel ... read more

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland June 5th 2011

The weather for the last couple days in the Seattle area has been outstanding. Sunny, warm, clear, and clean. Pollen levels are low because the rains have kept it down, the streets have the 'just scrubbed' appearance, trees have leafed out, people are soaking up the vitamin D, and all is well. My girlfriend and I spent the entire weekend working outdoors: she dug up the garden, and I cut and installed mouldings. Work that needed to be done, but we were, admittedly, waiting for 'good weather.' The rain is most appreciated when in the sunlight all the plants and trees light up in an unnatural charteuse-almost electric green. They say that owing to global warming our area will see more rain...and less sun? That seems to be the case. Last year we did not have ... read more
Looking in
Work on one section at a time
A mound of insulation

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland April 23rd 2011

I can't believe we are in the farthest northwest state in the continental USA! Here, in a suburb of Seattle, we spent a 4-day Easter weekend with a family of friends who had lived in Beijing for several years. The kids had a blast being with other kids and renewing friendships. Our younger kids taught them how to play “Pablo” while our oldest had lots of laughs with their oldest who shares a mutual sense of witty humor. We also enjoyed reconnecting and being with people who know the struggles and joys of life abroad and being “Third Culture.” We loved sharing in their interests as they took us out for 2 days of field trips to the Boeing Museum of Flight, and the Seattle Science Museum. We also watched some of their kids' creative home-videos ... read more
More Seattle
Beavers during the night walk
Awesome Museum

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland June 15th 2010

I don't have 'annual leave' until November when I have four weeks. It will come soon enough, I know. My SO and I will be traveling to SE Asia (I'm hoping to persuade her to retire there on a part time basis when that time comes). - The reason I am making this entry is that I am generally always thinking about traveling, ie., where to go, what sights I would like to see, how to speak greetings and other in the 'native' tongue. I look up at the passing jets, and imagine a warmer clime. I work to live - and to travel - I'm grateful for how nice many people with simple existences can be, when confronted with visitors. It isn't the big city experiences that change me, but the small village fisherman who ... read more
Tatra

North America » United States » Washington » Kirkland October 24th 2009

I am no longer counting down the days before I leave on my trip. It is no longer six, or five, or one month-it is three days! My last day of work was yesterday and I couldn't wait to get out of there (no offense to my co-workers). I requested this time off nearly a full year ago and I tried to pick a time that would make the smallest impact on staffing (and be the least intrusive) and-be located somewhere where the weather was agreeable-our winter would be their summer. I have already gathered any necessary VISAs, gathered some of the generic supplies I carry such as toiletries, first aid supplies, - if possible I have reserved my first nights stay. I have attempted to pre-pay some bills, I have done a little cleaning that ... read more
All handmade
Fall moon at home
The cat




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