Seattle... and still more change

Growing up, I often got "perfect attendance" at the end of the school year. And the years that it wasn't perfect, it was close. I rarely missed school for being sick. I only skipped class in college once or twice. And, prior to this year, I only missed work for being sick once a year- twice at the most. But since last fall, I've been getting sick a lot. It's ridiculous! I don't like it. I was sick last week with a runny nose and the sniffles, and now this week I got sick with a sore throat/flu or something. I've been a sorry mess, and have been out of commission the past couple of days. Yuck.

My roommate Cammi told me that I'm grounded. She says I'm sick because I've been too busy. And this is probably a sound theory. I went to Seattle a couple of weeks ago for a conference for work, and I'm sure the traveling and the crazy hours (my flight home was delayed and I didn't get back until 3 in the morning) had something to do with it. And since then, there has been plenty to keep me running. BUT, sickness aside, I had a great trip to the Pacific Northwest. I loved the weather and loved the city. Here are some highlights:

On my first day, I walked down to the Waterfront and did some exploring. I ended up taking a water taxi on Elliot Bay and ended up at a place called Alki Beach. I enjoyed just walking around and taking in the skyline.

On Thursday, the sky was clear, so I had to take advantage of it and visit the Space Needle. While in line to the monorail, I started talking to some people with Iowa shirts on. It turns out they were from Oxford. One girl knew Nancy, and the other woman was the mother-in-law of one of Natalie's good friends. Small world! Here I am at the top of the Needle:

On Sunday, I had some time before my flight to make it down to Pike's Place Market. I loved it! It was so fun to wander amongst the vendors. I bought some fruit, some snap peas, some beef jerky for Matthew, and had lunch at a seafood joint with a waterfront view.

It was a great trip, but I was glad to get back home.

In other news, I'm taking a new job at work. My good work friend Elaine is having Baby Number 3 in just a few weeks and will not be coming back. I've been offered her job. It's exciting and terrifying at the same time. I'm kind of in denial, actually. Both she and my other work friend, Lindsey, will be leaving within a week of each other and the mere thought of it makes me want to cry. So I've been pretending that it's not happening. But it is. I had to give an answer this week. My new job will be as Grants Manager.

I think the couch is calling my name. I really hope I'm better by tomorrow so I can enjoy some of this 4th of July weekend. I hope you all enjoy your holiday as well!