To add to the things that are incredibly different in Seattle…grocery shopping.

It seems like the really big grocery store in Seattle is Safeway. Following that is QFC – not to be confused with KFC or QVC. There are a couple of Fred Meyer stores, and then there are the rest… So far, I’ve tried a Safeway (it’s still spendy in Seattle to shop there), a Grocery Outlet (don’t know if it was the neighborhood or the store, but WORST EXPERIENCE GROCERY SHOPPING EVER!), a QFC (not too bad, but still a wee pricy it seemed), a Fred Meyer (similar prices to the Tri-Cities), and now…a Trader Joe’s.

Oh – and a home-delivery fresh produce service.

For uniqueness at a pretty good price, Trader Joe’s totally wins out. I was surprised that the prices weren’t higher than they actually were! And it made me happy and adventurous. For example, tonight’s dinner is chicken stir-fry served over cous cous! Their fish selection (frozen) was incredible, and it was just plain fun to shop there!

I’m not sure where the others stand, really. But it IS different going grocery shopping in Seattle – at least it feels like it to me. Maybe it’s just because I’m so accustomed to the fact that in the Tri-Cities, you basically have the super WalMarts, Wincos, and Fred Meyers to shop at. Yes, you have Safeway, but when was the last time YOU in the Tri-Cities saw a Safeway parking lot actually be FULL?

I think I’ll end up at either QFC or Trader Joe’s for groceries from now on. And, when I feel an itch for home, I’ll hit the gargantuan Fred Meyer up north.

Went to grab lunch today with some others from the team…walked down Westlake to the Whole Foods Market where I picked up a little chicken tika masala, a little cucumber salad, a little lemon quinoa, and a little bulgur with cranberries. Oh – I also picked up a few pieces of a smoked sweet potato salad (which was surprisingly spicy – not my favorite). Rich called while I was eating to say he was going out to pick up something to eat (he’s still in Richland) and I told him I was just eating my lunch that I’d picked up. “What’d you pick up?” As I listed the contents to him, he commented, “That’s not fair!!” I remembered what’s nearby work in Richland and felt very sorry for him…quick pick-ups are Taco Bell and maybe something from the Safeway deli (which doesn’t include chicken tika masala!).

I love Seattle.

Well, it was another AWESOME weekend with Rich here. I’m so glad this will be our last week having to do the long distance thing. It has truly sucked all month long. It’s like the ultimate roller coaster – bummed during the week, getting teary every night having to say goodnight over the phone, then so happy during the weekend, only to end up depressed Sunday when he has to leave again. It’s hard not being there for him during the week, too, knowing that he’s got a ton to do at work. It’s also tough to remember how stressful leaving a job really is – tying up loose ends, trying to make sure you leave the best impression behind, dealing with the stress of who is going to take over what to keep customers happy because you never know who can end up having a say in your future career so you really don’t want to leave anything hanging, then suddenly waking up one morning realizing it’s just impossible to do it all…but still hoping a miracle will happen that lets you DO it all. Vicious cycle. Then, suddenly, it’s all over. It’s just crazy. But the happy news is…Rich will be here Friday night, and we won’t have to say goodbye Sunday afternoon!!! HURRAYYYYYY!!!!!

This weekend with Rich was a little longer than most because he came with his sister, Val, and her kids Thursday night. I did have to work Friday, but got home somewhere around 4pm to hang out with the family. It was great seeing Nick, Val, and their kids! I was sad I didn’t get to hang out with them at the Pacific Science Center – I would have LOVED to see the nephews going through the exhibits there. It’s a fun place. By the time I got off work, everyone was starving, so we walked down the piers for seafood and hit some of the shops. Rich kept telling me I could NOT buy Seattle souvenirs now that I was an official resident of Seattle. Dang it.

The Kunde family left Friday night, though we were expecting them to stay at our apartment overnight and leave Saturday. The boys were exhausted from walking ALL day, though. I was so sad to see our oldest nephew, Mason (7), just start crying about leaving Richie’s. Rich is a very fun uncle – he has all the games! Mason started crying when Val announced they had to go home, and just kept crying through the packing of the car and leaving! So sad! I’m sure he was going to miss Rich far more than me, though. I didn’t play with them nearly as much as Rich did. So, it stunk for me, but they’ll be up again later, and, hopefully by then, I’ll be able to take some time to hang out with them more.

Saturday was spent on the road, looking for a place to call “home” for more than a couple of months. We ended up applying for one house that’s actually very close to my work, very close to South Lake Union and downtown Seattle. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve found so far!! We actually could see our stuff fitting into the house, though it’s only a two-bedroom house. You’d think 2 bedrooms would be enough for Rich and I (it IS only the two of us, after all), but we do have a guest bed, and all the games, and the computer. But it did seem large enough to be able to fit our tall dining table (without feeling cramped), and there was built-in shelving in the downstairs bedroom that looked absolutely PERFECT for the games. And the place had been updated pretty well – brand new carpet, recently painted, new stove, BIG open kitchen – we really could see ourselves living there. OH – and off-street parking (it’s on one of the bigger roads, so that was important). So, the application is in, we have the rental tour with the rental specialists (part of the relocation package) this weekend, and we’ll see if we find anything better from that. If not, at least we have an application in for this house. I see the light at the end of the tunnel for the housing search, and it makes me VERY happy, though also VERY nervous about signing an agreement for a house that isn’t absolutely perfect (though the it’s by FAR the closest we’ve seen yet) and VERY nervous about signing for it while the house back in Pasco still hasn’t sold.

Anybody want to buy our house?

Please?

Another fun thing about the weekend — the debate over who gets to drive the XTerra once it’s here this coming weekend. I REFUSE to drive that while we live here, because going to work is all uphill. The gym is ALSO an uphill drive. So NO, not driving it. I told Rich tonight I’d rather walk to work than drive the XTerra, even if it’s raining outside.

Of course, he said that was fine with him.

Seriously, though, I’d much rather walk or take the bus than do uphill driving on the XTerra. I’m sure I’d scream all the way to work and to the gym. I’m sure the people driving around me would scream, too.

So, another fun week of work ahead – and the last week of having to be apart from my hubby!! WHEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

For those who may be unfamiliar, Dune is a science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. I’ve read all of the original books written by Frank Herbert (his son has written some, as well to continue the series, I think). I don’t know that I ever really got into the story, but I did manage to continue reading every book to the end of the series. It wasn’t an easy read for me.

I’m watching (and I use that term a little loosely today) the Dune movie with the music star Sting in it. It’s…bad. I’m sorry if you’ve watched it and liked it, but I really think it’s just poorly done. It reminds me of movies that are used for the Mystery Science Theater 3000 show.

Outside the window, in a tree next to the Real networks building, there are TONS of birds chirping. I think they’re the kind that are small and fly in what look like bird-clouds. They’re noisy!

Today was also the first day I’ve been in Seattle when it rained. My co-workers that have been in Seattle for some time told the two of us that are move-ins from elsewhere (our analyst is from Austin, TX), “Welcome to fall.” I quipped back, “And winter…and spring…from what I’ve been told.”

I finally turned off the movie. I feel like my brain can relax. Now I’m watching Knight Rider. One would think the special effects (i.e., the scenery as the guy’s driving in Kit down the road) would be a little better. I feel like tonight is “bad sci-fi night.” (Again, sorry if you watched the new Knight Rider and liked it.)

So – back to the Seattle weather and stuff. One point of frustration – and it’s not weather-related, though I’m sure I’ll be missing the sun big-time in a few days – house hunting. We’re looking for a house to rent, and part of the relocation package is a rental tour with a rental specialist. Well, not sure that three hours with a rental specialist will result in the house we want, we’ve been looking for houses on our own. I’m REALLY glad we did, because I’ve learned a few things.

First – we have to specify that we need at least one bedroom with enough room for a king size bed and a large dresser.

Second – it seems that having more than one car per family is a rarity around here. A two-car garage is rare, as is, it seems, two parking spaces in general. Maybe we’ll sell the XTerra – after all, neither of us really feel like driving a manual in Seattle.

Third – [okay, really? Michael Knight is driving over 100mph, Kit isn’t controlling the car, and he’s not looking at the road at all…and you’re going to tell me he’s on a very straight road that whole time, with nothing else on the road, when he just passed another car before deciding to have a heart-to-heart with Kit?].

Sorry — third – I have to also remember those 12 boxes of games.

Fourth – there’s that counter-top height dining table…

Fifth – we need to be sure we have updated electrical that will handle the computers, the TV, Xbox, Wii, etc. (Yes, when you’re looking at houses built in the 1920’s, they’re cute, but you have to start looking at power outlets!)

Now – last? We want something that will fit all of our stuff that in a decent neighborhood, that would be fairly close to work, that wouldn’t take my entire paycheck to afford.

But the search continues. I’m SURE something will fit our needs around here!!

Last TV commentary — I find it amusing Jerry Springer has gone from talk show host to emcee for America’s Got Talent…

I guess I haven’t said much about my new job, so people are probably wondering…am I liking it? What’s it like?

Here are some answers.

First – wow, what a difference from a Department of Energy National Laboratory! First – orientation. When I went through orientation at PNNL, I think there were 6 of us total going through orientation. In addition, it was all online. For my specific role as a temp secretary there, I had another 2 days of orientation specific to my role.

At Microsoft, there were over 240 people in orientation! And…surprisingly…the only person with a computer was the person leading the orientation. The stages of paperwork before getting to the room for the orientation were incredibly efficient – over 240 people were able to get through everything within about 90 minutes. The downside is that those of us who were there very early got to wait for more of those 90 minutes until the rest of orientation started. But orientation was amusing, fun, and informative. It took 1.5 days and was well done.

Another quick note about orientation — the diversity and median age in the room amazed me. There were people from all over the world in that room! And the median age had to be somewhere around 30! Weird, coming from a place where people seemed to be retiring in droves!

At about noon Wednesday (I started the day after Labor Day), the person leading orientation cheered us as officially new Microsoft employees, and we got our badges. Next step was finding my way to my office – going from Redmond to Seattle. The drive wasn’t bad (thanks to the wonderful GPS!!), though I got very turned around when I had to find the parking garage for the building! Took me awhile, but I found it, and up I go to the office. I got there and was heartily welcomed by the team! Talk about feeling WELCOME. I couldn’t believe how excited everyone seemed to see me! Then, the rest of the day was spent setting up my laptop, getting onto the network, and setting up the various accounts needed for work.

Next BIG difference – NO TIMECARD. You come in, do your job, go home when you’re done. Of course, with the project I’m working on, sometimes, that means leaving at about 6pm or so.

Next – the project I’m working on…it’s global! I have heard so many different accents lately, it’s amazing, not to mention wonderful! Along with the excitement of getting to work on a truly world-wide-reaching project comes the need to work late hours on occasion so that we can talk to sales people in Asia – while we’re ending our day, they’re just starting it. The first teleconference with Asia, it took me awhile to get used to that fact.

And, last (for now), the team — I LOVE this team. The first week on the job, a crisis of sorts was underway, but my manager still took two hours of her day to answer all of my questions from a morning full of meetings we’d had. And the team is small (for now – interviews are under way to fill a few positions) – there’s my manager, me, an analyst, a contingent staffer, the girl who used to do my current job, and a vendor who helps with the strategy direction. It’s a small, but close-knit team. The atmosphere there is SO team-centric, it makes crises easier to get through because you’re all in it together.

Later, I’ll write more about the project. For now – it’s been an amazing couple of weeks!

SO…I guess friends have actually been checking the blog, much to my surprise, to find out if I’m alive, well, enjoying or hating Seattle… And I honestly can’t remember the last time I posted, though I’m pretty sure it was before moving, so it’s been about a week and a half or so. I’m due!

Let’s start with injury rates. The foot that was bothering me…still bothers me a bit. I wore flats with no arch support the other day to walk to Pike Place and back with friends, and I think that was a BIG MISTAKE. My plantar’s fascitis is back in a big way! I’ve been using the night splint (not to be confused with the night guard for my night-time jaw grinding) every night, and it bums me out because I was doing well at just using it every few nights. Teaches me to try to be trendy…

I did go for a jog one evening along Alaska Way, much to my husband’s dismay and annoyance. I was ITCHING to do SOMETHING, though. I hadn’t yet figured out gyms or anything, and, for some reason, couldn’t get into the fitness center at the apartment complex I’m currently at. (Let’s just say I didn’t want to try again, either, after standing at the door, waving my little ID tag at the door, and then yanking on the door each time it would beep, with people IN the fitness center just doing whatever, and me feeling increasingly conscious of my inability to open the door…) I was definitely having workout withdrawals…ESPECIALLY cycling. I didn’t realize how hooked I was on cycling! The jog did me good, though, for some reason, I itched all over afterwards. I was convinced it was from not working out and gaining a few pounds, but my clothes all still fit decently (okay, the jeans are a LITTLE tight…but I also washed them, so I’ll chalk that up to the post-wash-need-to-be-stretched-again phenomenon). Anyhow, when I told my hubby (who is in the Tri-Cities, btw), he said, “Didn’t we talk about NO RUNNING BY YOURSELF?” “Yes.” “Don’t be stupid – you know how you get in trouble working out.” “I know.”

Sad, but true.

Not long afterwards, I found out where the gym was, set an appointment to go see it, and ran home from work (if you can call the 25 minutes to drive a few miles “running home”), packed a gym bag, and went to see the gym. The guy showing me the gym gave me my guest pass and then looked at the bag and said, “…and I guess you’re all ready to work out?” I wanted to say, “You have NO IDEA what kind of gym rat I am!”

The gym is nice – two floors of cardio and weights, one group exercise room. Locker rooms have a sauna, steam room, and hot tub! And the niceness of the locker rooms reminds me of the Columbia Basin Racquet Club. I liked it. They did have a couple of machines I’ve never seen before – one is a stairmaster, only with actual rotating stairs, so you actually DO have to climb stairs! Another is a thing that seems like you’re laying down…only no seat. You actually have weight attached on the machine while you are leaning back and almost paddling with your legs. It’s tough to describe, but it focuses on legs and seems genius to me…weights AND cardio for the lower half! I just wish it had arm movement (other than just trying to keep you up!). I chuckled when I saw them…considering Seattle is nothing but hills – and not gentle rolling ones. You suddenly find yourself on a steep incline to get to the next street up. It’s incredible. And I must admit, I get a bit of a kick (and a pang of fear) watching the cyclists working their way up those hills.

As for Microsoft itself? Wow – amazing. It’s really absolutely amazing. It’s only been a week, but I’m already immersed in my work, the team is GREAT, and it’s just crazy. The craziest thing is NO TIMECARDS. Coming from having to account for every hour of the day, it’s just incredible that you don’t clock in OR clock out – you just come, do your job, and go home when you feel like you’re done for the day. It’s interesting, because I think I feel more like being as productive as possible because I feel trusted. It’s a weird feeling.

Now – the weather…has been beautiful! Sunny skies since coming, with cloudy mornings, but that’s all the cloudiness it’s been. I’m definitely grateful, and honestly pray it continues for awhile. Granted, the highs are in the 70’s and not the 80’s or 90’s, but I can handle that well. My wardrobe fits for that – sunny and kind of warm but not too warm. When we get rainy weather, though, I’ll need to go shopping again.

So – I’m surviving, and enjoying Seattle. I’m even enjoying downtown, though the trains going by so frequently takes time to get used to. And I already found myself doing things just to avoid traffic. Last night, I got my stuff ready for the gym at dusk, not turning lights on. I thought I had grabbed a brown tank top to wear. First, my alarm was set, but not turned ON (point of frustration because I can’t figure out how to turn it OFF instead of just snoozing it, other than switching it to OFF, and I keep forgetting to switch it to ON). I woke up an hour later than I intended, but still early since I was intending to make it to the gym. I was about to sleep in and had even moved the alarm up (in my groggy state, not realizing it still wasn’t ON), then suddenly got out of bed realizing that if I waited, I’d have to drive in traffic. So I headed to the gym, did a workout, and then, as I was getting dressed, stared at my…PURPLE…tank top. It was to be worn with a teal and brown top…just so I didn’t have to deal with the traffic heading home or back, I just decided to start a new fashion trend and wear the purple under the teal and brown top. I feel like a sore thumb, but, hey, I didn’t have to spend 40 minutes on the road going to and from work (the gym is just up the road from work and takes only a few minutes to get TO work regardless of the time of day it is).

So, wearing my purple tank top under my teal and brown blouse, I suppose I am a true Seattle-ite, making odd sacrifices just not to deal with traffic.