"Doe, a deer, a female deer..."

So, um, deer. As in: there have been a busload chilling around my house lately. One even came into the backyard yesterday while my mom and I were working on various chores; it was gigantic and had velvet horn nubs (so I assume it was a buck) and thank goodness our little dog Gizmo didn't see it because he considers himself a regular deer hunter and has an unfortunate tendency to dash after them.

I know, a post about deer isn't that interesting. But in the wake of nothing interesting happening...This is what I have.

In other news I start summer courses at the U in a little over a week. I'm pretty excited, taking some good classes. I even have an English class where we read graphic novels instead of regular books which I am way excited for. 

I'll let you know more as it comes.

A "Carmitzvah" Recap

For the past ten years or so my parents have belonged to a bible study of about fifteen families or so. I think there are probably close to thirty "Fellowship" kids, and it's been a tradition for each child, when they turn sixteen, to have a night where the Fellowship and family and close friends come together and celebrate that child. We've taken to calling such nights "Carmitzvahs" because they usually coincide with the teen getting their driver's license.

We're almost a year late, but last night the Fellowship came together for James's Carmitzvah. 

Almost forty friends and extended family members gathered together to raise James up, to affirm his transition into young adulthood, and to give him sage advice. Four grandparents, two aunts, two uncles, seven cousins, four cousins' children, four young adult women with lives of their own, a couple in the midst of moving, friends from Everett and Brier and as far away as Ketchum all came together and said the sweetest things about "James", and gave him the greatest advice. Many more people than the ones I identified above came as well, and I know each and every person made a deep impression on James.

One of my favorite moments of the evening were when my Grandpa Harry gave a short but moving tribute to James and his family - "I don't know how you can fail with all of the love you have been given," he said. In my dad's letter to my brother he told James that while, in kindergarten, James went from "Jamie to James." My Uncle Bobby later said, "Let's make a deal. Throughout your life you'll introduce yourself as James to other people. But to the people in this room, you'll be Jamie." I loved that sentiment so much - it reflected the spirit of the evening so well!

Sometimes I forget how lucky I am and how many people I have supporting me. But each person who spoke about James (and there were lots) is there for me too. I am blessed to be surrounded by a community of such caring, good hearted, and supportive individuals. 

Thank you so much to everyone who came last night and to all who sent their regards! Also, double triple infinity thanks to my friend Lily, who came and helped my mom and I prepare for the evening. Lily found enjoyment in all tasks, from shredding twelve pounds of pork to placating the Kettering hounds during the tribute part of the evening to loading the dishwasher twice. As my mom said this evening, "She really busted her ass!" 

"At 20 years of age the will reigns; at 30 the wit; and at 40 the judgment..."

Oh, and one other thing! A few weeks ago I turned twenty (one year short of you-know-what.) 

I just wanted to thank my amazing family and my wonderful friends for making me feel so special. On my actual birthday I went to dinner with my good friends Veronica, Leonor, and Angie. I've known those three since the fifth grade, and I don't think I've celebrated a birthday without one (or all) of them since I turned eleven. 

The next day I went to dinner again with my parents, brother, Grandpa Harry, and Lily. (Grandma Jane was missed!) Then my grandparents Bonnie and Connie drove up the next morning to hand deliver birthday well wishings. I also received a slew of cards and Facebook comments from uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. 

I am so blessed to have so many wonderful, thoughtful people in my life. Thank you so much everyone!

Picnics and voyeuristic crows

Last Monday my friend and I decided that, what with the Seattle area's beautiful warm weather, we should spend some time outside. We stopped at QFC to grab some food and then headed a few blocks south to Bellevue's Downtown Park. 

We mostly stuck to traditional picnic foods - chicken strips, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes - but Lily convinced me to try some tuna sushi too. I'm quickly falling in love with sushi! I was surprised that QFC had such a fresh selection too. Lily spread a Columbian blanket for us to eat on, and we hung there for about an hour. (On a sort of creepy note a lone crow watched us the entire time. It started out perched on a maintenance building ten yards away and slowly edged towards us. I'm not a huge bird fan [as most people know] so I think I fixated on the voyeuristic crow a bit too much!)

I can't remember the last time I've spent time at a park or went on a picnic. When I was a kid I'm pretty sure I could name all the decent parks in the area, and although I've never been a staunch picnicker I ate home cooked meals outside a lot more. Because Lily and I also went and saw Pixar's Up (whose adorability factor almost sent me into convulsions) I felt like I was sort of revisiting old childhood pleasures. After seeing Up (which I can't discuss too much for fear that I'll begin gushing over it) Lily and I went to another park to read, play on the jungle gym, and record new greetings for our cell phones. I had such a great time just sitting outside and reading and trying to climb a tree - everyone must have moments like that, where we're reminded to step back and enjoy the simple things in life. I spend so much time these days planning for the future or rehashing the past that I rarely take the time to appreciate my surroundings. 

I think the Seattle area - and Washington State in general - is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Seattleites are surrounded by lakes, abundant greenery, rolling hills, and statuesque mountains. I guess the conclusion I came to was that this summer I need to make an effort to explore these amazing sceneries and surroundings more often. I've rediscovered the calming affect nature can have on me, especially when I'm reading (another past time that I've ignored for too long!) 

Hopefully my future postings will cover such enjoyable excursions! I want to check out Gas Works Park soon, so maybe I'll enjoy another picnic and another afternoon of welcome realizations.