I am so glad to be on the ferry right now, indulging in a hefeweizen. I felt like I couldn't breathe all day today, and now I can. When I'm home relaxing, playing tennis, or on the ferry, I can breathe fine. But the minute I get on the bus in Seattle, then get to work, I feel my chest tighten, my airways constrict, and I can't get a good breath in. Today I spent the entire day feeling wheezy and light-headed. I think I might have asthma, but I don't know what triggers it. Sometimes I think it might be stress, or the chemicals and dust at work, or the odors on the bus. I know its not induced by exercise, because I can play tennis for 45 minutes without feeling short of breath.
I sometimes think work is what makes it hard for me to breathe. From the minute I get there, I'm expected to write all new content for the noon hour, cut up the 11am television, conduct interviews for Lifebeat and produce it, and produce some sort of package for the afternoon or morning. I do most of this sitting straight up in my chair, forgetting to breathe, or I overbreathe, which is caused when someone tries to hard to take deep breaths, gets too much oxygen in their system, then feels woozy.
I just need to chill out, take breaks, walk around, and enjoy the sunshine.
I'm so glad I finally feel relaxed, headed to my wooded sanctuary on Bainbridge Island. I wish I could stay there all day long.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
The beautiful wedding
I will post the pictures I have for now, and I am waiting on my friend Deborah to supply some pictures of the wedding party, for it was truly a magnificent sight. The bridesmaids were wearing traditional Filipino outfits called barongs, and the men were wearing traditional Muslim/Indian outifts. The wedding was at the Crown Ballroom and Garden Court in Portland. Annabelle's sister, Nikaya, made the wedding dress BY HAND and is a fashion designer.
Below is a picture of me in my traditional barong. It was custom made with all kinds of sequins and embroidary. I matched lots of Annabelle's relatives at the wedding, minus the blond hair.
It was SO DARK in the venue that it was hard to take pictures during the ceremony. It was an Islamic ceremony, and very beautiful. It spoke of honoring your spouse, being honest, the joining of families. I was very touched by the Iman's words. Below is a picture of Annabelle and Seemab in their first dance.
All in all, it was an amazing wedding and I'm so honored to have been part of it. Right now, the newlyweds are honeymooning in the Virgin Islands. I love you guys!
Below is a picture of me in my traditional barong. It was custom made with all kinds of sequins and embroidary. I matched lots of Annabelle's relatives at the wedding, minus the blond hair.
It was SO DARK in the venue that it was hard to take pictures during the ceremony. It was an Islamic ceremony, and very beautiful. It spoke of honoring your spouse, being honest, the joining of families. I was very touched by the Iman's words. Below is a picture of Annabelle and Seemab in their first dance.
Below is a picture of my family, David, Me, my sister, and my Mom.
The bride and the groom came out, and we all had sparklers lit outside the venue.
All in all, it was an amazing wedding and I'm so honored to have been part of it. Right now, the newlyweds are honeymooning in the Virgin Islands. I love you guys!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Here Comes the Bride
Oh my gosh my friend is getting married TODAY. I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it, and I don't even know how she is feeling. She is staying out in Battle Ground with her family and we will meet her at the venue at 230 to change into our dresses and take photos. Until then, I will share some photos of our fabulous time so far.
Below is a picture of Annabelle's entire family carrying out the big screen TV in order to do karaoke in the patio. This was HILARIOUS. They had the reverb on so high, and you probably know why. heeh.
Thursday night, was a "bachelorette" party, an extremely tame bachelorette party since the bride doesn't drink. We started out at Hubers with my favorite drink, a Spanish coffee lit on fire.
Friday night was the BBQ at Annabelle's parents house in Battle Ground. I'm serious, these Filipino people KNOW how to eat. It was BBQ'd chicken, fish, lamb, beef...then accompanied by spring rolls and skewers. There were WHOLE FISH and even crawfish.
Below is a picture of Annabelle's entire family carrying out the big screen TV in order to do karaoke in the patio. This was HILARIOUS. They had the reverb on so high, and you probably know why. heeh.
More Photos to come of the Big Day,....I better go get ready!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Where am I?
Sometimes my coworkers like to make fun of me because I live on an island, and have to commute on a boat every day.
"Kristin, what time are you taking the ferry to Japan tonight?"
"Hows life in French Polynesia?"
or my favorite...
"I'm Kristin Hanes, reporting live from the middle of the Pacific Ocean."
Right now, I am on the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, but I could be on my way to an island off the coast of Japan. The entire starboard side of the ferry is filled with Asians. I haven't heard a word of English this entire trip. They are carrying cameras, smiling, talking rapid-fire in a tongue I have no dream of understanding. Sometimes they churn out choppy English, "Take a Pick-chuh."
One man barked something loudly in my hear and made me jump, another woman looked at me and went, "Oooooohhhhhhh". They are taking pictures of the coast of Southworth like it's an exotic island in the Carribean. I keep seeing flashes out of the corner of my eye, and think its lighting, like I saw in the storm last night.
I could be in Asia, or I could be in a meth rehab clinic. Among the chattering Asians roam men with mullets. One creepy man with hollow eyes sat in the bench seats in front of me and stared at me, his crooked teeth leering into a grin. Then he pulled a hood over his head a la grim reaper, and laid flat down on the bench. Others walk by in beat-up tank tops and jeans.
I usually take the Bainbridge ferry, which is TAME compared to this. It's all business types in suits and designer shoes drinking lattes and microbrews, rushing downstairs to shut off the car alarms on their Mercedes and Audis.
On the Bremerton boat, I could be anywhere. I'm actually finding it to be quite entertaining.
"Kristin, what time are you taking the ferry to Japan tonight?"
"Hows life in French Polynesia?"
or my favorite...
"I'm Kristin Hanes, reporting live from the middle of the Pacific Ocean."
Right now, I am on the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, but I could be on my way to an island off the coast of Japan. The entire starboard side of the ferry is filled with Asians. I haven't heard a word of English this entire trip. They are carrying cameras, smiling, talking rapid-fire in a tongue I have no dream of understanding. Sometimes they churn out choppy English, "Take a Pick-chuh."
One man barked something loudly in my hear and made me jump, another woman looked at me and went, "Oooooohhhhhhh". They are taking pictures of the coast of Southworth like it's an exotic island in the Carribean. I keep seeing flashes out of the corner of my eye, and think its lighting, like I saw in the storm last night.
I could be in Asia, or I could be in a meth rehab clinic. Among the chattering Asians roam men with mullets. One creepy man with hollow eyes sat in the bench seats in front of me and stared at me, his crooked teeth leering into a grin. Then he pulled a hood over his head a la grim reaper, and laid flat down on the bench. Others walk by in beat-up tank tops and jeans.
I usually take the Bainbridge ferry, which is TAME compared to this. It's all business types in suits and designer shoes drinking lattes and microbrews, rushing downstairs to shut off the car alarms on their Mercedes and Audis.
On the Bremerton boat, I could be anywhere. I'm actually finding it to be quite entertaining.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
There's a Starbucks on Every Corner
I always thought the phrase, "There's a Starbucks on every corner," was an exaggeration until my bus ride to the ferry today.
"Look Mom, another one!" A boy with pasty legs squealed and pointed emphathetically at the Starbucks on the corner.
"There really is a Starbucks on every corner, just like the tour guide said, " said the boys mother, "how many are we at now?"
"I think at last count we'd hit 100."
"But we missed a few blocks, so we must be at 700 now."
I couldn't believe my ears. Tourists in our grand city are actually counting Starbucks as they roam the streets. I always thought the sheer numer of coffee shops in this city was normal, but then I remembered that people don't live like this in other parts of the country. They aren't seen every day with an Americano, or a Vanilla Latte as they talk about the latest trends in technology or the airline business. People in other parts of the country drink Folgers and Instant coffee, maybe even try out the new lattes at McDonalds.
I noticed this when I visited Austin, Texas. Sure, there were a few coffee shops, but Starbucks stores were actually a mile apart rather than a block apart. I noticed in that part of the country, life is slower. People wander around, smiling and laughing. They seem relaxed when they talk, not frantically trying to run the next errand, or the next red light.
Sometimes I think the coffee culture will be our demise. Why do we constantly have to be super caffeinated? Why are we so tired and worn out that we need to buy a $4 cup of coffee? Let's just all take a deep breath, chill, speak slowly, and grab a cup of raspberry green tea.
I know, its easier said than done.
"Look Mom, another one!" A boy with pasty legs squealed and pointed emphathetically at the Starbucks on the corner.
"There really is a Starbucks on every corner, just like the tour guide said, " said the boys mother, "how many are we at now?"
"I think at last count we'd hit 100."
"But we missed a few blocks, so we must be at 700 now."
I couldn't believe my ears. Tourists in our grand city are actually counting Starbucks as they roam the streets. I always thought the sheer numer of coffee shops in this city was normal, but then I remembered that people don't live like this in other parts of the country. They aren't seen every day with an Americano, or a Vanilla Latte as they talk about the latest trends in technology or the airline business. People in other parts of the country drink Folgers and Instant coffee, maybe even try out the new lattes at McDonalds.
I noticed this when I visited Austin, Texas. Sure, there were a few coffee shops, but Starbucks stores were actually a mile apart rather than a block apart. I noticed in that part of the country, life is slower. People wander around, smiling and laughing. They seem relaxed when they talk, not frantically trying to run the next errand, or the next red light.
Sometimes I think the coffee culture will be our demise. Why do we constantly have to be super caffeinated? Why are we so tired and worn out that we need to buy a $4 cup of coffee? Let's just all take a deep breath, chill, speak slowly, and grab a cup of raspberry green tea.
I know, its easier said than done.
Wedding this weekend
Tomorrow I leave for Portland, Oregon for my good friend Annabelle's wedding. She is marrying her fiance, Seemab, after five years of dating. They met in Portland and moved to California a few years ago. I'm so happy they decided to come back to the Rose City to celebrate their big day.
I am a bridesmaid, along with one of my good friends from college, Deborah. We are wearing traditional Filipino dresses in dark blue, and Seemab's groomsmen are wearing traditional Indian clothing. It will be a multi-ethnic wedding, and I'm excited! We have all sorts of fun activities planned, including the Portland Blues Festival, drinks at our favorite bar, Hubers - built in 1890, a BBQ at Annabelle's house, and of course, the wedding. Most of my best friends will be there, plus my Mom and my sister. I'll be sure to post pictures! I'm so excited!
The wedding will be held in Portland's beautiful Crown Ballroom and Garden Court on Saturday at 5pm.
I am a bridesmaid, along with one of my good friends from college, Deborah. We are wearing traditional Filipino dresses in dark blue, and Seemab's groomsmen are wearing traditional Indian clothing. It will be a multi-ethnic wedding, and I'm excited! We have all sorts of fun activities planned, including the Portland Blues Festival, drinks at our favorite bar, Hubers - built in 1890, a BBQ at Annabelle's house, and of course, the wedding. Most of my best friends will be there, plus my Mom and my sister. I'll be sure to post pictures! I'm so excited!Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sardines
We are packed like sardines into the 7:05 ferry, hundreds of us heading into Seattle with our steaming cups of coffee and laptop computers, drones in an economic beehive. Everyone has a tiny space on board this huge ferry, and will take up yet another tiny space in some faceless building. Some people scribble in books, others read email or the newspaper, everyone dressed to impress. It seems so boring, this corporate life, where we spend most of the hours of our days commuting and working. And for what? To put food on the table, to enjoy comfortable lives, to enjoy status in the community.
Sometimes I wish people could just all work together to sustain life in a group-like setting. Everyone has their role, everyone is friends, and there is a beautiful sense of community.
There are people sitting across from me, next to me, and kitty corner from me. I don't know any of their names or what makes them happy. We all sit in in our own worlds, ready to push the corporate machine, each of us a tiny gear that moves our economy forward.
Sometimes I wish people could just all work together to sustain life in a group-like setting. Everyone has their role, everyone is friends, and there is a beautiful sense of community.
There are people sitting across from me, next to me, and kitty corner from me. I don't know any of their names or what makes them happy. We all sit in in our own worlds, ready to push the corporate machine, each of us a tiny gear that moves our economy forward.
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