The dog days of summer...

I know it’s been a while, but well, life happens! I promise a good long douse of gossipy bloggy goodness is coming very soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to share a quick recap of the past few hours, since I’ve learned Seattle never ceases to amaze me. Since a couple of out of town co-workers are in our Seattle office this week, I suggested dinner so we could catch up. Of course, I immediately start silently planning for Keko’s well-being since I have to navigate how to get home to let her out, then give her some quality time after work, and then get back to have dinner without making Keko feel “ditched.” (With Adam & Emmy now in Spain, & Erik somewhere in middle America making his way here in adventurous fashion of course, this week has been a little more stressful than normal)... I’m thinking of all this as I suggest dinner a few days ago, but just move on with the solace that “I’ll work it out.”

So yesterday, we had a lunchtime pot luck for the newest addition to the office, new baby Henry, and the guy who sits next to me randomly asks why I ONLY bring Keko in on Fridays. Another co-worker overhears and requests that she come in more often. This is one of several similar conversations over the past few weeks, so I decide to kill two birds with one stone and bring her in today, which of course works well in figuring out my dinner plan…or so I thought.

Initially, things went well. We had a crisp & cool early morning walk - a nice 2 miles downhill from home on Capitol Hill to the office down on the waterfront. Keko excitedly runs to her spot by my desk, greets everyone as they arrive, takes her little morning snooze. We have a happy walk at lunch as she chases pigeons on the pier. As the late afternoon is closing in on us, I suddenly realize that even though she’s had two walks and lots of attention, I am either faced with leaving her in the office by herself and then coming back down to the waterfront to get her, which is likely going to be out of the way since there are not many restaurants down there that we are likely to eat at, or, leave her outside while we eat somewhere, as it gets dark and cold. Yes, she’s a princess as we’ve already established; cold and dark are not her favorite things.

Again, I say, “It will work out,” as my two cohorts and I head uphll for some dinner. Kelly & Rodrigo decide on a place, and as we approach I see a charming alley lined with cute restaurants on either side, all with outdoor patios. Perfecto! Not so much. The one that we had chosen did have an outdoor patio, but you had to walk through their very fancy, cloth napkin’d indoor restaurant to get to it. I knew this was a roadblock, so I started to look for a spot to have Keko hang out where I could still see her from our indoor/outdoor dinner patio. Kelly meanwhile, is not deterred. She proceeds to walk into said restaurant and inquire about my 4-legged friend. She returns within minutes announcing that, yes, of course Keko can come through the restaurant to dine with us. Excuse me, WHAT?! I really thought she was joking, as she mentioned they asked if she was “small”. My mind quickly pictures Paris Hilton and her purse Chihuahua…yea, not Keko, though I’m sure she would enjoy being carried around.  I have to admit I was a bit hesitant, and we even attempted to fashion this portable picnic blanket with straps to look like a service dog vest. (Pitiful I know!) Thankfully, Keko was too big for the straps and we saved ourselves a little embarrassment.

We end up biting the bullet, walk in with her, and even though I was  worried about unpleasant looks from other diners, we were greeted over and over with, “Aw, look, they brought their dog!”….”Oh it’s a dog!”….and before we could even settle at our table, there was a bowl of water at her feet, and a 2^nd waiter came by within moments to see if anyone had gotten her water yet. The dinner was filled with patrons wanting to pet her, and waitstaff commenting on how sweet she was. She actually did have a great time, and loved the flurry of activity around her as she laid on her picnic blanket chewing her bone, continuously wagging her tail for 2 hours straight (which Rodrigo pointed out was a smart deterrent from it getting stepped on!).  When we left, several of the staff actually thanked us for bringing her in. I have to say, when I saw someone with a puppy at Trader Joe’s, I was surprised. After tonight, I’m simply speechless. What a cool city. I think we’ll stay a while.

I love Seattle! Woof! 

Things I learned….while Roadtrippin’ Across America

53 hours in a car gave me a lot to think about. In Erik’s absence, our good buddy Justin magnanimously volunteered to come along for the ride. Both being adventurous, we decided to turn obligation into opportunity, and used the mileage to visit long lost friends along the way.  Here are some things I learned while spending six days in my poor, beaten up auto...

Go West Young Lady...
can you count how many states are represented in this photo?
(P.S. Don't miss the "Fortuna" reference)

1.)    People in Missouri are exceptionally nice. Suffice to say, the south & Midwest sent us off with a sweaty adieu.  As we rounded the highway into Missouri, my Beetle seemed to just get louder. Deciding the muffler just might need an eventual overhaul, we trudged onwards.  Just past the beautiful arch as we stopped to gas up, Justin let Keko out in the ridiculous heat, while we worked together to revamp the roof of the car since I had stupidly put the tarp over my bike causing an incredulous sail of wind resistance. I heard someone softly saying, “Here puppy” and looked over to see the gas station attendant hanging out of the window offering Keko treats. So sweet. I loved seeing that random act of kindness on such a sweltering hot, stressful first day.

Pant-y. 

2.)    No matter what kind of mood you are in, riding into St. Louis with the sun setting under Eero Saarinen’s majestic arch WILL take your breath away.

3.)    Kansas is WINDY!!  They didn’t film The Wizard of Oz here by coincidence folks!   No joke, we went from 27mpg to 20mpg all the way through Kansas just because of the wind resistance!  Similar to the last time I drove through Kansas (heading east to Nashville from Utah), I misjudged the mighty power of these fierce forces and spent the entire state wondering what was wrong with my car…hole in the gas tank? Engine problem? (& berating poor Justin for going too fast and sucking gas!)  Low and behold, we roll across the Colorado border and the gas tank remains magically full for several hours longer.

4.)    Separation is good.  No, this is not about being annoyed with Justin (I’ll get to that, don’t worry! JK!)  In my previous post I mentioned that ever-looming lump in my throat. Well on the third day of our trip, the lump had not ceased. I was still contemplating the past and the future, and then Wyoming was upon us. I don’t know why, but Wyoming has always been my one of my favorites. I took a solo 6 week road trip for thesis research one summer in grad school, and recently I found the journal that I kept along the way. This line sticks out from that ratty old notebook: “Wyoming is the most beautiful state.” As we crossed our 6th state border (Kentucky, Illinois briefly, Missouri, Kansas & Colorado were before), I realized that physically driving my  body across the miles & borders was bringing  a level of closure and perspective which provided a healthy way to say goodbye. The changing landscape started to mesmerize me so much as the west opened into wide vast expanses that I realized, everything is going to be just fine. American is INSANELY beautiful. 

Wyoming

The "Ranch Exit" 
(where Keko and I lived in Park City, Utah) 

The Great Salt Lake

That weird sculpture in the salt flats on the way to Reno that I can't quite explain

Sunset over Nevada

Mount Shasta

5.)    A sense of humor goes a long way.  So, we’re almost delirious as we are on our biggest day yet, a monstrous 18 hours of driving from Denver to Reno, and I head to the bathroom inside the gas station. Justin had driven into this stop, and since we had been driving for 10 hours already, and had 8 more to go, I took my time in the store picking out a magnet for the new ‘fridge in Seattle. I come out, and the car seems askew, so I say, “Did you get air in the tires already?” thinking he used the extra time to take task. He says, “Oh no, let’s do it now.” We get in the car, he pulls away, and as we sidle up to get air, we both hear a loud thumping noise. It was not Keko’s tail. We realize at the same moment that Justin has pulled away from the pump WITH THE GAS HOSE STILL IN MY CAR!  Horrified I scream, “Oh My GOSH!!  You deal with this! I'm not going in!!”  To his credit, I did get in on the passenger side, but thinking he had already moved the car, I didn’t even look back to check. It kept us laughing for at least two more hours. Just so you know, modern gas pumps have an emergency disconnect for this very type of Griswold moment. Luckily, this was one such pump, and everyone inside the station got a good laugh. 

6.)    Sometimes going 30 (or even 600) miles out of your way simply to reconnect with old friends & family is the best decision you could ever make, and that fifty bucks you could have saved on that extra tank of gas lasts far less time than than the memories you made in the process.  In Denver we got to visit with Justin’s old friend Damon and crash in his roommate Sky’s awesome mountain abode. It reminded me (and I think Keko) of our old cabin in Utah, and she didn’t stop smiling or wagging her tail the entire 15 hours we were there. In the Bay Area Justin & I temporarily parted ways, when he ventured to Modesto to surprise both his mom and grandma with flowers and Dynamo Donuts, while one of my oldest friends Ben picked Keko and I up near the base of the Bay Bridge in Berkeley. Keko immediately sprinted for the Bay, intentionally displacing a flock of seagulls in the process, dove in, and came up with a mouthful of water that she immediately spat out. (I guess in the 7 years since she left Hawai’i she'd forgotten about the salt!)  From there we met up with my dear friend Timmay & had a beautiful lunch in Dolores Park, some brews (& bacon for Keko) at Liberty in the Mission, and got to meet his sweet girlfriend Sarah.  My patient driver Ben then took Keko and I on her first trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to he and his wife’s amazing home in Corte Madera, where after a quick pit stop we headed to Larkspur to see my old friends Paul & Paulee Ryan for a brief happy hour. We then headed back to Ben’s where I got to finally meet his perfect match Kendra for some ridiculous Puerto Rican food, with Justin showing up after his own plethora of reunion stories later that night. After the Bay Area, we headed to Portland where we both reconnected with friends there as well.  These memories alone made the detours worth every second!!

Justin & Damon in Indian Hills, Colorado
(while Keko looks onward at the Horse Camp next door)

Erik's mom coincidentally texted me to ask me why it was orange and not "golden" while Ben
was telling me that the bridge spans the "Golden Gate Straight."
Four years in San Francisco & I never knew!
Apparently they chose the color "international orange" to blend in better with the natural setting. 

Toasting being "almost there!" with Samantha in Portland!

Keko enjoying Indian Hills. 

7.)    You can be healthy on the road!  This is a particular shout-out to Jill-1, J-Dub, Catherine & Johnny for the AMAZING road trip stash. I was worried about being on the road for so long and eating junk…and then they show up with THIS: 

This healthy array of nuts, jerky, roasted edamame, mini-cliff bars, dried fruit, gum, mints, water bottle etc... got us all the way across the country without buying almost anything
at convenience stores (except Justin's beloved sunflower seeds, and a bunch of water).
Thanks also to Auntie Leslie for the Porter Road Butcher bone for Keko! 

8.)    State borders need bigger signs, and not ones near telephone poles. I have more, but I think they're on another camera! It was nearly impossible to get them all! 

                           

  

9.)    Keko is the best road trip dog ever. Period. (Did you really think you’d get out of a blog without a Keko tribute?) Other than day 4 when we drove 3 hours from Reno to San Francisco, she was a solid trooper the entire way. That entire three hours heading down through the Sierras she sat up, staring every which way, seemingly pleading with us to get the heck out of the car!  I can’t blame her on that day though – after all she had spent 18 hours in the car the day before.  Luckily we had such a great day in the Bay Area after that. 

 

NO SERIOUSLY, ARE WE THERE YET? 

ROAD TRIP STATS

Hours spent in car: 53 

Moving truck Nashville left, Seattle right.
Thanks Stitty, JC, Adam & Emmy for the moving help!
Lifesavers!!!

Car Casualties: 2

1.)    It wasn’t the muffler- just a 

wires & spark plugs tune up needed. 

Not cheap. Status – still needed.

2.)    We narrowly avoided a semi tire 

hitting the car, but still got stuck with 

some of the tread – which ripped off 

the front grille of my precious Beetle.

Hey, it happens. I’m happy that was 

the worst of it.

This is definitely BEFORE the 53 hours.
We weren't so happy after.
JUST KIDDING!
Thanks Justin! You definitely made us
feel safer and you were a trooper! 

Miles Driven:

Day 1 Nashville, TN to Salina Kansas 728 miles

Day 2 Salina, KS to Denver, CO 420 miles

Day 3 Denver, CO to Reno NV 1068 miles

Day 4 Reno, NV to San Francisco, CA 220 miles

Day 5 Corte Madera, CA to Portland, OR 635 miles

Day 6 Portland, OR to Seattle, WA 173 miles

TOTAL: 3244 miles

You say "Stop!" I say "Go go go!" Oh no.....!

*Disclaimer: this one is sappy & sentimental. Just scroll down to the pics if you can’t handle it!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted since I had an incredibly frustrating Gmail hiccup that blocked me from the blog!! Still, I cannot jump right into Seattle without posting some of these incredible photos of my nears-and-dears. The bucket list definitely got a proper beating in those last weeks, and the memories that sent me on the road trip west will live long.  I spent my last 5 days in Nashville staying with my unmatchable friends Johnny & Catherine since my apartment had to be vacated early, and those 5 days still bring tears to my eyes as I write this a month later. They were the most gracious hosts (and really fun roommates), and being with them made me realize the deep and lasting friendships that have grown though my four years in Nashville. After a crazy final Saturday night, which culminated with a huge dog party in a friend’s backyard so Keko could also say goodbye, we awoke on Sunday morning to get me ready to get on the road. Johnny was cheerful & energetic – and was out the door early & eager to get supplies for a fantastic homemade brunch - while Catherine and I groggily & gloomily tried to finish packing up.  As much as we tried to stall, eventually we had to give in and just go! Catherine made great ceremony of having her pups kiss Keko goodbye – complete with a big “Muah!” (this truly made me laugh!) – and we headed out to the car. As I wedged Keko into the tightly packed VW, and noticed that Gribble had made it over from next door, a feeling of extreme anxiety took over. Big hugs happened, and the tears just started flowing. Saying that final goodbye to my girls & Johnny was, by far, one of the hardest things I have ever done. Because I was so overwhelmed about what was in our future in the weeks leading up to the departure, I didn’t allow myself a chance to properly let reality sink in. As I pulled away from the curb I had a mini-panic attack, and yanked out my phone and started emailing Erik (who was flying to Istanbul at the time) saying, “We can’t do this! We’re making a mistake!  I can’t leave! It’s too hard!” At that moment, my sister-in-law Emily in Seattle sent me a text to ask how I was doing. Several texts later, I managed to calm down, but the lump in my throat was the biggest one I can remember, and it didn’t leave until several states & several days later.

If you haven’t been to Nashville, I highly recommend visiting. If you don’t find someone there who will welcome you in with open arms, let me know. I know that my four years there resulted in some of the biggest and best loves of my life. As I mentioned before, I’m an eternal optimist, thus the title reference to... "I don't know why you say goodbye, I say HELLO!" Well, as you can see now, for me, that was easier said than done. Thanks friends, for sending me off with such love. I love and miss you all and am thankful every day for your friendship! 

City House! Please go! You won't regret it! 
Jesse, *me*, Justin, Jason
 Gribble
Stitty, Stacey &Jim

Firefly - last night dinner!
 (Ridiculously declicious white truffle mac-n-cheese & "bullet" bourbon!)
Jake, Christa, Jill, J-Dub, Joy
Nancy, Jason, *me*, Catherine, Lauren 

with Christa

The 3 Crow crew 
Macey, Lair, *me*, Tom
Catherine & J-Dub
Zack, Jill-1, Lauren, Rick, Joy, Joanna & Justin

Catherine, Jill-1 and I. So much love. 

Joy, Joanna & Justin. Fun.

Bonfire + sleepover at Amy's farm.
Keko is sad to say goodbye to Luna & Boo.
(I'm sad I didn't get a pic with Amy!  Love you!) 

I'm Jill-2. She's Jill-1.

The Monday night Crew.
Lump in throat ensuing...

NSL

Countdown: 13 days.

Since I’ve arrived in Nashville, I’ve been blessed to know many talented musicians, and spoiled to be able to listen to live music of every genre, any night, anywhere, anytime, often for free. Upon contemplating my departure, this fact alone evoked my number one, immediate sadness. I know this cannot be duplicated, and I know without a doubt that this is the most unique Nashville trait that I will miss the most.  From this amazing exposure to music, I’ve seen many a band’s set list either sitting up on stage, being created, or finding its way into a gear bag after a show, outlining what they will perform in the very near future.  To this end, I have begun my own version of a set list, or more specifically, my very own Nashville Set List.  If you don’t live in Tennessee, this may prove boring to you, but bear with me – maybe it will just motivate you to visit! (Michigan siblings Amy, Jeanne, & Matt that last comment is directed at you – the clock’s a tickin’!  Only 2 weekends left!).

Of course, one of my favorite discoveries in meeting my boyfriend Erik was our mutual love for scenery & solace, and subsequently we’ve already trekked all over the state in many a trip of the outdoor sort with lots of friends; for that I am grateful. I feel fortunate that most of my geographical Tennessee adventures have already been fulfilled, save the Jack Daniels Distillery which is on the docket sometime this weekend.  (If you’re free and have any desire to visit a bourbon factory in a dry county, please, come join our caravan!!)

Some of my favorites in recreational bliss….

Camping at Goat Island with Joy, Rick, Amy,
Brandon, Poppa Jim, Erik, Keko & Luna

SET 1:  THE GREAT OUTDOORS
-Jack Daniels Distillery* (soon!)
-The weekly Wednesday East Nasty runs with Justin, Jason, Heidi, Alicia, Brian, Andy, Jake & Christa (amongst 500 others)
-Centennial Park & Keko getting attacked by an over-protective momma goose!
-The free outdoor symphony at Bi-centennial Park, as well as the Civil War Re-enactment Camps for Veterans Day
-The Greenways at Richland Park & Shelby Bottoms
-Camping at Percy Priest Lake on Joy’s private island
-Hiking & Dog Walking around Percy Warner with the Taylors’

Keko - tent squatting

-Keko’s Birthday Dog Hikes years 5, 6, 7 & 8, and her best doggie buddies Ira, Bourbon, Berkeley, Pappy, Lily, Petey, Shelby & Firebolt, M&M (& her kitty friends Peyton, Hunter & Shadow)
-Mammoth Cave
-Savage Gulf
-Back country in the Smokies for Erik’s birthday

Amy's wedding at Delvin Farms (Jamie,Amy,me & Ellen)

-Back country to Hobb’s Cabin when Keko refused to leave the tent, even when collapsed…
-Big South Fork hiking
-Fall Creek Falls (our first hiking date!)
-Burgess Falls
-Road trips to Atlanta, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa & Charlottesville, Gma's in Cookeville & the Outer Banks 
-Delvin Farms & wonderful weddings
-Touring the Parthenon, Belle Meade Plantation & Cheekwood with my parents
-Red Neck Camping with Amy, Brandon, Erik, (and Chelsea & her keys & the bikini wearing wrestlers)

-Love Circle on Valentine’s Day

Forgive my gluttony as you scan through this next one.  Embarrassed? I am not!  People tend to think I am a workout fiend. The truth – I work out because I love to eat!!  My roommate in graduate school so smartly did his thesis on “Food  Makes Place”; I wholeheartedly agreed.  Yes, most of this 2nd set list is of the edible sort.  I’m sure I cannot eat this much, but am hoping to hit at least a few before I skip town. Some I have never been to (gasp!) others are regular haunts. I have mentioned a few times the importance I’m placing on record-keeping in this forum, and in that regard, this list serves also as a future reminder of my Nashville Faves!  Let the feast begin!

SET 2:  LET'S EAT!!
-Brown’s Burgers
-Rotiers
-City House* (Have not been yet! Who's hungry!?)
-Pint-n-pie at the Family Wash on Tuesday nights ** veggie WITH roasted garlic
-Las Maracas & Chago's dangerous Happy Hours
-Burgers at the Pharmacy
-Porter Road Butcher
-Mitchell’s Deli
-Silly Goose’s amazing everything!
-B&C’s buffalo chicken grits (and bbq & brisket!)
-The East Nashville Farmer’s Market
-Mama Mia Italian Eatery
-Martin’s BBQ in Nolensville
-Sweet 16 Bakery
-PM / Chah Chah / Suzy Wong’s
-12th South, Mafiozas, Las Paletas 
-Tin Roof
-Rose Pepper
-Bongo / Fido
-Boscos (my younger brother loved the oysters benedict!)
-Star Bagel, McCabes, Produce Place, Local Taco (my old neighborhood haunting grounds)
-Edgefield
-Tayst* (also on bucket list!)
-Rumors
- Smiling Elephant
- Bombasha! 
- Fancy drinks at The Hermitage, Holland House & The Patterson House
I’m sure I’m forgetting countless others…….

This last one is definitely more of a "big smiles" list, and I must digress to a loved/hated Nashville Scene kind of tribute at the end.

SET 3: I LEFT MY EARS IN NASHVILLE - My magical, musical mystery tour down a memory lane of music & mayhem.

Halloween 2010 - John, CC, Sippy, Joy, me, Erik
Catherine, Gabe, Kate, Gribble, Lauren & Togge

- One last show at the Ryman (probably impossible at this point!)
- Lonny’s, Sam's & Wanna B's Karaoke
- 5 Spot
- 3 Crow / Red Door East
- Roberts Western World & Tootsie's
- The Basement / Grimey’s / The Groove
- 12th & Porter
- Douglas Corner
- New Melrose / Old Melrose
- The Belcourt
- Norm’s River Roadhouse
- The French Quarter
- Alley Cat 

Erik @ first Burchwood spring BBQ

- Beer & Bourbon fest & Science Center Beer Fest
- Halloween Parties meeting some of my best Nashville friends

Tacky Sweater Party
with Burchwood roommies

- Football Sundays
- Tacky Sweater Parties
- Pool days
- Front porches

- Impromptu spring weekday barbecues at Burchwood, Catherine’s Backyard, the Shelby frontyard & Joy's pool
- Monday night girls’ nights watching SUPER bad TV
- Titans & Predators & living close enough to walk to the stadium
& arena


…& of course, a big shout out to my favorite local bands full of dear friends, especially Old Union, Lair Morgan & Hurricane Doyle, Matt Ramsey & Old Dominion, Chris & Casey Moynihan & friends, The Branded Sons, Ball Hog, The Coal Men, Off the Wagon, Pipeline, and last but of course not least, The Superficials.



ENCORE:  THE BEST OF THE BEST:

Wilco @ The Ryman, 2011 with Josh, Rebecca & Erik

- First Nashville Show Ever:  Matt Ramsey Band @ Douglas Corner 
- Most mind-blowing Nashville Shows:  Wilco @ the Ryman; Death Cab for Cutie @ the Ryman; Once-Swell Season @ the Ryman (Just can't beat the Ryman!)
- Best FREE TICKET SHOWS (of bands I didn’t know at the time): Delta Spirit @ Mercy Lounge; Foster the People (before they were over-played) @ Cannery Ballroom; Rogue Wave @ Mercy Lounge; Blackberry Smoke @ The Basement; Keith Urban @ Bridgestone

Rites of Spring 2009 - soggy
(but worth it!) Flaming Lips show
with Jason, Craig & Dawn 

- Worst Free Ticket Show:  Bon Jovi @ Bridgestone (Sorry Amy & Sadira….at least I stood up for Livin’ On A Prayer & sang with you!)
- Best Outdoor Show:  Rites of Spring 2009 – Flaming Lips - even though the rain poured down & we were absolutely soaked!
- Best Throwback Show:  Rhett Miller & Old 97s @ Mercy Lounge (with opener the great Hayes Carll)

5 Spot Birthday Dance Party with Joy & Karie

- Best Sweaty Dance Night:  5 Spot Dance Party  birthday 2009 with Burchwood roomies (& siblings Adam, Josh & Emmy)

Keko the roadie, at the threshold of
the Acoustic Cafe, Johnston City, TN,
wagging her tail
to the sounds of the Superficials

- Keko’s favorite show (She is the blog co-author after all!):  The Superficials at the Acoustic Coffee House, Johnston City, 2010


- All-time Favorite Nashville Music Experience:  Late night pickin’ parties with the best of the best.  You know who you are.  My ears feel lucky.


What am I forgetting Nashvillians? I am sure there are a million more!  Remind me…..13 more days until the roadtrip west commences. I’m getting tired, but still going strong!


If music be the food of love, play on! - Shakespeare

Where the road ends....or begins!

My exuberant friend Joy has been pestering me for years to write a blog, presumably based on my loquacious emails. In her words, “When I read your emails, I feel like you’re right next to me!” Since the impressionable age of 14, I’ve been a fan of penning my thoughts on actual paper.  This of course was the result of being informed that if I ever wanted to be a serious writer, I needed to keep a journal; at the time, I certainly did. As such, I haven’t been able to wrap my head around a public & electronic blog, as I prefer to keep my deepest thoughts in my dear old noggin, or on private rag for only yours truly to read.

That being said, due to the fact that I did not, in fact, become a journalist but have instead evolved into an (unintentionally) roving designer, I recently discovered I will be spreading my wings yet again, as I’ve accepted a job offer in Seattle, Washington, at a design firm I’ve greatly admired for at least a decade. In contemplating leaving my dear *current* home of Nashville, Tennessee, I’ve been realizing that although it seems like we will remember today forever, I know in reality that is certainly not the case, and I want to fight for these memories. I was also struck with an unexpectedly severe pang of sadness when my big brother John & his wife Cece boarded a plane to move to Australia last year, and in living in time zones 15 hours apart, their blog was one of the few things that has helped in still feeling connected to them.  (I also no longer wish to singularly depend on Mark Zuckerberg to chronicle future exploits!!) So, here goes, as trendy as it may be…. let’s blog!

Since I finished my under-graduate work at the University of Michigan, life has thrown me a plethora of curves.  I’ve been asked uncountable times to explain why I have moved as much as an army brat, and all I can tell you is, well, life has just sort of….happened!  In my case, things went something like this:

St. Louis, Missouri (working as part of a project team for an entry in the Union Of International Architects in Barcelona, Spain) then across the ocean on to...
Barcelona, Spain (chasing a dream to work for some of my favorite Spanish architects following participating in the UIA mentioned above) then across another ocean on to...
Charlottesville, Virginia (graduate school) then through the Blue Ridge Parkway to...
Washington, D.C. (Summer fellowship at a firm as a result of winning a portfolio competition) then across the country to...

On the Alameda Ferry to San Francisco with older
brother John, 2000

San Francisco, California, (my first stop post-grad school – my big brother John talked me into going west – I thought it was big and scary! In retrospect, I am so glad he had faith in me….or maybe was just jonesing for family nearby!) then across another ocean to...
Kamuela, Big Island, Hawai’i (recruited for a new firm there – I didn’t feel ready to leave San Francisco, but hey! Who turns down Hawai’i?!), then back to...
Park City, Utah (my Hawai’i firm had some re-structuring, and somehow I ended up in Utah) & currently,
Nashville, Tennessee, (life changes.)

Atop Mauna Kea, Big Island, Hawai'i
John & Cece Fortuna, *me*, Emily & Adam Fortuna

I recently overheard one of my oldest friends say, “She’s unsettled, like you Jill.” Unsettled? I thought in horror! On the contrary, I like to think of myself as “multi-settled”. I genuinely try to embrace (or at least consider) every sensible opportunity life throws my way, and subsequently have a feeling of “home” in several spots across the globe.  I never make these decisions lightly, but I also never make them heavy. Life is meant to be lived, and sure, I’ve got a nomadic spirit, no doubt!  But, I never, ever take these things for granted.  I feel very lucky to have had the privilege to live in what I consider to be some of the most beautiful places on earth.  I know the Pacific Northwest will not disappoint in that regard, and I thought it would be fun to take you along on this ride, as well as have a comprehensive record to look back upon.

Keko, my favorite souvenir
from Kamuela, Hawai'i, 2004

I know what you’re thinking, “Seattle?! I hope you like rain!” Trust me, I’ve heard it all before:
San Francisco, “You know how expensive that is?”
Hawai’i, “Uh oh, you’re going to get island fever!”
Utah, “How are you going to cope with the weird bar laws and other religious - errr - stuff!?”
Nashville, “I hope you like sweltering heat!”

Narrows of the Harpeth, Nashville, TN
with Erik, Keko, Leslie & Joy, 2010

Sure, every place is unique, and every place has challenges. However, if you know me at all, you know I’m a glass half-full kind of gal, and as I let myself dream about what lies ahead, I see a romantic foggy mist rolling off the Puget Sound, and a slow dog walk in the rain through Volunteer Park with a canopy of fir trees to protect my precious "Princess Keko" from getting too soggy. I also see gorgeous sun-filled days kayaking on Lake Union, glorious treks through the San Juan islands, and the snow in my face as I rip down the slopes of Whistler on my Morrow snowboard. Not to mention, a lot of inspiring hard work with a great group of colleagues, as well family in close proximity, including my baby brother Adam and his wonderful wife Emily (*and hopefully soonish a certain other male blogger, but we’ll let him address that himself at a later date - when he’s not busy on another continent!!)  I think we can handle the rain.

Repelling through an arch, Moab, Utah, 2006.
 That's me!

As I gathered in my living room with a few close friends to celebrate the offer a few days ago, Jill-1 said both, “Now I’m going to be the only Jill! You can’t leave Jill-2!!” and then, “But we have to have a big party before you go!” To which I replied, “Every day should be a party. Let’s make the best of what time we have left!”  I believe that whole heartedly – in thinking of my time in Nashville, and in thinking of my time in life.  I have 20 days left before I head out on this journey, so if you are around, I’d love to see you! We’ll be living it up! Come join us.

77% of the Fortuna's camping in Ludington State Park,
....sometime in the 70's (pre-Adam & Josh)

When I was growing up, our annual family vacation was a jaunt to Ludington State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Every year we’d embark on a highly anticipated ten day camping trip – mom would pack up the pop-up camper with all the tasty, surgary treats we were not allowed to have any other time of year, and together my parents would load up 7 bikes and 7 kids for our hiking, canoeing, camping, jart-throwing, marshmallow roasting, hobo-pie tasting week.  The distance between our childhood home in southwest Michigan and Ludington was only about 100 miles, but to 7 anxious kids that felt like a lifetime!  (and a lifetime of “are-we-there-yets” to two exhausted parents!)  To reach the campground and lake shore, you wind through the picturesque beachside town of Ludington, past the House Of Flavors ice cream parlor, past grandpa Hoppy and his shuffleboard courts, past the old cemetery, and finally through a five mile stretch of sand dunes & sea grass that border Lake Michigan. Breathtaking! You know you’ve arrived when the road ends, and there is no where else to go.  To my geography-challenged 6 year old brain, the adventures started, “Where the road ends.”  This time, the road ends in the Pacific Northwest.   Let the adventures begin!

“Not all those who wander are lost.”  - Tolkien