I’ll admit it - things are going really well for me lately. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I’m really enjoying my new job - it’s a new position to navigate through. There are new colleagues to figure out and it’s a new industry to explore. I’m totally loving the challenge. On the home front - I’m still madly in love with Derek and I’m ecstatic about our new living arrangement. I’ve been keeping busy soaking up the great weather, checking the progress of our garden and I’m getting my creative fix through reading incredible books and experimenting with new recipes.

While I’m basking in my newfound love for life, I think Derek is struggling. He seems a little “off” - he doesn’t have the usual bounce to his step. It’s probably not noticeable to anyone except me - and it tugs at my heart to see him down. I believe there are a few contributing factors, none of which I feel comfortable sharing on his behalf.

I feel a little guilty about being so happy right now, while I know he’s not. I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t help it. Couples experience their peaks and valleys and so do individuals. I think as a couple we are in peak - but individually I am on Mt. McKinley and he is down in a valley. I’m going to give myself a piece of advice: Count your blessings and be grateful. Don’t forget to be extra supportive and understanding.

Lately, it feels like every time I post, I’m apologizing for not posting often enough. Like I previously mentioned, our summers are jam packed with fun! It is a little disappointing to me that I haven’t made more time for blogging, because I really do enjoy it. I will try harder.

Last week I took my first business trip at my new job - we went to Alaska. It was very beautiful and I’m so grateful for a job that allows me the opportunity to travel to such spectacular places. My weekend included: picking up Derek’s new truck (she’s a beaut!); rehearsal dinner for Stacy and Andre’s wedding; Stacy and Andre’s wedding; and a Sunday spent in Magnolia Park BBQing and playing Bocce Ball.

While in Alaska, I flew in a tiny little plane into the deepest part of Denali National Park…Kantishna. It was breathtaking - below are a few photos.

Kantishna Air Taxi

There I am!

Denali National Park from the air!

More of Denali!

I read The Rent Tent by Anita Diamant about six years ago, and while I don’t remember very much about it, I do remember LOVING it. When someone at bookclub lent me The Last Days of Dogtown, I was anxious to read more of Dianant and see if she is a “one hit wonder”. Good news - it turns out she’s not!

Both novels were loosely based on historical research - but that’s about the extent of their similarities. I remember The Red Tent as an in-depth and colorful story that centers around the characters. The Last Days of Dogtown is a dreary, yet hopeful story. It’s a tribute to a dying town and attests to neighborly compassion and responsibility. The focal point of the story is on the town and only allows a glimpse into its handful of residents. I think this was intentional on Diamont’s part to center the reader’s attention on Dogtown and less on individual characters. It was an interesting approach. The characters that she did present were endearing and I found myself sympathizing with them - especially the women. Their lives were hard and unfair and it made me grateful to not live in Dogtown in 1814.

Overall, a good read - I’m looking forward to more Anita Diamant in the future!

Book Stats

Title: The Last Days of Dogtown

Author: Anita Diamant

Notable: Author of The Red Tent

Pages: 261

Reading Level: Easy and Quick - I read it last weekend while at Lake Las Vegas

Do I feel like I need to re-read it? No, but I do want to re-read The Rent Tent now

Would I recommend it? Yes

My overall rating: A

I apologize for not posting more regularly – I’m blaming it on summer. The weather is great and we are booked EVERY single weekend through mid-August.

Derek and I celebrated the 4^th of July at Lake Las Vegas for a wedding. We had so much fun – even though I’m NOT a fan of holiday weekend weddings. Lake Las Vegas is fantastic – it’s a nice departure from the vegas strip scene. It’s about 30 minutes off of the strip so we rented a car which was nice. We stayed at the Montelago Village Resort in a condo Derek found on VRBO (a great site for condo deals). The resort offers everything I hope for in a weekend getaway – lively bars, great restaurants, live music on the lake, pools, casino, and everything is within walking distance. The resort reminded me of Whistler village – a little smaller.

We danced, laid by the pool, gambled, went to the Hoover Dam, attended a lovely wedding and enjoyed each other’s company. I would go back there in a heartbeat (although maybe not in July – it was so hot) and I would highly recommend it for a long weekend trip.

Derek at Hoover Dam

Lake Mead

Montelago Village Resort

Our Pool

Brad and Andrea

Me dancing with the groom's cousin at an Irish pub

4th of July Celebration

Most of you (who I know) have already seen this video - because I made you. But for those of you who haven’t seen it - watch it twice. I love the facial expressions and the accent! So funny!

I’ve decided I’m going to start writing short book reviews on the books I read. Two weekends ago, while we were camping at Silver Falls, I read Three Junes by Julia Glass. It was recommended by my mom.

Overall, I really enjoyed Three Junes. It’s a warm story that weaves together realistic and compelling characters. The story is told over “three Junes” by three different characters: a newspaperman, a bookstore owner and a book designer. I think what I liked best about the novel is that it presented complex and intimate family dynamics - full of imperfection and miscommunication. Even though it’s nothing like my own immediate family relationships, I felt like I could relate to each character and I appreciated their perspective. My only complaint is that the ending left me wanting more!

Books Stats

Title: Three Junes

Author: Julia Glass

Notable: National Book Award Winner

Pages: 353

Reading Level: Easy and Quick

Do I feel like I need to re-read it? No

Would I recommend it? Yes

My overall rating: A

I will admit it. I get road anger (although it’s not bad enough to classify it as “rage”). I’m easily aggravated by the traffic. The congestion. The buses. The bicyclists. (Just to clarify, I fully support cyclists - I think that cities and urban planners need to provide better solutions so cars and bikes can safely coexist). I’m frequently frustrated by elderly drivers and absent minded people. FYI - It’s not acceptable to be driving, smoking a cigarette, talking on a cell phone and holding your dog in your lap all at the same time. Really? You really think that’s safe? The point is I understand that driving can be stressful and unpleasant. That being said, I have never, EVER, been so upset that I’ve wanted to get violent. I do not understand that.

Over the weekend, there was a stabbing in my building. Apparently it started as a dispute over who would be the first to exit the parking lot and escalated into a 50 person brawl where a woman was stabbed in the stomach. THAT, is rage. And completely insane.

]]> http://kbrownlee.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/road-rage/feed/ kb http://kbrownlee.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/camping-silver-falls/ http://kbrownlee.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/camping-silver-falls/#comments Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:08:21 +0000 kb http://kbrownlee.wordpress.com/?p=152

Last weekend (on the summer solstice) Derek and I went camping - it was our seven year anniversary. Can you believe it?!? We’ve been celebrating our anniversary by camping for the last four years. We really enjoy camping together- it’s kind of our thing. Some couples snowboard. Or go to the theater. Well, we camp. In fact, we have a book that highlights the best camping in Washington State and our goal is to camp at every place in the book. It’s a lofty goal and will likely take many years, but it will be fun trying!

We prefer small, remote campsites with no RVs and no generators. Generally, I like car camping because I like packing board games, wine and other luxuries that would be impractical to hike-in with. We enjoy making and eating big, delicious meals while we are camping - why not?!

Last year we implemented the “bin system”. As you know, camping can be kind of an ordeal. There is a lot of equipment and it can be a bit cumbersome to pack. To help minimize the work, we bought a “camping” set of everything (utensils, plates, salt & pepper, cups, etc.) and also bought several large plastic bins. We put ALL of our camping gear in them. Now, when it’s time to go camping, we only need to pack our clothes and food. All the equipment is already packed - we just throw the bins in the truck. It’s amazing and it really helps with the short weekend camping trips. I highly recommend the bin system for anyone who likes to camp. I also have created a master list that we reference each time we camp (I’d be happy to share it - just let me know).

Last weekend we camped at Silver Falls, which is in the Central Cascades (about 45 minutes outside of Entiat, WA). It was a great little campsite. The highlights of the weekend include a spectacular waterfall, coffee in the mornings on our private riverside landing, many great meals and several games of cribbage.

Oh, it’s contentment. Simple and pure. I’m not overly stressed or anxious. I’m not lonely. I’m not worrying about the future - I’m happy and satisfied now.  I’m content - and it feels nice.

This weekend has been one of the best in awhile - here are a few of the highlights.

The Sun Came Out - Just when I was ready to lose all hope - the sun came out in full force.  It was wonderful and made my weekend.

Cooking for Friends - Sara and Nate came over for dinner on Friday night. This was our first “double date” with them and I’d say it was a success. While I think it’s invaluable for couples to each have their own friends, I also think it’s important to have “couple” friends. Other couples who you have good chemistry with and enjoy being around. The evening consisted of tons of food, several rounds of drinks and many, many stories.

Saturday Morning Laziness - Derek and laid around Saturday morning and basked in the glory of not having any immediate plans. In a world where everyone is overbooked - no plans is a luxury.  We decided breakfast was definitely in order and we invited Derek’s brother Gabe over to join us. Eggs, hash browns and bacon - delish.

Coffee in the Park - After breakfast, the three of us set out to the top of Queen Anne for a coffee at Peet’s and then Derek took us to Marshall Park. I had never been there - it was gorgeous. What a great day to sit out at the park!

Reading in the Sun - On Saturday afternoon when I opened my book, I was 17 pages into it. Now, I’m finished. I sat out on my balcony and read-away most of the weekend. To some of you, this might seem like a waste - but to me, it was perfect. I was reading Atonement by Ian McEwean. I liked it. I didn’t LOVE it, but I liked it.

All in all, I’d say this has been a pretty fantastic weekend. I hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy the sun.