A sad day for western Washington

At approximately 8:15 Sunday morning, a man walked into Forza Coffee in Parkland, Wash. and shot and killed four Lakewood police officers who were getting ready for their morning shift.

I’m not going to go into the details of what happened. You can read them here.

What I will say is that it is a sad day in western Washington. Only one month ago — almost to the day — Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was also shot and killed in the line of duty. Add the shooting at Fort Hood and I just have to say it’s a sad day for this country.

Now, I personally didn’t know Officer Brenton, any of the soldiers from Fort Hood or the four officers who were killed today. Nor do I personally know anybody in law enforcement or the military. But I can honestly say my heart goes out to their families and loved ones during these times — especially with the holiday season just around the corner. I can’t even imagine what they are going through right now.

Male order for the universe

I have recently read a book in which the heroine “orders” her ideal man from the universe. Half an hour later, lo and behold, she meets him!

I thought I’d follow suit, put in my own order and see if it works for me. I mean, it can’t hurt since I haven’t had any kind of luck for a good long while.

So, universe, here is what I want in a man:

• There has to be a good amount of physical attraction between the two of us or else it’s just not going to work.
• There also has to be chemistry between us–physically and otherwise.
• He is kind, generous, honest, loyal and faithful.
• He has a great sense of humor. I need someone who has the ability to laugh at himself. But he can also be serious when it’s needed.
• He’s not too cocky or arrogant. I can’t stand guys like that.
• He is intelligent and able to hold up his end of the conversation.
• He loves and wants children. And he fully participates in raising them.
• He loves and wants me.
• He is open minded and willing to try new things.
• He enjoys traveling.
• He gets along with my family and friends.
• He is romantic, but not in an over-the-top kind of way. More of a little-things kind of way.

My Christmas wish list (2009 edition)

The holiday season is now upon us, so I figured it was time I posted my wish list. I’ll be honest and say that a lot of this is going to be just copy and pasted from my Birthday wish list with a few alterations. There are some new items, though. Enjoy!

1. A job – As a currently unemployed journalist, I know that’s a lot to ask, but any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
2. Books – Cookbooks – Especially the kind for quick and easy meals. I’ve been trying recipes I find online as well but haven’t really done much cooking since I moved back home. It’d be nice to have a few cookbooks and it will hopefully motivate me more to cook; Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (paperback, please) – Yes, I admit that I’ve (kind of) gotten into the Twilight Series. I’ve only read the first two and I know they’re total teen chick flick books, but I found it enjoyable; The Way I Am by Eminem – When I first saw this book at Barnes and Noble, I knew I had to have it. I just love the angry rapper; The Magician by Michael Scott – I’ve read The Alchemist already and this is the second one in the series; Anything by Christopher Moore – I’ve already got Lamb, The Stupidest Angel, A Dirty Job, Island of the Sequined Love Nun, Bloodsucking Fiends, You Suck and Fool, so anything besides those books; The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly - I’ve read the back cover of this and I really want to read what’s actually between the covers; The Coffee House Mystery series by Cleo Coyle – There are eight altogether and I’ve actually read all except for the last one, Holiday Grind, which just came out; Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer -It sounds very interesting.
   

Ron and Lina’s wedding highlights

I just recently returned from Mexico for my sister’s best friend’s wedding. It was on the island of Cozumel. The ceremony was on the pier at a private beach club. It was beautiful. Here are some highlights:

The ceremony site was right on the water.

The groom escorting a relative down the aisle.

The best man and maid of honor.

The bride walking down the aisle with her father.

You may now kiss the bride!

Mexico, here I come!

Well, tomorrow I’ll be traveling to Cozumel, Mexico for my sister’s best friend’s wedding. This was the wedding that was supposed to happen back in May, but because of the swine flu, it was postponed.

I’m leaving at 4:30 in the morning so I’m going to try to turn in early. I don’t think I’ll have updates while I’m there, but you never know!

Sammi’s return to the big city

Unpacking. Applying for unemployment. Finding a job. Dealing with parents who think it’s time to give up the whole “journalism thing.”

My first week back home has been very hectic and busy. Not to mention stressful.

But when the weekend rolls around, it’s definitely time to unwind and let loose a little. So, that’s exactly what I did! Here are pictures from my night at Ozzie’s:

Getting excited about Ozzie's great karaoke offerings.

So happy to be hanging with two of my BFFs!

After a trip to the bathroom, Wynn took some of it with her to the stage.

The Black Emperors Motorcycle Gang of ninjas.

Am I anywhere near the front of the dating line?

I’ve been single for three years now. I have no problem with this for the most part, but there are times when being unattached does have a downside.

In these three years, I’ve seen friends break up with their significant others, get back together or find new significant others. And while I commiserate during the break ups and am happy for them during the reconciliation and puppy love stages, I can’t help wondering, when will it be my turn?

Now, obviously I’m talking about the puppy love part. I’ve been through several break ups (with the same guy) and it’s never a good feeling. No matter how much you want it or how mutual the decision is.

Several people have said to me that I was living in Idaho for awhile and, really, who was I going to meet here? But I was there only one of those three years. What about the two years before that?

I’m back!

Yup, my parents and I have made it back home in one piece and no worse for wear.

So, I’m back! I don’t know if it’s for good, but I definitely know it’s not for evil . I’m not sure what my next step is yet but I just know that at least for the foreseeable future, I’ll be living at home. Although it seems like a step backward, I’m looking at it more as a pause in my career before I move forward.

All you can do is follow your heart and hope for the best!

My stuff is all unloaded from the cars, but I’ve got a TON of unpacking to do, so I will go into more detail about things as soon as I can.

Returning to the nest

After an interesting October in Idaho Falls, I’m happy to say that I’ll be starting November back in the greater Seattle area!

While I’d left the nest for a year, I will be returning and moving back in with the parentals. I know it sounds kind of like a step backwards, but that’s alright. I’ll be saving money while I figure out what my next step is.

I was going to take pictures of my apartment now that it’s pretty much empty, but I’ve decided you can just go here to see. My place is the same as in the pictures here, just on the opposite side.

But, here’s what it looked like before:

You got to decorate your place...

...or else it feels so un-homey.

You have to have a place to hang your hat...or at least your bags and scarves.

Even the kitchen isn't exempt from decorations.

I didn't accumulate a lot of stuff, but I had a lot of stuff to begin with...wow.

Nothing too exciting going on in the bathroom, but still a fair amount of stuff to be packed.

Stereo, computer and TV, AKA the entertainment center.

A bittersweet anniversary

Packing your life into boxes isn't always easy...it takes A LOT of sorting to separate the necessary from the unnecessary.

So, I’ve been in Idaho Falls for exactly one year (okay…one year and one day, but close enough). And after this one year, I will actually be leaving IF.

Now, my last two posts (which can be read here and here) weren’t exactly what you’d call cheerful. So you can safely assume I’m not leaving for the best reasons. I don’t want to go into detail about it. The people who matter know what happened. But, to make a long story short, I am no longer working at the Post Register.

I remember when I first accepted the position here and all the things going through my mind. I knew that this would be a starting point for my career and that it wasn’t permanent, but I was obviously planning on leaving on my terms. Unfortunately, that decision was made for me. And while I’m not thrilled about my reasons for leaving, I can’t say I’m that sorry to be putting IF behind me.