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.

I’ll take home runs over touchdowns any day

The Emotion Bowl between Skyline (blue) and Idaho Falls (orange) high schools every year is always exciting.

Last night, I went to the Skyline High School-Idaho Falls High School football game, otherwise known as the Emotion Bowl (yes, there’s a website for this rivalry). This was literally my first football game in six years. The last game I’d been to was the homecoming game of my senior year in high school (we lost).

Now, I’ve never been a big fan of football; as I’ve said it before, baseball is my Ball Sport of choice. I did watch the game and did pay attention to what was going on, but honestly, it could not hold my attention for very long. I think I spent as much time watching the cheerleaders — as a former gymnast and Steppa, I have very strong opinions about high school cheerleaders — the bands and the mascots.

Doris’s last days as a Washingtonian

A bit melodramatic, but whatever. We all get worked up over something. For me, Doris is one of them.

Last days representing the Evergreen State...

Her tabs expire at the end of the month, so I’ve had to get Idaho plates for her. I haven’t switched them yet and don’t plan to until the very last minute. I like to think she appreciates that. And to (somewhat) make it up to her, I gave her a bath last week as well.

Looking good right after her bath.

Just chillin' in the parking lot.

Table for one

As I made my way in, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Of course, I’d heard of the Snake Bite. But only by name. Prior to this, I had no clue what kind of food they served, no idea what the price range was, no inkling whether the food was even good. Before entering the restaurant, I glanced at the specials menu just outside the door. “Fish Tacos” was the only item I remember reading, which really didn’t tell me much. So, with pretty much no knowledge about what I was about to encounter, I stepped in.

My first impression of the Snake Bite was cute and quirky.

About 15 tables were scattered around the restaurant—some small enough to seat one without feeling like you’re taking up extra room, others big enough for six without feeling overcrowded. Colorful paintings and drawings of people, animals and everything in between, hung on the far, exposed-brick wall, divided down the middle by a fireplace. Above the fireplace hung a solitary place setting, complete with plates, silverware, salt and pepper shakers and even a flower in a vase.

A waiter maneuvered his way through the maze of tables, taking orders and dropping off plates. Amid his actions, he asked me how many. I told him just one and he told me to sit anywhere I wanted.

I chose a small table by the window.

My usual pre-Seattle post

Well, I’m going back home tomorrow and I cannot wait!

I’ve been in a weird rut here in Idaho Falls and I think this trip will do me good. I’ll be home for a week and so I’ll try to update as much as possible. So, stay tuned!

Check mate!

The room fills with the silence of multiple royal courts hustling noiselessly around checkered floors. While queens glide gracefully in every direction and knights gallop forwards, backwards or side-to-side on their ever-noble steeds, kings keep their movements around the floor to a minimum.

Men quietly observe the ongoing dance but this is nothing new. It is, after all, Tuesday night. The night the Noble Knights Chess Club takes over the Barnes and Noble café.

A man in a cowboy hat stands on the sidelines, eyeing the action. After a few moments he approaches the nearest table with a cautious curiosity. A game has just ended and it’s apparent he wants in. The two men at the table—who, like him, look more than a few years past retirement—sense his interest and invite him to play. The man in the cowboy hat is reluctant to accept.

“It’s been awhile,” he admits.

The two men assure him that’s okay and insist he play the winner: the man in a yellow plaid short-sleeved shirt. After a little more cajoling and some gentle coercing, the man in the cowboy hat finally accepts.

I know it’s been awhile…

…but please bear with me, people. Sad to say, I’m back in Idaho Falls now and have been back since Monday. I haven’t posted anything new (either about the rest of my trip or what’s been going on since I’ve been back and how I feel about that) because I’ve just been trying to play catch up here. But I promise I’ll get to it as soon as I can. I’m hoping for something tomorrow…but we know how often my hopes become realized.

Missing home at home, but what can you do?

I’ve been home for two days now and it’s been great but it’s really funny to see what kind of things you miss from home when you’re gone a long time.

When my dad was driving me home Wednesday morning, one of the first things I noticed was how many trees there were along the freeway because there isn’t much in east Idaho. Wynn was right. It’s really brown in Idaho Falls compared to home. As my dad and I drove through downtown Seattle, I was reminded of all the under and overpasses because they don’t have those back in IF. Here’s one of the first things that came to mind when I saw them: progress. No joke. I don’t say that to mean Idaho is backwards or stuck in the past but just moving at a slower pace, I guess.

When I got home, I hung out with my parents a bit and had lunch before my dad had to go back to work. I took a nap because my flight was pretty early and I was tired. Afterwards, Wynn picked me up and we went to the mall to visit my Gap folk and then we went to Borders. We didn’t have time to do the whole bookstoring thing but that was alright. I’ve got a few days left.

It's hard to go wrong with $5 steak!

Happy travels

Well, the day is finally upon us and I’m on my way home. Currently, I’m at the airport in Idaho Falls waiting to board my flight to Salt Lake City. From there, I’ll be heading home to Sea-Tac. It’s a bit backwards, I know but I really can’t help it. I had to do some ticket exchanging through Delta and they don’t have any direct flights home so here I am. Oh well, it doesn’t matter. I’m on my way home so it’s all good!

That’s all for now. My next post will be from home. Hells yeah!