nature documentaries

I remember watching tons of nature documentaries growing up, especially ones narrated by David Attenborough.  Can I just say that I like Earth narrated by David Attenborough better than Sigourney Weaver?   I stumbled this youtube clip this morning and I can't help but laugh. 
 

Who knew seals were so friendly.

Volunteer Park

Seattle was lucky to have some sunshine this past Saturday and I went out for a quick (and brisk walk) at Volunteer Park.  I don't remember there being this many leaves hanging around this time last year but this has been a fairly mild fall.  Designed by the same Olmsted brothers who are famous for New York's Central Park, Volunteer Park is also the home of the Asian Art Museum.  It doesn't take long to walk through the park and so it's nice to go when the conservatory is open.  There are 3 separate rooms in there, a very steamy rainforest with lots of orchids and ferns, a cactus room and the special room of the month was the chrysanthemums.  I have never seen flowers this big before, they were the size of volleyballs!  The best part about the conservatory is that it's free and each season the special exhibit changes.

Going from Home #3 to Home #1

photo by me

This time tomorrow I will be 2 hours into my 14+ hour jouney back home to Taiwan! While I never actually lived there, it's where I was born and where my family is.  I'm going back for 9 days of eating and visiting family (also throwing in a 2 day trip back to Hong Kong, which I consider home #2. I lived most of my childhood there)  I had a hard time packing due to the weather situation.  It's already becoming very cold in Seattle (think 50's) and Taiwan is still in summer mode with temperatures in the mid 80's! I'm hoping that it won't be too cold the day I get back to Seattle because I will only have a sweatshirt on me for warmth.  I can't wait for some good home cooking and real Chinese food!!

Monday questionnaire...on a tuesday!

I had this all ready to go from  Amarixe but forgot to hit post.  Thank goodness blogger saves all the drafts!

1.) Mood: excited! I leave for Taiwan on Thursday! It's about 80 degrees over there and I'm having a hard time packing.  Fall to me is high 50's and boot weather.  I'm suppose to bust out my summer clothes in the fall?!


2.) When making a sandwich, do you care if one of the bread slices is the end of the loaf?  I save the ends for the very last sandwich so it's two butt ends together.   I don't mind crust but I really don't like the butt ends.

3.) What is the weather like today? Sunny, high of 52

4.) Current nail polish: bare, don't want to bother looking at my chipped nails on vacation

5.) What ring setting do you keep your cell phone on at night: loud or silent? (Or the phone completely off?) My phone is always on silent.  I check it quite often (addicted to my crackberry) so I don't every keep the ringer on.

6.) Current outfit: COH kellys, blue silk top and H&M jersey blazer with the suede elbow patches, with my jcrew gold bow moccasins.

7.) What is your favorite Disney movie?  Hands down, Little Mermaid!

8.) Can you whistle using your fingers?  I can barely whistle let alone whistle using my fingers :(

9.) When doing laundry, do you separate loads (lights/darks, delicates, etc.) or throw everything together?
I only seperate out my jeans, everything else gets thrown in together.  So far, I've avoided disasters but it might be time to be an adult and really take care of my clothes.

10.) Weekly goals:
Get the house ready for my housesitter and to not miss my flight! I have yet to miss a flight in my life but my dad will always call me 2ish hours before my flight to make sure I'm at the airport. 

Seattle Restaurant Week-RN 74

Seattle Restaurant Week is one of my favorite events of the year.  It's a great budget friendly way to try out new restaurants.  Usually my friends and I even order off the fixed prix menu just to sample some of the other items on the menu.  This past Monday, I went to RN 74.  I've walked past it many times downtown but could never find a reason to go.  It's got a great vibe and definitely a special occasion type place (at least for me, I don't go to that many nice places :/)  One of the main reasons we wanted to go to the restaurant was because we heard great things about the tomato fondue with gruyere grilled cheese squares (which wasn't on the fixed prix menu, we ordered it separately).  It definitely was delicious and a great decision on our part to try it.  I wasn't feeling all that great towards the end of the meal (not because of the food) so I'll have to go back to try it again.  Not that I'm complaining, I give RN 74 two thumbs up.