Back at home again (Hawaii that is)

I just got back from Hawaii about a week ago. I decided to fly home for a week, to soak in some sun before the Seattle winter hits. Between traveling for work and coming back from Europe I was a bit hesitant to get on yet another plane, however flying home isn't the same as traveling or vacationing. Waking up on the same bed that I did day after day up until I left for college, is comforting. Driving home on the pali is almost automatic, as if I could be on cruise control. Although finding the most quickest route to somewhere could take longer than it used to, being home is really just being home. Its always nice to see Mom and Dad, and Grams....and friends from intermediate school up to college. Home is home, those trips back are never long enough.

10 Memorable Moments in Europe

It's been awhile since I last posted, however I definitely should share some shots from Europe. Over a span of 9 days, I travelled to Rome, Venice, Munich, and Amsterdam. For 9 days, we were immersed in literally another world built in a different time, yet there were flecks of "Americano" influence, like the occasional Starbucks and McDonalds....english surrounded us, except for when you're standing in a grocery store, asking a butcher which cheese is not pungent. Top 10 moments of the trip:

1. Surviving the drive from the Roma airport to our hotel, the driver had one eye open almost the whole time, and there are no lines on the road in Rome separating traffic, yes it is pretty much a free for all- including the mopeds and busses.

2. Everyone's trying to make a buck, including gladiators and guys w/roses.

3. Eating ice cream by Trevi Fountain. Regardless of hour, whether it be day or night, there are always people there eating ice cream.

4. The colors in Venice are unbelievable, one of the most picturesque place to shoot photos.

5. As cheesy as it sounds, if you are in Venice you should take a ride in a Gondola.

6. Rules of Oktoberfest: Do not bring a camera if you don't want to lose it, if you lose your group, don't worry you'll make friends, if you get lost on your way back to the hotel, don't worry a cab driver will pick you up even if its a $.50 ride, talk to people, we met the nicest folks just sitting at the next table over from us in one of the tents, be prepared to hear around 3 popular American songs, sung over and over again, they do sell song books if you want to know the words of the German songs - I did contemplate buying one, as they keep singing the songs over and over again.

7. I do owe an apology to the owner of a games booth, who had a blue Nike duffel bag as a prize....I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take it.

8. Rent a bicycle in Amsterdam and explore the city, it can be dangerous especially if you're on a tandem bike.

9. Those cafe's in Amsterdam, sure do serve up some yummy desserts.

10. Amsterdam, is an amazing city all in all just my favorite- the architecture, the people, the bicycles - omg, there are so many bicycles!

The nice thing about traveling though, is that it will ground you when you think about the things you miss at home.

Pictures of Micah

Taking photos of people are so much harder....sigh. These are just a couple of lil Micah...he's such a cutie on his own that at least I didn't have to do too much.

More of Pike's and a little of downtown

Before the rain started, my neighbor Andrew and I decided to trek down to the market with our cameras. I tried opening the manual for my camera but it didn't help so here are more shots as I try to figure out what does what for each setting. I'm still trying to play around with the aperture setting and I tried shooting in the "sport" mode. Unfortunately I didn't capture any of the fish flying at the market so those are not included here. Happy Labor Day!

Pike's Market- first day shooting pics

I turned 31 this year and started two hobbies: sewing, which I haven't taken the machine out of the closet now for at least 3 months and my latest photography. I'm sure I've spoken about a couple other "things I'd like to try this year", but these are the only two that I've actually picked up the equipment. I recently used reward points and got a Canon Rebel XSi, SLR camera.

I haven't opened the manual yet, so hopefully once I do the quality of these photo's will improve. In the meanwhile, we'll start with these....

August 29, Saturday morning my buddy Jean, was nice enough to come with me to Pike's Market to provide the basic overview about light and aperture. These were the photos (the best ones), that we took......I'm crossing my fingers that I'll improve ;)