Wait a minute this city doesn’t look like New York... I mean there are some tall buildings in the background, but this place seems somewhat familiar and I have never been to New York. Oh that’s right it feels familiar because I have been here many times, especially in the last 5 years. The city that stands before me as I wait for my bus, is none other than Seattle Washington. One of the major cities along the West coast of the Untied States. The biggest city that is in the Pacific northwest.
So you are probably asking yourself how did I end up in Seattle when this trip is titled "My trip to New York"? Certain plans fell through like they often do in life, but as I have found to be true it's you make the most out of what life throws at you. So, it was nearing the end of spring term for me and all the sudden the trip I had been planning on for months was gone. Life, you silly little beast you, you should know me better than that. I don’t just give up that easy. What could I do to make the time that I took to go to New York just as good if not better on such short notice? For that answer I will have to go a back further to explain the idea that came to mind when I had this question in front of me.
It was halfway through my 6th grade year when my teacher, Mrs. Deny, decided to change the seating chart in our classroom. That was a decision that I’m sure she regretted very quickly. For me it was one of those landmark moments in my life. After our classroom was jumbled up I was put in between two people. Out of those two people I only remember one of them; which was the person to my right (I believe he was on my right, it has been over 20 years ago) was a person that would have an impact on my life in so many ways that I would have to write a book about him to explain everything. Who knows, I just might one day. This person is still one of my best friends even today, and his name is Michael Jackman. Oh man our first days sitting next to each other were spent talking and laughing way too much. I know this because of the constant looks and discipline by our teacher who was trying to conduct a class of students. Our friendship sparked very quickly. All I remember is that we laughed uncontrollably every day in class. It was almost as if we had know each other for many lifetimes. We had this energy between us that we even have today that is just so incredibly awesome. Together we can make any conversation intelligent, meaningful, and funny all at the same time. Our creativity seemed to be enhanced just being around each other. I could go on forever on what a joy Mike is in my life, but that is not what this blog is entirely about.
During our time being friends over the years I also got to know his family very well. This wonderful group of people are known as the Jackman's. Durring my senior year of high school, because of some circumstances going on my life, I even lived with them to finish out my senior year so I could stay at the same high school. Well, I actually stayed a few more years after I graduated because they liked having me around and I loved being around them. Eventually my time to move came when Doug, Mike’s dad, got a job in the Seattle area. It was one of those moments when life gives you a little push so that you can grow. Even though Mike’s family moved away there was a connection that remained long after.
That connection leads me back to what answer came right to mind when I was trying to figure out what to do about my 5 days of vacation that had recently become vacant. Yes, Mike and all of his immediate family lives up in the Seattle area now. His family consists of his Parents, Doug and J’anne, his older sister Rachel, and his older brother Chuck. Mike was the last of the Jackman's to leave Oregon. Over the years after Mike left Oregon I have made quite a few trips up to see Mike and his family.
After getting ahold of both Mike and his Mother to see if this was a possibility, my plans to go to New York quickly changed to go see what I call my second family. I didn’t think it would be a problem even though I had sprung the idea only a few weeks out. In fact J’anne is always trying to get me to come and visit whenever its possible. I told her not to worry about being making changes to her schedule or taking care of me on short notice. I was the one that told them last minute, and I’m a grown man that can find things to do if necessary. I just told her that whatever time she could find to spend with me would be just fine.
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| On my way to catch the train. |
My travels up to Seattle usually means one thing is going to happen and that is, I get to ride the train. This of course is one thing that I love doing. The trip that runs between Portland and Seattle is a beautiful train ride. There is so much to see out the windows as you make your way through the beautiful Pacific northwest. From the mountains you see in the distance on one side, to the beauty of the water as you make your way through the sound on the other near Seattle. It's a great 3 hour tour of what this part of the united states has to offer.
So, my time up in Seattle was going to be short, spanning from the afternoon on Friday to the afternoon of the following Monday. Regardless I did manage to get a lot of great things in during my stay.
I have mentioned that I kind of sprung this on Mike and his family, so I was really trying to make things as easy as possible. For the first time coming up they were not there to pick me up at the train station. I debated on whether or not to rent a car because having that freedom might be nice since I really didn’t know what I was going to do while I was up visiting. I have made my way to Mike’s parents house by bus before so I thought I can easily do it again. I got this. Sometimes we get overwhelmed by taking on things that take us out of our comfort zone, but then I always try to think I’m not the only person that has tried to do whatever it is I’m doing. Ask questions and do the research. Things will workout the way they are supposed to. I mean I use the bus system where I live, so using the buses in Seattle is not completely foreign to me. If I get close enough to where they live I can walk or take a cab. It so happens that there is a bus not very far from the train station that takes me to about a 20 minute walk away from Mike’s parents house. Well, surely I can handle a 20 minute walk. Plus I still got some LBS to lose, and a 20 minute walk would do me some good. Well, I did take the train and it was lovely (as I said before it is a gorgeous ride). I took the bus up to Lynnwood, where Mike’s parents live, and from there it was a piece of cake. I did take 20 minutes to walk from the transit center to the Jackman's residence, which was also quite lovely. In my opinion, as a society, America has become too reliant on cars, and in turn we have become lazy. Movement even in small amounts is important for the body.
That fallowing Friday afternoon was just spent chatting with J’anne and her Nephew Rain. Chatting with J’anne over the years has become one of my favorite things. We have such fun and interesting conversations. Later that evening Mike picked me up with his girlfriend Sylvia and three of her daughters. After he picked me up we headed over to a practice for a dance recital for Sylvia’s daughter Maddy. While we were at the practice I managed to buy a ticket for Maddy’s recital scheduled for the next day. I can honestly say I have never been to a dance recital, but this was my chance to change that. Because even watching girls run through their routines during practice was quite entertaining. After the practice we headed back to Mike’s parents house to just hung out for a bit. Then after the girls left it was just us boys. Mike, Rain, and I played some Madden and other video games until the wee hours of the morning. Half way through playing video games Doug (mikes father) came home from his business trip. So of course he joined in and much fun was had. So many nights at the Jackman house in the past have been just like this. Just peopled gathered together talking, playing, and laughing. These are the moments that become so important to me as I get older. These are the moments that can't be bought or replaced. Eventually each one of us found our bed and got some sleep because of course we had a dance recital to attend the next morning.
Saturday morning came quickly and I was the last one down to breakfast because the guest bed that I was using extremely comfortable. I came down and got some eggs and gluten free toast. Doug has been trying out some gluten free items lately so it was great to have some gluten free options in the house. After breakfast we headed out to the recital.
Made it to the recital and I really enjoyed the show. It always amazes me to watch kids that are growing up, do things like dance or any type of performing in front of a crowd. You really get to see the progress and ability of children in this setting. I could write a whole blog entry on that recital alone, but that is for another time. It was beautiful having all these girls expressing themselves through music. This is something that I can relate to because I have such a deep passion for music. It was wonderful to watch it regardless of the mistakes and miss cues. For every little mistake there was a stroke of pure brilliance. It was so interesting to watch each different age group dance. From the youngest little girls dancing, to the oldest seniors. There was three moments from the recital that I think are worth mentioning here.
The first moment was the youngest girls dancing at the recital, who might have been between 3-6 years old. There was four of them and each time they came out in very cute pink dresses. The first time they came out to perform they sat with a few feet in between each other and when the music came on, they all stood up. Well, all but one who took a bit longer to stand, but with a little pushing from the girl to her right, she finally stood up. The other three girls did their very simple, but cute dance moves as the music continued. The two girls on the left side of the stage where doing well together. The two on the right were the ones I watched the most because it was so damn cute. Watchnig the one girl try to help the girl that was too embarrassed. She kept looking over at her, trying to get her to dance by showing her what to do. This to me is a wonderful moment in human nature. When we are young we all seem to have the feeling of trying to help the other. I’m sure these two girls have spent much time together in dance class. I’m not surprised at that age that the other girl was trying to get the shy girl to dance. These are teamwork skills in the making. It’s a dance recital for a a small dance studio, but there will be no dancer left behind. Too cute.
The second moment was with one of the middle age group girls who was doing a ballet dance routine. The routine was in a circus theme, both with the music and the outfits they wore, but that was not the part that I liked. During the sequence, they danced around in a circle and one of the girls slipped. Now these things are bound to happen at this level of dancing, but what was so impressive was how the girl was able to regain her composure in an instance, and got right back to where she was supposed to be, without much damage done. That impressed me so much because mistakes will happen, but it’s how you adapt to those moment that matter. She did great the rest of the routine.
The third moment was of course the reason I was going to the dance recital in the first place, and that was Maddy’s hip hop dance group. Maddy is going to be a 7th grader this year so you can get an idea in your head of how old her group of dancers were. She was very nervous about her time on stage from what I could gather talking to her before the show started. Well, I’m happy to say that she did very well. Very impressive. I mean if this is what she can do at this age, there in no telling what she can do in the future. It’s interesting to watch as each one of the girls have different levels of gaining confidence. Maddy at times you could tell was so focused on doing the right dance moves that she wasn’t feeling the music. As we watched her hip hop dance teacher dance later on, I noticed the difference confidence makes. This is not a knock on Maddy mind you, because she did great, but practice in these types of shows is what builds confidence. I see the potential of great things from her. The way her face lit up when we told her how well she did was what makes it all worth it. I hope she keeps doing it as long as it keeps making her that happy.
The rest of Saturday was just hanging out at the Jackman house. Dinner was made by Chef Mike Jackman (who tried his best to make it gluten free) and time spent bonding with each other. I truly wouldn’t have it any other way.
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| Here is what the game BANG! looks like. |
Sunday came and again I was the last one downstairs. Hey, I’m on vacation and still getting use to not having school looming over my head. Anyway, Chuck was scheduled to come over with his son Payton for the day. This was not my first time meeting Payton, but it’s crazy to see just how much Payton has grown since I had seen him last. Blonde hair with curls, talking, and walking. Oh and by the way when I came down I walked right into a Nerf gun ambush! Got shot by everyone except J’anne and Doug. Too cute. Payton was shooting me and how could I be mad at him right? After some more talking and catching up, we started play a game that Chuck had brought over called “BANG!”. This game was so much fun. Basically its a card game that is playing out an old western gun fight. Each person is given a role to play like Sheriff, Deputy, Renegade, or an Outlaw which is kept secret from everyone. They you are given a character card that gives you a cowboy or cowgirl to be that has specific abilities that play out during the game. The fact that the only person reveals his role, which is the sheriff, makes for a very interesting game. Reminded me of playing poker because you have to try to read the person playing. The first game was a little rough, but I won that game with the other outlaw (of course!). The other two games I was an outlaw too and won both of those. By the second game I had put on my sunglasses to help conceal my identity. Worked out petty well too. The last game we played I had everyone one at the table confused as to who I was till it was too late. Now I just want to play more! Another game to add to the list. All and all the day was a success and ended the day with some quality one on one time with Mike at Mike’s place. That was fun and reminded me how much I miss having Mike around.
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Enjoying the renovations that they have made at
the King Station train station in Seattle. |
Monday came quick and I caught the train home. These interactions that I have with people in my life are so important to me, and I’m so very blessed to have this many great people in my life. There may be distance between us, but as long as the effort is there the connections will never be broken. Not bad for a spur of the moment vacation. I didn’t get to see New York and all it has to offer, but I definitely replaced it with a family that has even more to offer.
So blessed.
As always I bring this to you with love and pure D-lite. = )
Here is some other pics from the trip.
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Almost every morning I stay at the Jackman's house
Balrog is waiting for me to get ready for the day. |
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Gluten Free and Dairy free pizza. Yum!
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My last breakfast before I caught
the train back to Portland. |
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| Same as before, but with coconut added. |
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This line of tea seems to be my drink of choice when visiting.
It was definitely wonderful on my train ride home.
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| This is what I call my "Are you serious right now?" look. |
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