#3: San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands, is the premiere destination for kayaking in the US. This weekend, all the women in my family (my mom, sister, Mindy, my niece, and Emma my cousin) all packed up for a weekend on the San Juan Island to see Orca whales. First we drove 2 hours to Anacortes, WA where we took the Washington State Ferry, a 70 min journey, to Friday Harbor. My sister and I decided on the 6 hour guided kayak expedition while my mom, Mindy and Emma took a tour boat out to Haro Strait, just east of Vancouver Island, BC. It was absolutely amazing. It's no wonder kayaking San Juan Islands was named one of the 10 best adventures in the US, right along with climbing the Grand Canyons and surfing the waves of Hawaii.

Ok, this isn't a picture that I personally took but it was just like this. Up to 90 orca whales live in these straits in 3 different pods. On the day we went out, all three pods came together to feed on salmon and we were literally riding along the path of dozens of whales traveling up and down the straits. One got so close to my kayak that I was afraid he would surface under me, tipping over my kayak. We probably saw 40 whales over a 2 hour period. It was just a perfect day to be out. The seals were out sunning themselves on the rocks, we saw bald headed eagles, and munched on the seaweed growing along the coast. Yes, I really ate seaweed right out of the ocean without a second thought.

#4: Visiting Friends

I know Orlando is one of the most visited destinations in the US with Disney World, but it was so fun that some friends from Orlando actually came to visit Seattle. Jan and Todd are friends from Avalon Church in Orlando. They came for a conference and got to visit some of their old friends in the NW. Here they are drinking Bubble Tea for the first time ever. I felt so blessed that they took the time to come to the Wok, not once but twice during their trip. I know I've been very Pro-NW in these Top Tens but I must say I really do miss Orlando when I think about all the wonderful friends God blessed me with there.

#5 Strong Community

Although I've made fun of Bonney Lake being a small town, one of it's advantages is that it has strong community. There's a local church called Rainier Hills Fellowship and many of the leaders come to the WOK. Polly, who leads the women's ministry has invited my mom and I to attend the church and we have attended a couple of times. I'm not sure it's the place for me but I really enjoy the people and I've attended the women's Bible study until it broke for summer. Polly drinks Bubble Tea at least 2 or 3 times a week and is always bringing people from the church for BT. So, one day, Polly thought it would be fun to have a summer reunion of the women's group at the WOK for BT and lunch. The women came an hour before we opened, I cooked a huge pot of Black Pearls and we had a great time. This is my first "group event." When I first started, I thought about inviting youth or college groups to come for BT, but I never expected that a group of older women would start drinking BT. What a fun unexpected gift. :)

One of my greatest desires and hopes in life is to be intimately involved in a tranformational community that is full of grace and truth. I would want that for my life wherever I go. I've experienced in many places I've lived and have been thankful for places where God's people live out biblical community. I haven't really gotten involved in one here yet myself but I am waiting and praying for it.

#6 Seattle is COOL

Is it just me or have you noticed that there are alot of books, tv shows, and movies set in Seattle? Of course you'd expect it of places like NY or LA, but our little Seattle? This week, I started reading a book, The Baker's Apprentice by Judith Hendricks set in Queen Anne Hill Bakery in Seattle.

Then, I watched Firewall with Harrison Ford on DVD which is also set in Seattle. I knew from the opening scene where Harrison Ford drives away from his Mercer Island home toward Downtown Seattle that it was Seattle. Not to be Seattle-centric (well, I guess I am) but you don't hear of movies like Sleepless in Orlando, do you? :) Let's face it, Seattle is COOL! Here's a few more TV/Movies set in Seattle.

Sleepless in Seattle
10 Things I Hate About You - one of my favs
Grey's Anatomy
Life or Something Like it
Dark Angel
Fraiser
Agent Cody Banks
Say Anything
Singles
Disclosure by Michael Crichton

Ok, I'll stop with the Seattle Crazed list, but just wanted you to know :)

#7 : Friends like Kerri

Kerri came to visit me from Portland. I met Kerri when we both worked for Crusade in Orlando but we both made the decision to move to the NW about the same time. Me, to be near family, and her to take a regional director position. She loves living in Portland and I think she's so good for the region too. Kerri is one of my best friends. I can't tell you how good it was to spend some extended time with her. She came to the Wok for dinner and Bubble Tea on Fri night. (She had Lychee Bubble Tea, very Asian of her) >:) Then, the next morning, I took her to my new favorite breakfast restaurant, the Buttered Biscuit. (This time I actually had their famous biscuit.)

Then we drove up to Sunrise in Mt Rainier and took a beautiful 4 mile hike up to Dege Peak. What an amazing view. We even saw a bear down on the valley as we were hiking up. It was a wonderful day of enjoying nature and being with a dear friend. I felt like my old self for a short time as I connected with Kerri. Life has been so different being a Bubble Tea entrepreneur than being a missionary. Kerri reminded me of the good ole times as well as showing me that I'm not really as different as I thought. I feel very blessed to count Kerri as a friend.

#8 : My Family

This top ten list is not in any particular order or else, this entry would be #1. But i decided to write about them today because I was reminded about how much I appreciate them. Yesterday, August 1st, was my birthday and although I had to work at the shop, my sister and niece, Mindy, brought me a Baskin Robbins Cake to celebrate my birthday. Chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, my favorite. It was fun. Thanks for all my friends who called on my birthday, you guys are awesome and Happy B-day to Julie E. who has the same b-day. :) (This is an old picture of my sister, far right, and Mindy, next to her, and my sister's inlaws.)