thomsen.

An chance to live life. An opportunity. Should be not taken for granted. Every single day. Without regret.

That should be the goal for every human being in the world.

Today, I got to witness one of the most amazing experiences every human being should experience.

The ability for two people to share with their friends and family the beginning of a new life.

An experience when two hearts come together on a special day to become one.

I had the honor, at the last possible minute, without any previous knowledge, to attend one of my closest friend’s brother wedding.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go, but a day after the conference, yesterday, I met up with one of my closest friends in Seattle, WA along with his adorable family. On the waterfront, outside Starbucks, for the last time while I was in Seattle, sipping my Passion Iced Tea Lemonade, my phone rang and I was notified that they were being the pink tour bus. I gathered my laptop bag and walked behind the pink bus. Within a second later, a green Toyota van approached. He jumped out of the car and got reacquainted.

Ten minutes later, we pulled into the Seattle Mariners parking garage and headed over to SafeCo Field. At first, we weren’t sure we would  be able to get tickets because an hour earlier I had gone online to see if I could be able to purchase online; after searching, all tickets were no longer being sold online since most ticket agencies tend to close the venue either one or two hours before the venue starts. Nevertheless, as we approached the ticket booth, I was quite pleased to discover that there were plenty of tickets and got four tickets for everyone (kids under 3 is free!).

I must say that the staff are terrific when it comes to making sure that families are accommodated. As we walked to the line to enter into the gate, we were approached by a staff member that allowed us to enter through a different gate since we had three kids with us. The staff were so good…they were getting spoiled by baseball cards! Gate 329. That’s where our seats were, so while my friend took the kids to get a quick restroom break, I entered the gate a spoke to an pleasant gentleman who appeared to be well past his prime. He gave me some excellent advice as to check at the guest services to check in my friend double stroller and then since it was the kids very first game, that they would create a memorabilia to commemorate their first baseball game, free of charge!

San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners. Honestly, as I write this I still have no idea who won. When we left in the top of the eighth inning, the Seattle Mariners were ahead by two. As much as I love the game of baseball, normally, I would of stayed until the game ended, but this was far from normal circumstances. Three kids. One three. One two. One six months. They were bound to become a nuisance for the parents; besides, they’re just doing what kids are suppose to do. Nevertheless, we decided to leave early since the kids needed to sleep and my friend had some major responsibilities as the Best Man for the wedding.

Bellevue, Washington.

From what I’m told, the most famous person in Bellevue, Washington is Bill Gates. Not is only the most famous person, but most likely, the most richest man in Bellevue, and for sure, one of the most richest man in the world. Now if you did not know that, well, for sure you learned one new thing by reading this blog. I’ll admit, I had no idea that Bill Gates resided in Bellevue, Washington, since most of his work has been done in Seattle, Washington, but I did know that he, for a long time, has been one of the richest men in the world. Plus, I’ve always been a big fan of his since college because of my background working with computers.

Forty-five minutes later, I was in an apartment with my friend’s family, the future bride-to-be, and with two other bridesmaids. What conspired in the next twenty-four hours turned out to be an adventure that I would never forget.

Man, I slept extremely well. I think I slept a total of sixteen years! But like I mentioned in my last post, The Flight's Snake, I needed it badly. Just like I needed sleep badly, I also needed a shower badly! I believe I've found one of the best hostels that has one of the best showers ever! Pressure perfect. Perfect temperature! (Click here to see picture!) I don't think I've found a better way to start the day in Seattle!

Afterwards, I gathered my stuff and headed over next door to Seattle Coffee Works for some delicious coffee and a bagel with cream cheese. Armed with my ipod, (especially at an incredible loud volume) my laptop, I am able to get tons of work done!

After chillin at Seattle Coffee Work for the last two and half hours, I decided to call it quits to get some fresh air and go out for a walk along the boardwalk in downtown Seattle. You know, it's awesome not being far from the Pier. I slightly walked along Pike Pier, but the crowd was too much for me, so I figure I'll come back another time when it's alittle less crowded (extremely unlikely though)! I checked out Pike Brewery, which is really cool, so I think I'm gonna stop by there later tonight to check out their beer and get some dinner there. I, then, decided to get closer to the waterfront. 

Today, well, isn't exactly an amazing day in Seattle, since there's overcast of clouds, but hey, I'm not complaining since it's not raining, and believe me, it rain alot in Seattle, so I'd take overcast clouds with a possibility of sun anyday, anytime, and anywhere. Alright, back to the waterfront. The waterfront is quite nice. Plenty of places where you can grab something to eat along the way. Like most waterfront, it's a great place to take a nice long walk to help you clear your mind. Now, I only saw one sailboat out on the water, but then again, on a sunny, beautiful day, I'm sure there would be hundreds of them! 

As I walked along the waterfront, I couldn't help but showing my surprise, or I should say, I wasn't surprised to see a Starbucks on the waterfront. No, seriously, I was extremely surprised! Nevertheless, to my surprise, I kept walking and passed Starbucks, but I did take afew shots while walking by. Hey, I needed the exercise! Alright, I'll stop by later this afternoon to get my Starbucks fix for the day, as you can already tell, I'm addicted! My golden rule of the thumb: one cup of coffee a day, no more, but it should actually be: One Starbucks Coffee a Day! :-) Now, I'm having second thoughts...nah! I'll stop by later this afternoon and check out the place and see if I can meet some cool people. Hey, it's true, you never know who might meet at Starbucks. You'd be surprised. I remember last year, I stopped by a Starbucks in the smack of Oklahoma City and guess what? A friend that I went to college with at University of Oregon was working there! I mean, right when I walked in, I heard this scream and I was looking around to find out who scream and before I knew it I was hugging a barista/friend! It was awesome and crazy at the same time! 

Anyways, back to the waterfront, after passing Starbucks, I saw a ferry transport station. I decided that I wanted to get a good look at what the city looked like from the viewpoint of the water. Plus, I wanted to check out a new app that I downloaded on my iTouch called Photosynth. Photosynth is a powerful set of tools for capturing and viewing the world in 3D. You can share these views with your friends on Facebook, publish them to Bing Maps, or embed them in your own Web site.

So, here's my shot that I took with the software. I think it's pretty cool! 

The last three days has been incredibility insane. Last night was the first time that I was finally able to get some sleep and man, did I need it! With all the last minute packing, until 4:30 in the morning and then zipping (literally, since I drove a Zipcar) to San Francisco transfer to BART headed for the San Francisco Airport for a flight to Seattle. Honestly, I have no idea how I was able to stay up for 48 hours without a single drop of REM! 

The adventure did not stop when I got to SFO, it where it started. When I checked in Alaska Airlines, I found myself disappointed because I would have to pay $20 bucks to check in one bag. All I could do was mutter under by breath that "God damm, I wish Southwest agents would arrest those sons**bi*ches!" Now, after checking in, you know that most people when they write about their travels would share insane stories about their experiences going through airport security. I guess for me, I got excepted from that experience. Quite frankly, I'm stoked about that. 

My first flight leg was from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon. Portland has a special place in my heart and will always have a special place in my heart. I've had some many amazing experiences, many amazing friends and the city itself is that awesome. Yet, I was bummed since I was only going to stop there to wait for my second leg flight to Seattle, WA. Nevertheless, the landing brought back some good memories and of course, PDX is, in my opinion, one of the best airports in the United States. 

As I exited the gate, I headed to the mega-huge flat screen televisions that would inform me where my departing gate for my flight to Seattle, WA. Terminal A5. Of my years of flying in and out of PDX, I realized that all that time, I've never been to Terminal A at PDX. Strange, yet, I was excited to take a peek. As I took the elevator stairs down to Terminal A, as I reach the bottom and as I walked towards the terminal, my eyes widen when I saw one of my favorite places to go on earth, Starbucks. 

Of all the airports, this one has been by far the best experience, with only one person in front of me, I decided what I wanted to order. Which, by the way, is never that difficult because I always know what I want to order for coffee, however, the difficult part is ordering food. No breakfast sandwiches available. No Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake available. The choices were starting to get daunting. Now, I'm up to order, shoot. The one last glance to the top left corner, obviously, out of the corner of my eye, I knew what I wanted to order. 

Grande Toffee Nut Latte and a Banana Nut Bread. 

The lady took my order with pleasure and not only that, she gave me a dollar discount. I'm not sure why. I think maybe because she loved my charm. Or maybe she found me attractive and loved my smile. Or maybe she just loved the way I was so nice and charming when I ordered what I wanted. Whatever the reason, I only had to pay five bucks for an excellent coffee and for an very good Banana Nut Bread. I think we both totally made each other day without really knowing it! 

My flight to Seattle was not very pleasant. Blunt, eh? Well, you have to admit, that being in a somewhat tiny plane with small chairs, with very limited legroom, isn't exactly what I pictured when I flew from Portland to Seattle. Plus, my chair-mate, started to get on my nerves after the flight attendant ask all passengers to off their cell phones for the fourth time and he was still on his Blackberry. I started to have all these imagination of myself turning next to him to ask him with a stern voice to turn off his cell phone. Then I started wondering what I would do if he said something, well, not very nice. My mind started really started to get into it and remembered about that guy that smacked at 12 year old kid for not turning off his cell phone. Yeah, I thought to myself, I can take him on. 

He turned off his cell phone. I took a s big breath and sighed in relief. 

Rough landing. I jerked myself upright and griped the handlebar with my left hand. As I exited the plane, the first thing that I noticed that, boy, it was windy today! I entered the terminal and suddenly, my stomach growled at me. I'm starving badly. My body told me it need a sandwich badly. I walked up and down the food court, but to no avail. Then out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the Alaska Lounge. Not even close to the food court, but it looked like the place for an excellent sandwich with chips! I sat myself and took a look at the menu...bingo! Turkey and bacon sandwich with ciabatta bread with chips! So good! My server, Ann, was excellent! 

Afterwards, since I did take longer than expected to finish my lunch/dinner, I headed to baggage claim and knew immediately to go to the Alaska Airline office to claim my bag. Once secured, I headed out of the terminal to go Seattle newest transportation attraction, Link Light Rail. Extremely modern and sleek. The light rail took me straight from the airport to downtown Seattle in less than 45 minutes. Not bad for paying less than three bucks. Actually, I think it's downright awesome! 

Arriving in downtown Seattle via Link Light Rail, you could say, pleasant. Love being fifty feet off the ground and seeing the city and beautiful view of scenery of the Seattle/Tacoma area! Just breathtaking. As I took the elevator stairs up to ground level in downtown Seattle, all I could think about was the last time I was here with my brother and his wife. I headed towards the hostel I booked a month ago: Green Tortoise Hostel in Seattle. 

One of the best hostel I've stayed at so far in the United States. 

Best price ever. Smacked in the middle of downtown Seattle and next to the Pike Place. Free internet. Free meals.  The double bunk bed are sturdy as a oak tree and they have curtain to ensure you privacy. They have plenty of electricity plugs everywhere in the room and even by the top bunk beds! They have excellent storage lockers in the room as well. Huge enough to fit two large travel bags! Love it! 

After checking in, I decided that I needed to kill some time since I did not want to crash too early (it was around 3pm). Give it a guess? Yup, that's right, I decided to look for the nearest Starbucks. Plus, I got some unexpected news and needed to get some coffee, a place with free wi-fi and a place for people watching. I tell you not, there's no better place than Starbucks. 

I lasted as long as I could and then crashed on the top bunk bed at the Green Tortoise Hostel. 

At first I thought that this was a tricky question since I don't have a second home and most places I've visited were during the summer time. Plus, I thought it had to be considered a place you called home, but the question said never asked that. However, I figured it out. My number favorite winter place to escape the cold (besides home) is Starbucks. If you and I really think about it, where's the first place we need to go when we're starting to get the chills? Coffee place. But when I think of coffee place, I think of Starbucks. I love that place. When you step into that door, it's nice and cozy. The smell of coffee just gives you that sense of happiness.

That's not even the best part. As you wait for your favorite barista to make your favorite coffee, you mind wonder mindlessly on how you want to start your day (or even how you want to end it). But you can't think straight because all you can think about is that first taste of your favorite coffee. That warm sensation that it will quip through your body in that very instant. Oh the gratification! Think about your cold hands. Once you grab that cup of coffee, your skin starts to tingle as the warmth of that coffee might bring goosebumps onto your arms. Oh? That doesn't happen to you? It does for me...and boy, do I love that feeling! That lovin feeling!

Sometimes, a favorite winter place to escape the cold does not have to be a home, it can be a place where people knows your name, a place where you love to workout, or simply a favorite business that you love to stop by because they give you that homely feeling and a warm cup of very delicious coffee!