Remembrances of the Woman who taught us to Believe

A small portion of the extensive Daffodil Festival Family.
Eatonville, 4th of July, 2012

Being a Daffodil Princess is more than just wearing a fluffy yellow dress and tiara while parading around the Northwest. It's even more than the insanely packed schedule, full of volunteerism and civic meetings. No, being a Daffodil Princess means joining a family that has been in existence for around 80 years.  

My selection night
 Nov. 17th, 2011.

This family is unique to each year, because though most of the Daffodilians remain familiar, their roles change. Additionally, the Royal Court changes each year. One of the biggest mentors during a princess' reign is the Daffodil Festival President for that year. 

In my year, 2012, that was President Susan Angeline McGuire. She chose the theme for the Daffodil Parade that year: Don't Stop Believing. Boy, did it really apply.

Especially when we lost one of our very own princess sisters, Alexandria Cole. Susie was always there for us, and really helped our court come together and stay strong. She always said in her president's speech: "It doesn't matter if it's Santa, or the Easter Bunny; all that matters is that you believe."

Susie taught us that it's okay to be sad and to be hurting, because you could still smile with tears streaming down your face. She showed us all that when you are hurting, you can still be strong, if you just Believe.

Tapping me as an official Daffodil Princess.
Princess Promenade 2012.

There are so many things that I will remember of Susie: the genuine joy that shined with her smile, how proudly she would show off her granddaughters, and even how she adopted we 2012 princesses as her own family, too.

One of my personal favorite memories was when I was working at the Puyallup Farmer's Market in the Concessions area and posted it on Facebook. Lo and behold, Susie showed up with her granddaughters to say hello.

My absolute favorite thing in the world about Susie was her hugs. Every time I got a hug from her, I never wanted to let go. Her hugs were so loving and comforting, I swear they could have cured disease.

Susie taught me that dealing with adversities never has to be done alone. With her now up in heaven, she can be with her husband, and give those long overdue hugs to Princess Alexandria. Most importantly, I know that she is still there, urging us, to believe.

Heaven has gained another angel that will shed sunshine on us for years to come.

I love you Susie, thank you for touching my life.

Frugality for the Broke Barista (& Reflections from Year One)

Seeing as I'm working as a part-time barista in downtown Seattle while attending college at the University of Washington full-time, I am sure y'all can understand that I'm serious when I say that I'm an incredibly strange combination of broke and busy.

I recently finished my first year up here at UW and boy, was it much more difficult than I imagined. Luckily, I ended with about a 3.0, but I still need to take summer courses to raise my GPA and stay on track for getting the credits I need to get into my major (Architecture/Construction Management).

In reflection, I know that I need to put aside more focused time for studying rather than just cramming, as well as meeting more people to study in a group setting--oh, and attending every class and lecture will definitely be a helpful guideline in these coming terms. 

I lived in the dorm, which was an awesome experience when it comes to being close to classes, and getting to know complete strangers. I had a really sweet roommate--Stefhany-- who I

This is Stefhany, the day she was
moving out of the dorm.
Goodbye Terry 707!

already miss being around. I am really grateful for the small circle of friends I developed in the dorming system, as well as band.

Husky Marching Band was a great opportunity for me to make friendships that are lasting, and I am very glad that I made the decision to join the UW Husky Drumline my first year. We had auditions for next year already, and I'm on cymbals again. No disappointment here, because that means I can focus on my studies this summer and not have to worry about learning a bunch of new music on snare. (Doesn't mean I'm not going to try for it again next time around, though!) 

The new drums!

I am extremely excited for this next season with the marching band, because we are getting new everything! Dead serious. We just unpacked and assembled the new drums that we got from Pearl a week ago, and we will also be getting new uniforms this year to go handily with the newly renovated Husky Stadium! I couldn't be more jazzed for this coming year.

New Uniform Design.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to show y'all this,
but consider it my treat since you viewed my blog. ;)

Speaking of new, I just moved into an apartment that I will be temporarily living in this summer, up on Queen Anne. It's extremely nice, and I am very thankful to the relative that is letting me stay there for these few months. 

Living completely alone is very different. Since I'm not in the dorm, I don't have a roommate, and least conveniently, I don't have a dining account. This means that I have to cook for myself, and do so as cheaply as possible. Additionally, I'm trying to eat much healthier after discovering that the freshman 15 really wasn't a myth. (Sidenote: I didn't gain 15 lbs, but enough to where I did notice!)

So far I have discovered this is pretty easy because of a mythical place Seattleites seem to covet: Trader Joe's. By jove, it's like Disneyland for the frugal, hungry, and healthy! I basically stocked my fridge and pantry with the essentials for the next week or so for only forty bucks, which I'd say is a great price point because everything I bought was fresh and organic. 

Today, I also purchased some fresh raspberries and pears from the Pike Place Market, which was a little more expensive, but I was craving something fresh and special for a fruit bowl.

The first meal I made in the Queen Anne apt.
Fried chicken and steamed sugar snap peas,
paired with a nice cup of orange juice. 

Tonight's dinner was a 5-layer fruit bowl, consisting of
cantaloupe, white peaches, grapes, golden pears, as well
as fresh raspberries. It was super good and filling!

I definitely have a long way to go to being a pro chef, but I'm very proud of my recent discoveries while living up here in Seattle. With this new-found independence and domesticity, I realize that I am really becoming an adult.