May 1st - June 12th ... Back in Seattle!

SEATTLE!

Well, I decided I just couldn't stay away from the place I love most... yup, Seattle! I decided to go back to Seattle for the first 6 weeks of my summer break. And since my boss' at Market Street Shoes are terribly kind, they let me come back to work for as long as I was in town. So, I finished my last final, packed up my bags (which, can I just say, I packed for 6 weeks in 1 suitcase and 1 duffle, never in the history of Jen has that even been thought of... I have to have at least a dozen dresses with me no matter where I am!) and I flew up to the land of trees, s

mall cars, bus riders, and bearded men. I spent my time one various people's couches, and if you're one of those people then seriously I can't say thank you enough. I stayed mostly on my old couch, which Autumn now owns, seeing as she lives in my old apartment. It was weird being back there. But so fun partying and playing with all the old roommates. We even got

to go see the shins! I also stayed with Sarah, Melanie, and Elise. Not to mention the hundreds of times my awesome family drove up to get me for a day or two of me visiting down in southern Seattle. And I got to go down to vancouver and visit my mom and her man. Since it's been awhile, I'm just going to throw in a few pictures, and sum it up!!

This is me and the girls, Sarah and Elise, enjoying a day at the "beach". I didn't have sunglasses, so Elise let me use a pair she got for free at this event... they weren't the cutest things ev

er on me... but they did the trick! Plus I didn't have shorts... so I wore Nick's (Elise's

boyfriend's) basket ball shorts... thanks nick... although I don't think he even knows. Heh.

Very rarely do we all get any days off together, but somehow we managed one, on an 85 degree day too, so what else are you to do?? Yup, tan! Or in my case... burn.

Here are Autumn, Charlie, and Scotty in the kitchen. Charlie and Scotty painted a lot, and Autumn and I bugged them a lot. Ahh the basement apartment. Thanks guys for the use of both your couches... even though Scotty would always try to watch movies at 3 am with me sleeping on the other half the couch... super rude. Especially when I'm half asleep begging him not to put on Wall-e and so he puts it on and turns it up just to make me mad. But hey, free place to

sleep... so no complaints!!!

Here's Molly! She was pregnant the whole time I was there, so rarely did we actually call her Molly... I called her Miss Prego Pants. But the pregnant nicknames were many... poor thing probably felt quite self conscious. She had the kittens a few weeks ago, and as far as I know they're all doing fine, and are super adorable!!!!

I got to go out to dinner a lot with all my friends. Here's a photo of me and Topher and a show we went to one friday with a few of our other friends. Topher and I are best at taking photos of the two of us. We just go together! TJ and JT. He's my hero, and one of my best friends.

Me and the girls all had an annual girls night. We're good at getting together one night outta the year to eat a ton of food, watch a lot of movies, and laugh so hard we cry, oh and dance... we always do a lot of dancing. These girls are the best people ever! Elise, Melanie, Sarah, Autumn, and me! This photo is of me and Mel.

On my trip down to visit my Mom in Vancouver, I said goodbye to Carmel, and it was really rough. I knew it'd probably be the last time I saw him, since he was 14. He passed away on June 23rd, while I was away in Europe. He was such an amazing dog, he did so much for my family. I'm very thankful I got the chance to see him and tell him I love him. I would do a dedicated tribute to Carmel entry, but I think that remember Carmel is above putting him on my blog. He was my best friend. And I think that's all that needs to be said about him. He's so happy now, and I'm happy for him. He was a very selfless being, and I think we can all take a page out of his book. World's best dog: Carmel Joshua Russell.

I had so much fun in Seattle, it was really sad leaving. I got super sick the last 2 days I was there, we had a going away party, but I ended up just bailing and falling asleep on everyone. Sorry guys! I had to say goodbye and fly home with a fever ... not one of the more fun moments in my life! But I knew I was flying to Europe in just 3 days... so somehow I managed to pull through. Haha. I miss all my Seattle friends and family on the daily. They're the best people I've come across to date, and I know that Seattle will always be my home.