Seattle, Friends, Food and Wine

After spending a week in San Juan Island attending Rod Dresser workshop, I met Andy in Seattle. Our dear friend Jen & Barry kindly invited us in to their beautiful home in Bellevue. (*please check out Barry's blog if you enjoy reading about marketing and advertising.)This was a wonderful treat after spending a week at the UW Friday Harbor cabin.
Jen & Barry are both foodie just like us so Jen made several reservations at their favorite restaurants. Friday night we went to the Wild Ginger in Seattle for Tyler's birthday! Sleek and modern atmosphere. Delicious Asian Fusion food and nice service. Then Saturday Morning we went to Salty's at the Alki beach for the brunch. Loved Fresh Oyster bar the most but you gotta try their waffle station. If you sit by the window you can enjoy breathtaking view of Seattle downtown. Sunday night, four of us went out to dinner at the Cafe Juanita in Kirkland for nice and cozy adult only dinner. Jen and Barry shared their Aubert 2006 Chardonnay with us. Very fruity and smooth Chardonnay. I prefer little fruity over dry Chardonnays. I had the halibut dish so it was perfect. For the appetizer, we had "Seared Foie Gras with Bing Cherries, Candied Ginger and Cocoa nibs" was delicious! You have to try this one if it's on the menu when you go there. Cafe Juanita offers five Star service and the quality. And of course house made desserts are to die for. Please make sure to reserve your table in advance. Okay, There was more than just food & Wine during this vacation. We went out to see the Tropic Thunder (not my kind of movie but I had a good laugh), shopped and of course did little sightseeing. I couldn't have asked for better vacation. Great food, wine and the wonderful friends to share the table.
With Jen at the Cafe Juanita

Mike is a very good entertainer!
watching them wasn't enough of course I tried to photograph!
To me outdoor market represents "Life"
You must line up for "Daily Dozen" and don't forget to tip :)
Jen took this shot of us.
Andy's new girlfriend, Kiley
My favorite family at the Salty's.

Back from the Friday Harbor

I am back from my two weeks journey. Refreshed and encouraged. For next few days. I am going to try to tell you little more about my trip but I need to catch up on my life here in LA. For now, I am going to have these photos to tell you the story.
This is the last image that I captured in workshop before I left the island.
Friday Harbor is the kind of place that you would like to just sit and soak up on the beauty of life.
Wonderful people I met through this workshop - It was great meeting you all.

This shot of Rachel I love so much, I wanted to leave it in color.
We saw the Orcas! Many Many of them!-I need to get myself a one of those big white lense someday.
Friday Harbor right before the rain in the late afternoon.

Above: Paul kindly took us out on his awesome boat that was named by his son. "Just Because" Below: Rock formation from the Sucia Island University of Washington Friday Harbor Lab

Ferry Landing
Few postcard photos...
I wish we had those clouds in So. Cal
another postcard image
I did not want to do anything with this image because this is exactly how I remember it.

Out of Town until 9/6/2008

I still have few more things squeeze into my carry-on bag and I will be leaving in few hours. There always is so much to pack when you take your camera gear. Not to mention trying to take 20 rolls of film in your carry-on. I've been running around like a mad woman last week just to get few things done before I go out of town for two weeks. It's little scary to leave everything behind for 2 weeks but I know everything will be okay. Okay, I have been to Passport agency and my passport disaster has been resolved. I can finally leave. Because I recently took Andy's last name and I did that before I change name on my passport, Agency has suspended processing name change on my passport. They are now asking for additional documents. I shipped them over night but when I tried to confrim with them on the phone they told me that I won't be able to get my passport back for another 2 weeks! So I rushed in to get an appointment with the Passport agency in Los Angeles. I was lucky to be able to get an appoint in such a short notice. Last friday morning in 405 traffic, I drove down to agency. A nice supervisor lady at the window #12 said "NO" at first but she took pity on me when I told her I really really really needed to take care of this before I leave so my husband can bring passport with him next week. ( They won't give your passport on the spot unless you are leaving the country on that same day!!! ) She said maybe she can get around the rules and see if she can get my information transfered by next Tuesday. I can finally take our anniversary trip with Andy to Canada after Rod Dresser workshop. Here is my advice to future brides, if you are going to take your husband's last name, do that first on your passport then change everything else. It will make your life so much easier. So I am off for two weeks, please bear with me if I cannot get back to you right away. My dear clients, you know where to reach me for your photo emergency! I won't be able to post things here until I come back so please bear with me.