gnine: (MFU-inverted)
gnine ([personal profile] gnine) wrote2009-06-22 11:44 pm
Entry tags:

Settling in in Seattle (plus a little MUNCLE art)

So after nearly a month in Seattle, [livejournal.com profile] xparrot and I are settling in nicely. While we're missing quite a bit about Japan (first and foremost our friends and our Sat. night fangirl group, the fantastically convenient public transport, hearing a foreign language all the time, and yes, even teaching, etc.) there's a lot to be said for living with our bro. Besides the obvious joy of having all sibs under the same roof *does happy dance*, there's numerous other bonuses. Like their new house's amazing view:



And their adorable cats:





Since arriving, have spent a little time job-hunting, but with only a little under three months here (down to two now) and the economy being what it is, not had much luck. But niichan and Miriam are spoiling us rotten in exchange for some simple housecleaning and yard keeping, so I really can't complain. And their place truly is lovely. Not only is it spacious, and in a fairly convenient location (within the Seattle city limits), but, as I showed above, has a tremendous view from it's living room and dinning room. I love eating my breakfast/lunch each day, looking out over the hills and mountains:



And, my sleeping schedule being what it is (improved from my time in Japan only in that I get to consistently sleep into the afternoon, instead of only intermittently), I also get to experience a glorious sunrise almost every 'night' before I head to bed.



Another continuing source of happiness here is their two sweet, adorable cats. Gods, but I've missed living with pets! We have the aptly named Niku (which means 'meat' in Japanese and he truly is a bit of a meat head. Terribly sweet, but not so bright) :



who loooves having his back scratched. Seriously, a few scritches and he starts swaying and then just plain plunks down anywhere, unable to stay on his feet he's enjoying it so much.

And then we have Anna, who's tiny, adorable, loves her cuddles and sprawls like nobody's business:



Between TV watching, chores and paying back a sleep debt that's been building for years (I didn't know it was even possible to lighten the dark smudges under my eyes, but I'm making a great stab at it! ^_^) we've also been doing some fun group cooking (special Sunday dinners, whee! We had lamb stew; spinach, shredded mozzarella and candied pecan salad; and homemade chocolate cream pie for dessert this past weekend) and baking:



Yay group cupcake decorating! ^___^



Sadly, despite copious amounts of glorious free time, I've had a bit of an art dry spell...but, did finish one pic recently! Just a quick Man from Uncle sketch, touched up a bit in Photoshop.

Preview:

nekokoban: (shock!  amazement!)

[personal profile] nekokoban 2009-06-23 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
--dude, you guys are back in Seattle?! HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS!



Clearly we need to get together at some point, where in Seattle are you? :D

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2009-06-23 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, we've been meaning to contact you to try and get together, we just...um...suck? ^_-

We're up north of the University District, around 35 and 100th St. Where be you?
nekokoban: (YAY :D)

[personal profile] nekokoban 2009-06-23 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Clearly this was just luck, then! XD I used to live in the UDistrict, but I just moved at the beginning of this month, so I'm on First Hill now. GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS and I will mail you my cellphone number. /o/

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2009-06-23 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
My email is gninek at gmail dot com. As the post says, we have LOTS of free time, so just let us know when's good for you. \o/

[identity profile] wednesday-10-00.livejournal.com 2009-06-23 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Kitties!! ♥ (Niku really does look like Wednesday! Only, um, thinner and with knee-high socks. Is Niku goth?)

P.S. I got my Flesh & Blood booklet yesterday, thank you!! I think I owe you for shipping (at least), yes?
Edited 2009-06-23 15:23 (UTC)

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2009-06-24 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
He does, doesn't he! ^_^ ...sadly, I don't think Niku is clever enough to be goth...poor, adorable dumb kitty! ^_-

And nope, no worries about the Flesh and Blood, it was mailed by [livejournal.com profile] spacealienvamp, and I was able to hand deliver it to her on our way through SFO! ^_^ *huggles*

[identity profile] wednesday-10-00.livejournal.com 2009-06-24 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Goths are smart? Ohhhh, I did not just go there. (Actually, he sounds too happy to be goth.)

Oh, cool, in that case I will just thank you for being an awesome intermediary: Thanks! *hugs*

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2009-06-25 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
*snicker* Well, actually, he does have a bit of the emo of the goths. He does the most pathetic meow ALL THE TIME. Especially when he thinks he's been left alone...even if we're all still in the same room. "Oh god, I've turned my head and now can't see you. Meeeooow, meoooow, SO Allloooone!

[identity profile] wednesday-10-00.livejournal.com 2009-06-25 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Haha! Pumpkin, our only boy cat, sometimes goes down into the basement and wanders around, yowling pathetically (like, "where is everybodyyy?? ;_;") until we call him and he comes back upstairs. We're like, "But why did you go down there???"

[identity profile] kouriarashi.livejournal.com 2009-06-23 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I didn't know you were back either. ;_; I am woefully behind in your life, et cetera.

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2009-06-24 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
...yeah, I'm behind on yours as well...so easy to get distracted! :-p And sadly, I'm not gonna be back in the States all that long, off to England next...

[identity profile] stitcher2ficcer.livejournal.com 2009-06-24 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
The view and the daily sunrises are pretty spectacular, aren't they? And the kitties are very sweet. I love how Anna makes a dash to get into any door that's been closed to her the minute it gets opened... and have you found her on top of the refrigerator yet?

Your dad and I want to see pictures of the pool table. Maybe of your brother playing? And can you get a new picture of Miriam's latest hairstyle? Definitely not the buzz we saw in February.

So glad you're enjoying yourselves. But can't wait 'til you come east!

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2009-06-26 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I really am loving the views, morning, noon and night.

And, yup, she still liked her fridge-perch. As well as on top of the TV, with tail and/or legs hanging down over the screen, of course ^_-.

Yes, yes, I'll try to convince the bro to allow me to take pics of that soon.

naye: the sky and mountains above lake geneva (mountain dawn)

[personal profile] naye 2009-06-25 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
So pretty! So cute! So jealous! *snuggles*

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2009-06-26 12:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. Ain't it a gorgeous view? I'll admit, I was half thinking just of you when I posted those pics. I know how much you love a good view...see, now you HAVE to come and visit here! ^_-

*big huggles*