I probably get my hair done 3 times a year.  I cut it, grow it out, cut it, grow it out. That’s the process. I don’t go to the salon to get my hair done for a wedding or some special occasion.  Just a cut and color, 3 times a year. That’s it.

I got my hair done at Babalouise in Ballard.  The person who did my hair is one of the people that started the salon.  Meaning, her rates are higher than the other stylists in the salon. Oh my gosh!!

Can someone please recommend another stylist that’s really good but I don’t have to pay too much money?  The request may be out of this world but if you know anyone.  I would gladly accept the suggestions.

Nick and I woke up this morning with stuffy noses and deep sexy sick bedroom voices. haha! We had our coffee and lunch (yes we slept in) and headed out the door. We were going to the Seattle Asian Art Museum but decided that the day was too nice to be indoors. So we decided to just walk around Volunteer Park and enjoy the day.

Driving to the park, we had the windows rolled down. It was actually the first time this year that we were able to do that. It was that warm. Dude 64F is major! We loved it!

We arrived at the park, we saw the cherry trees all beautiful and blooming. The people were out in the field laying on their picnic blankets, reading books, throwing frisbees, walking their dogs, riding their bikes and also people with their cameras taking photos of the flowers. It was spring and Nick and I loved it!

We walked around the conservatory and the park and then sat by the black sun, to enjoy the warmth and the view of the Space Needle.

It was one of those days when I thanked God that I live in Seattle.  I am sure that this is just the beginning of the many sunny days we’re going to have here. I can’t wait for the late sunsets, bbq with friends, after-work swimming in the lake and throwing frisbees at Alki. Camping trips will then come, hiking in the mountains and lots of play time in the sun.

Sun, shine on me. I can’t wait to spend more time with you. (Don’t worry peeps, I suncreen like crazy)

I will tell you though, I haven’t had fast food in a long time, save for when I was at my niece’s birthday party at McDonald’s in the Philippines. That was Sept of 2009, and before then. I haven’t stepped foot in McDonald’s in years.

I’ve stopped drinking sodas years ago. I don’t drink beer or wine. And because I’m married to Nick, I have slowly learned to cut fat from the beef or pork that I’m eating. I can’t even stand chicken fat anymore. I still eat the skin though. That’s as far as I have gone in terms of eating healthy. Everything else, I eat.

The past few months there’s only one thing I crave for. And if you ask my husband and friends, they all know the answer to that. Ramen!!!!

I haven’t had the chance to make ramen at home so I make do with what I have. Udon.

This is my version of Miso Udon. Instead of Miso Ramen with all the right fixings in it.  Looking at the photo I took, it looks like it was chewed up and spit out.  I just got home, made a quick udon, ate half of it and then decided to take a picture. Good job Tanya!

Anyway, about my ramen cravings, there’s only one place in Seattle that I know is the closest to authentic Japanese ramen and that’s, Samurai Noodle. It’s sad, with all the Japanese in Seattle and there’s only one good ramen place. And with all the Filipinos, why is there no Jollibee to be found? Ok, I’ll save that for another post. I do miss the chicken joy and palabok though.

In 2 months, I think I have gone to Samurai noodle 6 times. And that’s saying a lot since Nick and I don’t usually go to the same place in a month. My technique is to go to Samurai Noodle with different people, that way no one would think I am there all the time. Except maybe for the people that work there.

Also since I have been a big Google Reader fan, I have not only subscribed myself to hundreds of food blogs, but also to ramen blogs. I just discovered this 3 guys who go to different ramen places in Japan. They of course, take the photos, eat the ramen and make a review about it. All in their blog. What a wonderful way to discover Japan. Although, I would probably find myself eating all the sashimi I can get my teeth to bite into.

For now, I have to settle with trying to make my own ramen or just go to Samurai Noodle.

If you live in Seattle, Oregon or Vancouver Canada, can you recommend a good ramen place I have not heard about?

I know it’s a really late post and should’ve blogged right away but hey, the holidays get really busy. What with all the New Year’s parties that we went to. You know how crazy Nick and I get. Actually, Nick and I were home at 10am during New Year’s Eve. We just watched the Space Needle fireworks on TV. Yes, we met the New Year just chilling on the couch… but who said nothing happened on the couch?

The highlight for Nick’s and my new year was actually going to the Aquarium. What a crazy couple we are. So intense with our activities…

Here are a couple of photos that I took.

Starfish to Your Heart's Content

See the Octopus?

Nick Underwater

Slug & the Fishy Hiding in a Shell

The Face Only a Mother Could Love

Sunset View

We Live Across the Water