Reason 25: Evergreen State, I love Green Trees and Blue Water

 Rocky Mountain is awe-inspiring, California Dessert is breathtaking, New York City is bustling.....

I'm fully soaked and embrace myself when I am in a new city and surrounding.  

But despite my excitement and eagerness to explore, after a week or two, I start to miss the green forests, fresh after-rain air, and blue ocean water.

If I must name a few things that I would never be tired of seeing, it would be green trees and blue ocean water.  What was exactly what I searched when my husband asked me whether or not I wanted him to accept the job offer and move to Seattle.  "Well, it's by the water, and lots of trees, so sure, why not!" answered I.  

Though the reality was quite different from what I originally painted in my head,  looking back, I started to feel, Washington State is beautiful and I actually love living here.

Reason 24: Dogs are welcome in State Parks

 I mean dogs ARE welcome in Washington State Parks, not just on paved roads, in car parks and campgrounds, but also on trails and beaches.

I had always taken this "dog right" for granted, until, when I was holidaying in California, and realised Jasper, my baby boy, was not allowed in most of the state parks and sandy beaches.

Although we did have a good vacation with some sandy beach water fun, thanks to the google search and help from the locals, this got me to re-think how awesome Washington State Parks are!

It is true that beaches, even ocean beaches, in Washington State, are not the same look and feel as the sandy beaches in California, but the fury family members don't have to be left home in a sunny and warm day when sea breezes and ocean waves sound so inviting!

Reason 23: Yellow Traffic Direction Line

 Not sure if I got the term right, I mean the Yellow Line in the middle of the road, to separate the traffic of opposite directions.

This saves my stress and life!  It doesn't matter if it is 4-lane south 1-lane north or it is 2-lane south 2-lane north, I am in no panic when doing a left turn thanks to the super helpful Yellow Line !

Reason 22: Mango Language Paid Account

I have been experimenting language learning via mobile apps, youtube  channels and websites.  Recently I  discovered that I could use paid version of Mango Language app/website with my King County Library Account.

How Wonderful!

I have had several apps installed on my Android mobile phone, except for Deutsche Welle, a cost-free and ad-free app, thanks to the Deutsch government, all other apps are commercial advertisements filled, being a free version.

And now, I have this Mango Language, with no ads, though feature-wise, it is quite similar to my other language learning apps, but hey again, no ads, it has climbed the ladder, becoming my second favourite app, (sorry but Deutsche Welle is still my Number One favourite). 

Every time, opening Mango Language, I say "Thank you, King County Library"! :-)

Reason 21: Library Service: how many books can I borrow? As many as you like

- "Can I really borrow as many books as I like?"
- "Yes."
- "No limit?"
- "No limit at all"


I just wanted to get affirmation of my understanding.

I probably should not have been surprised because it is the same at my local library in Melbourne.

Still, it is super awesome that the limit is unlimited on how many books one can borrow a time.

I love libraries, I love the online catalogs, I love the reservation service, I love the book check-out / return facilities.

This is the place that I borrowed and finished <<Great Expectations>> and other thick books;  This is the place that I borrowed and finished <<Rangers Apprentice>> and other popular series;  This is the place that I build up my "To Read" book list.

Libraries are amazing, aren't they?

Reason 20: Alaska Airlines, baggage collection in 20 minutes

I do think this is a selling point, that air travellers are promised to be able to collect their baggage at carousel in 20 minutes after the airplane door opens.  And to date, in my two and half years of air travel total of 58 flights with Alaska Airlines, it has happened only once that I am not able to get my baggage within 20 minutes.

Here's the promise from Alaska Airlines:
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If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane's arrival at the gate, we'll offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlinesflight, or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ bonus miles.
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Why do I think this is impressive?  Well, I used to fly with Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, and I have flown with several other airlines too, awaiting baggage at the carousel is not something fun at all.

Salut, Alaska Airlines!

Reason 19: Splitting Bill? Sure, no problem

It really opened my eyes when I discovered the easy-going Splitting Bill thingy in restaurants.

"That's truly amazing and wonderful!" I said to my inner self.

Back in Melbourne, we do split bills but in a way like we do our own calculations find out our individual share of cost, and then put money on the table, then the "table manager", usually the one who talks the most or the one who doesn't have cash in the wallet, will collect all the money and pay the bill.

As I had been splitting bills like this for my entire life, I used to think that was the norm, until....... the magic door to hassle-less splitting bill opened!

Now, I go out to restaurants with friends and co-workers, eat, drink, share food, share stories, share good time, when it comes to the bill payment, we pay individually, either splitting bill evenly, or pay for our own food.

Isn't it wonderful?????!!!!!!