Editor’s Note: The Ballard Campus blog would like to welcome its newest contributer, Jo Dean. Jo came to Seattle and to Mars Hill after recently moving from Swindon, England, to marry her sweetheart, Blake Dean (Ballard Campus’ welcome team guru). She’ll be commenting on a variety of things on this blog, including her interesting assimilation into Mars Hill, Seattle, and American life . . .

By Jo Dean

Being new to Seattle, and also America, there are definite differences that I have noticed since arriving here only 3 months ago from England. For example, everything here is fast; fast food, fast living, fast work and fast holidays hence the old jokes in England about Americans being on coach tours to see 23 countries in 6 days. I now understand this. And I believe this reflection bears great relevance to my experience at the weekend when I was out enjoying the sunshine with my husband. Yes, I have adapted to life here enough to understand rule number 1 of Seattle life:

• When there is the slightest hint of sunshine during the winter months (and most of the rest of the year) you run outside.

So in true Seattleite style, my husband and I went for a walk around the Ballard Locks and then headed out to Golden Gardens to enjoy the beautiful scenery and sunshine. Perfect. Well no, not quite. The Ballard Locks stroll went without incident and was very enjoyable, although a little disappointing because we didn’t get to see any salmon. Then we went to Golden Gardens. Normally this is one of my favourite places in Seattle, but it all went horribly wrong when we got there.

After being there for just over 5 minutes, I was stood near the edge of the water aiming my camera to take a photo, when suddenly I felt something hit the side of my head rather hard. My first thought was “Oh God, please let that be some annoying kid throwing sand”, but even while thinking this I realised what had happened. You know, I survived 27 and ½ years (my entire life thus far) in England without ever suffering the indignity of being pooped on by any type of bird. And it took only 3 months of living here for me to get nailed by a seagull, at my favourite place, in front of the largest number of people I have seen there. Unbelievable. I must have made some kind of wailing noise because Blake was next to me in a second. And, as any loving husband would, he instantly started crying with laughter and then grabbed my camera to take photos. Thank you darling very helpful. In his defence though, he did (eventually) wipe off as much as he could with a tissue and then washed my hair for me when we got home – I do love him for that. Anyway, in summary;

• 27 and ½ years in England
• 3 months in America

I rest my case.