Windy City Highlights and Cruise

We are familiar with the Windy City in Chicago, Jesse Tam visiting sites and highlights.  Here are some landscapes of the city in September along Lake Michigan and the downtown river cruise.  The Navypier is a must see for tourist and locals for strolls and activities.

An afternoon stroll in Chicago's Navypier for local cruise on Lake Michigan, dining, music, shops and enjoying the city.

There's great river cruises in downtown Chicago to view the buildings and historical places.  

Highrises and condo living along the city skylines on the river.  The Merchant Mart, Boeing Headquarters, Willis Tower, Marina City,Aqua, Wrigley Building and many others.

Best Places for Fall Foliage

Looking for fall colors in the Bellevue and the greater Seattle area?  Jesse Tam places to see fall foliage. There are many parks, trails and neighborhoods within a short drive or bike to enjoy the changing leaves. Bright yellow, orange and red hues of changing leaves fill the backgrounds as night time temperatures dip to low 50 degrees. 

Washington may not be the exact fall view as New Hampshire or Vermont, but we have some of the most beautiful shades of autumn.  When it comes to fall foliage and colors, here are some easy places to enjoy and explore.

 For a pure explosion of foliage colors:

•  Bellevue Botanical Garden. Beautiful year-round, this 53-acre urban sanctuary goes wild with color in the fall, making the easy stroll around the grounds vibrant beyond belief.
•  A simple hike along the Cedar River heading west from Landsburg Park 
• Seattle's Seward Park  2.4-mile walking path
• Japanese Garden in Seattle, Montlake
• Trails of Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
• Scenic drive from Naches toward White Pass, Highway 13 and into Mount Rainier National Park

The blue skies, light filled evening and few sunny days will capture your spirits when you venture outdoors and embrace the beauty of nature's changes.  Spend an  hours alone or with your friends or family and remember to snap a few photos to capture the scenery.   Jesse  https://jesse-tam28.blogspot.com/

Harmony in Coeur d'Alene Conference

Harmony in Coeur d'Alene is the theme for District Conference this year from April 29 - May 1, 2016. Join the fun in a relaxing resort setting approximately 5 hours drive from Seattle  with spectacular lake front landscape. Jesse Tam, an opportunity for rotary fellowship with 52 clubs presidents, rotarians and our district leadership  Learn about projects, programs, inspirational speakers and using social media to build membership.

Rotary conference,  leadership, cub presidents,
district fellowship Jesse Tam 

Spend the afternoon/evening free time to make new friends and  participate in social activities. Enjoy the weekend with inspiring youth, inspirational guests and renew your spirit with new ideas. Great break-out sessions, family friendly, fellowship and hospitality at Coeur d'Alene.  

Celebrate the spirit of Rotary. Make this a weekend getaway and stay connected.  It will be an amazing experience at each conference as a first timer or past time attendee.  Hear inspiring stories from your district leaders, club presidents and Rotary International rep.  Look ahead for the new rotary year and embrace the accomplishments of our district leadership.  https://jessewa28.wordpress.com/

More info     http://rotarydistrict5030.org/

Building Membership using Social Meida

There Are No Limits

There Are No Limits - Life is filled with many twisting paths with some straight and forward, while others leading to the unknown.  Don't allow the unknown change your thoughts and burden the path.  Stay on task and follow your inner whispers and it will lead you in the right direction.   learn more  http://bit.ly/1LxOCB2     Jesse    

There will be obstacles, but there are no limits.  Hard work is never easy, but things can get done with one small step at a time.  Keep the pace and focus with an open mind.  

Celebrate 100 Years National Park Service

Looking for something to do this weekend?  How about a drive to your local national park.Mount Rainier is approximately 2 hours drive from Seattle. The National Park Service turns 100 years old in 2016  and  everyone can join the party!  On 16 days this year, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Discover the beautiful parks and sites with your family and friends.  Jesse Tam read more about the outdoor trails and experiences outdoors, on the bucket lists for visitors.

Mount Rainier - Jesse Tam

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2016:

• January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• April 16 through 24: National Park Week
• August 25 through 28: National Park Service Birthday
• September 24: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

A wonderful way to spend time outdoors and begin appreciating nature with visits to our own national parks nearby.  Living in the Pacific Northwest and Seattle, we are fortunate to be able to enjoy sites like Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park , North Cascades National Park and so many more within our neighboring states.   https://jessewa28.wordpress.com/

Ranger Station Mt Rainier National Park

Snowy Mt Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington state reserve southeast of Seattle 14,410 ft high. Jesse blog

Pacific Northwest to Victoria, BC

Seattle waterfront - Jesse T

The Victoria Clipper recently sold to FRS, a ferry and shipping Germany global company. Jesse Tam blog, trips for summer and year round travel between Seattle's waterfront to Victoria, BC. It is a route for locals and tourists which provides transportation and tours from the Pacific Northwest and Canadian southwest.

Parking overnight or just for the day is available for a reasonable price within a block or so of the waterfront terminal. Tours or those who prefer to not hassle with driving can spend a few night in Victoria or travel to the San Juan Islands.  It's a weekend get away for the family or just to refresh and relax from the busy city life.

You may be able to encounter whales and other wildlife creatures on the open waters. Several rotary district conferences were held in Victoria and a special charter Clipper transported our attendees on the hydro vessels. A relaxing fun way to spend time on the regal waters of the sound with food on board for purchase, views on the decks and fellowship time together.

It was a fun and memorable event filled with friendship and stories on the 3 hour cruise.  Plans for future expansion would include a new route between Victoria to downtown Vancouver, BC.  FRS operates 60 vessels in 12 countries and carried more than 7 million passengers.  It hopes to open a service between Miami to Cuba by ferry with government approval.

Washington State Park

Time to make plans in recognition of the 22nd anniversary of national Park Lands Day - the largest single day volunteer effort for public lands. Jesse Tam recommends exploring your state park from west coasts of Seattle and the northwest to the eastern coast. The State Park "free day" are allowing free access to all Washington state parks on Sept. 26, Saturday.

What's your favorite state park?  

No Discover Passes will be needed on Saturday, Sept. 26 for day-use visitors.

'Free days' apply only to vehicles, not overnight stays or rented facilities.

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Reaching Your Achievements

 A wise quote of reaching your achievements.  Roadblocks are detours for us to evaluate and select other choices or figure other routes.  Jesse Tam favors another quote "If you're trying to achieve...go through...."

If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it

  Michael Jordan

Typhoon Advisory Soudelor

Typhoon Soudelor moved slowly with strong winds toward the island of Taipei, Taiwan bringing heavy rain.  Jesse Tam visited Taiwan with friends early spring. The island was under an extremely torrential rain advisory on the northeast side of the island expecting more than 3 feet of rain.  Businesses and schools were closed with warnings of strongest storm on the planet so far this year.  It will peak with winds at 180 mph (290 kph).

 It was expected to make landfall early Saturday local time, sweep across the island and continue toward mainland China.  Some train and ferry services were suspended, but flights were continuing to take off and arrive at Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport on Friday afternoon.  Taiwan had been hit hard with typhoons and earthquakes in the past.   http://jessetam.com/  

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Be A Gift to the World

Our Seattle rotary club changes presidents each July and the new RI president takes helm in Chicago with the new theme for 2015 - 2016 "Be A Gift to the World.

Jesse Tam looks back 31 years as a charter member of his rotary club and ponders, what contribution can I make to the world?  The greatest gift is the ability to adapt to changes and strive in giving back to others.

Many people I've known do give and donate to various charities and organizations with writing a check which are tax deductions, but don't give the gift of personal time or effort.  We can give to the world with volunteering our time, a friendly smile, mentoring others or just being a friend. The 31 years journeys in rotary from helping raise funds for the children in Nepal, polio immunization in Ethiopia, local community cleanup, packing and distributing books to children, helping the homeless and food packing are just of the few to mention.

There are many memories and stories to tell such as landing in Nepal on February 14 with a snowfall which usually is unheard of in that country. The women and children of Africa still carrying water buckets on their heads and walking miles to the stream. Schools in countries without toilets and limited school supplies, these are just a few...    http://jessetam.com/

Carrying Water Container 

Streets of Nepal 

Shelter Box at Gates Foundation

Shelter Box is one of the projects supported by Rotary International to help with natural disasters worldwide. Jesse Tam and RI representative David visits the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle during conference weekend.  Many of the containers provide temporary tents and shelters for those who have loss homes and are in need. Here is a display at  the Gates Foundation in Seattle. The visitor center is an amazing display of the worldwide projects in education, water technology, medical needs, health and so much more...

Remembering Nepal

The sad news of Nepal's 7.8 quake tremors brought down several buildings in the capital ancient Old Kathmandu, including centuries old temples and towers.  Jesse Tam recalls the long 20 hours flight from Seattle International to Nepal on a cold February day.  It was February 14 with a light snow to greet my arrival.  A heartfelt welcome from fellow Rotarians and friends to Nepal.  A tiny country between India and China filled with so much history.

Nepal UNESCO site

This was a trip to help promote a matching grant to help Nepal through Rotary International and partner clubs in Seattle and our district.  It was an opportunity to learn about the people and culture as well as viewing the many UNESCO  sights and Dharahara Tower. The tower was one of Kathmandu's landmarks built by Nepal's royal rulers in the 1800's.

It was the worst tremor to hit Nepal the region in over 80 years.  Our Rotary district is sending immediate relief aid using Shelter Box to help the people in desperate need with tents and etc.  Keeping our friends in our thoughts  for strength courage.  Read more http://jessetam.com/ updates and events.

UNESCO historical sites of Nepal, a country rich in ancient cultures and religions. The geographic region of Kathmandu Valley to the Himalayas mountains.

Dunbar Square, Nepal

                               Nepal, Kathmandu Valley to the Himalayas mountains.

Seattle Seahawks Believe

Believe - Never Give Up

Watching the playoff with Jesse Tam and the 12's cheering on the Seattle Seahawks was a dream come true. The 12's looking for a chance to make plans to the desert in Arizona for a champion repeat. Seattle fans and team  filled with excitement for Super Bowl week.  http://jessetam.com/


 It was a nail biting 2 minutes  towards a tie with an unbelievable come back. Finally, things start to go our way with a fake field goal leading towards scoring a TD.  The on side kick recovered by our Seahawks player giving the team another chance.  Our 12's were still creating noise and earthquakes in the stands.  The team continue to fight on the field against the Packers, never letting up or loose faith in themselves.

Heading to overtime, Russell and the Seahawks continued the fight and kept their spirits and hopes alive by keeping the faith as a team and Never Gave Up - Believe!  What a wonderful journey as they entered another back to back year to Super Bowl 49. As Beast might think about the media and press, they write what they want to say. Ditto

During a conversation with Jesse Tam, he  reminded us to follow our dreams Never Give Up.  Strive to do the best regardless of what others may think, do or say Believe In Yourself

#True Believers 

 #Winners  #Champions  #Keeping the Faith

 #Dreamers  #Leaders   #Team Spirit   @Seattle

Champions

The 12's

Rise to the Top

Holiday Greetings to all our business associates and friends who have supported us throughout.  Making  connections with Jesse Tam at the Space Needle.  The view is spectacular as always and well recognized worldwide.  It is one of the favorite places when out of town visitors come or drive pass to see our very own Pacific Northwest's icon.  It makes a statement when the lights are speaking to our guests at night, this is me and I am Here. The sparkles of holiday lights standing tall. .

http://jessetam.com/ 

Here's a tip for expanding any business,  remain active and network in your professional organization and volunteer.  Enjoy what you are doing, it will reflect your passion.

Space Needle with Jesse Tam, rising to the next level and rise to the top. Reach for the stars and on this clear night - climb every level from the bottom to the top.  You will reach your goal.

A Time of Gratitude

Remembering other with Jesse Tam. November is a month of importance and gratitude as we celebrate Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving, Daylight Savings, Elections and president,  All Saints Day, and for some people Black Friday. Jesse mentioned the family who welcomed him as a young 17 years old student and the memories. It is a time to remember the Veterans who had fought and served for our country. It is a time to give thanks for the people who had  reached out and made a differences.

Gratitude should be practiced and remembered all year, not just during the holidays or special times. We may have an abundance of fruits and vegetable in our gardens which can be donated to the needy or shared with others.  One of the members of my Rotary club make sandwiches and distribute them to the homeless.  Whether you are a student, single parent, president or an executive; we can all lead and lend a hand to those who are less fortunate or hit a low point in life.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them 

John Fitzgerald Kennedy - president

 Nature's beauty showing the changing colors of fall in the fields.
   http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessetam

Snake River in Idaho