Visit Skagit Valley Festival

Spring is here and another recommendation with Jesse is visiting the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  A warm winter means the tulips will bloom a bit early for the second straight year. Enjoy the colorful blooms and fields with Tam and friends in Mount Vernon. The festival runs from April 1 through April 30 depending on weather conditions.  It is a destination event for the Pacific Northwest held annually.  

Every spring thousands of people tour and visit the tulip fields in bloom.  It is a short drive from Seattle and Vancouver, BC.  The fields are scattered throughout the Skagit Valley with many local events and activities throughout the festival.  The walking or biking tours are perfect day trip or weekend with friends and families. RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town with displays in gardens for visitors to view and photograph.  Bulbs and items are available for purchase at each location.

The festival is now 32 years and welcomes people across the United States and from around the world.  This is truly a places to visit for all ages and families during the month of April and spending time with nature.  There will be traffic on weekends and long waits on the road, so biking is a great way to view the fields.  A link for more information to festival  http://www.tulipfestival.org/
Parking maps and viewing times for preparing your trip and drive.  Enjoy the colorful blooms and takes plenty of photos.  You won't forget the sights of the fields.

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.

Sunday Supermoon Eclipse

This Sunday people in the United States can see something that hasn’t happened in more than 30 years:a supermoon combined with a lunar eclipse. Jesse Tam will be viewing this special evening event of the night skies. The last time this happened was in 1982.  If you missed the viewing on Sunday, you would have to wait until 2033 for this occurrence to happen again.

 In the evening, sky-watchers will see a larger-than-normal moon begin to dim and turn red, lasting for more than an hour before returning to its normal brightness and color in the sky. The supermoon eclipse will last 1 hour and 11 minutes and will be visible to North and South America, Europe, Africa and parts of West Asia.  A rare phenomenon that occurred only five supermoon eclipses since 1900 (in 1910, 1928, 1964  and 1982)

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 Median Income City

Seattle real estate, Jesse Tam views the commercial and housing market as it continues to flourish in

the greater eastside.  It is a sellers market again in certain neighborhoods with limited listing and short supply of homes. Recent news and articles regarding the schools, colleges and safety of our cities created higher housing prices as we see more people move into our communities.

What does it costs for those coming to relocate in King County?  Here's a recent article on what is considered "middle class"

"So let's see what life is like in a place where a $125,000 household income is literally the middle.

I looked at the median income for all King County's nearly 400 census tracts and found the one closest to $125,000 as its median household income.
The winning tract is in Sammamish...."    

Read more  http://jessetam.com/  Jesse Tam, stories and update and learn about the latest trends and events.  Pending sales for spring are strong market for sellers.

Take the Leap and Beyond

A Thought Jesse Tam Seattle, strive beyond your personal comfort zone and discover the inner energy and strength. There is a world of opportunities and lessons to be learned, continue learning from others and education yourself. Take the leap, challenge and some risks or you will be left behind.

Remain in the shallow end or reach further into the world, across the  ocean from Seattle and beyond. Discover new cultures, volunteer, mentor and join networking groups.   http://jessetam.com/

E

 Either You Decide to

 Stay in the Shallow End of the Pool or 

You Go Out in the Ocean

-  Christopher Reeve

Just a thought.  Are you ready to venture into new adventures from the shallow end into the vast open ocean?

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