Iriana Shiyan

I think that American people are incredibly kind in general. They do help other coutries all the time. I have collected many art supplies and toys in my neighborhood and sent it to an orphanages back to my motherland - Belarus. I found so much support here. On the other hand, in Belarus, it is hard to find anyone who is willing to deliver this boxes from one city to the orphanage. People in the third world countries just do not understand a principle of charity. They used to live in a hard reality, they used to have no help, and they no more want to help others.

I would say even more - if my parents will try to give something to the orphanage in their own town, they will get no appreciation. People will look at them as they have too much money and try to show off. It makes me so sad. That's why sometimes I feel that America should help themselves first before they try to change the rest of the world.

I just competed a new mural - oil painting. It was sold as a commission work at the charity action. I just wanted to share this image with you, because it is a nice reminder about the childhood.

Museum of Glass.

Tacoma Museum of glass in the one place you can not miss when you see the city for the first time. It is the most unusually shaped building in the downtown. I lived in Tacoma almost three years and I have been in museum three times. The last time I visited it I was completely amazed by spiritual creative energy and the fact that the best glass artist in Italy came to Tacoma to teach his techniques.. I spent three hours inside and I didn't want to leave. The new inhibition is full of the best glass vases in the world; it is so beautiful and inspiring! If you go there, my advise to start with a theater room. It shows a short movie about an artist - Limo Tagliapietra , who is the world's greatest living glassblower artist and who's works are shown in the galleries of the museum.

Read about an artist here:

http://www.museumofglass.org/exhibitions/lino/

McCrath's Fish House Restaurant in Federal way.

If you live in Federal Way or NE Tacoma, you probably happily noticed how much the Common's mall area changed in the last year. The whole parking lot in front of the mall has been transformed in to a restaurant snova land. We have some nice places to go to eat now. And it is so popular that you can not find parking. The last two times I came to there to have a lunch with my friend, I had to drive 5 circles around parking lot before I finally parked.

McCrath's Fish House is one of the three franchise restaurants open in Washington State. They promise the freshest fish and a great service. I like their interior atmosphere. It has a New England Old charm with North West photography everywhere you look at.

The food is good. Lunch is quite affordable and you have a lot to chouse from. Their tuna is always good, fresh and done just right enough. The fresh bread is a treat too.

Dinners are a little bit pricy, but you defiantly will have a fresh and good food. I really like their rice, chouse it instead of potatoes.

Have a great food and enjoy your time!

If you live in Seattle area or you are visiting Washington state in April- May, consider going to the Tulip valley. It is an amazing experience and an opportunity to take some great photos. Every year the blooming time changes according to the weather. Some years fields were blooming in the last two weeks of April. This year they were blooming until middle of May.

It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes from Seattle by I-5 North. In the valley you will see a lot of small signs pointing to the tulip fields. Also there some farms that do flower shows and you have to buy a ticket to get inside. Do it, you will not regret it. They offer an amazing variety of tulips from around the world and you will take some impressive photos.

North East Tacoma, WA 98422. Browns Point and Dash Point.

May 2008.

We have 227 homes for sale. During this month 7 sales were pending, 13 homes were sold.

At the end of May, we had 17.5 months of inventory.

The amount of days that now takes to sell home in NE Tacoma decreased from 91 to 78.

The average price per square foot went down from $182 to $153.

The average price of sold home in NE Tacoma is $360,000.

The average price of active listing is $501,000.

Buyers where are you? It is an amazing time to buy. Prices never been so low in Browns Point and Dash Point! Our average price per sq.ft is $154. The last time we had this price it was July 2005. You can find great homes with view, large lots and lots of space and quality. If you need an agent to answer your questions, give me a call. I can show you any home for sale and help you with any real estate needs.

North East Tacoma, WA 98422. Browns Point and Dash Point.

April 2008.

In February 2008 the Real Estate market in NE Tacoma started with 204 homes for sale. During this month 23 sales were pending, 19 homes were sold, 11 listings were cancelled and 9 expired.

At the end of April, we had 10.7 months of inventory.

The amount of days that now takes to sell home in NE Tacoma decreased from 125 to 91.

The average price per square foot went down from $211 to $182.

The average price of sold home in NE Tacoma is $363,000.

The average price of active listing is $509,000.

The market is great! Prices finally started to go down, buyers finally started buying.

If the situation will continue going in this directions, we will have a healthy and balanced real estate market.

March 2008.

In February 2008 the Real Estate market in NE Tacoma started with 201 homes for sale. During this month 9 homes were sold, 16 listings were cancelled and 10 expired. At the end of March, we had 22 months of inventory. The amount of days that now takes to sell home in NE Tacoma increased from 60 to 116. The average price per square foot went up from $165 to $203, which has absolutely no sense in this market. The average price of sold home in NE Tacoma is $423,000. The average price of active listing is $505,000.

We have a strong buyers market. You still can sell you home fast, if you price it right and make sure it looks good in comparison to the comparable homes for sale.