A touch of soccer magic in Seattle

GREETINGS from Seattle, the Emerald City! Seattle is one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. It is also the place I have called home since September 2008 thanks to KPMG's Global Opportunities programme.

When one thinks of Seattle, what often comes to mind is the film, Sleepless in Seattle, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Seattle is much more than that.

It is the home of the world's most famous coffeehouse chain - Starbucks. 'Jet City' is also the HQ of aircraft making giant Boeing. And for the 138 rainy days and 226 cloudy days a year that Seattle averages, it's nicknamed 'Rainy City'.

Ain't no sunshine ...

Being physically in the stadium with the likes of Lionel Messi, Peter Cech and Thierry Henry was a wonderful treat. Watching them work their magic on the pitch was unforgettable.

A cup of coffee on an overcast day is a good treat to kick-start the day. The lack of sunny days may explain why Seattle has such a strong coffee culture!

In Seattle, Starbucks is everywhere, like Ya Kun and Coffee & Toast in Singapore. Unfortunately, bagels and sandwiches just cannot replace the familiar kaya toast, which I miss.

Apart from big coffee houses like Starbucks, Seattle's Best Coffee and Tully's, there are also many small Espresso roasters and cafes in Seattle. Each is unique, with different themes, offering different types of roasts.

On weekends, my favourite activity is hanging out at these coffee houses, trying the various types of coffee available and soaking up the relaxing atmosphere.

Being in Seattle is a dream come true for me. Since I was a young boy, I have always dreamed of living in different countries. I took a small step when I left Malaysia to study in Singapore, and now I am in Seattle.

Beyond the novelty of the four seasons, I also have my own kitchen! This is where I spend much of my weekends trying out recipes for dishes I miss from home such as yong tau hu and char siew rice. It was in this kitchen that I baked my first American cheesecake as a birthday cake for my girlfriend.

Have food will cook

The fact that I love cooking probably explains why one of my favourite places in Seattle, apart from the coffee houses, is Pike Place Market. This is a public market overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle. Opened on Aug 17, 1907, it is one of the oldest public farmers' markets in the US. It is a place of business for many small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. It is also where one can find the freshest fish, fruit and vegetables in town, some of which is sourced directly from local farms in Washington State.

One of the Market's major attractions is the famed fish stall, where employees hurl three-foot salmon and other fish at each other rather than passing the orders by hand.

I love to spend my Sunday mornings at Pike Place Market, which is also where Starbucks opened its very first shop. It's a joy just walking around the market, admiring artistic creations like paintings, glass blowings, and wood carvings. Tasting the local delights on offer at the market is one of the small pleasures that make my stay in Seattle an enjoyable one.