Firsts

February 1982

Job opportunities weren’t as easy to come by as we had hoped; Washington was experiencing double-digit unemployment rates in ‘82.  Nonetheless, I landed my first job in the US … as a receptionist for KCPQ TV, Channel 13, in Tacoma.  Can you believe I told them that I’d take the job, but that they’d see I was qualified for more than answering the phones and promote me within three months?  How cocky of me!!!  I’m jumping ahead, but it turned out as I predicted.  By spring, I was working as secretary to the station’s Chief Engineer.

Though Mui was still looking for an opportunity, the location of my job determined where we’d be living.  And so it was that we said goodbye to the Haggs and moved into our first place … a one-bedroom apartment in the Forest Village complex on Phillips Road in Tacoma.  Half my salary went to rent and expenses; we played with the remaining half.

Next came transportation.  We needed a car not just to get around locally, but also to explore all that the beautiful state of Washington had to offer.  Enter into the picture, our first car … a ‘78 Mercury Zephyr.  I didn’t have a driver’s license (never needed one in İzmir), so Mui did chauffer duty, driving me to and from work.  When we went gallivanting on weekends, I reciprocated the favor by being the navigator.

First Place; First Car

We even have a swimming pool.

Promoting the KCPQ Antenna for better reception.
(Left: Enumclaw Fair; Right: Western Washington Fair, Puyallup)

And so we found ourselves in a routine.  During the week, I went to work; Mui continued his search for a job and took care of the household chores.  When the weekends came around, we explored Washington State ... near and far.