Too Darn Hot

On Sunday I attended my new ward, the Inwood 3rd ward for the first time. My roommate Megan and I walked to church together, which is just at the opposite end of Fort Tryon Park. I've been told that the Inwood building (at least at one time)was the most expensive chapel property that the church owned. It's a lovely little building -- actually it is quite large. The ward is much smaller than the mega Manhattan 8th ward, but very friendly and welcoming. By the time we got out of church for our linger longer on the front "lawn" (a space that's about 3'x12') it was scorching and we all just stood there and kind of melted together in the shadows of sizzling skyscrapers.

-Ella Fitzgerald-

Ice Cream

Ice cream was pretty much a theme of my day. I am not complaining. It was a lovely day in New York -- it's Friday so who can really complain? I got out of work an hour early so I decided to check city search in search of the city's best ice cream to cool off on this warm summer day. Who knew it would be in China Town? I love New York because you can get on the subway in the middle of the suits and structure and stress of Seventh Avenue corporate america and emerge three stops later in the middle of China. It's like everywhere you go, you're in a new world.

I wandered through Chinatown, just soaking it in. There was so much activity; it was incredibly busy with people calling to each other in ambiguous thick asian dialects while silks and porcelain swirled around me in a blur and I felt like a foreigner. It was fantastic. A few blocks into my trek, I spotted a restaurant named Luigi's across the block. I thought to myself, "Didn't anyone tell them that this is Chinatown?" But I kept walking and before I knew it, voila! I was in Little Italy. Manhattan is a little globe filled with diverse international treasures.

But my intent was not only to wander and people watch... I came with a mission. And it didn't take long before I found it: the renowned Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. This place has a sweet take on the traditional flavors, but also sends your tastebuds for a loop with flavors like lychee, ginger, green tea, etc. I got a cone with a scoop of red bean and a scoop of black sesame. Oh, so good!

By the time I took an accidental trip to Brooklyn and got back to the lower east side, I thought I had missed my planned event of the evening, for sure. But luckily I caught up with Seth and other LDS friends in just enough time to catch the Lower Manhattan church history tour. We walked near the place where Martin Harris received the certificate from Charles Anton, where Joseph Smith stayed on Pearl Street, where some of the printing presses were originally housed (printing three newspapers by early members of the church), and the Joseph Smith statue that was installed just in time for his 200th birthday last year. The statue will be taken down tomorrow, so it was neat to visit it today.

Seven of us (mostly interns from BYU) enjoyed a fabulous (and cheap!) Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. Jason, Seth and I decided to spend the evening exploring... which naturally led us back to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for dessert! (Sesame seed and Peanut Butter & Jelly this time.) We walked around SoHo and Greenwich until 2 am, and I was surprised at how the world was still so awake at that hour. Washington Square was a fantastic spot to sit and soak in the early morning street performers, impromptu soccer game, and a girl doing ballet as she bicycled. We saw a man (who appeared to be homeless) leave the park and come back with a huge oriental rug over his shoulder, which he unrolled and then plopped his pillow onto. We figured after the ballerina on bike it couldn't get any better, so that's when we called it a night. And the streets were still alive and kicking when we left.

-Sarah McLachlan-

Dance All Night

Quick Recap (I'll update later): Seth and I went to Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn to watch the Brooklyn Ballet perform a captivating outdoor show, cast against the beautiful Manhattan skyline at dusk. It was a photographer's dream come true. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but Seth grabbed some fabulous shots.

Dinner was at Bubby's. Yay for good ol' American goodness in the heart of Brooklyn.

I ran into Mike O'Brien from high school. Of all places to see someone you haven't crossed paths with in seven years!

I have got to get some sleep. Casual Friday is just hours away. Can't wait.

-Ryan Adams-

Where Are You Going?

For all three of you who avidly read my blog (and any other willing participants) - please take the time to help me with possibly the most important decision of my life:



-Dave Matthews Band-

Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream

Last night I dreamt that I had two job offers. One in Portland for $34,000 a year and one in Seattle for $45,000 a year. And I didn't know what to do.

-Simon & Garfunkel-

How To Disappear Completely

Radiohead has officially left the city. They played two shows at Madison Square Gardens, but I really just couldn't justify $350 for the worst seat in the house. Maybe next time... They have got to be the most elusive band that ever existed.

Since Radiohead was a little out of my budget I opted to see Mark Geary at the Mercury Lounge on Tuesday night. It was quite the toss up since Smoosh and Eels were giving a free show at the World Financial Plaza. But Mark put on a nice show and a lot of his friends were in the smallish audience, so it felt pretty intimate and friendly. Tom Freund played after him. While I don't know that I am completely in love with his style, I'll have to admit that he is quite musically diverse and talented. He played at least five different instruments during his hour long set.

-Radiohead-

So Tonight That I Might See

I feel like it has been forever since I have posted. I left the office today wanting to do three things: write, run, and play (my guitar). I want to post events of the other days separately, just to keep things organized. New York has surprised me. It has surprised me because I haven't been as captivated by it this time. I haven't been as scared of it. I almost feel like I have become a part of it. I have already seen a huge difference in living versus visiting this place. You can see it on the faces of the people in the streets. I might even be starting to see it in my own, but I hope not.

Visitors and tourists are wide-eyed and curious about everything, just taking it all in. But when it comes down to living here - even with all the fascination around you - the day-in, day-out routine of it all is much like any other place except for the fact that you're in a big, dirty city with tall buildings, lots of people, and a subway. But really, work is work. If you're in a cubicle (or office, as is my case - woohoo!) on Seventh Avenue or on Bowerman Drive it doesn't make a whole lot of difference, because that is how you spend your life. The difference, I suppose, is when you step out of the office and explore the enchantment of the world around you with wide-eyed fascination. I hope I never lose that, no matter where I am. I will admit, that along with my skepticism, I was slightly smitten as I walked through midtown last night. But then again, darkeness forces you to keep your eyes wide open...

Today as I dodged the mystery drips in the subway, I ached for trees. That's part of why I had to come home and go running. To be among the trees. It was one of those archetypal east-coast summer days in New York today. White, hazy sky, with a constant threat of storm, and air so wet you wonder if it is raining. It's been a long time since I've had an east coast summer. And this may be my last for a while.

-Mazzy Star-

It's Crazy, Man!

On Sunday the Aquabats were at church.















-Aquabats-

Welcome to the Cruel World

On Saturday I got to New York. Thankfully, the journey was uneventful. Seth met me at the airport and guided me through the airport, the air train, the subway and eventually we found my new apartment. Although we didn't take much time to chill and explore it, I can just say that I was pleasantly surprised. I have my own enormous bedroom, a queen-sized bed, TV, DVR, DVD player - the works. I haven't even turned on the TV yet... but it's nice that it's there if I wanted it.

Like I said, I didn't really take time to do anything but shower. Then Seth and I hit the town. First things first: New York Pizza! My first photos in the city show how tired I was. If Seth ever sends me the one I like, I'll post it. But I didn't really feel too tired, thanks to the adreneline I've been living on since last Saturday. We met up with Jason and took the train to Queens. First stop: P.S.1. P.S.1 is an old public school that has been transformed into part of the MoMA - housing a good chunk of their contemporary collection.
And if that weren't cool enough, we happened to be going to P.S.1 on the day of Iron Artist. "What's Iron Artist?" you say. I thought you'd ask. Imagine Iron Chef, but with art. That's pretty much the idea. Small teams of artists are given a theme and 45 minutes to create something representative of it. Now, this is all with a contemporary twist, so we're not talking about a mural of flowers and a duck pond. We got there in time to watch Big Room compete with Type A on the theme "man's inhumanity to man." Check out Seth's blog for all the pics.
Next we went to Astoria for "the best Greek food in town." Yeah... so I learned that even at its best, Greek food is still pretty gross. Unless it's a gyro. I love those. But are they really even Greek?

-Ben Harper-

Expect Delays

So here I am in the Portland airport. I thought having a red-eye flight (which jetBlue creatively renamed "shut-eye"... I like the concept) was bad enough - leave at midnight, get to the city at 8:20 am. Oh, but there's more. When thunderstorms in New York delay your flight en route to Portland, that means you are in turn dealyed on your way to New York. An hour and a half for now.

Today has been an insanely serendipitous day. A lot of things just came together and fell perfectly into place. I love when that happens. It reminds me that someone is aware of me, after all. I got a phone call from Bob at 4:30 who was extremely interested in buying my car. And he did! He drove about two hours to get to Portland, paid me some good moola (I've never seen that much cash in my hands) and took my car. Wow. I am car-less. How does that feel? I should know, since I've spent the majority of my life that way. Goodbye green Concorde. I hope your new life in Tillamook treats you well. Eat lots of cheese.

It is so hard to believe that my Portland experience is over. Wow. To say that it went by quickly would be a horrible understatement. I think it's time for a recap and review of the good times that were had:

Favorite Portland Eats:

• The Whole Bowl - watch out for the tali sauce.... that stuff is addictive
• Fuego - an amazing burrito stand just two blocks from my office
• Alotto Gelatto - you've got to try the chocolate frosted yellow cake gelatto - divine! On trendy 23rd Avenue
• Pizza Schmizza - mostly I like the name

Favorite Portland Spots:

• North Park Blocks - I ate lunch in the bocce courts on every sunny weekday we had
• My House - an adorable house in the woods of west slope
• Sherman's Piano Store on 13th Avenue - I got to play a 9 foot Steinway - does it get any better?

A Few New Portland Friends:

• Tracey - my fabulous, generous, deeply spiritual, hilarious roommate
• Russ - my faithful, sincere, principled running partner in crime
• Susie - my lighthearted, kind Canyon Road companion
• Ethan - my smiling, smiling, smiling, so happy friend!
  
• Diana - a rekindled friendship from 14 years ago
• everyone at Euro - my hard-working, creative family from 9-5 every weekday

Other Good Times:

• A visit to my childhood home

• An attempted hike on the coast

• Running, lots of running
• Fun first dates
• The Oregon Symphony
• Selling my car
• Lunch with my hodes girls!

• Getting a (semi) job offer from a great agency
• Waiting for my flight...

Basically, I had a great time. And met a lot of wonderful people on the way that helped me laugh. Although I have to admit if my plane would get here, it would make the entire experience a little better.

-Rachel's-

No Sleep Till Brooklyn

Honestly, what is this? It's 4:45 am and I have been awake for a good 15 minutes. I hate not being able to sleep. I don't know what's more disturbing: my lack of sleep or the fact that the thought of blogging enters my mind in the first 30 minutes of my consciousness.

-Beastie Boys-

This House Is Not for Sale

A few weeks ago I went back to Corvallis, my childhood home. I hadn't been in 14 years and it was fun to go back and realize as an adult how small of a town it really is. It's funny how some places just don't change.My streetThe church where I was baptizedMy childhood homeJefferson Elementary School
My elementary school playground

My first grade classroom

-Ryan Adams-

You are the Northern Lights

I've got a new rule. Instead of just song titles, my blogs will now occasionally be named after song lyrics. Kathleen (the name of this song) just didn't seem too fitting, but I love the lyrics.

So, I just got home from the Josh Ritter show and can I just say I think he's great? I got to Music Millennium a little early. In fact, I walked there after work since it was only about 14 blocks away. I fell in love with Portland again on the way. Honestly, all those great Victorian houses on tree lined streets on a clear, sunny day would have anyone swooning over this city.
I had never been to Music Millennium and was pleasantly surprised by the entirely vintage feel that the store had. True music lovers central, but in an intimate way that True Music Lovers Central a la Virgin Megastore will never claim. I browsed around a bit and made three significant purchases:

• Josh Ritter's latest album The Animal Years
• Camera Obscura's Under Achievers Please Try Harder (what took me so long?)
• Brandi Carlile Live From Neumo's

Although I knew I was a Josh Ritter fan from streaming his entire album online, this was my first purchase. I'm sure I will not regret it. I got a seat in the front row and so the entire performance felt like it was just me and Josh. And a few other people. But really, it was much like a chill family room setting among friends. Only part-way through the performance did I glance back to see the store filled with faithful fans on foot. But even still, to me it was just Josh singing and strumming with his hauntingly simple and repetitive melodic phrasing. He has a very genuine feel and he wasn't afraid to laugh when someone's cell phone disrupted the most heartfelt part of his mellow tribute, Idaho. It took the first song or two for Josh to really get into it - my personal favorites were a foot-stomping rendition of Kathleen and the soulful Girl in The War, which was actually more unfeigned (would that be less feigned?) in the live performance.So, even though my camera is crappy -- I was happy that I had it on a day like today. After the show, I had a nice little chat with Josh (a Moscow, Idaho native - doesn't that just make him cooler?) and he signed my CD. I love it when are with someone famous and you don't feel like you are.
-Josh Ritter-

Run

I have been running more lately and I got really curious about how fast I could run a mile. As far as I can remember, I haven't timed a mile since high school, where my personal best was a 5:58. So last night I headed up to Nike's track and gave it a go. I know I could have done better if I had someone running with me, but I was pretty happy.

6:48.

I can do better.

-Snow Patrol-

Giving Me Wings

Ok, since up until today I was a film girl, I just got my pictures back from graduation. Enjoy the show!




-The Frames-

Regrets of Photographs

Me, excited about my new camera.

Have you ever been looking for a song title for your blog post and found one that was all too perfect? Maybe not, since I'm the only person I know that titles their blogs with song titles. Granted, I don't really like this song (it's a bit too hard/heavy for my tastes) but it fits the post nonetheless.

I ordered this camera on eBay and got it a few days ago in the mail. I have been busy with work and life and so today was the first time I had a chance to really take a look at it. I went out and bought the lithium batteries that were not included, and a super expensive SD card and came home to start shooting. Let me just say that the only things good about the camera are the batteries and the SD card. I took some shots inside, some of which were ok but then I went outside and this camera is horrid. All of the photos from outside are totally washed out. Honestly. I'll probably list it on eBay tonight and try to sell it before I leave.

Me, mad at my new camera.

Oh, and just so you know -- it's a Kodak Easyshare DX3700. Don't ever buy one.

-Number One Gun-

Narcolepsy

This is so funny!


Get this video and more at MySpace.com

-Ben Folds-

Careful Where You Stand

Today I stumbled onto some interesting information on myspace. We'll just leave it at that. Can I just say I'm happy that I'm a blogger and not a myspacer? Honestly. But it did make me think about what we are all willing to put out there for the wide world to "stumble" upon... for however encrypted it may seem. Oh well, nothing too sketchy on my part, so no regrets.

I love the song that this blog is titled after. Coldplay can be so incredibly pacifying. I think "Careful Where You Stand" reveals that facet of their style in perfect lucidity. Chris Martin's voice couldn't be more crystal.

Something I've realized about myself: "we'll see" has become my latest motto. Does that say directionless or what?

-Coldplay-

Euphoria

Musical Discovery of the Day: Bart Davenport. Bossa Nova meets British Folk meets 70's Rock. Does it get any better?

Too bad he's not coming to Portland or New York anytime soon.

I love pandora.

-Bart Davenport-

Gone For Good

The following is a list of artists I would have loved to have seen, but missed, at the Sasquatch Music Festival:





Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals











The Flaming Lips







The Shins








Iron & Wine









Sufjan Stevens







Gomez









Architecture In Helsinki










Matt Costa










Korby Lenker





And that was just on Saturday! Even as I post, I kick myself for what I missed...


-The Shins-

Doors Lead to Questions

Sometimes I wonder if this phase of life so riddled with decisions will ever slow down. There is so much uncertainty about life right now (particularly mine, it seems) and I don't know quite what to think of it - except that it is both frustrating and fascinating.
In two weeks I'll be in New York! It will be yet another opportunity to start over, try something new, meet new people, try new things, and learn more about all of it. Sounds exciting, huh? I am really looking forward to it. What I am not looking forward to is all of the unknown that this brings to the table - not just New York, but the whole shebang of life.

I feel like I want to leave Portland with a job offer, if possible. Doesn't that seem like the best thing to do? But at the same time I don't know what could possibly happen in New York! Maybe I'll fall in love with the city, or with my job, or (heaven forbid) the man of my dreams. And then will I really want an obligation to come back to Portland -- for as wonderful and rainy and full of memories as it is? Maybe I should just let Portland be that - a wonderful and rainy memory... Or maybe not.

It just seemed like too much of everything fell into place too perfectly last summer to have been a coincidence. And perhaps it served its own purpose... One that doesn't or won't really extend into the future.Maybe I'm not supposed to end up in Portland or New York. Maybe I'm supposed to end up in Seattle or Salt Lake or... Sri Lanka. How should I know?

Any thoughts?

-The Appleseed Cast-

Just A Ride

Today I fell in love. It was complete serendipity! On an unusual path to work this morning I saw it for the first time - a 1974 BMW 2002. It was for sale and calling my name. It was love at first sight. I quickly programmed the owners phone number into my cell and off I went to work! It was like meeting a cute guy for the first time - I couldn't stop thinking about this car. It's boxy. It's sporty. It's bright orange. It must be mine! After work I met with the owner and went for a test drive (although the current owner had to do the driving since I don't know how to drive stick). Since I found my little gem of a car, I have tried to think rationally about the real logistics of buying this car right now. Here's what I've come up with:

Reasons I Should Buy the Car:

• It's adorable
• The factory rebuilt engine only has 28,000 miles
• Someone else put $23,000 into restoring it
• It has a CD player
• It's vintage and won't lose value
  
• It's so me!
• I'm selling my other car and will need to buy a new one soon

Reasons That May Discourage Me from Buying the Car:

• I don't really have the money right now
• I'm moving to Manhattan in two weeks
• I don't even know if I'll end up in Portland again
• It is old and doesn't have airbags, A/C, etc.
• It has a manual transmission that I don't know how to use (yet)

-Jem-

Isn't She Lovely

If you know me at all, you'll realize immediately that I am only posting this out of humor.

Today has been so strange. When I drove into Portland this morning, the lot I usually park in was full, so I was forced to drive to another one several blocks away and a few dollars more expensive. I parked and began my walk towards work, weaving my way through the unfamiliar streets of that side of the Pearl. I came to an intersection and paused before I crossed the street only to have a man that was driving the same direction stop and roll down his passenger side window. He mumbled something out the window and I leaned down as he caught my attention, ready to do my best to give directions or needed information, to which he said, "You're gorgeous. You have a gorgeous figure." I glanced around in shock - was he talking to me? He was! Who was this man? Ok, so I'm gorgeous - but who is he to tell me? Honestly, who are these people? I couldn't stop laughing.

-Stevie Wonder-

Hope

Sometimes I wonder how many of us really know the meaning of the word intern. Especially those of us who volunteer to be interns - not just once, not twice, but three times.

According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, intern means detain, confine, deprive of freedom; take into confinement.

Welcome to my life.

-REM-

Hello Lonely

It's Friday and I have hit a wall. My busy-ness at work has waned and I just finished my last assignment with a few hours still left in the day. No one has the energy at this point in the week to think up a new project for me to work on. I guess I should be ok with that. I'll just blog away!

It's raining today. I went outside for lunch, off to my little park on 8th Avenue but I couldn't sit out there for long. It was just a little too soggy for me. I didn't have an umbrella - but isn't that what the whole Northwest experience is about -- becoming one with the rain?

A dog just walked into my cubicle.

Speaking of creatures, I almost stepped on a snake when I was running with Russ the other night. On the foresty streets of Portland, it's not unusual to have branches, sticks, and dirt spilling over onto the street. It was dusk and a little bit difficult to see anyway. But when what I assumed to be a stick startled and slithered as I ran by, I discovered it to be slightly more than a dead tree part.

It has been kind of a lonely week out here in Portland. I am in such a transient time of life right now. I don't quite have a home. And it is difficult to find motivation to make good friends when you know that you'll have to leave them in three weeks anyway. I've had to do that too many times before. I think I'm getting ready to settle down somewhere. At least for a year or two. Sometimes I just sit back and think, "What am I doing?" I'm in Oregon. I'm not making any money. And I have no idea where I'll be in three months. It's all good, though. Gain experience. Build the resume. Live in the moment. Drink it all in.

-Theory of a Deadman-

I Miss You Like I Miss You

I'm having one of those hard moments.

But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.

Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat.
-John Donne-

Why do I still miss him?

-Chad VanGaalen-

Nothing As It Seems

Yes - I'm blogging from work. So shoot me. It's not like they are paying me anything. But I can say that they are keeping me busy and I am continuing to enjoy my time here. Last night I had this huge realization that in a few months I'll be in a real job and there's no guarantee that I'll love it. Wouldn't that just be awful, to hate going to work every day? I've done it before, but there has always been light at the end of the tunnel. Now it seems that the only light ahead is an oncoming train. I really hope I don't hate my first job.

My roommate went out of town on Monday for the week. And I thought things were quiet before! Some of her friends actually came to the house from out of town and have been staying there to house hunt. But they have been busy and not spending too much time at the house, so I hardly see them. Needless to say, I am now convinced that I never want to live alone.

Maybe it's loneliness that has me looking forward to my plans for the evening. Or maybe it's more. Regardless, it's fun to think that I am almost giddy about something as simple as going running. Even if the only motive for my excitement is only the potential of good company.

-Pearl Jam-

On the Transmigration of Souls

Contrary to popular belief, the most fascinating thing about the Oregon Symphony tonight was not Mozart's Requiem. It was John Adams' stirring September 11th tribute, On the Transmigration of Souls. It was a haunting work, and if you really paid attention you could recall some of the things you felt as you watched the news on that tragic day.

-John Adams-

One Week

I've had an entire week of work at an ad agency and I can easily say that it's been my best work experience so far. I know - I'm shocked, too! For the first time in my life, I'm not getting paid to work eight hours a day and who knows, maybe that's what makes it so chill and rewarding at the same time. Because I don't have to be there. Not for credit. Not for money. Just to soak it all in and try to learn something. For all of the trash talk about agency work, it's exactly what I expected (and hoped) it would be.

Let's start with the building:

Euro RSCG 4D is in the Pearl District of Portland, taking up the 4th and 5th floors of the Pearl Building. It's an old brick structure that has that wonderfully artsy feel of an unfinished studio. The brick walls and wood floors and light, airy atmosphere are juxtaposed with the flashing neon lights, awards, sculptures, paintings, and advertisements that provide decoration and feed creative thought.

And the people:

I was pleasantly surprised to find on day one that I have many colleagues with a common alma mater. We could seriously stand and sing the fight song at a staff meeting and do it justice. Although I'm not sure the many grads of the U would let us get away with it. The people are friendly, funny, down-to-earth, and very hard workers.

And the work:

Can I just say it's really rewarding to actually use something that I learned in school. Suddenly the thousands of dollars that I poured into college tuition have become meaningful outside of the academic realm! But that's the beautiful thing about it... I'm not just using what I know, but I'm learning a lot, too. I am given assignments that are doable, but still help me grow. Currently I'm working on three accounts: Adobe, Barclays Global Investors, and the Allstate Foundation.

Aside from work, Portland has been a great place to live. As I was driving home from work on Thursday, I saw a pink Cadillac. And then when I went to Kinkos, the guy behind the counter was wearing more makeup that I ever have in my life. I wonder what it feels like to put mascara on as a man. Is it bad that I find that sort of thing slightly entertaining?

Among other observations:
When I was coming home on the Max a few days ago, a couple got on the train and I couldn't help but watch them. They were in their late thirties and there was something about them that told me that they had been together for a long time; they were obviously married. But at the same time there was this aura surrounding them... like they had just met and fallen in love over the past few days. They seemed so free, so unrestrained, and so caught up in each other but with a common enthrallment for everything around them and the possibilities ahead. Everything about them screamed of their mutual fascination. It's amazing what you can perceive just by watching people for a few scattered moments.

-Barenaked Ladies-

Over and Over

I have begun to wonder if my life is starting to repeat itself in four-year cycles. Honestly. Five days ago I could have sworn I was riding the Tube in London when I was really just taking the Max home from the airport. And today when I went to a park for lunch, it felt exactly like Paris on the day I went to the Monet museum alone in my introspective reverie-of-just-absorbing-Paris-by-myself moment. But seriously, everything was the same (minus the crepe I treated myself to in Paris) -- the air, the floating conversations, the park benches, the cool winds pushing through the trees. Maybe Portland just has a European feel this time of year.

I sat down and watched a pro bocce player practice today while I inhaled my peanut butter and jam sandwich. I don't think I've ever seen someone play bocce before and maybe its European flavor is what helped me feel so much like I was in another place and time. I was surprised when a man that the bocce player was talking to spotted me from across the courtyard and said, "I know you." He did, as it turns out. He's a member of my bishopric in my new ward. So we sat together on the wooden planks that line the bocce pits and ate our peanut butter and jam sandwiches together. It's always nice to see a familiar face.

So, as I've been thinking about this four-year cycle of my life it's not too disappinting when I reflect on the European adventures of 2002. But then I think ahead and I wonder if it will really be three and a half years before I fall in love again.

-Erin Bode-

Virginia Moon

I'm back in Virginia. I got here two days ago and I can see that my time here is going to be way too short. I've mostly been running errands so far -- tying up loose little ends and getting things done before I venture away from this place forever.

About twenty minutes after I landed on Tuesday, Mimsi and I headed to Jammin' Java for a great little show. As the candlelight flickered from our front row table, I sat and absorbed the genius of Landon Pigg, Ki Theory and Lucas Reynolds. I came to see Lucas (of Blue Merle) but came away with huge apreciation for Landon's sound. I especially connected with some of his lyrics; perhaps some of his titles will be enough to say why: "Sailed On," and "Can't Let Go" among my favorites.

Last night was a graduation/birthday celebration at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Wow - that honestly has got to be the best steak I've ever had. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is willing to spend $200 on dinner for three people.

I just got my haircut. I really needed a haircut and it is always such trauma to actually get to the salon and get it done. I don't know why I feel such an attachment to my locks... perhaps it is only a reflection of the over-attachment I feel for a lot of things.

Today is shopping day. My wardrobe needs a little spicing up for New York. Leesburg Outlets, here I come!

-Foo Fighters-

Bad Diary Days

I finally arrived in Portland on Saturday night. I say finally as though it felt like it took forever, when in reality it seems like I left this place yesterday. The past two weeks have been such a whirlwind anyway that I haven't had a chance to breathe, let alone absorb the fact that I'm in entirely new circumstances and a new phase of life. I still don't comprehend it. Speaking of which, there's a lot that I don't currently comprehend. There is a lot that I probably never will... but my question is, how can I convince myself to stop searching for answers when sometimes there just aren't any. Or at least none that will satisfy my craving for understanding. In the 45 hours that I've been here, I've already been thrown for a few loops and I'm sure there are more to come. I guess in some ways I asked for it. I've been learning this about myself. I have a strange temptation to always pour salt in my own wounds.

Where can I begin? Well, really there's only one thing that made last night sleepless and there are countless things to be thankful for, so let's start with those. Oregon is beautiful as ever - green-green-green, blue skies and sun-sun-sunshine! I went to visit some co-workers at Nike this afternoon and I felt like I was at home. The smells, the stairs, the whole scene was just so familiar. I miss it. And this morning I went up to Tualatin Hills Nature Park for a nice run. I love to just get lost in a new set of trails. I got some photos developed and there is a great one of Kendrick and me in Moab. Oh, and I graduated a few days ago! It's all about the little things.

-Pedro the Lion-