in case it matters

Hello, there! 

* March has been a pretty good month for me, after starting it off with talks of a new role at work, which eventually led to a promotion and job title. Hey there, marketing world! I'm coming for you. I am both excited and terrified at the same time. With that, I will be returning to take a few classes on my old school stomping grounds. Crazy, never thought I'd be heading back there. Ever. 

* Also, I've planned a trip back to Texas to visit my mom and family in May. Beyond exciting to head to West, Texas for some kolaches. If you're unsure of what that is, it's a pastry from the Czech and Slovak. Get ahold of one (or five)!

* I've been binge watching Gilmore Girls. Please don't judge me. Binge watching is one of my favorite past times, and I love that Gilmore Girls has millions of episodes in one season. It means this phase will continue on for at least 2 weeks. I excel in the art of binge. 

* It's Portland Dining Month. I only have one week left to indulge, and I've only been to two places on the list!

* I've seen a little bit of cherry blossoms this season, and hoping I see more. I've noticed the amount of rain that Portland is getting, is washing them all away! 

* A short story of a night last weekend: Friday night we were out with friends and as I was talking to a lady I didn't know, she kindly stopped me and told me there was this guy who was "hardcore" checking me out. As I looked up and asked who, she pointed out the guy in the green button up and suit. I smiled and turned back to her and said "he better be, because that's my boyfriend!" Laughter followed, and it made my heart happy! I totally think it's the cutest thing. Thanks, boyfriend.

february favorites

This month I think I slowly started a new boot collection. Here are a few finds this month:

-Abercrombie is making a comeback, and I am benefiting. Seriously, they've got some cute clothes now and I'm loving their sweaters and jeans. 

-Hello, over-the-knee boots! I got mine at Nordstrom Rack here 

-Falling in love with succulents. Got some cute white pots here

-The perfect blanket here

-Tan booties from overstock

Oregon Coast

When I think of the Oregon Coast I generally think of a rain and wind, sweaters, and game board type of escape.  However, when the ladies and I headed west last weekend, we experienced nothing of the sort.  We arrived and went straight to a local restaurant to enjoy its seafood offerings.  I was able to satisfy my clam chowder craving, as we watched the fog slowly dissipate over the hills. The beach was ready to deliver as we walked along its sands and basked in the sunshine while reading the novels we had on hand.  Later in the afternoon we decided our best option was to stay until sunset.  We traveled to the best onlooking points as we waited for nightfall's countdown before heading back to the city.  This kind of day trip only made us want more, as we left feeling like it was not enough and promised to return soon.

2014

I realize my tassel says 2012, but that's just my cheap, student self reusing Megan's stuff.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?

After 25 years, I can finally say I have a degree.  It became a long standing joke that I would never accomplish this, as I often even made comments about being a student for life.  This could still be the case, as I plan on applying for more schooling.  I also want to do a lot more with this new free time I have been given:

- I want to learn to play the piano.  I've always been told I have the perfect hands for it, but I'm not sure I am right-brained enough for it.

-Travel. I am blessed to get to go to Europe this Fall, but I know the amount of time spent there will only make me yearn for more.

-Write a book.  Many have told me how I have some pretty hilarious stories and that I need to write a book about them.  I have already started doing this.  If anything, I hope to finish and allow my friends to read.

- Learn to sew.  This seems like a very important skill to acquire, and something that will definitely come in handy for when I actually become a grandma.  I realize I have grandma tendencies already, so I might as well take on the stereotypes of one. 

- Pick up my Nikon.  I used to use my SLR so much, but sadly I have abandoned it lately.  I love photography and taking pictures, but the iPhone has taken over as it is already always with me, and at its convenient size, wins over.  

It's honestly so hard to believe that I have a Bachelor's and I'm excited to have it over with.  I'm eager to see what's next for me, but so very nervous at the same time.  Congrats to all the 2014 grads out there! 

Goodbye, May.

I cannot believe it is already June. I'm not complaining because I love the summer time. However, thinking about how fast live moves is a little depressing.  That's why we have to make the best of our time; which is why I thank May for being such a nice month.

The grass is finally dry enough for us to lay on.

Longer days trick me into thinking I can make it out on a week night (joke's on me, I can't).

Outdoor sporting events can be enjoyable without the rain.

Baskets of chips can easily disappear, but just as easily reappear...endlessly.

Rompers, shorts, and dresses galore. 

Beer and outdoor patios.

Did I mention beer and the outdoors? I'm not sure what it is, but beer is never my go-to unless I'm out in the sun...then the only answer is beer.

this week

Signs of summer are definitely making their way into Portland.  I was finally able to pull out my shorts, as temperatures entered the 80's.  This, I love while I'm out and about.  However, when I get into bed at night in my non-air conditioned apartment and am forced to sleep on top of my covers in the bare minimum, I dread.  The pros outweigh the cons though as summer means longer days, walks and outside dinning with one of the bests, as well as impromptu ice cream dates, and park days with this cutie:

So happy I get to spend my summer days with this one

These are the only acceptable Crocs in my opinion

Churro ice cream?! Glad I got a taste on the last day it was available.  I had no idea Salt and Straw changed flavors every month?

We like to accidentally match: denim, black, and print

I got to bake my favorite bread, as there was an abundance of ripe bananas waiting to be used

I received not one, but two letters from the best.  Needless to say, it made my day. Correction: my week.

those moments

When you wake up in the middle of the night to see that you still have hours left to sleep

When you arrive early to work and have 5 minutes to just sit and enjoy before going in

When a book is that good, you can't put it down until it's finished

When you capture the perfect candid

When a song plays and simultaneously puts you in a nostalgic mood

When a certain smell can bring you back even more distinctively

When you order but get something bigger than was asked, at the same small price

When you sleep in freshly washed sheets

When you laugh until you cry and your stomach hurts

I have experienced each of these little moments in the past week. The unexpected little moments that are never thought about until you're presented with them. And in turn, cannot truly be appreciated until presented with them.  Such. Good. Moments.

discovering maple

Would you believe me if I told you I had my first bite of a maple bar at the age of twenty five? Ever since that bite, it's been hard for me to even believe.  The reasoning behind this is sort of an embarrassment. After my first experience with it, I went home to my roommate to tell her about my delicious new discovery. Here's how the conversation went:

 Me: "I don't even really like caramel." 

The roommate's reaction? "It's not even caramel, it's called a maple bar."

Me: "Oh." followed by a laugh out of complete embarrassment and a sudden miniature heart attack much like that feeling Ellen DeGeneres describes when belting out the wrong lyrics to a song and in that moment realizes those aren't the actual lyrics. Then an individual's train of thought immediately goes to "how many people have heard me sing this song the wrong way?" Well, I thought "how many people have heard my reasoning behind not liking maple bars?"  

I'm not sure where in my childhood this ignorance to doughnut anatomy went wrong.  I remember getting multiple doughnuts as a kid, but someone needs to be blamed for directing me in the wrong direction. Or maybe someone was doing me a favor, because I don't know how I've gone without maple in my life.  I'm sure I've saved quite a few dozen in my twenty five year absence. So how do I make up for it? A day dedicated to using maple as the main ingredient, of course!

snow days

Snow hit the Portland area this week, and let me just say, it was the best surprise ever.  I've been feeling a bit behind on my “to do” list and these snow days have allowed me to just breath.  It’s the best feeling to walk outside to desolate streets and have your ears feel like they need to pop because the silence is so intense. Do you know what I mean?  The calming that it brings over you has the power to bring a smile across your face, because you know in that moment, you have no obligations and nowhere to go, because this flawless white powder has trapped you and everyone else in its path. It’s a beautiful thing.  It allows you to step back and appreciate how much of a good thing alone time can be.  I was able to watch Good Will Hunting while snowed in and I came to the realization that it may be my favorite movie of all time, and for this reason:

“So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him.  Life's work, political aspirations, him and the Pope, sexual orientation, the whole works, right? But I bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel.  You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling. Seen that. If I ask you about women, you'd probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can't tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right: "Once more into the breach, dear friends." But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, and watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help. I'd ask you about love, you'd probably quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on Earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of Hell. And you wouldn't know what it's like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn't know about sleeping sittin' up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes that the terms "visiting hours" don't apply to you. You don't know about real loss, 'cause that only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much.”

It’s just brilliant.  Robin Williams has successfully made me want to just live in every moment and take the time to enjoy non-material things.  Because that’s what life is really about. Maybe that’s why I’m swooning over this snow? Anyways, these last few days have been wonderful thanks to Mother Nature and Mr. Williams.  I can only hope for another snow spell before this winter is over, because I know I’ll need it.

P.S. Doesn't the snow look good on Portland?

fifteen things

* I once swore I would never drink beer, wine, or coffee 

because I didn't like the taste. Now, I drink all three.

* I dislike revolving doors.

* I have no self control when it comes to food.

*My biggest wish right now is for the best to move back from Germany

(and will continue to be until she does).

*I can't live without Chapstick. 

*Cats are not my favorite.

*Procrastination is my worst enemy, but it's how I function.

* I always wanted braces...and glasses.

* I went through a phase growing up where I'd speak in a British accent and pretend I was on the Oregon Trail. I had to stop though, because someone told me people would start to think I had split personality disorder, and that scared me.

* Sleeping is one of my favorite things.

* I'm terrified I'll never figure out what I want to do with my life.

* I love receiving flowers.

*Although I've been told otherwise, I'm very shy.

* I'm very sarcastic, almost to a fault.

*I love anyone who can make me laugh.

my other half

...and I mean half as in half a person. However, is honestly probably considered a fourth of a person. 

This little person is who I spend the majority of my time with and have grown to love. She has a way of allowing me to forget that it is that dreadful Monday morning every week I walk in the door, as she greets me with a not all there smile and not all there hair (for real, hair when will you grow?). Whose favorite words are momma and bike and in no particular order. She also really enjoys saying butt butt as she smacks her bottom and throws in a huge laugh after, and no I did not teach her that. Whose favorite food is ham (she's such a little ham as well), who loves taking my empty Starbucks coffee cups and holding onto them for at least an hour minimum (I know this is probably how coffee fiends are created), whose favorite animal is the duck, whose favorite song is "What Does the Fox Say" but I'm trying to change that.  She thinks she becomes invisible when she closes her eyes and turns her head away from me whenever I tell her it's time for a nap.  Then laughs in disappointment as I tell her "Penny, I can still see you, and it's still time to lay down."  She plays the harmonica, loves to dance, and even throws her hands in the air as if she created "raise the roof."  She  loves showing off her shoes to anyone that will compliment them, even if they've already mistaken her for a boy. This is a cool girl in the making because not only have I taught her to master the art of highfiving at the age of one and a half, but she has also learned how to "pound it" all thanks to my notion that we need to keep it real. P-pie, you rock.

Hump Day

It's amazing to me that even from a 9 hour time change, my best friend knows how to make a seemingly imperfect hump day so much better. Although we like to refer to it as dump day, which is what it ended up feeling like this week...until I received my letter from over seas! The first one at that. I loved opening the mailbox to a flashy little envelope labeled "priority mail" and as I turned it over to see that it was from Megan I thought, "damn right, priority!" Life lately has felt a bit empty and I'm referring to the lately as the time since Megan has been gone. It's the strangest feeling and the only way I can think to describe it, is that a part of me is missing and I can't seem to find it.  I was in my element two Saturdays ago when I spent nearly two and a half hours Skyping with that lovely lady. I live for those moments these days because I no longer have her to come home to and complain about issues that only she could understand, or share with her the disgusting amount of food I was able to consume in one sitting (only to feel defeated because my intake was nothing compared to hers), or snuggle in bed together watching an episode of Friends (who am I kidding, correction: a season of).  So thank you Megan Rose for allowing my dump day to be filled with a moment of "loling" while I sat alone and shook my head at what you hoped for in my life currently. 

life on instagram

A Christmas Apartment

We are officially Christmas ready, and I couldn't love it more.  Why can't Christmas trees be acceptable year round? It just makes our apartment that much more wonderful.