Moving On...

2 years and 3 months ago I packed my life and moved 800 miles. I didn’t take the time to even think through it fully, I just did it. I’m not spontaneous, I like plans. I had none. The only saving grace was I knew I could come back. I knew if my new ‘home’ didn’t feel right I could come ‘home’. I needed to do this for me. I needed to make it all alone, so I packed.

I don’t think I realized what was happening until Me, Bryce and my packed car crossed the Willamette River as we drove on I-5 through Portland. I remember looking out at the city on my right and the river below, I remember my Mom’s Garmin shouting out directions in the background and I distinctly remember thinking “No, wait. Turn around. I've changed my mind.” I didn’t say it though, I just sat there I couldn’t turn back now. We made it to my new place, an empty two bedroom apartment in the basement of a lovely house. The view from my deck was incredible, the rooms were gigantic, I wondered how I would fill all the space.

Shannon and Dan helped us move my stuff in and the first weekend felt like a vacation. Then, life started. I cried every night for a week. I wondered if this was really the best decision for me. I knew it was. I adjusted. I bought my first couches. I decorated.

I spent more time with Shannon and Dan then they probably liked, but they helped me adjust. I made friends. I lived alone for the first time. I loved it. I loved the space, the late night TV watching – the two episodes of Seinfeld before bed. I worked many late nights, early mornings and all day there. I threw parties, I started to cook. During the summer nights, Billy and I would sit on my porch and drink Coke. Shannon and Dan bought me an ice cream maker, we used it there. We played the piano there and Dan fixed my closet when it fell down from the weight of my clothes. My mom visited there. Deneal and the girls would meet there, get ready there and we’d sit for hours and talk and talk there. We had Easter dinner there. It became home. I had AC, many August afternoons were spent there. It was freezing and year round I worked wrapped in a blanket with a space heater at my feet. I got iced in and snowed in and sometimes it would rain so bad I would just stay in. I ran hills there, because that’s all that was around, I learned to love them. I decorated my first Christmas tree there and left it up for months because it was so pretty. It was my place, for two years it was my home.

Last week I packed my home. Along with getting married, Ben and I decided to move across the river to Washington, closer to his office. I am excited to marry Ben, to live in the cute house with him, I am excited for the change. But when it came time to pack my apartment, the only place I had ever lived in Oregon, I stalled. I couldn’t picture life outside of this place I didn’t know where to start packing and every time I thought of leaving my eyes would fill with tears. With Ben’s help I packed it. With Shannon, Dan, Tim, Deneal and Ben’s help we moved it. With Jody and Ben’s help we cleaned it. Last Friday I walked through it, everything was gone. It was spic and span, just how I found it. I turned it back to the owners. Before I left, I stood there all alone in the place that was once my home. A tear rolled down my cheek as I thought about the memories and the changes I had made there. It seems silly to be so attached to a place that was never really mine, but I will forever be grateful for the person I became there. I will miss my home, my late night TV bed watching, my empty fridge and taking up every closet in the house with my clothes, but it’s time to move on.

I’m glad I didn’t turn around when we originally crossed the Willamette, I am glad I stayed and made a life. Now we’re going back across the river, no Garmin needed. Plus, you’re going to love our new place. Life is changing people.

The Falls are Frozen!

For the last couple weeks Oregonians have been enjoying beautiful blue skies and FREEZING temperatures!  Oh boy do I love winter clothes, but winter temperatures... no thank you! 

The temperature dropped so much that Multnomah Falls froze!  When Deneal and I heard this news, we thought that was a sight that we could not miss.  Saturday, after a CRAZY new workout which may or may not be discussed later, Deneal and I thought we better hurry and see the frozen water before the constant threat of valley snow actually came to pass and the city shut down.

Now, let's discuss this adventure. Not once did it cross my mind the kind of seriously freezing temperatures it would take to freeze a 620 foot waterfall.  You see, that same day the Columbia River Gorge (where the falls are located) was experiencing an Oregon mistlike rain. Putting all this together, one may have come to the conclusion that those same freezing temperatures may also freeze this mist that has fallen on the roads and all walkways.  But NOT US!

About 15 miles from the falls driving on 1-84 we were stopped by cops as they cleared a 7 car crash.  We wondered to each other how this happened as we passed the scene hoping that everyone was ok.  Minutes later my car began sliding into the left lane, back to the right and into the left again. Black ice had gotten us the best of us - tricky! If you know Deneal or I, you are now thinking... I bet they were screaming while telling each other the best way to stop the sliding.  In fact, it was quite the opposite.  I did my best to correct the sliding and slow the car, Deneal calmly told me she was going to put my car in neutral.  We ended up back in our lane sucessfully avoiding any car crash!  Woo!  The rest of the trip happened at about 35 mph with hazard lights.  Finally we made it to the falls - it was incredible! We even slipped and slid our way to the bridge in the middle for a closer look.

Originally we had planned to have lunch at the falls, but after we froze our buns off and given the close call on the way out, we decided we had better get back as soon as possible.  We arrived home safe and sound - disaster adverted, adventure totally worth it!  The snow still has not arrived, but the sun is gone, the rain is here and the temperature back up!  Happy Winter!

A Utah man sir, will be till I die!

The Utah football team came to visit me last weekend! Too bad they just showed up to visit and not to play football...
Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks. I very much love college football and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to watch my Alma mater play in the very state where I live. Shannon and I went to the game, and had a ton of fun! Even if Shannon did accidentally wear the colors of the opposing team. (She is new to college football). HA, at least she looked cute! Now it has been beautiful in Oregon for the last 3 weeks. But the 4 hours that we decided to sit at a football game were the same 4 hours the Oregon skies decided to mist. So our once styled and straight hair was better suited under red Utah hats so it could frizz out all it wanted and we could enjoy the game! The Utes didn't bring home a 'W', in fact they lost 28-24. Even still, the game was great, aside from what felt like a million preventable Oregon interceptions. The Duck fans were very nice given we were the only 2 Utah fans on our side in a sea of yellow (plus they were ahead for most of the game). Shannon now knows the Utah fight song, that skill could come in handy - you never know when you'll need to bust out in perfect tune in a college fight song. And next time, Ducks - you better watch your backs! Go Utes!
I would also like to add that if I choose an Oregon team to cheer for, or even a PAC-10 team for that matter, I think I will choose U of O. This team is sponsored by Nike and oh my gosh I have never seen so much CUTE college paraphernalia. Let's be honest - I may already have a jacket! I'm still a Ute though! ;-)

197 Miles of Pure Running Joy

Hood to Coast. Mount Hood to Seaside, OR equals 12 people sharing 197 miles for 24 hours. Each person runs 3 legs of the race, rain, shine and pitch black. You've read my relay posts before, you know the drill. Team name of choice: Road-Ents of Unusual Size. Classic.This race however, will be one to remember... Shannon decided on a pedicure the week before the race. This meant no more callouses on her feet and A LOT of blisters after running. She wins team rockstar for running with these things. I can't even imagine that kind of pain. Dan decided to dress up for the occasion, mullet, sweat band, belly shirt and all. Notice the road-ent hand drawn on his cut off wife beater. Dan wins best costume, for sure! Please note the mullet hair blowing in the wind.I was super stoked about my first leg. I typically don't talk about my race times, honestly it doesn't usually matter to me. But this first leg I averaged a 7.4 minute mile for the 6 miles I ran. That definitely has never happened before, something was just right that day! This is my tired celebration face.Jon is warming up for his first leg. I can't decide if this is a sumo stance or a monkey, but he wins best way to warm up for an 8 mile run.Mike was joking about giving him Pringles instead of water during his 2nd run. Dan followed through with the request. Mike takes home the prize for eating the most disgusting thing while running.I've learned from Chris Provost (via Wasatch Back Relay) that crazy dance moves are the best way to cheer on your fellow runner. I believe this is the running man in action, I can never be sure what moves I will bust out though. Shannon brought her didgeridoo all the way from Australia to cheer on the runners! She really is getting good at playing it too. I think it was just what we needed for that extra motivation. I really am serious when I say run through the night... this is Angela, Emily and I at about 10pm. Our van was finishing up our legs to pass the slap bracelet on to their van for a few hours. This would be about 3am. I always wanted a picture of me running at night and my wish was granted. I rolled my ankle on this run - ha maybe running at 3am on a forest road with potholes isn't the smartest idea?!After the 3am run, when I thought the running party was over and my legs were completed I did what any normal person would do. I began gorging myself with beef jerky and pretzles. The problem with this was as we went down to meet Dan (the last runner in our van) at the exchange point the next van of teammates were no where to be found. "Oh crap" we all thought standing on the side of the road, as visions of disqualification danced through our heads, we knew Dan would be there to meet the next runner any second. I looked around at all of our feet and realized I was the only idiot (for lack of a better word) with running shoes still on. I looked at Shannon as I started taking off my outer layer of sweats and said, "Well I guess I'm running again." When Dan got to the exchange which wasn't but 30 seconds later he looked at me very confused, but passed the prized slap bracelet onto me and off I went. I only had to run 3 of the 5 miles of the leg as my van hurried to find our team and the next runner. Turns out it was just a little timing miscommunication and I like to believe the 3 extra miles burned up all those calories I ate when I originally thought I was done. Here I am after the 4th leg. Just for clarification, I am flexing NOT attempting to punch my fist through the window. :) After we were really done with our legs we headed to Seaside for the FINISH! Here is our van of runners. And our whole team together. Until next time peeps!

Summer Portland Style

This last weekend Bryce came to visit the wonderful world of Portland. He came just at the end of the CRAZY heat so we were able to be outside without melting to death!

I have decided that Multnomah Falls is now on my list of things for visiters to do. You need to have said list because everyone wants to be a good host when company comes! The falls were beautiful and I even told legend of the falls on the way out because Bryce's experience wouldn't have been complete without. I will not repeat the story now because I actually don't know if it is true - but I did read it in a book! This tree trunk is very ginormous. I absolutley could not let us walk by without getting a shot with it. We looked like little kids standing next to it!
Many people may not know this, but I took golf lessons one Summer. They really paid off too! When we went golfing I hit the ball and it went all of 4 feet... only about 170 feet short! Dangit. Bryce is a much better golfer... look at that ball in the air! Now this (standing and holding a golf ball), I am much better at... I know, I know, I am not following golf dress code. I am actually surprised they didn't stop me, they were quite strict about everything else on this course. A Oregon visit would not be complete, without an Oregon run. This is one of my favorite parks by my house. I love it because it is all jungle-y and hidden, but still a pretty hard trail run. And of course I brought my camera so we could get more pictures with trees!

Such a fun weekend. Thanks for coming to visit Bryce!

A Milestone

A year ago today I packed a car and left a life that I had known for almost 25 years. A year ago today I left my family, my friends, my boyfriend, my roommates, my office, my gym, my school, my ward and my hair stylist. A year ago today I did something that I had always dreamed of doing but didn't know if I really had the courage. A year ago today I had a new home in a new state and I was all alone. I had no furniture and a lot of boxes. I knew 2 people in this new state and I was scared and disoriented. A year ago today, I moved to Oregon.

It's hard to believe that an entire year has already gone by. When I moved I didn't have any idea how long I would stay. I told myself I just had to stay 6 months and if I hated it I could move again. Well 6 months passed - twice. I didn't hate it, but it took some getting used to. Before I never had to worry about crackers getting moldy just from the moisture in the air or clothes taking 2 days to line dry in the winter. I had never seen weeks after weeks without sun or foot of snow shut down schools and send panic through the city. I had never been more disoriented driving and never had I been lost as much as I was in the first month. I never realized the beauty the rain creates or seen 4 seasons pass with green trees in each. I had never had chipmunks in my front yard or a view that seemed to go on for miles. I had never lived anywhere more beautiful.

As I think about how quickly this year has gone by I can't help but wonder what I have accomplished. "Have I let this year pass in vain without making more of myself?" I can't stand the thought of that and so I create a year of Oregon in review.

In 365 days I... bought my first set of living room furniture, was forced out of my comfort zone, saw a major league baseball game, turned 25, felt really happy in my job, discovered a real love for Trader Joe's, ran 2 half marathons, one duathalon, one 10k and one relay, gave up diet coke, was terrified for my dad's life, starting drinking diet coke again, became closer with my family, tried mountain biking, hated mountain biking, felt what it is like to live alone, got in the best shape of my life, had my mom stay with me, found a new hair stylist, love living alone, gained 10 pounds, felt real pure love, gave up carbs, found a love for skinny jeans and uggs, ate carbs again, started new friendships, tried cooking new things, decided cooking isn't for me, let Shannon feed me more than she should ever have to, forced myself to live on a budget, felt my heart break, couldn't talk about my broken heart for weeks, wanted to puke every time I thought about my broken heart, researched just about every masters degree program possible, watched the first African American President be sworn in, discovered happy hour, loved happy hour for their half priced appetizers, felt frazzled from my job, drove through the Cascades in the snow, watched my parents lose a dog, watched the economy take a nose dive, helped a friend through heart break, built a snowman, went boating on a river, tried wake boarding, felt joy, learned what a burn barrel is, felt ashamed for asking for plastic at a grocery store, bought recyclable bags, got called into the Relief Society Presidency, visited Greece, never wanted to leave Greece, wished I could start all over, felt disappointment, disappointed people close to me, laughed so hard I couldn't breathe, swore off motorcycles, cried, cried again, refused to admit that I cry, ate an entire box of cookies in a day, stopped eating sweets, realized I am just like my mom, bought 17 new pairs of shoes, recommitted myself to my budget, read 12 books, realized I can't live without sweets, met people who changed my point of view, watched someone be converted, felt overwhelmed in my job, watched a friend struggle with addiction, tried to help, changed my opinion on addiction, shared my opinion without being asked, recommitted to reading the Book of Mormon, had my little brother stay with me, struggled with the idea of having kids, decided I do want kids - someday, decided it's time to grow up, realized I am already a grown up, tried to be an example, found happiness with who I am.

I could probably go on for pages, suffice it to say that the change has been good for me. I have learned, grown and hopefully become better. Thanks Oregon.

Welcome To The Rain, Ash!

Ashley was so sweet to come out to Portland to hang out for a weekend and drive to Utah with me. She hasn't been to Oregon since she was a kid so it was almost a whole new adventure! Luckily for her she got ONE day of beautiful sunshine before the sky opened and it poured for the remaining two days.
Ashley loves bridges so we went downtown to walk along the river and look at the bridges that cross the Willamette. We also got manicures at this super cute little nail salon on the river - the one problem - my nails chipped the very next day!! Ugh! The next day we went out to the beach to do a little shopping. It poured the entire time! We kind of expected the rain, so we did our best to ignore the torrential downpour that was soaking through our shoes. Thank goodness for umberellas!We loved Seaside so much we even got matching sweatshirts! Ha - dorky and touristy, I know.
And then to the beach... oh boy was it raining, but I pulled out the camera anyway. If pouring rain on your day at the beach isn't a moment to remember then I don't know what is.
We also braved the elements at Multnomah Falls, which was so beautiful. Ashley better hurry and send those pictures so I can post them... Thanks for coming, Ash!

Crazy In The Hood...

...Hood River that is. This weekend Shannon and Dan rented a room in Hood River. Hood River is a little town by Mt. Hood. Mt. Hood is the mountain where Oregonians go to ski and snowboard. This was my first Hood River experience and I loved it! It is a really cute little town with cute boutiques and little eating establishments . Deneal and I joined Shannon, Dan and Russ for a night to put on a little guitar hero concert. I am sure the other hotel guests were so pleased! :)

Have you ever wondered what a picture would look like if you were sitting at the VERY top row of a basketball arena? Well, let me help you picture it. Last week a bunch of people from our ward headed to the Rose Gardens to watch a Blazers game. I absolutely don't mind sitting at the top of the arena, but this picture makes me laugh so hard because when you sit in the very top you can't even tell you're at a game! I love it! The Blazers won and the night was a lot of fun, but I must say there is nothing like a Jazz game!

A Walk In The Park

This morning I was talking to my Dad on the phone when I hear a knock on my door. It was my landlord, Locky, and in his very awesome Australian accent he said, "Did you decide to go for a walk in the park?" I looked at him very confused and said, "Huh? I don't want to walk in the snow." He said, "No, have you seen your car?" We walk out and this is what I see.My car somehow slid or rolled into the park across the street from my house! Originally my car was parked a few feet above where it is in the picture and it was parked on the pavement. Locky must think that I am crazy cause I said, "WHAT?! How did that happen? I didn't park my car there!" He was laughing so hard and said, "Well it may have slid because of all the gravel on the sides of the road." (There is gravel ALL over the roads here from the huge snow storms back in December. Gravel is Oregon's solution to snow removal.) Locky determined that we shouldn't try to reverse out because the grass is so wet that my car would just dig a hole. Being a handy man and my father-away-from-home he hooked up a tow strap to my car and pulled me out with his.
I certainly am lucky it didn't roll into the trees that weren't too much further and thank goodness I turned my wheel to the right, other wise my car may have been in my neighbors yard instead! Once we successfully moved my car, this is all that was left. I guess it's time to get my emergency brake checked or maybe just time for a new car and a garage!

Perfect Description

"Portland is a town of two halves, one part cosmopolitan quirkiness, the other active outdoorsiness."

I was looking online today for Portland some races to sign up for in the Spring. I ran across this quote and thought it perfectly describes this area that I live. You see a bit of everything here from high end shops and designer clothes to socks with sandles and running in the pouring rain. I like to think that I fall somewhere in between.

Oh and the sun is out today! Yay! I haven't seen the sun for about a week... Oh boy, did I miss it!

Bringing The Heat!

It is freezing in my house. The weird thing about it being freezing in my house is that it's about 40 degrees here - not like Utah below freezing winter temps that I am so accustomed to. Yet, I am colder than I have ever been! My office is the worst, maybe it is because there are 2 windows, but when I work my right hand (mouse hand) literally turns into an ice sickle. I have been known to take a warm bath in the middle of the day just to warm up and I work with gloves and 3 blankets. When I sleep at night, I sleep with 5 blankets (which actually isn't that strange cause I like to be bundled up tight). I sleep with my bath robe over my pj's and socks with sometimes slippers. I do this because the initial jump into bed is like jumping into a freezing river! It's like my sheets have been sitting outside freezing all day. After the bedding gets warm however, I am just right. Well, the other day I decided enough is enough! I kept waiting for it to get better, but the heat is on and it's not getting better. To remedy the situation I drove the 20 miles to the nearest Walmart and purchased myself a space heater and an electric blanket. This was the best purchase I have ever made! Here I sit, my right hand NOT freezing and last night when I went to bed I just turned the blanket on about 10 minutes before and it was like climbing into heaven! I didn't have to sleep with my robe or socks! Who invented these wonderful heat makers because they just increased my happiness by 100%?! Bring on the freezing temperatures Mother Nature cause I can totally take it now!

Image illustrated by Amy Ning. Courtesy of This Old House.