January 1: New Year, New Toy

For Christmas my dad got me a new lens for my camera.  Unfortunately, the Best Buy in Oregon didn't have it in stock (even though it looked like they did).  Moreover, there weren't any Best Buy's close that had it.  Instead, I had to pick it up in the Athens store when I got home.  This wouldn't have been a big deal other than 1. I wanted to play with it while in OR and 2. my dad then had to pay tax.

So even after an extremely long travel day back to Athens, I went to the store and picked up my new lens! AND, I played around with it a bit.  I'm going to enjoy this lens.  More pictures to come later (I'm sure of it).

December 31: New Years Eve

CJ had to work New Years Eve, so my dad and I ventured around in Portland without her.  We had brunch at a cute little place called Jam.  They had snowflakes decorating the restaurant (I wish I had a picture of that).  Anyway, we made our own as we waited to be seated.  It was fun, and kept us occupied while we waited.  We then went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.  So good!

After we picked up CJ from work, we headed to the airport to drop dad off.  Then it was back to moms for games and wine until midnight.  

At 4:53pm, I got a call from United that my flight from Chicago to Atlanta on the 1st had been canceled.  They rebooked me on the 2nd.  This was problematic.  First, I didn't want to hang out in the Chicago airport for an entire day.  Second, I needed to be back to work for orientation on Thursday.  After calling United, they rerouted me through Houston leaving January 1st, at 5:30am.  Yikes.  But at least I wasn't going to be stranded in Chicago and I'd make it back for orientation.

Look at my cute sister and her dog.

P.s. if you notice, none of my time in Oregon was spent in snow.  There was only 4 inches on the mountains.  Sad day.

December 28: Beauty & the Beast

Today was wonderful! Mom made Sweedish pancakes for breakfast, we played games, and went to Beauty & the Beast in the evening.

We had an absolutley fantastic view of the 'Portland' sign.  When we walked up to the window, unfortunatley, it wasn't lit up.  My sister, being funny (and obeying a Quelf card) waved her hands and said abracadabra.  Well, about 3 seconds later, bam.  The lights came on.  It only would have been better if it had happened exactly when she said abracadabra...but it was close. :)

December 27: Twins

Today my sister did my hair.  In her book club, they each brought a skill or something they were good at and she learned a new way to style her hair.  Since our hair is about the same length she wanted to try it on me, with the promise that I could try to do her hair curly.  She's got a lot of natural wave, but seldom uses it to her advantage.  Anyway, we went out looking like twins with our vests and same hair styes.  So of course, we had to get a picture in front of the tree. :)

That evening we also went to the most unusual target in the city.  City target.  Yep, they put a bird on the sign.  Welcome to Portland.

December 23: Wrapping

Today I finished my Christmas shopping and (most) my wrapping.  Aside from that, the day was spent on the couch with some kleenex.  I enjoy seeing the presents with bright colors and glittery bows under the tree.  I also enjoy wrapping here because my mom has such great paper and ribbon options.  It's also nice to have it done (a little) in advance.  The tradition usually is a scramble on Christmas Eve (everyone is separate rooms) wrapping presents.  I don't know what I'm going to do with all this free time I'll have after our Christmas Eve service ;)

December 19: Traveling

Traveling, traveling through the woods...okay, so maybe I don't travel through the woods to get home. But I do take a car, a shuttle, a plane, and more to get to mom's house.  When I travel for the holidays, I take two suit cases, one for clothes and the other (bigger) one usually holds my snow shoes and presents.  Yep, I bring my shoe shoes with me to Portland (it's about the only time I use them right now :).  While at the airport, I also got a cup of deliciousness-Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Winter Dream Latte.  Yumm.  It was a relatively uneventful travel day, albeit long (but that's to be expected).

December 14: Portlander

Today I felt like I would fit in just fine in Portland.  All I needed was a bird on it, oh wait, my shirt does have birds on it.  Yep, I'm ready to visit my family in PDX.

Incarnation: Presence, Sacrifice, and Love

When I was a hall director, July was full of training.  We'd learn protocols and processes for everything from move in, to changing light bulbs, to emergency situations, to conflict resolution... and eventually to move out.  I loved working in housing.  There were rarely dull days, and being able to live-in was a wonderful opportunity to see students at their best and worst, and visa-versa.  As I would prepare for the upcoming year, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, God would often give me a verse or song that would somehow be exactly what I needed for that season.

As another, and hopefully final, school year (at least for me as-student) approaches, I've been asking God to reveal truth through scriptures or songs.

One of my songs from last year was by Steven Curtis Chapman, Definition of Me. The song is included below.  These words spoke deep meaning to me and reminded me to find my worth and value in Christ...despite the many, many, things that were telling me to find my worth elsewhere (i.e., what others think of me; if I pass prelims; if I defend before/after so-and-so).  So as this year was approaching, I began looking for, and asking God to reveal something to me for this upcoming year.

And then it hit me.  Staring me straight in the face, literally.  On my bathroom mirror I had three words, presence, sacrifice, and love.

Last Christmas I was up in Portland and we were headed to my sister's church for service (when I'm up there, we usually rotate between mom's church & CJ's).  Anyway, I remember the music being loud (I think my mom may have even pulled out her phone for a decibel count) and the young pastor who looked like he belonged in Portland (e.g., skinny jeans, sweater).  Although I cannot remember everything from that service, I remember him talking about incarnation and what it meant for Jesus to become flesh and dwell among us.  He spoke that for Jesus, incarnation was really about three things: presence, sacrifice, and love.

For me, those words resinated for weeks to come.  So much that when I was finally home, I wrote them on my mirror & dry eraser board (yes, it's been cleaned since January... I just keep rewriting those words).  I want them to be a reminder for me to live like Jesus did.  He knew he came to make the ultimate sacrifice, and yet, he lived in the present making the most of his days.  Furthermore, his sacrifice was out of the most amazing love, a love that surpasses my understanding.

Thus, as I broach another academic year that is guaranteed to be challenging and celebratory, my hope is to practice presence when I'm with people, look for ways to sacrifice my time and resources, and love others, even when it's difficult.

Now I need to go practice some presence with my dissertation.


Definition of Me
Here come those words again
I run for cover, I’m dodging them.
But still they seem to find their way
around my best defense
Here come those little thoughts
of all I ought to be but I’m not
I try talking to myself
but I’m still not convinced
I’m good, I’m bad, I’m everything in between oh
I’m this, I’m that, but really God we both know

Chorus
It is Your love that defines me
and Your love that reminds me
it’s not what I do
This life I live, You have given
and in You I am hidden
This is what I know is true
that the definition of me is You

This ladder never ends
I climb up then we slide down again
Still they say you’ve not arrived
until you reach the top
But Your kingdom’s upside down
it is the servant who wears the crown
First is last and last is first
and You’re all that I’m not
‘Cause I’m weak, You’re strong, I’m empty ‘til You fill me
I sing this song to keep myself remembering
[Chorus] 

I have been made by You
I have been saved by You
All that I am is all because of You
I’m weak, You’re strong, I’m empty but You fill me
I’m singing this song to keep myself remembering

[Chorus]

Christmas 2010 (part III)

After leaving California, I was headed to Oregon to spend time with my mom and sister.  Now that I'm a student again, I had 3 weeks off and spent almost 2 of them in Oregon.  Here's the list, pictures, and recap of my time in Oregon.

Fringe.

My sister got me hooked on fringe this season.  So I caught up on seasons 1 & 2.  Yes friends, that's about 26 hours of TV watching.  Yikes, but soooo good. :)

Christmas Eve.

My sister's church held a Christmas Eve service at the Portland theatre downtown.  It was a wonderful celebration of the birth of Jesus, very authentic, very real worship.  I also enjoyed the hot drinks and cookies provided in the lobby.  :)

Christmas.

Christmas is no longer a wake up early, run downstairs event.  In part, we don't have stairs.  After a slow moving morning, we opened presents, had two lovely breakfasts, and hung out around the house.  One of my favorite gifts, that I accidentally left in Oregon but should be on it's way back to me is a necklace my sister got me.  There's a long back story which I will save you all from (this post is already going to be long).  But the necklace is this cute little heart and on the front it says, 'I love that we're sisters'.  Ahhhh.  Sweet.  Right.  On the back it says, "And I love that there is nothing you can do about it'.  Now that's more like my sister.  Ha. 

Reading.

I got a couple great books for Christmas.  I enjoy reading, but frankly with school I haven't done much fictional reading.  Well, I made up for that this break.  A friend in Athens recommended the 'hunger games'.  The book, which turns out to be a trilogy, is young adult fiction about...well, the premise makes the books sound awful, but that couldn't be further from the truth.  I read the first on Christmas day and had to run out and get the second and third...which of course I read in two subsequent days.  Best piece of fiction since Harry Potter.  Amazing. 

New Years Eve.

I  think New Years Eve is kind of a bust of a holiday.  Don't get me wrong, I stay up til midnight and 'celebrate', but I've never really understood why such celebration occurs over the flipping of a calendar page.  If you actually still use a paper calendar, it happens every midnight.  It is however an excuse to get people together.  My mom, sister, and her roommate spent the night playing games.  It was a relaxed and enjoyable time!  Oh...and I made a new settlers convert.  ;)

McMenamins.

The McMenamins are a family who take local historic or old buildings and convert them into hotels, movie theaters, breweries, and restaurants.  Not having ever experienced one, we went to see the movie Red.  The theater has all couches and tables, and you can order food, beer, or snacks while the movie plays.  It was a fun experience.  Next time, I'll make sure it's a movie I really want to see.  

Home videos.

One night my sister, being her sneaky self, brought out some old home videos.  Of course, she primarily brought out the old videos of me singing.  Oh yes, all my grade school performances were taped.  Watching these videos brought back wonderful memories and tons of laughter.  Here is one of my favorites of my sister in a Christmas musical from church.  

Snowshoeing.

I love hiking.  I love snow.  So why not love snowshoeing?!  Well, since I had never been, I couldn't have an informed opinion.  But now, I know I love it.  My sister and I went up to the foot of Mt. Hood on some 'trail'.  It was a beautiful trek with the view of Mt. Hood ahead of us.  The trail was about 3 miles long and many miles wide.  The snow covered trees were a sight!  I enjoyed the time with my sister AND the time in the snow!

 

 

We're excited about being in the snow!

 

 My 'trek' picture was actually taken on the way down, but the view this way was much better!

 

Yay for snow!

There were many more highlights from the trip including my sister discovering the brand of her favorite bed at Macy's (after practically climbing under the bed to find the name plate) and dessert at Papa Haydn's; the time was precious and I returned to Athens rested, rejuventated, and ready for the next semester!

End of Book.

July 4th

I enjoy fourth of July. And I love fireworks.

This year, I spent the fourth of July in downtown Portland. I met up with Drew and Hugh (his Australian friend) and headed downtown for dinner before meeting up with my mom and sister for fireworks.

Unfortunately, my mom and sister got down to the waterfront right when the fireworks started. So they found whatever spot they could and we all met up after the show.

Below are my sad attempts at the fireworks shots. I have a special feature on my camera that is suppose to allow me to take fabulous firework photos, only, I guess I didn't do something completely correct.

Still, I love a good fireworks display! :)

After the fireworks, my mom, sister, and I had dessert with Drew, Hugh, and Dave (Drew's colleague) at Henry's. Too bad Papa Haydn's was far away. :( I can't wait to visit their desserts again ;)

From there, my mom, sister, and I headed back to Beaverton so that I could pack and get ready for the next half of my vacation.

California...here I come!

Walking through Nature!

When I arrived in Portland, I created a list of things I wanted to see/do. Not having done many touristy things in Portland, the Rose Garden was on the list. The Garden overlooks downtown Portland and is filled with ... roses. ;) It's beautiful, especially March through June.

There are rows and rows and rows of flowers, it's amazing! It was a beautiful day as well, a nice 87 degrees with a cool breeze.

Leaving my mom to wander in the Rose Garden, my sister and I headed to Forest Park. I found this cute little trail I wanted to explore. The trail followed a creek/river through the park. It was a nice hike. And when I say hike, a more accurate statement would be a walk through nature...yet still something I enjoy!

Right or left, which way to choose?

What a beautiful trail! Too bad I chose a cotton t-shirt this day. It was a little warm, especially considering we practically ran the trail back to the car. Long story... the short version, the sun was setting, mom had been left wandering, spooky stone house on the trail, and creepy men. Needless to say we didn't want to be on the trail when the sun set completely.

On the 4th we headed to Multnomah Falls. Back in March, Matt, Sarah, and I tried to hike it. However, with the freezing water, it would have been nearly impossible to get to the top. Going back in July, I realized just how difficult it would have been. The hike is a mile and a half, almost straight up hill (switchbacks). With the icy conditions in March, it would have been disastrous. With great weather, my sister and I made it to the top. It was somewhat disappointing, however, because the view from the bottom and bridge is better than the one at the top. But, now I can say I've done it! :)

We found this fun branch on a tree. It was begging to be swung from...only it was a bit out of reach. But it makes for a fun picture! :)

Here's a picture from the middle of the hike. The river in the background is the Columbia, and the land on the other side...Washington state.

I would include pictures from the top, but like I mentioned earlier, it was sadly disappointing. The time with my sister was, however, enjoyable and we have many fun memories from the hike(s).

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

Fondu

On Wednesday night we celebrated my mom's birthday in downtown Portland. After walking around for awhile (and taking some touristy photos) we headed to the Melting Pot for dinner. It was a new experience for all three of us. After choosing a type of cheese, they bring out apples, bread, chips, and veggies for dipping. We choose a fiesta dip and a spinach artichoke dip. From there we headed to see a movie of my mom's choosing. It was a fun time celebrating my mom's birthday!

Doing the touristy thing in downtown. This sign is so fun! It shows you all sorts of places and how far away they are from where you are. :)

Bagby Hot Springs

On Thursday, my sister and I headed out to Mt. Hood and toward Bagby Hot Springs. After a small 1.5 mile hike, you arrive at the hot springs. What the park has done is found a way to funnel the hot springs into tubs (both private and corporate). What we didn't expect was ... quite so many nudies. Yep, that's right...there were all sorts of nude people in the hot springs. We had looked the place up online and there was a 'clothing optional' information section, however, neither of us expected people to take that too seriously. We were wrong. So after our 1.5 mile hike, we kept hiking, in hopes that upon our return back to the hot springs, the nudies would be gone. And we were right...we found ourselves a group tub that was unoccupied. However, after a 2 + mile hike, 97 degree weather, and in a tub that had questionable contents...we only got in up to our knees.

Here's a picture of Mt. Hood, it's not very clear, but the mountain is gorgeous.
My sister and I woke up early to take my mom to work in order to have use of her car. When we went to pick her up, we were pooped, so we took naps in the car. Oh, I forgot to mention, we took a little nap before we hiked as well. ;)

So this tree was neat. I thought, 'how fun, I can get inside it.' As I begin to pose for the picture by putting my hands on the inside of the tree, I hear a noise...oh yes, the tree was already occupied by hundreds if not thousands of some sort of large ugly insects. I jumped, let out a noise that could have resembled a scream, and ran from the tree. It was a close call. My sister rolled in laughter.
The actual hot spring that gets funneled to the tubs.

It was a fun experience and a great little hike. Still, I'd like to go back in the winter when I would actually enjoy the 137 degree water. :)