Go Ducks! And College Reminiscing

Duck football season is here!  For the first time in four years, Ryan and I are back home in the great state of Oregon during the most exciting sports season of the year.  While in Asia we watched the Ducks streaming on our laptops, on our iPod touch, and in one desperate pinch--from my parents' TV, pushed up to their computer over skype.  

This year we made the drive to Eugene for the Ducks' opening game.  We were finally there, live and in person at the infamous Autzen Stadium.  

I went with five college girlfriends, and Ryan sat with his dad.

Tailgating with my girls was as fun as ever.  

Even when we couldn't find our spot and had to make cocktails under a tree...

I think this was supposed to be twerking.

After the game we spent some time touring campus, reminiscing about the years where we formed the friendships we still have today.

Love Eugene, and love my Ducks.  So excited for our next Eugene trip for Homecoming Weekend!

Portland Gardens: Japanese & Rhododendron

We were blessed with some unseasonably beautiful weather last month.

I left Ryan alone with his studies and visited some of Portland's beautiful gardens with my parents.  

 {Japanese Gardens}

 

  {Rhododendron Garden}

It's getting to be my favorite time of year in the pacific northwest, where the skies are clear and the rain gives us a break for a couple of months.  This allows plenty of time for long walks, picnics, boat rides, and weekend getaways.  I'm currently compiling my summer to-do list and am planning local excursions and events to make up for the summers we were away in Asia.  

It feels really good to be home.

Off to the Coast!

 images

  
Not to brag, but I've been to more gorgeous beaches in Asia and Mexico than I can count.  

The temperature is warm, the sand is milky white, and the aquamarine water is transparent.

Although the beaches on the Oregon coast are none of those things, it holds a special place in my heart.   

 The sand is brown, the water is mucky and it's usually freezing...

 But it's wonderful.

I visited the coast every spring break with my parents growing up, and have taken numerous trips there with Ryan and our friends.

The two of us are off to Newport this weekend for our first vacation together since March.  
(Hey, that's a long time for us!)

We're looking forward to....
-sunshine in the forecast!
-the drive on this scenic highway

-crabbing from our cozy resort on the bay
-sleeping in

-lunch or dinner here
-visiting the (potentially haunted) lighthouse from the photo above

-walks on the beach
-window shopping in town 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

March Moments

 
 
 

 

 
 
  
 

 
 
 

+Submarine ride in Cozumel
+Goodbye to loved ones in Mexico
+Reunion in NYC's Koreatown with friends made in Busan 
+Precious time with family on the east coast
+St. Patty's celebration with my girls

+Spring walks to breakfast

+Birthday celebration for grandpa
+Catching up with old friends (and their little boys)

+Ryan's first fish of the year (and biggest catch ever!)

+Boating with friends  
+Picnic in the park with mom and dad
+Passover seder 


*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Just like that, it's April.  

The older I get, the more quickly time seems to pass.  
No problem, just a constant reminder to enjoy every moment.

This will be the first full month we've spent in the US since July 2011.

There are so many things to look forward to in April. 
 On the books: a weekend at the beach with college girlfriends, an engagement party for the sweetest couple, this festival, and my dad's birthday.  
Also, Ryan starts school this month to become an EMT and I'll begin a new job as a preschool teacher.

And... we're finally ready to announce that we're having a baby!  



No, we're not.
{ Couldn't resist throwing a little April Fool's in there. }

April, let's do this.

Rediscovering Portland

¡Hola from Cozumel!
We have been having lots of fun here meeting new people, going to yoga classes by the sea, exploring the island, and making and eating as much as Mexican food as we can. 

Today we're getting lots of clouds and wind due to a "norte" meaning wind storm from the north.  That means time inside for me to sort through lots of pictures from the last couple months.  Maybe one of these days I'll even get to those two weeks in December that we spent in Thailand...

* * * * *

When people in Korea asked us where we were from, we got similar responses.

"I love Portland!"

"Portland is so cool!"

"I've always wanted to visit Portland!"

Since I was born and grew up there, I had a hard time seeing what all the fuss was about.  It's rainy.  And dreary.  And the only season worth mentioning is summer, which lasts only two to three months.  If you're lucky... 

 With the help of Ryan though, over last few years I've been able to see Portland the way many others do, as a unique and lively city, with beautiful natural sights and a booming music, restaurant and bar scene.  Where else in the world can you find all the microbrews, fresh coffee and donuts your little heart could want?

Although I'd still love to see the sun on a much more regular basis, maybe there is some truth to the phrase, "absence makes the heart grow fonder."

* * * * *

A few days after Christmas we had one of those wintery days that was dry, sunny and cold.  Sunshine?  It's a real rarity for Portland winters, so Ryan and I embraced the morning with a long walk to a new bagel and coffee shop.

 

 And on a gloomier (and still chilly) day later that week we took a walk around a park and reservoir in my parents' neighborhood.

 

 

Later that night I met some girlfriends at one of Portland's oldest bars.  

Its house specialty is Spanish Coffee, made tableside.

Oh, Portland.  You're not too bad.