Snowy Day Snapshots

Snow started to fall on Thursday morning.  I realize that the rest of the country has been dealing with this for weeks now and it's no news flash--but snow just doesn't happen here.

For that reason, Portland completely shuts down at the first sign of the stuff.  This blizzard was no different.

It took me almost FOUR HOURS to make the commute home that afternoon (the usual is forty-five minutes).  Thank goodnesss for red wine. 

The rest of the (4-day thank you snow!) weekend has been spent on a snowy walk with Ryan, lunching with my best friend, reading my new book club book, netflixing in my PJs, delving into that Valentine's chocolate that was "for my co-workers" (oops!) and overdosing on tea and zinc to cure my cold.  

 

Being snowed in is not so bad (:

Ordinary Days

I have come to realize that it's really not the special occasions that make life wonderful.

In fact, it's those random days between birthdays, holidays, and milestones that make up the most wonderful times of our lives.  
Lately my favorite moments have been Duck games with family and old friends, weekend breakfasts, dates with my bestie, baking with mom, Friday night wine tasting with the girls, fall manicures, and nature's beauty.
I'm enjoying every little minute.

My New Favorite Season

Yesterday was the first cloudy day we've had in nearly two weeks.  That is a RARITY in Portland.  

When I asked my students in Korea to share their favorite holiday, nearly all of them said fall.  

Fall?  Wrong.  

Summer of course, is the best season, I thought to myself.

But then I lived through a summer in Busan, with its sticky humidity, obnoxious cicadas and ever present mogis (mosquitos).   

Finally September came, providing the relief of cooler but still warm weather, the absence of humidity, and sunshine every day.  

As an Oregonian this is unheard of.  Sunshine?  Once summer is gone the sun goes with it, and in its place: rain.

But not this year.  

Ryan and I have missed three years of fall in Portland and this city is trying hard to win us back by giving us the most beautiful October I can remember.

I think I found my new favorite season.

September in Review

September seemed to fly by.

Fall is now in full effect, with unseasonably cold and wet weather arriving just in time for the change of seasons.  We did our best to soak up every last bit of sunshine while it lasted.

View from our Labor Day boat ride on the Columbia River


Visiting the new little one of our close friends

Studying español


Color Run

Sunday brunch

A visit with Ryan's stepdad in town from Cozumel

Last outdoor happy hour drinks of summer

Pretty blue heron

Ryan's smoked ribs

Baby Shower for my soon-to-be-momma cousin

Cajun tots

Finally.........pumpkin spice!

 Oktoberfest

Cheers to fall at home :)

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!

August, the Last Bit of Summer

August has always been my favorite month.  The weather is pretty much guaranteed to be warm, (which is not something can you say about most months in Oregon) there is always a wedding that brings together family and/or friends, my family goes on their annual camping trip, the Ducks play their first football game, Ryan and I get to celebrate our anniversary, and at the end of the month, I have a birthday.  

In August people realize that summer is coming to a close, so those long warm nights are not taken for granted.  This August was definitely one to remember.

+Belated Happy (31st!) Anniversary to mom and dad

 

+Visiting goats in their SE Portland habitat

+Celebrating at a friend's gorgeous wedding

+Alberta Street Fair with friends

+Brunch amidst Ryan's crazy August schedule to celebrate four years of marriage

 

+Sunrise on one of the fires Ryan fought

+Freshly picked blackberries over ice cream

+Bridge walk with mom and dad

 

+Fresh veggies from Ryan's garden

+Camping and sunsets at the beach

+Wine tasting for my 29th birthday

 

+Birthday lunch with my honey

 

+Ice cream flight at Salt & Straw

+29 candles

+First Duck football game at Autzen Stadium since 2009!

While I'm sad to see summer go, I'm excited for the season ahead.  

We haven't spent an autumn at home since 2009.  How much has changed since then!  

The past five months at home have reminded me how lucky I am to have such wonderful people close to me and I'll continue to enjoy every moment with them.  

Exciting things are happening for me and for Ryan as we lay the foundations for our career paths and future.

Here we go, fall!