Yoga Sadness

Tonight I learned, much to my distress, that my yoga studio was discontinuing their yoga classes. I am deeply saddened as yoga had become a regular part of my week and I felt as though I was really connecting with the instructors at the studio.

Now, it's on to searching for a new and affordable studio. Luckily, living social offers a lot of yoga deals for my area so, I'll be able to search in affordable style.

Wish me luck kiddos.

New Years Resolution: and only four days late

So, I finally got around to resolving to actually change my behavior. Funny thing is, I don't usually make any resolutions for the new year. I'm such a goal oriented person that, I am pretty much constantly making some sort of resolution. Am I going to run everywhere I go for a month? eat a strictly palio diet? train for a specific race- the Monument Ave 10K (some would argue the best race ever)? apply to a certain amount of jobs in a week? exercise x number of times in a week? Read a certain book? or what? I am always questing after these sort of things anyways. I have a basic "read every book you get from the library" policy, a current 3-5 days a week exercise schedule, and am a regular volunteer.

So, this year I decided to do some things that I should have done in the past year anyways. I want to be a tourist in my own city. I want to go back to or go for the first time to the iconic Portland things I haven't been to before. I started off my first year here on such a budget that even traveling to get to some of these places wasn't feasable. However, most of them are in the city and a lot of them are even free. Here's my list of places I want to go see and things I want to do.

1. Pittock Mansion

2. Portlandia

 Portlandia. I just went to see her today.

3. The International Rose Test Garden
4. Powells City of Books
5. Bike the East Bank Esplanade
6. Bagby Hot Springs
7. The Central Library

That's all I've got for now. All but one of them are in the city. Many of them are free. I think I should be good on this List. I'll keep you posted.
It's a constantly evolving

Zoobie doobie doooooo

Today was sadly enough Katelyn's last day in town. It was a wondrously, not too rainy day here in Portland. But, even better than the outstanding weather, it was free zoo day! So, we went to the zoo. 

We saw plenty of animals, most of them bipeds in small herds, wearing rain jackets, and pushing strollers. We did see more unusual species too. Some of our favorites were these bronze lions but we also spotted some tiny bronze elephants too. 

It's been nice having family around. We spent Christmas together, went hiking. She saw one of my favorite parks and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry while I worked. We got donuts, and made cookies, had many a quiet breakfast together and kept up a pretty good running regiment. We volunteered together, drank a beer together (or part of a beer depending on which one of us you were watching), tried some Portland specific foods, went to see a whole gaggle of cheap movies at second run theaters. We had a Harry Potter movie marathon to welcome in the new year and of course went to the zoo.

Of course, I'll be glad to have more space in my room as I'm sure Katelyn will be glad to sleep on a regular bed. But, mostly, I will miss hanging out.

Pretzelz!

The past few days have been a baked goods bonanza. On Christmas, Katelyn and I made about 5 dozen cookies. Later in the evening my roomie, Travis, came home bearing two pies, enough cookies to feed my mom (who has a major sweet tooth) for days, and some delicious breads (chocolate chip, pumpkin bread anyone?).

Tonight Katelyn and I decided to follow all of those baked treats up with... wait for it... even more baked goods!! So, we took it upon ourselves to bring the household some home made soft pretzels.

I know, I know, you're impressed. But, don't look at us as heroes. Look at us as role models for yourselves and your children. Here's some photo documentation for your enjoyment.

 Pretzel's fresh out of the oven

The first bite (on camera that is) 

Look at the joy these fat little pretzels bring into our lives

As my computer is dying, that's all for now folks.  

Into the Wild and other Christmas Adventures

Katelyn and I spent Christmas morning hiking at a spot called Angel's Rest. Much of the time, we were wondering about what in the world we were doing outside, in the rain on Christmas day.Some of the photos may reflect that.

Katelyn, unsure about the babbling brook. 

 Me "why are we doing this"

 Katelyn's finally coming around to the hike (in the background is the beautiful Colombia River)

 A beautiful tree burnt in a past year's forest fire

 A little gnomey doll we found on a tree.

 At the peak of our hike

 There was a lot of fog but we know the view would have been spectacular

Bracing against the cold under this tree.

 Frowning at the cold, in front of the void.

A window into the void through these rocks

pictures really can't do it justice

We spent the rest of our day baking labor intensive cookies, making (and eating) curry and coconut rice and watching Christopher Nolan movies with my friend Jon. Making cookies, eating curry and watching movies is my and Jon's new Christmas tradition. We did it last year and hopefully we'll do it in years to come. After Jon left Katelyn gave me some delicious looking canned foods to eat. We got into one of them this morning. 

Canned goodies

To continue our Christmas festivities we will be opening a package we received in the mail today from home.

Hopefully you all are having safe travels and fun times out there over this holiday season.

Christmas Visits

As some of you may know, my little sister, Katelyn, is coming to visit me! Hurray! Hurray! She's in the car (and maybe even inside the city of Portland) right now, heading towards me. I can't wait. I've got some fun ideas planned which, hopefully, she'll be interested in.

There are birthday parties to go to, Spaghetti dinners to eat, free show's DJ'd by friends to dance at, Live music to see, Christmas lights to view, and hikes to trek.

Luckily, she's here for a good amount of time so we'll also have time to spend together in a more low key fashion. I know that she's going to be getting down at the Habitat Restore for a couple of days that I'm working so, she'll also be keeping herself occupied while I'm away.

I hope you all are about to spend some quality time with your loved ones. All the best.

Side note: I'm in love with a new band from Portland called Yours. Look them up if you want to try something new.

The week of voluntary service

This week, I believe, I have done the most consecutive volunteer work that I've done since high school. This is what happens when you work very little. I have learned how to open and operate the Mt. Tabor Visitor Center run by The Friends of Mt Tabor. I learned how to and did, clear ground and plant trees with Portland's Friends of Trees. That was really fun and I'm trying to do it again in the future. And then, I also, am going to do my time at the Habitat for Humanity Restore this afternoon. I feel like such a productive (and underemployed) member of society!

Next week, I work 4 days and the week after I work 5 so it'll get back to normal soon. But for now, watch out, because I might just sneak into your neighborhood and do
 some good. Mwahahahaha. ok I'm bored.

Here are a couple of pictures I stole off of a friend that went with me to the Friends of Trees planting

Out in the middle of the 'burbs planting & relocating trees

This is Maryalice (my newest friend) and showing off our muddiness after planting. 

On the up side, it looks like it's starting to get back to regular 40's and low 50's temps for early winter. Hip, Hip, Hurray! Shout out: Maryalice for coming out and volunteering with me (and unknowingly letting me steal her pictures).