Sometimes I Forget Why I Blog

There are a few reasons why I write. One of them is because it's therapeutic. Another reason is to remember the little things that make up my life.
This last weekend was one of those moments I don't want to forget. I went to a cabin with my husband, my dear friend Daniel, and his friend.
We didn't realize that the ferry ride to Vashon Island would be such a hot ticket so after accidentally cutting in front of a group of cars, seeing the sluggishly slow moving line, having a confrontation with another driver, and realizing that we wouldn't get on the next ferry - or the one after that, we turned around and drove a little out of the way to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and over the Sound to a beautiful little cabin in Mason County.
The house was a pleasant surprise - much nicer than I anticipated and it happened to be waterfront - again a nice surprise. The house was stocked with everything you could possibly want or need. LCD tv, dvd players, games, loads of food, kayaks, bikes, and more. Our plan, however, was to do as little as possible so we made a conscious decision to ignore most of those things. Instead, we did have a bit of a summer romance with Sudoku Deluxe.
Daniel and his friend were great company. Daniel and I always have a lovely time being snarky and my husband enjoys his company as well. His friend, Noam, is from Israel and has only lived in the U.S. for a year and a half. Spending a weekend with him was a delight and an education.
He was practically dropped here after accepting a job and had no one to help integrate him. He spoke Enlish well and even understood our sardonic American humor but his life has been very different from mine. While growing up in Israel, Noam had to deal with constant security threats and even spent three years in the Israely Army - catching suicide bombers.
Yes, it was a very interesting weekend.

One of Those Weeks

Sometimes it's as if time gives me a break just so it can shove a year's worth of crap in my face all at once. Last week was typical: gym, school, Justin, home, work. But this week will be slightly different. Tomorrow I have school, like usual, but Friday is where things get tricky.
Logic will be driving me to the airport early Friday morning and I'll fly out to Dallas to say my goodbyes to an ailing Grandpa while simultaneously hugging my mom and loving my sisters. On top of that, I'll be catching up with a brother that I haven't seen in five fucking years! (way too long) and his family.
Everyone will scatter back home three or four days later, except for me. You see, before my Grandpa had a stroke, I'd booked a trip to Vegas. The option of canceling presented itself but I'm figuring a few days in the sun might be just what I need after a tumultuous weekend. Logic will be flying into Sin City on Monday and spending the day with our friends but I won't arrive until Tuesday (ticket pricing, you know). Tuesday through Thursday will hopefully consist of a few drinks and a lot of pool-time. Then I fly home just in time to attend classes on the 21st.
Here's hoping the week after will be back to normal.

Ohanapecosh

The funny thing about camping is that only people with money would find enjoyment in a weekend where it's required that you sleep on the ground, scrounge for food and don't bathe. In other parts of the world I believe that's called poverty.
That perspective aside, camping can also be a great way to retreat to nature when life in the city is too much to bear. Simplicity at it's finest. It is for that reason that Logic and I trekked into the wilderness with 2 dear friends and spent the weekend roasting hot dogs, hiking through old-growth forests and playing poker. When we returned home yesterday we felt rejuvenated. And exhausted. But mostly rejuvenated.

Off We Go, Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Wait, that song is about flying, right?
Oh well. This afternoon Logic and I will be driving to Mt Rainier with friends for an extended weekend in the forest. Despite the lack of showers I am greatly looking forward to it. And I'm am relieved (I'm so punny) that there will be a flush-toilet in the vicinity.
Three days of camping, hiking, drinking, and laughing under the stars.
Happy Labor Day!

Jealousy

My sister is boarding a plane to Maui right now. Don't you just hate her?

The Walk Home

We were at the lodge, spending the evening with family. We playing pool and threw back a few beers. Time escaped us, as it often does in those situations. Before we knew it, the clock read 1:00 and we were preparing to walk back to our cabin in the dark. The groom's cousin stopped us at the door and offered to let us borrow his flashlight. We were so relieved because the walk wouldn't have been an easy one.
The group hovered over the light that lead the way but Logic didn't have the patience. He managed to make it back to the cabin but just as he thought he'd be reaching the porch he ran shin-first into a boulder that was guarding the house from a potential accident with a reversing car. He lost a chunk of skin on that boulder. And his ego.
But it was damn funny.

My Trip to Utah

I guess I went into my trip with the right attitude because I ended up having a great time. Sure it was hectic and I didn't get much sleep, but I also made some great memories.
1) On the drive from Salt Lake City to the wedding site in Southeast Utah Logic's sister and I sat in the back of the van and giggled 80% of the drive.
2) The ride through Canyonlands was stunning. There were some very windy roads but the views were incredible.
3) The Bed and Breakfast that hosted the wedding and reception was tucked into the mountains. I loved it! We stayed in a cabin and it felt so isolated. We felt like we were by ourselves when at the cabin but if we crossed the street and walked up a hill, we were in the middle of the action.
4) The wedding was beautiful and I was crying within the first 5 minutes.
5) The reception was a crazy party. Plenty of beer, spiked punch, cowboy hats, karaoke, line dancing, some hip-hop mixed in, great conversation, and even an authentic fight.
6) A drive to Dead Horse Point reminded me of the Grand Canyon. The scenery was opposite of the Northwest which was a refreshing change: red rock, deep ravines, seeing for miles.
7) On an early morning hike to Delicate Arch I had one of the best hikes of my life. Logic's sister and Logic woke up at 5 am with me to hike up a huge rock and trek up a mountain to one of the most amazing views I've ever seen.
But it was the little moments with family that I'll cherish the most.

This is Not a Vacation

I'll be flying from Washington to Utah tonight. I'll stay at Grandma's house tonight and then drive 4 hours tomorrow. I will attend a wedding on Saturday and spend the night in a lodge up in the mountains. Then I'll drive 4 hours back to Grandma's on Monday and fly home on Tuesday.
Anytime off from work fits into the category of 'vacation' by most standards but this is the exception. You see, there are certain factors that prevent me from relaxing (vital for actual vacationing).
1) The trip is already planned out and I wasn't consulted.
2) Nieces and Nephews will require a lot of attention (more exhaustion).
3) I won't have my own car/space for 5 days. I will be at the mercy of others, which I rarely enjoy.
BUT, being the pseudo-optimist that I am, I'm going to try and focus on that one ray of sunshine: the lodge. I've been craving some isolation from city life and that lodge has my name written all over it. And who knows, maybe my lack of expectations will be just the thing. If I don't look forward to anything, I won't be disappointed right?

Hawaiian Pedicure

Day One in Hawaii and we were all lounging around the apartment. Lili noticed that I had a few blisters from jogging and we decided to get pedicures while the boys went to a local brewery. She called her favorite salon but they were booked for the afternoon so she suggested we try a new place at the mall. The guy on the phone was rude to her, but we figured maybe he was busy.
We were running late so Lili called the salon and the guy was a dick again! And when we showed up he stared us down until I finally said "Two pedicures. We called a few minutes ago. Under the name Lili". He huffed and dramatically swiveled in his chair to yell back for the two nail techs before proceding to go back to his magazine. The nail techs, who happened to both be lying their heads down on the counter in the pack of the salon, slowly began to get up and walked to us like they were hungover. Lili and I looked at each other and then looked at the Asshole. He didn't look up. Simultaneously, we told him we didn't want to get pedicures there anymore and left.
So we walked around and found another place nearby. The guy at the front desk shot us a friendly smile and informed us that we could either wait 20 minutes or he could call their sister-salon to see if they had anything available. Turns out, their sister-salon was the same place that was rude to us and when we explained that to the gentleman behind the counter, the manager overheard us and seemed very distraught. She asked us a series of questions before we were ushered into the pedicure room. And even though the friendly staff at Mani Pedi Spa made up for the other salon, we both laughed on the way out at the possibility of the rude guy getting in trouble.

WP

Last weekend was one of the most relaxing of my life.
Logic and I met up with Kenny and Mel and spent the weekend in a cabin on the lake at Willamette Pass.
Typically, I love to ski. But last weekend I chose quality time with Mel in the cabin over the slopes. We played Oh Shit and Cranium and even went for two snowshoe expeditions.
It was wonderful to be in the company of true friends and to be surrounded by such natural beauty. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Here I Am

Just got back from a long weekend at the Oregon Coast. There was shopping, walking along the beach, getting caught by a sneaker wave, scaring the poodle, relaxing in front of the fire, exploring tide pools and eating fresh seafood.
I took entirely too many pictures of the ocean. I'll sift through the mediocrity and include one soon.

Something to Look Forward To

Since I will be working this Thanksgiving, Logic and I are meeting up with his family at the Oregon Coast to celebrate the holiday a week beforehand.
This is where we'll be staying. Doesn't it look relaxing?