sunday love

If you follow me on Twitter you've already seen this,

but I wanted to pass along the word from John Mark about their happy, happy news!

"Uganda update: Tammy and Sunday get home today after a five weeks! So excited to be a family for the first time ever. Love your prayers."

Prayer changes reality!

And now this sweet little girl is home.

springtime for hitl... oh, nevermind. (any producers fans out there?)

Have you been over to Daffodil's?

Kate (blog BFF - totally okay that you said that!) did an awesome roundup of Spring photos from around the country (and there are some great blogs for you to check out)!

Meanwhile, this place is guzzling water from the sky like the state of Oregon just downed a box of saltines without a care in the world.

Can we not play the hydration game anymore? I think we're there. 

milk & honey

As Natalie so perfectly put it in this post, "I am still battling off a very silly case of the funks."

(wah wah wah)

Eh. It will pass. Always does. 

But in the meantime, to ease the silliness, I've taken to my own version of self-medicating:

beverages

Some nights it's a glass of wine. Or two.

Others it may be another cup of coffee.

Tonight it was based entirely on this song by Audra Mae. 

milk & honey

in a small saucepan heat some milk slowly

add in a dab or two of honey

stir

shake in a hint of cinnamon

maybe a dash of nutmeg, too (if you're feeling frisky)

ENJOY.

(wow, without an exclamation point that seems a little imposing)

ENJOY!

(that's better)

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Also, this lady just plain rocks. I saw her when she played The Revival Tour a couple years ago and fell in love with her a little (plus she's a member of Chuck Ragan's Camaraderie - lucky).

I'm usually pretty harsh when people do Beatles covers, but this one is fairly heavenly. 

Hope everyone is having a swell week so far.

maia & the secret to life

    

Watch this all the way to the end.

Then think about the life you want to live.

This is incredible.

There are extraordinary people in this world. 

weekly gratitude

thank you little pointy toes for making me feel fancy

Rain, snow, sun and back to rain.

Oregon weather can go from one extreme to the other in about fourteen seconds. 

Sometimes I feel I can identify with this place. That's probably why we get along so well.

Honestly, it's been a week of ups and downs but as ever, the ups outweigh the downs. When I sat down in church this morning to scribble out my Weekly Gratitude list I admit, I had a hard time getting started. There was too much on my mind and really, I wasn't making much of an effort to do anything about it. 

Stubborn. 

Anyway, I knew I was being ridiculous and once I quieted my mind it didn't seem like such a task.

So glad Someone up there refuses to let me succumb to such silliness... 

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1. Thank you for afternoons with Robin. After waking up to snow in the morning, we decided to share our day off with each other and, most importantly, The Beatles. We drank tea and watched "Yellow Submarine". Totally forgot what a trip that movie is. The day eventually melted into late afternoon with Dean getting back (in time to finish the movie, much to his chagrin) and the three of us packing off to the library where we decided the day simply couldn't continue without a quick stop at the doughnut shop (yeah, doughnut shop in the library - point for Tigard). Then, after I gently maimed Robin's toe by opening the library door over it (oh my god, I am still so sorry lady!), we closed the evening by watching another movie and eating stew. And life was good. 

2. Thank you for all the goodness of Red Hills Market. Whether it was the Friday afternoon I spent there enjoying a sandwich and some sunshine, or ending another busy weekend at work over a couple of pints and a heart to heart with Caitlyn, that place has become a very special spot indeed. Also helps that we're always greeted by the awesome guys who work there and can pretty much bank on them getting a sandwich on the grill for us the second we walk in. 

3. Thank you for friends who let you have a total freak out (at them, no less) and even though you feel like a bit of a prize idiot after the fact, love you anyway and seem to remember that that person is not who you really are, but rather a panicked version of yourself. Thank you for friends who remind you that true friendship can see beyond that BS and not hold it against you. I am so very glad for that.

4. Thank you blog friends. Seriously, after my little blog-vent the other day I got the sweetest responses and notes of encouragement. That meant so much. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I am so thankful to have stumbled into this community and made such wonderful friends. I am constantly moved and inspired by all of your words and creativity and love. People can say what they will about blogging - it's probably one of the neatest things I've ever been a part of. This and that underground fight club. You want Edward Norton's autograph? I can make that happen. I mean wait, what? I don't know anything. What are you talking about? Have we met? Star Tours, what are you doing here?

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What's the weather like where you are? I've become a little hung up on that topic lately (can you tell?). I'm not the only one though.

This morning Phil got in on the fun.

"I'm sure a lot of you wish you were on Spring Break right now, wishing you could have flown south to warmer climates. But hey, it rained in California to day so jokes on them!"

I know I can't deny my California upbringing, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a jab at its expense form time to time!

sunshine, red hills market & a mea culpa

view of the Columbia River Gorge from Vista House

As Robin said yesterday,

"Portland just got Fort Wayned". 

Yesterday morning I woke to about 3 inches of snow accumulated on my front porch. 

(I even made a creepy little snowman that looked like he fell out of the Blair Witch Giftshop)

Of course because the Pacific Northwest is about as consistent in its weather patterns as "Saturday Night Live" was in its comedy once Tina Fey left (we all remember those days, the episodes where you were left wondering "Wait, was that the punchline? What happened to my Weekend Update?!"), this morning there was nothing but blue staring down at my from the skylight. 

I am outside without a jacket OR a scarf right now!

Praise be!

The days of snow weighing down the daffodils are hopefully over. I can deal with a little more rain, but my goodness, this translucent skin of mine needs some rays dammit! I love the snow, but enough is enough. 

Everyone in Indiana is ready to bust out the shorts and sandals and we're still rejoicing in being outside with only one layer of clothing on. 

Sure.

This makes perfect sense. 

It's only the end of March after all.

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All this to say today is gorgeous and I'm celebrating by spending the afternoon propped up here at Red Hills Market. 

I'm sorry about the Debbie Downer post yesterday and thank you for the sweet comments and emails to help buck a soldier up! 

Women... We're so silly sometimes. 

Am I right?

remember that time i bummed everyone out?

Raise your hand if you've ever been in a funk and don't know how to pull yourself out of it.

(if all of your hands aren't raised right now I will be severely disappointed - not because you've never been in that kind of funk, but because you're not willing to raise your hand when you're alone at your computer being asked a question by a random blogger who can't see you raise your hand or not)

Anyway...

I've been all in my head lately. My resolve for Lent to give up worry has not been going well. The past couple weeks have been so miserable outside, with few reprieves, and that has only furthered my latest pastime of hermitting up in my apartment and feeling sorry for myself.

Have you ever realized that even though you have virtually everything, when you don't have the one thing you want most you feel like you have nothing?

I'm not ungrateful for all of the blessings in my life. Please know that. I have far more than anyone deserves. But I am plagued by one thing and it's just gnawing at me, making me crazy. And making me just... Sad. 

And I hate it. 

Bleh.

Sorry for the downer post.

Just had to get that out. 

I suppose what I'm getting at is an apology for being a little sporadic with posting lately. 

And an apology to my friends who I have been seriously neglecting. 

This is the curse of the introvert - when things hit the fan, I hole myself up and go a little catatonic. 

On that note, I'm working really hard to just trust life a little, trust God a lot, and hold on to a little bit of hope. 

Always optimistic. 

Because what's the point of being anything but optimistic?

the simplicity of supper

The alternate title for this post was "I Just Gorged Myself On Salmon & Sparkling Wine... And How Is YOUR Night Going?"

But I opted out of being a smartass. 

Because it is still snowing here in Portland (and therefore still the season to get indoors immediately and curl up in a big cozy sweater with a glass-of-something) I wasn't in the mood for cooking a big hooplah of a meal. 

But salmon sounded positively perfect so a quick stop at the store for a fillet and a bottle of bubbly did just the trick. 

Sometimes the simplest dinners are the best.

Especially when paired with a little Don Draper on the side...

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dinner time!

red & white quinoa, I use Trader Joe's brand 

follow box instructions

1 salmon fillet

season with garlic salt, black pepper & dill

bake at 350 until done

top with Trader Joe's aioli garlic mustard (I could eat this with a spoon)

mixed greens

dried cranberries

crumbled bleu cheese

Trader Joe's champagne vinaigrette 

Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut

optional dessert: Trader Joe's milk chocolate covered potato chips (I mean good lord, who in their right mind would say no to that?)

*despite appearances, this post was NOT sponsored by Trader Joe's*

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Hope you're all having a happy week so far!

soldier

this post is about the dude in the middle - the one holding a gun and smiling

I'll be honest with you all: I don't know how to feel about war. 

As a Christian, I have a hard time and end up asking myself, truly, "what would Jesus do?" Because I can think of no reason He would have ever condoned war. Because He loved even His enemies. 

It hurts my heart to know it exists at all, and I sometimes can't believe we live in a world where something so horrible is an everyday occurrence in so many places, on so many fronts. 

There was a time in high school when the war was still young, and I remember very clearly when I told a friend I would never enlist to fight. He called me "anti-American". I told him that wasn't the case at all - quite the contrary. I am extremely proud to be an American. But for my own reasons, I simply couldn't. I don't want to hurt anyone, ever. And quite frankly, it scares the hell out of me.

Naive? Maybe. But I know war is a "necessary evil" because I'm aware of how the world unfortunately works.

 But let me make something intensely clear:

I support our troops. 

With all my heart. With all I have. Because they are facing something I could not. 

They have my respect; a respect I cannot find the words for. 

So do their families - the wives and children and parents - who deserve just as much prayer and praise for their bravery (Jodi, Martha, Kate, Amanda - I'm looking at all of you!)

And while there are men and women who have made terribly unfortunate decisions while in uniform in the past, I refuse to hold an entire group of people accountable for the actions of a few (I'm looking hard at anyone who decides all people of a given religious group are the same as the radicals who make headlines, or anyone who persecutes someone of a certain race or sexuality based on a common stereotype fueled by ignorance). 

If you watch the documentary "We Stand Alone Together" about the real life men of "Band Of Brothers", one of the men of Easy Company talks about how he realized not all Germans were simply "enemies". How when interacting with someone he knew only as a Nazi, he was handed a prayer book. He realized this was just another good Catholic boy. Another said how, had they not met in the middle of WWII, a German soldier might have liked fishing. Liked hunting. Might have been his friend. 

I cried like a baby. 

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All that being said, I have been leading up to something...

 I would like to extend a request to all of you to once again keep a friend in your prayers and in your hearts. 

My friend Nathan is deploying to Afghanistan today.  

I met him about two years ago when he was sixteen (maybe seventeen?) years old - and now he is a man. A soldier getting ready to face something seemingly insurmountable. 

But no. Not for him. He is trained, he is prepared and he is a soldier. 

Safe to say, everyone is marveling at his bravery. A lot of people love this guy. 

He is Jared's younger brother Dakota's best friend. Their younger sister Terra's long-time boyfriend. And to me, he will always be the guy with a huge smile who practically goes catatonic when I make "Portland Grilled Cheese" (sourdough bread, Tillamook cheddar, thick cut bacon, Claussen dill pickles and peanut butter - I don't blame him). 

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So please, no matter where you stand on the matter of the war, if you get the chance, 

send a prayer, a happy thought, some good juju out for Nathan. 

Pray that he stays safe over there. 

And when he gets home, it will be very sucky!

to my followers - just a quick little note

To all of you ladies (and a few gentlemen) who stop by, read what I write and care about what I have to say,

thank you.

I hope you all know how much it means to me. 

Sincerely.

If I could, I would love to meet you and buy you a cup of Stumptown (because that's how we roll here) and get to know your real life self. 

Until then though, just know that I appreciate you very, very much.

Suffice it to say that with each comment, each tweet, each little "hiya!" my day is completely made.

Lots of love to you all. 

If you're ever in Portland, let me know.

weekly gratitude

thank you gold shoes for being the snazz in my st. patrick's day outfit

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When I first moved to London in 2005, I remember getting a crash course in "How To Fit in With The English" (meaning "How To Not Be That Annoying American Who Complains That The Beer Isn't Cold Enough").

One of the first things, I was told, that tends to come up in conversation when talking to a Brit - and this was soon corroborated by first hand experience - is the weather. 

(It's a cliche for a reason)

So is it any wonder that life in Portland, a city that often reminds me of my beloved London, isn't much different? Not hardly. 

We are obsessed with weather here, but not in the good way (at least not this time of year). While friends in Indiana and California are busting out their shorts and sandals, we're just happy to be wearing simple flats instead of insulating our feet in rubber and leather (good lord people, I'm talking about BOOTS... What did you think I meant when I said rubber and leather?)

What I'm getting at here is that it's mid-March and the forecasts are still threatening snow. And while the Californian in me is still mildly thrilled at that (snow is so much fun when you don't have to deal with it all the time!), I'm kind of over feeling so sleepy and cold and... pale.

(enter tan lust) (also enter me using the last of my spray tan appointments before I go down to LA)

But enough complaining... There is much to be joyful about...

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1. Thank you for a wonderful - nay - spectacular St. Patrick's Day! Even though I worked yesterday, the festivity would not be contained and I was that person - the one walking around like the Irish flag (green pants, white shirt, orange cardigan - when you're a veritable UK mutt it's only proper to represent both your Irish AND your English heritage). The plan was to meet Robin, Dean, Jared, Shamoo, Frankie and Matty over at Dublin Pub, but as it were, by the time I got off I would have been walking into a packed public house and a $10 cover - meh, no thanks. So I met The Camaraderie over at Dean and Robin's and was met by a can of Guinness and Shamoo wearing a tiny red baseball cap with chin strings that I'm pretty sure was intended for infant use only (insert joke here). Our buddy Mike (not to be confused with Michull) made it over and became the perfect addition to the evening when he picked up Robin's guitar and began the serenades. Everyone was feeling groovy by that point and Dean was about ready to go on a spree if Robin and I didn't stop playing Beatles records (can we take a moment to talk about the fact that she has an original pressing of Abbey Road?) so when Mike strummed out the first chords of "Wagonwheel" there was a sudden calm. Or rather, a sudden realization that he was playing our song - and so we sang (as we often do) loud and proud into the night, every word of that beloved tune we know so well. 

Something happens we the voices of friends meet together in the middle of a melody - would it be too dramatic to say time stands still? Even so, it's at the least something akin to that perfect moment when, no matter how out of tune, no matter how thrashed your voice already is from yelling across the room, no matter how hard you laugh when you all simultaneously forget which verse you're on but the guitar just keeps on trilling... It's perfect. Also perfect when, at midnight after two men have already gone down for the night (side eye at Jared and Shamoo), the remainging crew decides a burger sounds really good, you end up at a 24 hour diner giving the waiter something to laugh about tomorrow with his friends. We are so good at life. 

2. Thank you for spontaneous dinner parties. Friday night after work, with a rumble in our tummies and a lot of leftover wine from a slower day in Ye Olde Tasting Room, Jodi invited me over for dinner. She and Scott have a quarter of a cow and an entire Carlton Farms pig in their freezer so, being a fellow omnivore, I felt it my duty to join them in the massacre of pork chops with an AMAZING onion & pinot pan sauce and some roasted brussels sprouts that melted like butter in your mouth. Top the night off with catching the tail of of "Prisoner of Azkaban" and Brinks' (100 pounds German Shepherd) constant hounding of Lancelot (15 pound cat with seven toes) - entertainment for all! Oh, and anecdote time! So a couple weeks ago Jodi got a text at work from her dear sweet husband informing her of their new chicks. Yeah. Baby chickens. Four of them. Well, a few days ago one met his maker, so Scott said he'd go to the store to get a replacement. And came back with two more. TWO. In case you're not counting yet, that's now FIVE chickens living in their backyard now. I can't wait to con them out of some farm fresh eggs come summer. 

3. Thank you for uncommon and unwarranted kindness. Much as I adore my church, it wears on me a little going alone each week. It's a warm community, but you know how it is... It's not the same as going with someone you know and love. Still, it all happens for a reason. And with the instiution of something that started as a sort of half-joke came a new Solid Rock tradition: before we get into the Scripture, John Mark throws up - I kid you not - a four minute timer on the projector screen so that we can take a solid chunk of time to actually get to know the people around us rather than the quick, impersonal "hellos" or "peace be with yous" of standard church lore. So a couple weeks ago I met a woman who, from the second you start talking with her, makes you feel as though you've know her for years. Her delicate (I think Australian) accent makes your eardrums dance and her overall demeanor lets you know immediately that she is a mother (turns out she has a daughter about my age). We chatted and learned some basics about one another and before I knew it she had pulled me in for a hug that, at the time, I desperately needed. Today, just by chance, she sat down next to me again and wouldn't you know, gave me another hug that was definitely needed. We learned a little more about the other and soon she was pulling out a little notebook. She asked my full name so she could pray for me, pray that God would help me through all the tangles and put peace in my heart. It meant so much to me. We are still rather strangers to one another and yet she is taking time from her life to go to the mat for me. How can you explain that? It's amazing.

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So... Another week down, another on deck.

Here goes nothing.

Go forth!

a sunday kind of love

John Mark (the lead pastor at my church) tweeted these photos today to introduce everyone to his daughter, 

Sunday Love Comer

with the caption, "Isn't she beautiful?"

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To everyone who prayed for John Mark and Tammy while they were in Uganda (Tammy is still there with Sunday) and prayed for the adoption of this sweet little girl, thank you. 

See that smile? That's what happens when prayers are answered. 

And it's really, really amazing. 

(hope no one minds that I poached these photos from Twitter, they're just so happy!)

friends with kids

It was raining pretty significantly yesterday.

We're talking drops coming atcha sideways kind of rain. Tree limbs in the middle of the street kind of winds to seal the deal.

If you had told me some raging giant with an anger management issue was trying to beat down my door Sunday night I probably would have believed you.

I probably would have tried to give him a cookie too. Because everyone knows angry giants want cookies. 

Or whiskey. To calm the nerves. 

I have both so either way I'm covered. 

Anyway, to combat the ever-tempestuous northwest weather I decided to take myself to the movies.

(And indulge in a very hot, very chocolatey mocha with whipped cream from Peet's because... Well... Why not?)

 So I saw "Friends With Kids".

And proceeded to spend the next two hours trying to decide whose baby I'd rather have: Adam Scott or Jon Hamm. 

The verdict is still out. 

In the meantime though, I'm going to want to see this movie time and time again.

Perfectly cast, perfectly written - ups, downs, and everything in between. 

Well done, Jennifer Westfeldt (who wrote, directed and starred in the film) (who shall henceforth be known as the lucky woman who gets to go home to Jon Hamm every night). 

I may have a new role model. 

weekly gratitude

thank you feet for walking me through a wonderful evening with friends - and Brinks

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My goodness.

It's so sleepy in here. We're just blowing through naptime.

Anyone else feeling the weight of the time change? No? Just me? I'm the only lazy, sleep-deprived-due-to-her-own-time-management (or lack thereof) one in the crowd today it seems.

FINE!

So be it, SO BE IT THEN!

Sorry. I'm just cranky. Right now I feel like that little kid who is too tired to go to bed.

What I really need is some sort of instrument to reset my internal clock so that I don't stay up until god o'clock in the morning watching "Mad Men".

Time-setting instrument, swift kick in the whatnow.

Eh - potato, potahto.

Now what was that, Mr. Draper...

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1. Thank you first and foremost for John Mark and Tammy's daughter, Sunday! Thank God and thank you all for all the prayers. This morning in church Phil (John Mark's dad) was finally able to deliver the good news that the Ugandan judge ruled in favor of granting their adoption and while John Mark is on his way back as we speak, Tammy will remain in Africa for a few more weeks before bringing their sweet little girl home. Phil also had permission to share with us the first family photos which meant that I, being my mother's daughter who apparently now breaks into tears at the drop of a hat (please take a moment to watch Kristen Bell's sloth meltdown and appreciate her "3-7 on the emotional scale" reasoning), welled up immediately at the sight of mother and daughter, smiling - I kid you not - the exact same smile ear to ear. I swear you could see the family resemblance. And the photo of a little girl resting her head happily on her daddy’s shoulder, looking as though this was how it has always been and now, blessedly, always will be. Sunday is coming home not just to a family who already loves her, but also to an entire church full of a community who has been praying for her, and loving her all the way from the other side of the world. My heart just bursts for joy.

2. Thank you for a phone call with Laura! Even when we lived in the same city we couldn't be counted on fully to align our schedules very often, but when we did it seemed that what began as lunch became let's-go-get-cupcakes which turned into where-should-we-grab-a-drink-for-happy-hour and eventually melted into dinner and glass of wine (and, later, cuddling on that sweet baby Jack and his furry sister puppies). But even though it's been a while since we spoke on the phone, my heart is overcome at how we pick up right where we left off. And that's what friendships are made of. And though I told her this in my toast at her wedding, I'll say it again here: When I decided to move back to Oregon in 2009, I admit I was hesitant. There was a lot of question about the leap of faith I was about to take. But one of the things that made it okay was knowing that I'd have one of my best friends waiting for me in the city that I love. I couldn't have imagined how a random girl my uncle met on a plane as she moved her own life across the country would become the dear, amazing, wonderful friend Laura is, but I for one am extremely grateful that God orchestrated that little bit of serendipity. Now, let's hurry up and plan a visit soon lady! I need you to teach me how to not fall down on skis.

3. Thank you sun, glorious SUN! Call me crazy, but there just doesn’t seem to be a lot of that stuff 'round these parts (cough, I swear if you think I'm at all serious you should stop reading right now and go sit down before you fall down, cough). It's no wonder half the people I know up here are taking Vitamin D supplements. If I had half a brain I'd probably take them too seeing as I'm practically translucent. Anyway, we had a couple truly spectacular days here. Thursday I took myself to lunch downtown (what's UP [Flying] Elephant's Delicatessen BLT!) and pretended to be very European as I sat in a sunny window at the cafe sipping ginger ale and finishing the third Hunger Games book (GAH!). Then Friday, Jared and I took advantage of the holy grail of natural lighting and drove up through the Gorge so I could take some pictures for a photo wall I'm working on for his apartment. Good lordy, we couldn't have requested a more beautiful day. Blue skies! Sunshine! Cowboy hat! (Amusing anecdote to follow on that seemingly non-sequital note once I get some photos uploaded).

4. Thank you for friends who always have my back. I stopped by the restaurant where I used to work the other day where I was greeted by my usual hug from Phillip (seriously, he's one of the best huggers in the world, you should probably hunt him down and hug him, or at least put it on your bucket list). And as usual my old boss was there, always curious about what's going on in my life and seeing what new gossip he might land to tease me with (good naturedly, of course). But what I loved this time was his sort of promise, oath really, to watch my back for me and basically cause anyone who hurts me severe pain. It was all in jest but I know the sentiment behind it was genuine and I got a definite kick out of it.

5. Thank you, finally, for these continual tests of faith. You're keeping me on my toes and challenging me to keep working toward becoming the person You want me to be. It's not easy. Mostly I hate it. And a lot of the time I'm ready to just give it up. But then You find a way to get my attention again and remind me that You're still there, right behind me. The training wheels are most certainly off, but You're close enough to grab the back of the seat if I start to fall (and don't get me wrong, you have no problem letting me fall, but you only let it happen when You know I’ll learn from it). So thanks for that.

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It's been almost four years since I moved to Oregon and I'm still intensely amused with how manic the weather can be. By the time afternoon arrived we saw rain, hail, snow and blue skies return. 

Seriously, it's time for this state to up the dosage. It's colder here than it is in Indiana.

Bundle up!

old pine & being well fed

"Whenever we cook for others, we are 

making a statement to them. If what we prepare and present to our family 

and guests is attractive, tasty, and health-supporting, we are saying that 

we want them to be well and happy, to feel nurtured and strengthened. 

When we offer cuisine that is made of whole and natural ingredients, 

we are saying that we want them to have all the energy they need 

in order to make every aspect of their lives richer. 

We are saying we honor them."

-John Robbins, May All Be Fed-

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This passage just reaffirms so much of what I hold true and dear. 

It speaks of love, and family, and camaraderie. 

Yes. 

So very much of what I hold true and dear. 

And so with that smile on my face, and this song in my head, it's time for another weekend.

And I hope you all have a truly happy one at that.

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(words via kinfolk voulme two; photo via kinfolk's brooklyn dinner)

unabashedly self-indulgent

Kate tagged me in a post the other day as a sort of challenge to answer eleven questions. I loved reading hers so I happily took the bait and decided to keep that chain a-goin'!

So here are my answers to her questions. The deal is then to come up with your own set of eleven and tag some blog friends of your own (so kids, get ready - and check for your name at the bottom!)

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11 Questions

1. Why did you start blogging?

I'm an only child and only grandchild. On both sides. So when I moved to Portland, it was a pretty big deal. I was going less than a day's drive north, but it may well have been the moon. And so I started a blog so I could span the distance using my favorite medium: words. It also helped me to pour out everything inside me that was screaming at the state of the world when I graduated and there were no jobs in a writing field available. This blog became the outlet I so desperately needed. The title came from the core of what landed me in Portland to begin with - happenstance chose the place, wanderlust was the vehicle. And so here I am. 

2. Where did you go to college and why did you choose it?

I went to Pepperdine University. When I was in high school and beginning my college search there were many places I considered (Tufts, Harvard, Boston College, NYU... I was a California girl desperately trying to get away, apparently) but for some reason I was drawn to Pepperdine. My uncle is an alum so he had suggested it in the first place and it didn't take long after my first visit to know this is where I needed to be. I think I was 15 the first time I set foot on campus. When I was 16 I was accepted into the Summer College for High School Students program and spent my summer living on campus and taking classes with undergraduates, soaking up the sun and enjoying my first taste of real freedom. Among other reasons, I liked this place because it was an environment of faith - something I knew even then that I needed and wanted in my life. So when the time came to apply to schools, I took a risk: I applied to Pepperdine, and Pepperdine only (note: I do not recommend this - all your eggs in one basket makes for a nervous wreck of a senior year). Fortunately, I got in. And spent four wonderful years there. And though my beliefs have changed and grown over the years to the point where I no longer agree with some of the university's practices, I still wouldn't trade my time there for anything. 

3. Do you love your job? If not, what would you rather be doing?

I adore my job, and I know I am very blessed in that. I've done a little bit of everything over the years: I worked for two years in a daycare, spent four years in a wonderfully sawdusty theatre doing set construction and installation (where the paint fumes were only matched by the cigarette smoke of our lighting designer), The British Museum doing research and cataloguing artifacts for the Department of the Middle East, two years as an overeducated waitress where I finally checked my occupational ego and finally landed at a winery where I get to learn and educate about wine, host private tastings, play ambassador to the winery at special events and get paid to work with some of my dearest friends. And eat a lot of cheese.  Though I'd love to be writing full time (or taking pictures!), I absolutely love where I am right now and have a hard time imagining life elsewhere at the moment. 

4. What(or who) is your biggest motivator everyday?

Lately (and by lately I mean the past year), my biggest motivation has been The Future. My life took a small but significant (and unexpected) turn last April and it put a lot into rather harsh perspective. What, and Who, I was (or in some instances, wasn't) living my life for became paramount. It's been rough at times (though at other times, altogether wonderful), but that vision of what is to come is proving my greatest inspiration. A very sweet friend actually told me something recently that lit a new fire under my ass:

"If you are the best person you can be mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually and you strive to do His will, trust it will all fall into place. Never doubt this is where God wants you to be at this moment in your life. Learn to embrace the moments where He has chosen you to be. That is why I love you and your spirit so much - you embrace whatever and wherever you are, or is in front of you at that moment. That is a gift not everyone has." 

Whatever that Future brings, that's what gets me going. That's what makes me want to live every day in the present here to its fullest, because these days are the building blocks that are bringing me closer (and the fun of it is that it's an ongoing journey! I never have to give it up! I will always have that motivation! Moooooore exclamation points!!!!)

5. If you could have one song playing in your head at all times, what would it be?

Honestly (and sappily), probably Jared singing "You Can Close Your Eyes" by James Taylor. 

(Sorry, I can't help it, I loved it when he sang that)

Or "Crazy Bitch" by Buckcherry.

(Ladies and gentlemen, this has been a test of your sarcasm meter. We now return you to your regualrly scheduled blog post).

6. What does your dream home look like?

Full of love, full of family and full of friends. 

And coffee. And cheese. 

7. If you had a large sum of money to spend on yourself, what would you buy?

A trip around the world for myself and a few people I love because it's always more fun to share that experience with someone. 

(almost always)

8. What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?

Falling in love.

9. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Aside from inflicting my views on an unsuspecting world? (I kid, I kid) 

Without doubt, realizing there are wonderful friends to be made. 

10. What do you collect?

I used to collect old copies of Louisa May Alcott books like they were going out of style (seriously, probably have about a hundred at my mom's house). But lately my collections of choice are recipes and wine.

11. Do you have a tatoo? What'd you get and why? If not, would you ever consider it?

Nope, don't have one. My dad constantly flips out about this subject (sorry Dad) but I still harbor the desire (cue email from dad noting every reason I should never act on this). I love tattoos and the stories and meanings behind them. Dean and Robin practically have their entire belief system canonized on their bodies. I love that. You can read their arms and learn their stories. And Jared, Mike and Dean all have their wagonwheels as a testament to their brotherhood. Even the lead pastor at my church mentioned he has a tattoo of the Hebrew word for "hope" as a living reminder to never give up. As long as they mean something, I think tattoos can be pretty special. 

(Seriously, Dad, I can already anticipate your email about this so feel free to just take a few breaths and relax)

-

Now... Who's up next? Time to tag some of my favorites!

Robin at Great White Appetite

Brigette at The Fleming Files

Dean at It Was Pancho Villa

Molly at Mr. & Mrs. Rigoloso In Detail

Stacia at Free To Be Stacia Lee

Jodi at Arthur and Lancelot's Adventures

Mari at The Unexpected Harvest

Catherine at The Yale Chapter

Heidi at An Unexpected Staycation

Leigh at Very Loveleigh

Amanda at Marshalls Abroad

Here are some questions for you all...

1. Why did you start blogging?

2. What's your favorite thing about where you live?

3. Where are you from originally and what do you love about "home"?

4. Who is your biggest inspiration?

5. What is your favorite meal? (feel free to share a recipe!)

6. What is the first song you remember knowing all the words to?

7. What is the #1 place on your list of places to go before you die?

8. What is your biggest vice?

9. Do you prefer coffee or tea? How do you take it?

10. What is your favorite part of your day?

11. What character from either a book, movie or TV show is most like you?

Ready... Set... GO!

nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time is NOW

I've been slow on the uptake.

It wasn't until last night that I finally took the time to learn more about this name I was seeing floating around:

KONY. 

Who?

Exactly.

My days have been ticking blissfully by, not knowing the name of the man who is literally the world's #1 war criminal.

And then I watched this video.

30 minutes have never seemed quite like 30 seconds before. 

If there's ever been a bandwagon worth jumping on, this is it.

We wonder why bad things happen. We wonder why no one does anything. We wonder how, in 2012, this is still happening.

Will it always be like this?

Maybe.

But is this our opportunity for hope? 

Absolutely. 

-

John Mark and his wife Tammy are in Uganda as I type this.

They are awaiting further word on whether or not the judge will grant them their adoption of their daughter.

One more child who has a chance to get out of that world and into a family, and a church, that already loves her more than they can bear. 

-

Prayer changes reality.

If nothing else, if you are unable to do anything else...

Pray.

To whoever you believe is listening.

Pray for the children. Pray for John Mark and Tammy. Pray for their daughter. Pray for the men and women fighting for justice. Pray for the cause.

And you know what?

Pray for Kony.

Because in its own way, it is heartbreaking that any human being could become the monster that he is.

And because the only true weapon against evil is goodness. 

Pray that, even in the last instant, this man might see the egregious error of his ways. 

Because if no one tries, nothing will change.