yay!

OOoOooohhh! I love my pictures!! They look super cool posted here! Yes, I took all those animal pics on my drive this summer. Surreal.

PDX winter

Winter!!!!

Welcome everyone!!
Today is now known as -Oh-My-God-It-Has-Snown-A-Lot
I am living in Portland Oregon, which is pretty unfamiliar with snow and wintery things. We had a number of snow days last week at work, which I scoffed at. But now, things are a little different. I'm sitting on a Sunday afternoon marveling at how wintery it is here. There is a tree outside our window that has shed all its leaves, but is now frozen and frosted like a real winter tree ought to be. I did move here with the notion that I would be escaping ice and snow (among other things), so you might think this would bring my smile upside down, however, I have always enjoyed a nice white Christmas. It is quite pretty. I feel like a kid a little bit- every time I look out the window I get this big goofy grin on my face.
But it is hella cold.
This is really my window too. : )

december 15th Snow days, ice days

Haha!!!

Guess what suckers??????
I have a SNOW day. heehee. All schools are closed today because of an inch of snow and ice..... that has been here for two days....... Yep.
Thinking of you all, on my unexpected day off.....................
Shall we add..... that today, Tuesday, Dec 16th, we were told to come in late.. 10 am. And, rumors abound that there will be more days off this week. Hmmm... Unpaid......

And..... Yes Wednesday, Dec 17th Closed. Although this has a happy funny alternative-
Josh, my little better half, convinced me on Tuesday night there was no possible way that any place would close based on the weather Tuesday night. Really, I agreed, except this place seems extreme. He and I coming from Alaska, have a particular view, whereas Portlanders aren't exactly used to this sort of weather. Regardless, I got up and went to work. I should have clued in when my bus was 20 minutes late..... Or perhaps when I was on campus and no one was walking around.... But no, what tipped me off was walking into the coffee shop, and seeing no one in the place, let alone in line. I stayed and had my cup of coffee, figured I had earned it by this point. Then went home and did Christmas-y stuff.
Sure wish I could have slept in.

And, late arrival again Thursday Dec 18th. Sure wish it was paid somehow.

day-last-

Last Day Driving

Last Day, July 31st, 2008
Miles: 96994 -Starting-

Made it across the border last night- no incidents- Although the border gate guy seemed gloatfully happy (in the thought of detaining me) until I handed over my birth certificate. Apparently driver's licenses aren't enough anymore. Word to the wise. Plus Starting New Year 2009- I heard that you will NEED a passport.
Stayed at a Days Inn-eh- Left today from bellingham, got to olympia, faxed a rental application for a loft apartment. Got the apartment. In my excitement I didn't pay close enough attention to my freeways, so consequently I am sitting in a restaurant, waiting for traffic to pass and Crystal to get out of class to guide me to her house! Crystal is a friend fo a friend, whom I have never met, and she is graciously letting me crash at her house until I find a place. Even though I "got" the apartment I still have yet to see it.... so. Crystal lives in SE, the coolest part of Portland, for those of you not in the know. : )

Ending Miles: 97345!!!!

Epic drive, day 5

-This really is a bear I saw on my drive- He just sat in this grassy area munching on greens.

Epic drive, day 5

July 30th, 2008
Miles: 96505

Made the most miles so far yesterday, and hit the 2000 mark total. Stopped early last night because of a lightning storm! I was driving through this quaint farm country, when the sky suddenly went dark, like a stage cue, (it was actually quite beautiful, and I tried taking pictures before I realized what it was). Heavy monsoon rains ensued, which in itself wasn't so bad, until lightning started coming down in front and behind my car!!!! I kept thinking I was driving away from it, but it was following me like living TWISTER the lightning version! I tried the counting thing, but that's for thunder, right? Either way it kept coming after me. I really feel lucky I made it. I drove for about an hour and a half until I made it to Prince George, and the Spruce Park Inn. Uneventful stay there, except that in my head I remember it as Prince Albert.... shame.............
It really was one of the most scary experiences, because I couldn't do anything about it!
Currently cursing again for the lack of reset areas.
Pulled over to sleep-getting the droopy eye.