...is everything I hoped it would be.
I realize it has taken me too long to get this to you, my premiere post from Portland (alliteration for you, Chief!) - and, in case I forget how remiss I've been, I've got an inbox full of friendly nudges, urging a post. It's getting late on this rainy Sunday (I sat down to post earlier tonight, but then Erin called - so if this isn't completely coherent, blame her), but I'll do my best to fill you in on all the happenings of my first 10 days here.
I arrived on Friday the 17th and was met at the airport by my friend Brian, whom I've known since we worked together in the Genesee, Colorado office. We loaded my luggage in the back of his truck and headed straight to Mississippi Pizza, where Davis' band VoodooBBQ was playing. It was my first time getting to see them live since Davis gave me their CD in July - what a blast! After the gig we went for drinks and then caught a late showing of Casino Royale - by far my favorite of all the Bond flicks, go see it! - so it was after 2 a.m. when I finally arrived back at my hotel. Six hours later, I was at the apartment collecting my keys from my landlord and meeting the movers.
Despite the lack of sleep, the move was uneventful - just the way you'd want it. I got a welcome break from all the unpacking on Sunday when Heidi picked me up for lunch and a trip to Target. Because I am living (by choice!) in Portland sans automobile (yes, it's true, I left my car in San Diego and plan to sell it there), Heidi's my Target hookup, you see. It was so fun to finally meet her two-year-old son, Luciano, and her seven-year-old daughter, Franchesca - and they were so patient, pacing the aisles of cleaning supplies and extension cords with me before finally dragging us over to the toy aisles.
Monday and Tuesday, I continued navigating the sea of boxes and packing paper as I got used to waking up in a strange place and taking the MAX (Portland's lightrail system) to work and back. On Tuesday night, I found my way to First Presbyterian Church for the Young Adult Bible Study I'd been looking forward to participating in. It's a small but lively group of 20- and 30-something singles & couples, currently studying 2 Samuel.
By Wednesday morning, I'd gotten into the groove - but when I walked into my kitchen to pour a cup of coffee, my feet got inexplicably... wet. My kitchen ceiling was leaking - and the bathtub of the apartment upstairs was the culprit. Naturally, being that it was the day before Thanksgiving, there wasn't a lot that could be done - so I plopped down some towels and a bucket and headed to work. By Wednesday night, the leak had stopped and, happily, I was nearly done unpacking - the elliptical machine had been set up, I'd broken down all the empty boxes and had even managed to vacuum the floors.
For the first time in five years, instead of waking up at 6 a.m. to begin cooking the turkey, I slept in late on Thanksgiving - what a treat. I had been invited to my friend Melissa's house to celebrate the holiday with her, her husband Matt and their friend Jeff - fun conversation, plenty of wine - and man, can that girl cook! I still have to get that amazing stuffing recipe from her - imagine, Mom, a stuffing I like that didn't come out of a box marked Stove Top! Seriously, I'm truly thankful for Melissa and Matt - it was a wonderful, relaxing day.
Spent the long weekend exploring the city - although, to be honest, the shops at Pioneer Square got most of my attention. On Friday night, I went over to my friend Megan's, where we shelled crabs and had a lovely girls night in. Took advantage of the break in the rain - and even a little sunshine! - on Saturday and ran errands; I'm quickly getting used to walking everywhere around here, and learning how to shop at the grocery store (a block & a half away) in small batches. (Seriously, every time Suzanne calls me, I'm at the grocery store. What can I say? - it's going to take me awhile to stock my kitchen when I limit myself to four small bags at a time!)
And in 20 minutes, it will be Monday again, and my first "real" week in Portland will begin. So far, so good.
Although, they're predicting snow tomorrow...
