NEW CAR!!!

We finally got a new car!!! After a lot of comparisons, we decided on a Kia Forte. I emailed a few dealer, got some great price quotes online and set out on a Sunday morning to wheel-and-deal. Our first stop was a complete nightmare. The second dealer gave us a great price with no hassle so we drove it off the lot that day.

I've been driving it for a few days now and my 45 minute commute to work is becoming a lot more enjoyable thanks to the satellite radio and bluetooth. Now we just need to cross our fingers that Wes' car hangs in there for a few more months.

Weekend Adventures with Mom

Last weekend was such a blast with my Mom. First thing on our agenda, going to the NW Street of Dreams (aka Parade of Homes). This house just sold for 1.7 million dollars. It was ridiculously HUGE. As I was walking around I just kept thinking, who would live here? It's so excessive. It kind of makes you a little sick realizing that people can have that much money to spend on a house just because they can.
We also checked out two downtown Penthouses. They had floor to ceiling windows with great views of downtown. They rented for $5,500 per month...seriously!

Second on our list was going to the Food and Wine Festival. I ate mussels for the first time and they really weren't that bad but they sure do look gross.
Surprisingly the best thing I had at the festival was peanut butter and jelly sandwich but this was not an ordinary PB&J. This one was grilled on challah bread with marionberry jam, hazelnut butter and blue cheese (I absolutely love blue cheese!!!!) I know it sounds weird but even my Mom kind of liked it.

Smarter Than My Phone

I'm LOVING my new Droid X. I don't know how I survived with my old phone. This thing is amazing! Ever since I got it on Friday, its all I can do. I've pretty much spent my whole weekend messing around with it. So far my favorite app is Pandora Internet Radio and the voice search is extremely handy. I'm still trying the figure out a bunch of stuff but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Wes would be proud.
Speaking of Wes, he returns home August 12th and supposedly he is going to be home a bunch until the end of the year. That means Wes and I might actually have a normal life...at least for a little bit.

Highs and Lows

Here are the highs and lows of the week (in no specific order).

High: Wes and I took a little staycation where we enjoyed Portland's downtown nightlife and then camping at the coast.

Low: One our last day, I caught a horrible cold which I have been battling ever since! Don't worry, I'm feeling much better now. I just have a little cough and a runny nose to get rid of.

High: Took some much needed time off work

Low: Most of that time was unpaid sick leave

High: I'm getting an awesome new smart phone

Low: Can't get it until Friday and I have to deal with my old one that doesn't get any reception until then.

High: Wes cleaned the entire house

Low: That cleaning didn't include my messy car.

High: I spent an amazing 2 weeks with Wes.

Low: Wes leaves tomorrow morning :(

Sputnik

R.I.P.
12/26/2008-7/10/2010

It's a Miracle

A few miraculous things have been happening lately and I couldn't be more excited.

Miracle #1: I FINALLY got a good hair cut!!! Now, all you women may know what a big deal this really is. To get a haircut that you actually like if truly a miracle. Too bad Wes wasn't here to mark the occasion. He usually has to hear me wine and complain about my "bad" hair cuts for weeks.

(just thought this was funny)

Miracle #2: Sid spent a whole day home alone, without being trapped in him exercise pen and without tearing up the carpet. This is HUGE progress. Now I just hope that when Wes gets home, Sid doesn't revert back to him old ways.

Miracle #3: 6 posts in 1 month. Our new record!!!

A Year Already !?

I haven't been keeping up my end of the blog lately (after all, my name is first in the title and that brings with it certain responsibilities). Anyways, I've been thinking a lot lately about the past year. A few days ago I hit the one year mark working for Island Conservation. Things started a bit rough, and are still rough at times; but overall I really like my job. In the past year I've slept in my bed here on San Nicolas Island more than I've slept anywhere else. Its sad to say, but sometimes this feels more like home than home.

Over the past year I've come to sort of love a crappy, ugly rock in the Pacific. I've come in tune with the little rhythms of the island. I've come to appreciate the beauties that aren't so obvious.

Also, I got a chance to go to Desecheo Island in the Caribbean. That trip was a test of my mental and physical endurance. I'll never forget hiking back to camp in a torrential rain, with the wind blowing, walking along the top of a steep ridge with nothing but a quick and painful trip to the ocean awaiting me if I slipped. Only a few times in my life have I felt like such a badass.

Also, this job let me and Sandy move to Portland, which we both love. I was gonna post some pictures but just realized they aren't on this computer. So, instead as a late Fathers Day tribute I'll post a picture of me and my dad.