My BFF, MAX

I now regularly commute to work on the MAX. Although it requires being ready 30 minutes earlier than if I drove to work, it's worth it. I hate driving my car lately. I park it far away from my apartment downtown so it's inconvenient to use it. I like to challenge myself to figure out alternative ways to get around. Apparently it didn't take me long to return to the Portland roots I left behind almost 7 years ago. Living with the parents in Beaverton made using public transportation a little difficult, but now that I am downtown it's so much easier than driving around.

Last month I was starting work at 5am. The first MAX gets to the airport at 4:45. And the next one isn't until 5:15. So I only have one option. I can't miss the train. I was doing so well until the final week on the dreaded schedule. I was down at the station in enough time but I had a feeling I didn't have my badge on me. So I quickly scanned my backpack. I didn't find it so I ran up the stairs to my apartment. Threw apart my room to look for it. After a minute I decided to check my backpack again. It was in there the whole time. So I flew back down the stairs. Ran to the stop only to see the back of the train already gone. My instincts kicked in and I started to run. See here's the thing. The weekend before that I had decided instead of driving home in rush hour traffic I was going to leave my car parked at the airport and take the MAX instead. It seemed like a great idea until this moment. Of course I had to miss the train on a morning when my car wasn't parked downtown. After running through downtown unsuccessfully I walked up to a parked cab, bartered my way down to a $20 ride instead of $35. After that I swore I would never leave my car at the airport.

I love my commute though. The crazy things I see every day keep me coming back. Exhibit A:

How did you forget that you weren't wearing your shoes anymore?

I do have one suggestion for TriMet. Everyone riding should be required to be clean and smell good. I'm just saying...

SHOUT IT OUT!!

A few weeks ago my cuz, Laura texted me and told me she was craving my cupcakes. Funny, cause I was too. (The baker inside of me has disappeared for awhile :( ). I told her she must come up to Portland and visit in order to get some. She told me she couldn't right now. Why? Because she's feeling a bit under the weather these days... Why? Cause she's PREGGO!!!!!!!! I got so excited I called her right then (even though I was working). I didn't care if I got busted on my phone.
THIS was BIG news! She's been trying for years and not having any luck. Finally a little Field baby is coming to Clovis!! Then she proceeded to tell me, I couldn't tell anyone yet. WHAT?!?! how was I supposed to keep a huge secret like that?? Well, I am happy to report that I was successful. I almost slipped a few times. But she has finally announced it to the world, so now I can be super excited for her and tell everyone. I just read all of her blog posts about the pregnancy and couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed. This was a looooooong time coming for a well-deserving couple.

CONGRATS LA AND DREWSK!

You guys are going to be great parents. I can't wait for September 17th!
I love Christmas miracles :)

WANTED: Roommate for SWF

I successfully convinced someone to move to Portland! All it took was two visits and she was sold. Actually I am pretty sure she was sold during the first visit, but she had to pass a little thing we like to call probation before she could transfer... It's official now though and I am SOOOO excited! I wish I would have held off on moving just a month longer. But I am here in my new place for a few more months and there's not a whole lot of room for two people in here. So that means we've got to find Lauren a place to stay in Portland. Anyone looking for a roommate or know of others looking for one? She starts out here March 1st.

If you know of anything let me know!

Under the Weather

The fact about music is its power to evoke emotions. Music has the ability to inevitably tap the still, mysterious deep well of our emotions. What's also interesting is the different emotions that come from a single song depending on your current state. I have listened to a certain song many times and thought nothing of it. But when I listened to it last night, I felt the words speaking to me and really comforting me when I needed it. Music has so much power!

I am also amazed at the perfect timing of some things. The inspiration we receive to help others along, is truly a testament that there is a God. Many times I have done things for others without a single thought that it would be just what they needed at that time. We are the hands of God on this earth. Phillipians 2:13 says "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." When I recognize this in my life I can't help but thank God for the people he has placed in my life. I am surrounded by amazing people!

Thank you Ty for sending the CD. It arrived yesterday and could not have been at a better time. I love every single song you chose. It's exactly what I needed to feel comfort from a friend when I felt so alone.

On my agenda today:
Listen to this playlist on repeat. All day.

New Life, New Hope, New Joy He Brings

Heard this song on my way home from work last night. Reminded me of the Holidays back in Provo a few years ago with Malpal. We LOVED to blast this song and sing at the top of our lungs. How about a repeat of that when I fly out there next week??

No Way Josessica!

Last night while working super hard I looked at my phone to see a text from my bff saying "leave work and bake with me." Only because I had been wanting to bake something pumpkin did I think this was a great idea! Who cares about making money at work, when you can bake delicious treats at home with a friend. Right???

So we rendezvoused at my house an hour later. After perusing through recipe books and Food Network Magazines we gave up and went online to find the perfect pumpkin treat.

This is where Rachel Ray sometimes comes in handy. The other times she's just loud and makes weird recipes with hot dogs...

Cheesecake-Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes

We read the comments and saw that the frosting was no bueno so I just whipped together some cream cheese frosting and it turned out great. You can never go wrong with cream cheese.

{My friend thought she could steal one before they were frosted.}

{the final product}

I'm saving mine for my lunch tonight at work. Can't wait.

and they call it pumpkin love

I love fall for two reasons. First: I love jackets, coats, hoodies, ponchos... you name it. I love layering. Second: I love pumpkin!

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin bagel with pumpkin shmear, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cheesecake... i.e. I love anything that has pumpkin in it. Last weekend while in St. Louis I tried the pumpkin pie concrete at Ted Drewes. It was a slice of pumpkin pie mixed in with vanilla custard. OMG. If only it was around all year I would probably fly to St. Louis on a weekly basis just to eat that. I had it on Friday night and I am still thinking about it. Even after getting the pumpkin milkshake at Blue Plate Diner yesterday, I couldn't erase the delicious memory from my taste buds. I must go back. Soon.

Moral of the story. I wish November could last forever.