I Don't Want To Grow Up

Cause I'm a Toys R Us kid...

Remember when you were a kid and would give anything to do adult things? I couldn't wait to reach the tall cupboards, stay up as late as I want to, have no curfew, make my own decisions, not have to go to school anymore, make lots of money... We'll now that I've grown up and had the chance to do all these things I'd say they are overrated. After spending all my free time searching for a place to live that fits in my budget with no luck I'm definitely over being a grown up. Sometimes I wish I could be back in elementary school where the biggest obstacle is figuring out how to get Tommy to stop chasing you on the playground.

But mostly I miss being able to hula hoop! I used to be a pro at it. But last weekend at my company picnic I was challenged to a hh contest. I failed miserably! I could barely keep it up long enough to take a picture! All the 5 year old girls were kicking my butt! One of them was giving me advise. "It just takes lots of practice." If I was their age, things would have been different that's for sure...

Moved

Wednesday afternoon I said goodbye to my apartment in the city. I gave my 30 days notice at the beginning of the month because I was read for a change. I loved the studio minus one thing: the kitchen. Although it had what most apartments don't have, a dishwasher, it was too small for what I need. With one drawer I was struggling for room to put lots of my kitchen stuff. A few more feet of counter space would have been helpful too. So I decided to find something that fit my needs better.
Unfortunately the whole first have of last month my residency in portland was up in the air. I didn't know how much longer I'd be there, so I didn't want to sign any leases. So my search was put on the back burner. Once I knew for sure I'd be staying in the city of roses for awhile it was too late to find something I loved in my budget. So moved all my stuff to my parents house in beaverton.
I don't know how permanent this situation will be, but I'm definitely grateful this is an option. Living in a different state for 6 years, its weird having my parents as an option to fall back on. I've always been such an independent person.
Next step, gotta do some rearranging. Adrianne's old room is now gonna be mine. Seeing as how I don't love horses, or even animals in general, I'm gonna change a few things in her room. Sorry adrianne. It's time to get out the boxes...
As for the future? I'll be actively searching for a new place to call my own. Preferably in NW Portland so I can be a #nwneighb!

Pay It Forward

Yesterday was a day filled with unhappy passengers. It seemed nothing I did was good enough for people. Funny that the two people that were the most frustrated were the people who I helped the most. They were just too busy seeing the negative (negativity they actually brought upon themselves by not reading the guidelines for traveling on southwest) to see that I was being super helpful.

Tangent:
Let's say you flew to Oregon for a big fishing trip... would you look at the airline's website to see what the rules were for checking the fish?

If you were traveling with an infant, would you check with the airlines to see what kind of documentation you needed to make that possible?

Ok, back to topic.

So among all these unhappy passengers I was delightfully surprised when a random guy gave me a gift after I helped him. He asked me if I rode public transportation or drove to work. I was happy to report that I took the max. Then he asked how I pay for it, if I have a monthly pass or buy individual tickets. I told him I just buy tickets. So he handed me a pass good for the rest of this month! He was leaving town til September and wouldn't be using it anymore! I nearly jumped for joy! I thanked the guy a million times while trying to think of what I could give him. Nothing came to mind unfortunately.  I wish I would have written down his name to send him a thank you.

So if by chance you're reading this post, Mr. Anon from Phoenix, THANK YOU!

Now its my turn to pay it forward.

Hygiene Checklist

This afternoon I boarded the blue line train in beaverton heading towards my apartment downtown. After only having a handful of cheerios for breakfast I was pretty hungry and getting to the point of feeling sick to my stomach from the hunger. After I got on a very large woman boarded the train wearing a sleeveless dress. All of a sudden I got a whiff of her stench and almost lost it. Why do people choose not to wear deodorant? How do you not smell yourself when you smell that bad?  Unfortunately I was 15 minutes from my apartment when she got on. Every time she moved we would get a fresh smell. 

When I have my own world I am going to add a few rules non existent to this one.

Rule #1: if you plan on riding public transportation you must complete a checklist prior to boarding the bus or train. If you do not answer yes to all of these, you may not board.

1. Did you shower?
2. Did you brush your teeth?
3. Did you apply deodorant?
4. Did you brush your hair?
4. Have you recently washed the clothes that you are wearing?
5. Do you wash your hands after going to the bathroom?

This shirtless guy did not pass. In my world, he would not be able to board.

p.s. as I am typing this post, 2 smelly people have walked past me to get off the train. Showers people!!

Blogging from my phone

I never update my blog. I have the time for it. But after a long day at work, for some reason sitting at my computer and typing out a post feels like a chore. Plus the times when I get inspiration to write about something are when I am out and about. So I found an app for my phone. Hopefully this will mean more frequent posts!

Be seeing you soon!

Utah, People Working Together

I realllly need to go to Utah for a few reasons. (Never thought I would say that) And I can't find the time with work and other fun stuff out here getting in the way... I feel like I am booked up for the next two months and it's giving me anxiety. I remember the days when I could just hop on a plane on my day off and get away from everything for a day or two. Now I have "responsibilities" out here that limit that. My reasons for the needed visit to the Beehive state?

1. I miss my friends
2. I have a groupon expiring next month that needs to be used. Well two actually. But one is important because it was a bday present to Malpal. And I need to set up a time with her to use it.
3. I NEED a haircut! My hair is getting too long! I only go to a girl in Provo these days. I have gone to others in between Utah visits and have not been satisfied with the outcome. So no one else gets to touch my hair.
4. I want Cafe Rio.
5. I miss my friends. I might have said that already but it's worth repeating.

So in honor of my desire to return to Provo, I will post about my last trip out there. Which, by the way was probably my favorite. I wish I would have taken more pictures to document the day, but you'll just have to use your imagination.

First off, I had to go to Provo to use a groupon that was expiring for the Sweet Tooth Fairy. So I stopped there first to stock up on cupcakes and treats for everyone. Then I headed to Ty's. The day was spent running errands for him. Some of you may question the excitement level of running errands. You just haven't experienced it with us.

I made my annual return to the No Shhh zone at the Harold B. Lee. That and the 4th floor were my favorite places to be in the Lib. We were on campus to print and post these fliers for Ty. He needs work people. So if you know anyone needing an accompanist or needing someone to play at a wedding give him a call!

Mal and Ty thought it would be fun to walk on the red tape that was hanging in the HFAC hallways, only to find that it was there to keep people from walking on the sticky floor. Now the red tape was stuck to the floor. So Ty did some damage control.
Since Ty is poor these days he rarely eats out when I come visit. So this time we catered to his needs. He had coupons for free kids meals from Rubios. Mal and I were a little skeptical about using them since it so for kids 10 and under. And let's be honest, we clearly do not look 10. But Ty will do whatever it takes to get something free.

Next stop, were else but Walmart. It's the place to be these days. We were on the hunt for the OraBrush. Ty has cured his horrible bad breath with this bad boy and he was determined to help his father out also. Mal and I decided to take the plunge and check it out for ourselves also.

Not only do we get the orabrush with our purchase, but we get follow up emails from our own personal consultant to see how things are going:

How are my ora-brush girls doing???

Just wanted to follow up with you two and make sure you were getting the most out of your $4 purchase.

I want you to know that I'm here for moral support and can testify as a success story of someone who has MAJOR gagging reflexes, yet has made ora-brushing part of my daily oral hygiene for the past year or so. You can do eeet!

I am also willing to provide a complimentary How-To demonstration for both of you. Mal, we can do it in person. You just may need to let down your guard and be vulnerable so we can do it together.

Katie, we can skype it. Or heck, just fly out here again lol. Golf and an ora-brush demonstration.

Either way, I want both of you using it so you can be on your way to a healthier and breathier lifestyle.

Much love,

Your Ora-Brush Consultant and Friend
Ty

Stella was looking a little dirty so we took her to the car wash to get cleaned up. Another one of mine and Ty's favorite things. It seemed like every time he was going to take it to get a wash he would call me to see if I wanted to come along. We fell in love with the Sonic car wash in Orem because they had free vacuums after the wash. Isn't she pretty?

Next stop, UVU campus to post more fliers. I wish you could have seen the precision at which Ty hung each paper to the wall. It had to be perfect. This picture is a little blurry but you can see he was serious about it. Plus with the chairs there he had to make sure when people sat down they wouldn't pull it down with their back or head.

Next we went to play ping pong with some of Ty's new meat head friends. Correction: Ty played ping pong. Mal and I got to sit on the couch and watch him.

Our final stop of the day was Redbox to get the best movie to come out this year. I hope it gets all the awards it deserves. Never Say Never. Yes, I made Ty watch it. Mal didn't come along for that part. She had to go home. Even though we had an early tee time the next morning, Ty and I stayed up and watched the first half of the movie. After golf the next day we finished it. I think he's a new fan!

The trip was capped off by an early morning tee time on Tuesday at my favorite place in Utah, Hobble Creek. Such a gem. It felt like we were the only ones on the course for awhile. We had fun. I think I won. After golf we at breakfast and then it was time to drive my SUV back up to Salt Lake to go back home. Yes, I rented an SUV. No, I did not get the economy car that I had a reservation for. Reservations with car rental companies are worthless. See my old post for more explanation. I ended up paying like $30 in gas just to fill the tank to go from slc to provo and back. Thanks gas guzzler.

It was a fun packed trip and I am itching for another one soon. I love those two kids very much. They are always so much fun to be around. I need to get them out here to Portland!

so good so good so good

Hi guys. I'm alive. I promise.

Are you ever wondering what to do with dying bananas? Instead of making banana bread (because sometimes you plan so well and even bring the bananas with you on your trip to Las Vegas to make it for your brothers and it doesn't turn out.) make these cookies instead. I hear this is an Emily and Jake specialty.