More Portland-ite by the minute -- an itemized list

-"Last Thursday" on Alberta with Mark, Athena, Darby and Paul. Sof got a sweet new hat, and we watched some crazy street performers, who were apparently death dancers. And lest I forget, John located an amazing pizza joint. Not once, not twice, but three times I turned around to see him coming out the door with another slice in hand.

-Friday: Road trip to Cannon Beach. A bit rainy, but spectacular. John showed Sof how to go barefoot in the sand, which she wasn't too sure about. We checked out the view from Ecola State Park, where Sof discovered just how cool slugs are. The day also included two staples of the OR coast -- clam chowder and salt water taffy, yum!





-Saturday: Early morning run with Sarah at Forest Park -- yay for running on a dirt trail! This was followed by breakfast and coffee at St. Honore, where it's rumored they fly their croissant dough in from France. I don't know about that, but I will eat their croissants ANY time.

Bested by the DMV

Oh, Oregon DMV. You got me good. The first trip to visit you for a driver's license and vehicle registration, I'll admit, I messed up. I definitely could've done a bit more research to see what you'd need from me. But the blame definitely started shifting to you on the second trip, when you wouldn't accept either pieces of my mail because one wasn't dated, and the other had a sticker for an address. You kind of started getting on my nerves then.

But the third trip? When you wouldn't accept my mail because it was addressed to John & Joanna Caselli, not Joanna & John Caselli? That was just a bit much, don't you think? At least by then I'd learned the quickest route to get to you.

The fourth and final trip, well, I finally turned the tables and successfully jumped through all your hoops. Ha, take that! I got my license. And, I have to admit, you did redeem yourself just a touch by having an employee who busted out the "Joanna" song. I think we can be friends now. Or at least pleasant acquaintances.

Heaven = Fabric For Less

Want an endless selection of chiffon for $2/yd? Gorgeous sari and other embroidered trims for $1/yd? Shelves and shelves of sparkly Indian jewelry? Go no farther than 6 blocks from my house -- Fabric For Less. How sweet it is.

Here, there, everywhere

OK, we're here. Not sure what's out "there." And our stuff is still everywhere. But? It's all good.

We're one week into our new life in Portland, and it's been like trying on that perfect dress. You see it on the rack and think that it could be a possibility. Deep down you know it's the right one. You reach for it and as soon as you touch the fabric you start to fall in love with it. You take it into the dressing room and -- ta-dah! It's everything you hoped it would be.

So although we haven't quite worn our new dress out on the town yet, yes, Portland is a beautiful fit. We have quite the laundry list of things still to be done, like building a compost bin, furnishing our living room, installing a few shelves, etc. But we wouldn't be nearly as far along as we are without the help of my mom, who helped me wrangle Sofia and the two dogs on the flight to Portland, and then stayed with us for the first few days. Thanks, Mom!!

Yesterday marked one of our first excursions out of the neighborhood strictly for fun -- we went to the Saturday Market under the Burnside Bridge. Arrived just in time to see flamenco dancers, followed immediately by bellydancers (Gypsy Caravan, for those keeping score). Clearly, I was a happy camper, and as soon as Johnny spotted the food booths, so was he. It was a close call between Beirut, Africa, Thailand and China, but Beirut won out and he scored some excellent falafel.



Sof and her eagle eyes spotted the fountain/wading pool before I did, and just had to be part of the action:





It's not all quite sunshine and falafel, though. Our battles du jour include dogs busting through screen windows and digging holes under the fence, and a whiny, rashy toddler fighting off an unknown virus. It's nothing serious, but enough to make her want to be held every bloody waking minute. I just sigh, and know that this, too, shall pass.

Next on the agenda? We're not quite sure yet. We do know that a Ben Harper/Pearl Jam concert is approaching, so we're busily working on making nice with the neighbors/potential babysitters across the street...I think we will also bribe them with some salmon. Couldn't hurt, right?

She said "shoe!"

We move from Alaska to Oregon, and this is what it takes to get me to update the blog. Sof said "shoe" tonight, although it sounded a bit more like "zoo." Close enough.

Full update and pics to come as soon as I locate my camera cord!

Leaving on a jet plane

Tomorrow is D-Day. Departure Day. I'll step onto the plane, wrestle with Sofia for three hours, and then disembark into a new life. It's a strange, strange concept.

But I'm ready! After living through the Summer of Perpetual Goodbyes, as it shall henceforth be known, I'm ready to get a move on.

So, Alaska, it's been great. I've got nearly two decades of memories to take with me, and I'll always be an Alaskan at heart. Look for me cruising the streets of Portland or the great beaches of Oregon. I'll be seeing ya soon.

Phew

I've just been saved from yet another extremely expensive "whoops." Last time the expensive "whoops" involved a diamond necklace from Hubs, which is now probably being enjoyed by a hotel maid somewhere in Munich. This time, it involved my fabulous SLR camera, which I realized that I had left at my going away party Saturday night. BUT. I've received word that it's safe, so PHEW.

Oh, now look at that handy little segue, which allows me so nicely to talk about my going away party. It consisted mostly of a horde of bellydancers taking over the Sahara restaurant for a mass inhalation of falafel, kebabs and wine. I was gifted with a number of gorgeous and heartfelt dances (just for me!!), and some amazing farewell speeches that I'll always remember. Needless to say, I came home with puffy eyes and much less makeup than earlier that evening.

I have been so amazingly blessed to have been part of this community. It's an experience I will never forget.

And now that the teary goodbyes have been said to my buddies, I can relax and enjoy our last two weeks in Alaska living with my parents.

Sof has handled the transition thus far like a champ, though that's not a surprise! It's especially no problem to have Grandma around to play with her all the time.

Speaking of Sofia, she's not a baby anymore! I just realized this the other day. She's a TODDLER. I turned my head for a minute, and poof! There's a little girl. A walking, semi-independent, babbling little girl who loves to play in forts and walk around with her blankie over her head. Amazing.