I have officially been a Pacific Northwesterner now for one full year. Mmm hmmm, I first shared the news about my move here in this post, about one year and three weeks ago. Funny, it feels like I have lived here...forever.
I miss friends and family back home in Reno of course, but this place..this place feels like home to me. Today I was looking back on these past twelve months, and so many good things have happened in my life...new friends, a new way of earning my grocery money, and really, a whole new lifestyle. Here is a short list of a few things I've learned this year; some about living up here, and some about life in general...
Even if "Real Portlanders" don't carry umbrellas, it's okay if you do, especially if it's a cute one.
Big yellow dogs don't have to have a big yard. They like dog parks and daily walks just as well, and they really only care that you love them and give them cookies.
Highways 5 and 205 both run north and south and if a girl gets on the wrong one, she can get to the other on Highway 84...as long as she gets on Highway 84 going in the right direction.
Food Carts can be pretty good eating establishments.
The weathermen here in Portland aren't any more accurate with the forecast than the weathermen in any other city in America.
A big gay man in a camoflage hat and a straight guy in a rock n' roll band can turn out to be your best girlfriends in your new town.
Take-out Bento for dinner is a nice treat.
You never forget how to kiss.
Having your grandson walk in the bank and give you some of his original artowrk is worth more than three signed original Andy Warhol's.
Portland has some pretty exceptional mailmen.
If you miss your exit on any freeway in Portland, you will, without a doubt, end up on a bridge, and have to go very far to get turned back around.
Your mistakes as well as your successes make you who you are.
Microbrews taste best when shared with a friend.
Falling asleep listening to the rain with your bedroom sliding door open a ways is both a calming and a comforting sound.
Frizzled chickens are clearly one of God's most charming and sweet creations.
Don't waste time trying to decide if you should take a chance on sharing your heart.
Life is too short to not take chances.
Ya, that's the short list I came up with. Oh, and one more thing I know for sure...It will be interesting and exciting to see what the next twelve months bring, and I am feeling pretty happy with the direction my life is going these days, even if I am still confused about a few things.
