Three years...

I had a nice time enjoying some dinner with two friends this evening and as we talked I realized that I graduated from college three years ago pretty much to the day.  Crazy.  Now I know to many people three years seems like nothing.  But to me, right now, it's amazing to think about how much I've grown and changed in that time-frame.

My life in Portland is good.  I have made a lot of friends (which is a real challenge for me, the introvert), have a good job, become plugged into a church and come to a place where I am very much self-sufficient.  (Well, with the exception of that AAA membership my parents are kind enough to provide me with.....that was a lifesaver that night on I-5 when my tire blew-out.)  I operate independently.  My decisions are all my own and I am proud of who I have become.  Three years ago I knew I could do all these things.  I knew I was well-equipped, however I hadn't experienced life completely on my own.

That first six - nine months after graduation....they were rough.  I was discouraged with a fruitless job search and feeling lost.  However with the help and encouragement of family, I made it through.

I worked hard to prove myself professionally at the office, accepted any social invitation knowing that was how I was going to make friends and lived by myself for the first time ever in my life. 

Now I am blessed with friends and lots of things to do and I really enjoy my life here in Portland. 

Three years ago at graduation if you had asked me what my life would look like now, I could've come up with multiple scenarios.  I'm happy with the scenario that has played out. 

Happy Birthday Kelooki!

Hope you have the best day possible Brooke!

I love you and hope your twenty-third year of life is even better than the first twenty-two!

Happy Birthday!

Dear Blazers,

(specifically Brandon Roy, Juwan Howard and Marcus Camby)

At this very moment, the three of you are my favorite Blazers (not quite all-time.....Drexler is my only all-time at the moment.....but that could change).  Brandon (or B-Roy as I like to call you...... from my couch), you coming out to play yesterday after just having knee surgery was nothing short of incredible.  There is a lot of talk about if that was a good decision or not, and frankly right now I don't really care.  What I do know is you gave the guys on the floor the confidence they needed to get the job done.  I laughed when LaMarcus said he finally was able to get an open look once you were on the floor because suddenly the Suns had to turn their focus on you.

And Juwan (or Grampa Juwan as I affectionately refer to you.....from my couch), thanks for being a passionate leader for those guys.  The young ones, they've needed you this season and you have gone above and beyond.  Seriously, above and beyond.  Good work.

Finally, Marcus Camby, I still don't know you that well (hence no nickname to yell.....from my couch).  I think maybe in your past you were a bit of a punk.  But I like that you are here in Portland (you must be so relieved to not have to be seen in a Clippers jersey).  Thank you for usually showing up defensively and rebounding.  I'm glad you'll be around for two more years (even if my views on paying $21 million to a pro athlete aren't exactly positive).  Welcome to Rip City!

And the rest of you Blazers, you're not too bad yourself.  Please give your all in Phoenix so we can finish out the series in the Rose Garden Thursday night.  After all the injuries this season, to win a playoff series would be incredible. 

Sincerely,

Kayla

Friends, etc.

So clearly my March was so busy, I didn't have much time to blog. 

What have I been up to?

(Is it sad that I have to look at my dry-erase calendar in the kitchen to even remember?)

I had a great weekend with my good friend Crystal at the beginning of the month.  It was a particularly beautiful weather weekend so we spontaneously decided to go wine tasting.  We only made it to one vineyard that day, but it was great to get out and do something different.  Here we are at Erath winery...

Besides the usual things that fill my days (aka work), March was busy spending time with many friends.  Both new and old.  Friends are a great blessing and I am grateful to be surrounded by so many.  It took me a while to make a good group of friends here in Portland, so I am continually thankful for the friends that I have become close to here recently.

I watched the movie Food Inc. with friends this month.  It is a documentary about the food industry and highlights some very interesting facts about what is in our food.  After watching it I have thought even more about what I eat and purchase when it comes to food.  I want to eat and buy ethically, however that is actually a challenging task at times.

Mid-month I struggled through the whole time change thing.  It was rough.  I love the extra sunlight, but adjusting my schedule by one hour.....kinda stinks.

More friends from out of town were here mid-month and I thoroughly enjoyed going to dinner and showing them my neighborhood.  Have I ever mentioned how much I love my neighborhood?

The Portland Farmer's Market started this month.  I enjoy going to it, however it is always crazy busy.  There is going to be a market during the week right in my neighborhood this summer.....it's a wonderful thing.

The end of March was filled with starting a marathon training program and more friends.  Yep, I'm really going to do it.  I'm really going to run a marathon.  That's the plan. And I'm looking forward to it.