Back to reality.

Well, kids, it happened.... the day finally came when I had to hop on a plane and fly away from my beloved NW and back to the Midwest. I really thought it never would for a few brief moments. Being home in Oregon does this weird thing to me... I feel like I'm in another world, and somehow, all thoughts of work and life back in Decatur barely crossed my mind. It was fabulous - I could completely compartmentalize everything and just enjoy and relax without feeling guilty.

Alas, Nick and I had to wake up bright and early Monday morning and go to the airport. I have to say, this was the most I've ever cried leaving home. I didn't even cry when my parents left me in Chicago when I first moved away, not even knowing anyone yet! The minute I hugged my mom and she let loose (poor Mom!), I couldn't hold the floodgates back. The tears just kept flowing for the majority of the drive up, and if I wasn't crying, I was fighting them back and trying realllly hard not to think about the fact that I was leaving and probably not coming back til next May. I finally pulled myself together, only to start crying again when my Dad dropped us off and I hugged him goodbye! Goodness, I was pathetic. Thankfully, Nick still loves my no-makeup, cry-face and made me feel a lot better just by traveling with him.

I thought I'd have to work today, but I don't, which is both a blessing and a curse. I'm glad because I could lay in bed til 11 and know that I can still get something done today, but I also know that not working til Thursday means that Thursday is going to be very difficult to want to do, even more-so than today would have been. Basically, today is kinda sucky all around, and Nick and I are totally out of sorts. Poor guy actually had to go to work, and he was not happy about it. My plan is to unpack, clean the apartment, pick up some needed groceries, and hopefully make it to the gym. I know that once I get back into the swing of things I'll be fine, but leaving was very hard, and I miss my family a lot. Also, the fact that I probably won't get to go home for Christmas doesn't help. Such is adult life, I guess!

I updated a couple of times on my trip home, but I still have lots more pictures to post and things to tell you about some of the wedding planning business, so those will have to come later. In the meantime, a few pictures of my surrounding neighborhood and lovely Bush Park from a walk with Lola.

Lola ready for her walk!

My favorite running route.

Lower Bush Park.

Barkdust path by the creek.

Cute little house by the park.

My high school.

Little Buddies.

One of my favorite parts about being home: my snuggly kitty, Bailey. I've also been able to hang out with my fluffy "niece", Lola, the Schipperke. They're just great.

A day in Portland.

Yesterday, I had to pick up the Nikes I wanted from the Nordstrom Sale in Vancouver since they didn't have them in Salem when I went on Friday and we also had to pick up Nick from the airport late - both great reasons for my sis, bro-in-law, and I to spend the whole day in Portland. We shopped downtown, went to the On Deck sports bar in the Pearl District for greasy food and good beer, then Papa Haydn's on NW 23rd for a delicious piece of dessert and a liquored up coffee drink to wile away the rest of the time til Nick's flight got in! All in all, a fabulous day, and the weather could not have been more perfect. I never want to leave!!

Neon Nike Lunar Flys. Love!

Sissy and I at On Deck Sports Bar.

This is my brother-in-law, Marcos.

Cuties!

Lovin' life in P-Town.

Filisha, Marcos' sister, joined us later at On Deck and came with us to dessert!

Yummmmm.

Lovely NW 23rd.

Best of Portland for good reason!

Me with my delicious BFK. Coffee with Bailey's, Frangelico, and Kahlua!

Amazing chocolate truffle cake.

Local Goodness.

After a full morning of shopping the Nordstrom Sale and around downtown Salem on Friday, my Mom and I were in major need of some lunch. There have always been some great local places to eat around town, so we went through the list of where we should go. One place I completely forgot about: Great Harvest.

Great Harvest is a local bread company that's been in Salem for quite some time. During our open campus lunch in high school, my friends and I would frequent the small strip mall about 2 minutes away for Starbucks and a sample of fresh Great Harvest bread. The small little shop always smelled delicious, and there were always at least three options to choose from, my favorites being cheddar jalapeño and apple cinnamon crunch. There were lots of times I would go for a morning scone as well, usually marionberry. Their bread and treats are delicious, baked fresh every morning, from scratch, and include some gluten-free and dairy-free options as well!

The downtown Salem shop is a little bigger, and they serve sandwiches that are to die for. Again, lots of fresh ingredients, and grilled to perfection. You can also "brown bag" it and add a freshly baked cookie and chips or carrots! My mom mentioned Great Harvest after our shopping trip, and one of those sandwiches sounded absolutely perfect. It was. I sure miss having this little place nearby!

Samples.

All of the fresh-baked goodies!

My sample: coconut pineapple bread.

Mediterranean veggie sandwich: spinach, red peppers, feta, and artichoke hearts.

My first day back!

My flight from Denver to Portland on Wednesday night was delayed unfortunately, so we got back home to Salem at about 1:30 am. I "oohed" and "ahhed" over my parents remodeled bathroom and kitchen and chatted with my parents a little longer before heading to bed, so even though I was exhausted I got a second wind and was up til 4 am. AKA 6 am Illinois time. Yikes. My parents had to work (poor parents) and I woke up on Thursday around 9:30 to a couple of the remodel guys traipsing around the house. They only had door pulls and knobs to put on at this point, but I thought I should get out of the way, so I texted my friend Erica, whom I had made plans with to go to French Press for breakfast that morning.

She picked me up and we caught up over delicious breakfast crêpes and a latte. This little café opened up a few years back in a building that had been many things before, nothing that really had staying power. We have a lot of local coffee shops around, and they all do well, but I think having a specialty, like French Press coffee by the pitcher and made-to-order crépes both sweet and savory, really made this place stand out. It also helps that the inside is decorated really cute and the atmosphere is warm and inviting.

After talking up a storm and stuffing ourselves to the brim, I went with her to feed her animals, and we checked on her brother's adorable little chihuahua mix, King! I was his new best friend for the day :) I realllllly got my animal fix when we played with the kittens her brother is fostering as well from the Humane Society. If I didn't have to fly back to Illinois, I probably would have adopted the little cream one on the spot! SO. CUTE.

Erica and I went downtown so she could look for some business-y clothes for her grad program (congrats again, love! :]), and I of course scoped some things out at the Nordstrom Sale. It was so nice to see Salem again and our cute little downtown area, and even better to catch up with Erica! She has been one of my best friends since we got to know each other in jazz choir during high school, and I always miss her terribly when I'm not in Oregon! 

A few hours later she dropped me off, and since the remodel guys were gone and the door to the bathroom was finally put back up, I got to wash the plane off of me and take a shower in my parents' new bathroom. Ahhhh-mazing. The shower head has three different settings that are all awesome, and the curtain rod is curved so it feels like you have more room. So awesome. I'll post pictures of the finished product later once we get everything put away :)

Since I got about 4.5 hours of sleep, I parked it in our family room for the rest of the day and watched some trashy tv and hung out with my parents when they got home from work. Seriously, a great day. I am so happy to be back for a bit! And in only a couple days my sis and bro-in-law will be back, and a few days after that, Nick will be home! Woohoo!

Some pictures from the day:

The perfect latte.

Breakfast crêpe with eggs, sausage, avocado, and swiss cheese.

King!

KITTENSSSSSS.

Wrastlin' kittens.

The family photo didn't work out.

Kitten wounds.

Lola - so soft and fluffy. 

There we go!

Kitten love!