A December Sunset

Last weekend, a bunch of my girlfriends and I got away from the winter gloom in Portland to the beautiful Oregon coast. While there, we were treated to this amazing sunset while taking a walk on the beach. Other fun beach time activities included celebrating a birthday, devouring a delicious homemade crab chowder and playing Apples to Apples for hours.

An IT Department and Santa

My IT team from the W+K Portland office sitting with Santa (aka David Kennedy).

Thanksgiving 2009

As this was my first Thanksgiving in the States in 3 years, I was unsure what to expect or where I'd end up. Luckily, I ended up right where I wanted I be, enjoying a Thanksgiving potluck with amazing friends, participating in a field goal kicking competition in the rain and mud (of which I unfortunately have no pictures) and playing games galore. It was truly one of the best days ever.

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2 turkeys cooking on a Traeger grill

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Our super cute hostess, Steph, and Sir Watson Wallace

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Bob (aka Tangier) stirring the gravy

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Carrie cutting the turnkey

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A delicious Thanksgiving feast shared by one and all

Vancouver BC, on a whim

Last weekend, a visiting Antarctican and I took a journey from Portland to Vancouver with only dim sum for Sunday brunch on our minds. A fun train ride and a long, soggy walk in the rain later, we finally reached our goal, and it was delicious!

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My first train ride in the US

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Mesmerized...

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Post-train music, a good funk band at a local hangout

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A treasure of a book store, complete with hidden gems and an Antarctic collection

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Incidentally, I was so hungry from the walk in the rain that I forgot to take pictures of brunch before gobbling it up. You'll just have to trust me that it looked amazing.

New Dining Room Table

It is
beautiful
extendable
an antique from the 30's
and from Belgium.

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Another Softball Season Ends

Back in June, I posted a short blog about a summer softball team that I joined with my friends called the Box Knockers. Well we loved playing softball so much that we kept playing right through the fall. This new fall league finished up a few weeks ago, and team Box Knockers made it to the league championship game! Though we lost, we still had a great time playing under the lights of the field and enjoying the camaraderie that a team sport can provide. Now, we have a long winter break to endure but have plans to join the spring league early next year.

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The team roster

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K and I watching the game

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Up to bat!

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High-fiving the championship game winners

My New Home

In an unforeseen turn of events, I am moving out of my apartment on Sunday. My new place is beautiful, with lots of light, a fireplace and a private courtyard! I can't wait to hibernate this winter with a fire, a good book and a nice glass of wine.

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My New Bike

A little over a week ago, I had my bike stolen. Most bike owners in Portland can tell the same tale. However, as I still have yet to buy a car, the loss of my wheels forced me to go back to public transportation or walking soley. Something I did not want to put up with for long. So this weekend, I went to Sellwood Cycle and found this little used beauty just waiting for me to come get her.

Final Pics from The Netherlands

I've been back from The Netherlands for over a week now. It was really good to get home to Portland and my friends, though I'm already feeling the tug of the travel bug again. Here are a few final pictures from what turned out to be an awesome trip.

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A typical Dutch scene
(photo courtesy of Kristen)

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Riding my bike around the countryside of Texel

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What I believe to be very ugly sheep

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Kristen and I in Amsterdam

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Barack Obama as part of a citywide elephant art exhibit

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Pondering

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Sunset and lovers on the Herengracht

A Work Week in Amsterdam

This past week, I have been working at the trendy Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam office. Though nervous on my first day, my time here has been delightful. The office has a comfortable atmosphere, my IT colleagues are super fun and I've been able to get a lot done.

Though work has kept me busy, leaving little time for sightseeing, I have managed to escape for little bits at a time to take some pictures. Now the weekend is upon us and I really look forward to sleeping in and continuing my exploration of this beautiful city.

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The Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam office

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Bird in Vondelpark

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Gorgeous tree in Vondelpark

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Bikes parked along the road (a common sight in a city where everyone cycles)

The Island of Texel on the North Sea

Last weekend, in the name of science, a good friend from Antarctica and I left the States on a direct flight to Amsterdam. Our final destination, the island of Texel on the North Sea. We were charged with hand-carrying rock and seawater samples to scientists at the NIOZ institute on the island.

Traveling with a cooler and a heavy, unwieldy box, Kristen and I were able to lug, pull, push and carry them through 2 train rides, a bus ride and a ferry ride to reach our destination. In the end, the samples arrived safely and we were able to spend the rest of our time on Texel biking around, dipping our feet in the North Sea and making new friends.

However, two girls who worked so hard couldn't turn around and come right home. We spent the rest of the weekend in Amsterdam exploring the city and enjoying fine dining. Now, Kristen has left and I remain here to work at the Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam office for the rest of the week.

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Kristen with the samples. Almost to Texel and she's still smiling.

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Biking around the island

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Thatched roof house and goat

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The North Sea

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Lounging in my oversized chair, enjoying the view and celebrating a days work well done

Raphael Saadiq in the House

From time to time, musicians will come and perform for the employees of Wieden+Kennedy. When this happens, I feel like I work at one of the coolest places in Portland, and I always feel privileged to see these talented artists in such an intimate setting. Last week was no exception. The acoustic set that Raphael Saadiq performed was amazing and fun. He even had us singing with him for a bit.

In October, the new W+K Entertainment website will launch. This is basically an improved upon version of our online radio station where employees could DJ, interviews of cool people were given and guest artists would perform. However, it's been offline while getting a face lift, and I've missed it. I used to listen to it daily. For a preview of the cool things to come, go here http://radio.wk.com

Watching the Swifts

Thousands of Vaux's Swifts pass through Portland annually on their migratory journey south. Every night in September at sunset, these birds amazingly come into a tornado-like formation and funnel down into the chimney at Chapman School to roost for the night.

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This video was taken last night and towards the end, you can see a bird of prey disrupting the funnel

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Vaux's Swifts are closely related to the hummingbird. They have tiny legs and feet which allow them to perch on vertical surfaces but not on branches. As such, they spend most of their life "on the wing". They eat, mate and even pick up items for their nests while flying.

A Sailing Video

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This video was created by my friend and co-owner of the Windy Winnie, John. He used time-lapse photography with a camera mounted to the mast for the duration of our sail. I'm the little person in red.

This video can also be viewed in HD here

A Zoo Concert with Amos Lee

Last night, two Portland girls braved the rain and went to the zoo. While there, we observed animals (including a big, big tiger and a tiny, tiny baby elephant), we enjoyed a bottle of wine on our blanket, and we listened to Amos Lee as the sun set and the stars came out. Amos Lee a terrific performer with a soulful voice, and he is also quite a funny dude. It was definitely an enjoyable concert and a perfect way to start the weekend.

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Two girls in the rain, loving life

A Weekend in the City

There are many ways I could have spent this past weekend....camping, languishing on my couch, working (boo). However, I chose to forgo all these options, deciding instead to spend this time being active in my awesome city.

Saturday, I was asked by a fellow coworker to be an honorary member on her kickball team, the Huevos Grandes. Though a once rival softball team, the HG's were very accepting of me as we attempted, but failed, to win 4 kickball games at a day long affair.

Sunday, I joined friends to participate in the SE Portland Parkways event. In these events, Portland closes roads to cars and sets up a route for bikers to cycle to and from local parks. The parks then offer a place to rest, live music, giveaways, bike repairs and tasty food options.

Definitely a great way to spend the weekend!

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Kicking with all my might

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The Huevos Grandes!...and me

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A unique Huevos Grandes "Playa of the Game" trophy that was awarded to me for a short while on Saturday

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Friends riding down the car-less street on Sunday

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A pile of bikes, locked together, while we wander the park

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My bike and I at the top of Mt. Tabor

South Sister Summit

Driving back to Portland today with the warm wind rustling my hair and trying to name the mountains of Central Oregon within view, I felt content. Content from spending an entire weekend camping outdoors. Content from successfully summiting South Sister, the 3rd highest mountain in Oregon at 10,358'. And content from creating fond memories with truly amazing friends.

The climb to the summit of the tallest, youngest and highest of the three Sisters pushed my physical limits to the edge, but I luckily hiked within a group taking small steps all the way to the top. This easy pace allowed for some laughter and good conversation, despite the labored breathing and elevated heartbeat. Once at the summit, elation prevailed and celebrating ensued. In total, 15 of us summited throughout the day. Sitting around the campfire that night, all of us were well fed and tired but content with a great sense of accomplishment.

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On the way to the summit in the early morning

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The very picturesque Broken Top mountain with the morning sun

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An awesome climbing crew

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Looking back at the glacial lake and surrounding mountains

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On the crater rim with Middle Sister and North Sister behind me

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Teardrop Pool, the highest lake in Oregon sitting in the crater of South Sister (those are people on the other side)

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An afternoon view of Broken Top with a cool wind-gnarled tree

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Home sweet home