because it's monday and i'm already burnt out

Design projects are so vague.  I am doing a thematic collage for the play The Seagull (a really cheerful play, I might add) and finding images is really tough.  One of my "themes" is "seeking success"...  It's really hard to convey that abstractly.  Really. Hard.  I should just go the literal route and print out a giant picture of me at this very moment, in PJs, under a knit blanket, trying to put meaning into pictures of unfinished bridges, hands, and obstructed sky.  Yep, this adorable dog came up when searching "obstruction" on Corbis.

The good news is... I finished my first short paper of the semester, I get to see Fiddler on the Roof tomorrow night against better judgement (I'm a theatre major, so it counts as homework, right?), and today I received an awesomely festive Fall package in the mail from Amy.

The bad news is... thematic collages are hard, I still have a play to read for tomorrow, and a drawing I haven't started due on Wednesday.  SO MUCH TO DO.  But at least How I Met Your Mother came back tonight (!!!!).

photo diary: goldmeyer hot springs

Before school started, Ted and I drove up near Seattle to camp at Goldmeyer Hot Springs.  It was an adventure, to say the least.  The drive to North Bend was around 3 hours, then we drove another two hours on an unpaved road.  Once we parked, we hiked around two and a half hours to the campsite.  Although this seems like a lot of trouble, it was well worth it.  Not only was it beautiful, it gave us so much space and time to talk for hours without interruption.  It was during this time we started daydreaming about backpacking Europe, which was pretty exciting.

At the campground, we settled in and relaxed before hiking up to soak in the hot springs.  It was so lovely!  I've never done anything like it.  The next morning, we woke up to some really loud scary thuds (really scary, guys) surrounding our tent.  This happened for over thirty minutes.  Spoiler alert:  they were pine cones falling from about two hundred feet above.  Typical.

After making the trek out of the woods (Lord of the Rings music was definitely played), we drove to say goodbye to our friend Claire at her house before she left the next day for East Africa (sad face).  Ted and I tried to cope with some burgers from Lunchbox Labortory in Seattle (I saw the skyline! I saw the space needle!  Hooray!).  We tried the Dork Burger--duck and pork, yep, that's a thing and it's actually delicious--and the Burger of the Gods.  And then we went home and had to get ready for school to start up.

And it has started up, alright. I have a paper due on Monday, a design collage due Tuesday, and a drawing project due Wednesday.  But right now?  I'm watching Sex & the City.  One thing at a time, my friends.  One thing at a time.

10 things that make me happy

Tryon.  I loved walking (or attempting to jog) through this state park nearby this summer.  Hopefully I can find some dry days to enjoy it this semester.  I also went to a jazzy concert there alone one beautiful night.  I stared at the adorable westie named Gretel in front of me the entire time and soaked up the good company of middle aged Portlanders.

Claire's visit.  It was magical.  We had so much fun just hanging out, watching Hercules, HIMYM, making lasagna, and hitting our favorites--Tea Chai Te and Little Big Burger.  I miss her already!

Treatin yo'self.  Salt & Straw ice cream during the Bachelorette finale (I know, forever ago--I'm behind on blogging) and Jade Bistro dinner after browsing Sellwood one lovely summer day.

Sex & the City.  'Nuff said.

Portland Art Museum.  I looked at everything, but the most hoppin' place in the building was the Cyclepedia exhibit.  Portlanders like their bikes.  A lot.

My assistant costume design internship.  We pulled some stuff, but mostly went shopping multiple times.  IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.  I'm so excited for the show.

Reading for FUN.  Recently I've read Quiet, The Age of Miracles, and Looking for Alaska.

Savory pastry.  Obviously.  Claire, Kenzie, and I explored Alberta in the rain after a little Vintage by the Pound and Petite Provence love.  It was quite lovely.

Seattle road trip with Ted. I will post pictures soon!

Fall approaching.  Ted and I went to Safeway today and when we left, we saw this fluffy black dog near the tiny pumpkins, firewood, and pouring rain.  It was almost too much for me to handle.  I was so overwhelmed with happiness.

It's been pouring all day, the fall boots and cardigans have been broken out, and now I must finish some reading for my one class tomorrow morning.  Life is good.  Especially when there are tiny pumpkins.