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.

photo diary: mesa summer part III

Thanks to my racked-up rapid rewards points, I could fly back to Phoenix (from Austin) free one last time before heading back to Portland for the school year.  Lucky me, I got home just in time for my dad's big birthday party and a visit from Ted, who was going home afterwards for the first time this summer.  The party was a hit, thanks to my mom's hard work, an awesome trivia slideshow made by my dad, and some delicious tacos and bean dip.  It was a great time had by all, and I loved catching up with family and family friends.  That night, Ted and I watched The Truman Show and I felt very lucky to have him around to show off (this never gets old), and to just do whatever.

The next day, Ted and I made our first carrot cake for my dad's actual birthday and went to my grandparents' (mom's side) to hang out for a while.  Despite some frustration, the cake turned out great, and we covered it with walnuts and coconut, because WHY NOT?  It went wonderfully with the delicious homemade meal my grandparents (dad's side) cooked up for my dad's birthday dinner--ribs and mac n' cheese.  SO GOOD.  

After the road trip, Ted and I enjoyed a low-key day of a lunch and movie date.  We ate at Cornish Pasty Co., which got our seal of approval.  We split the The Oggie (Steak, potatoes, onion and rutabaga) and The Lamb Greek (Lamb, spinach, fresh mozzarella, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, artichokes and roasted garlic).  As you can probably imagine--both incredible.  Highly recommend this place for a casual date.  Afterwards, we saw Monsters University.  Nothing like a Pixar movie date!  (Fun fact: The first time we hung out, we had a Pixar marathon with friends.)  We ended the night with leftover Mexican food and a froyo run with friends.

The next day, we did some Harry Potter legos and said our goodbyes, like true adults.  It was sad, but at least I got to go hang out with my grandma with my dad and Kendal afterward for lunch. The days leading up to my departure were filled with sewing (pillows for my momma above), Izzy cuddles, iced tea with Rylee, Flancer's with my grandpa and parents, and one last trip to Nello's with my grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins after some antiquing.

It was sad saying goodbye (I hate goodbyes more than most things), but the promise of the holidays is always present in my holiday-obsessed mind.  Miss and love you guys dearly.

photo diary: grand canyon

Ted had never seen the Grand Canyon, so like a good Arizonan, I gave him the grand tour around the south rim, but not before exploring the parking lot extensively for a spot.  We took our time hiking and enjoying the views of the canyon (but not of the parking lot as we tried to find the parking spot again, at the end of the day).

As we started to leave, Ted decided he wanted to go back to our spot on Airport Road to watch the sunset.  So we raced against the clock (in the safest way--I'm a very cautious passenger) to beat the sunset.  We put off dinner to do so, so we cracked open a bag of Pop Chips and finished our cooler fruit on the way to Sedona.

After enjoying the sunset just in time (although not at our favorite spot, because the parking was full) at the top of Airport Road, we went to Picazzo's Organic Italian Kitchen for a laid-back dinner date.  What's better than enjoying late night gourmet pizza outside with your loved one?  We split the Free-Range Chicken Pesto, which we loved.  We were tickled that the menu said, "As a complimentary investment to your health, add arugula to any pizza at no charge." Too good.  It was a great day, made even greater by a warm pizza with one of my favorite people.

Photos taken by Ted.

Sedona on Dwellable