My Visit to the Upper Northwest

I alluded to my visit to the Oregon/Washington last month. For my FB friendsies -- this is probably a repeat. But, to offset my stressful week of finals, I wanted to focus on something happy. Traveling makes me happy. Traveling to visit my besties makes me even happier.

Sidebar: If a web-log is "blog" for short, and a video log is a vlog, then is a pictoral log a Plog? Just sayin'.

Without further adieu, my plog... tee hee.

First stop after arriving at the Portland Airport? Crossing the bridge over into Washington, north of Vancouver and into Castle Rock with lunch somewhere along the way. It rained that afternoon but I didn't care. I just liked how green it was. Made me a little homesick.

Day 2: Seaside, Oregon.

Such a cute little coastal town. Lots of ways to get around the boardwalk here. :)

Ok -- we HAD to stop for one of these... Elephant Ears!!! Yummo!


Yeah - huge. I could barely finish mine and thankfully it was the only deep fried anything I ate the entire time.

The boardwalk crosses over a little river too. Darling.

Nice sunset. It was a gorgeous day.
Here is me & the Professor - looking a little bit wind-blown. Bleh.

The cool wet sand between my toes was actually very soothing.

A view of the hotel strip from the ocean...

I loved this. I call it "Seagull Crossing". tee hee.

Day 3: We went back over to the Washington side, up the coast and into Long Beach.
Lots of cute little shops there too!

Oh look, right next to the enormous statue of a clam and a giant size frying pan is the Long Beach Branch of First American Title (the company for which I work). Maybe it's time to ask for a transfer? hehe.

These "kites" were attached to vehicles and all over the beach.

Me being silly in one of the shops.

Lots of crab legs would wash up on shore. Guess the seagulls already picked them over! lol.

We saw this beach front home. Somebody must really love light houses.

We drove all of the way up the coast, up the peninsula to Oysterville.



Bet you'll never guess what they had there...

OYSTERS! These are actually mounds of empty shells. They are usually ground and sold in gravel mixes.

Oyster Beds.

Day 4, Mount St Helens.
You can see that front "hole" where the eruption took a huge chunk from the mountain.

And on day 5 I came home. That's it. Guess it's time to pull the "Plog" //groans// he he.

He Said, She Said

She looked at him, smiling and said, "I have something to show you."

"Oh yeah?" he asked.

"4.0," she announced while pointing to her grades. Then she looked at him with as a mischievous grin spread across her face. "You should kiss me now."

He chuckled. "I should kiss you because you got a 4.0?"

"No," she responded coyly. "You should kiss me because you like kissing me." Then smiling sheepishly, she added, "And because I got a 4.0."

"I see," he answered, smiling; playing along. "Well what happens next semester if you don't get a 4.0?"

Then giving him her best puppy-dog eyes and pouty lip look she said, "Then you'll need to kiss me to console me."

He laughed again. "Oh, is that how it works?" She nodded, knowing that she had him right where she wanted him. "Well," he began, "I suppose if you keep it above a 3.5..."

Journal Journey: Pranks

Ok, time for another trip down memory lane with the good old Journal...

Please stow your carry-on luggage underneath the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin. Please take your seat and fasten your seat belt, and please bring your seats to their full upright position.If you are seated next to an emergency exit, please read carefully the special instructions card located by your seat...


Feb 18, 1989

So far my Freshman year has been a lot of fun. I am glad that most of our group of friends have stayed close. Out of everyone in our group, SueAnn said that Celise, Julie B, Julie M and I are the most daring and weird. I guess she is right. After all, we are the ones pulling all of the pranks. But it's not really our fault. We are not the ones who scheduled us all to have biology together right before lunch period.

So far this year we have snuck a raw turkey neck in the boys locker room and threw it into the showers. Another time we left one sitting on a chair in the cafeteria. Also, Julie M & Celise brought some runny fudge and dumped it in the toilets. Another time, Celise drained the yellow broth from her soup and poured it into a disposable plastic cup then we placed it on the counter in the bathroom to make it look like a urine specimen.

One time when chicken nuggets were served at lunch we left dog biscuits on people's trays when they weren't looking. They looked just like the chicken nuggets too. Another week we stood outside the boys restroom during the lunch hour and applauded for them when they walked out. Some of them even bowed, though they weren't sure why.

Yesterday, I took a bunch of leftovers from the fridge and mixed them in a bowl with some added mayonnaise, food coloring, and Aloe Lotion and took it to school in an empty cool whip container. Taped to the lid we put a sign that said, "Do Not Open". When no one else was in the bathroom I sneaked in and placed the closed container in the sink.

Then, two-by-two, in shifts, we would hang out in the bathroom and watch what happened. It was pretty funny. A group of senior girls walked in and were arguing over who should open it. Finally someone opened it and almost all of them felt like puking! They ran out screaming.

I can't wait to see what we come up with next.
_________________________________

We were bored Freshman... what can I say. There WERE other pranks too, and many of them DID involve remains following the dissecting labs in Biology class... ewwww.... What Were We Thinking??? I have always been of the opinion that pranks are fun as long as no one gets hurt, no one is humiliated and property is not damaged/vandalized.

What about you? Did you ever play dorky pranks on anyone in school?

Journal Journey: Seeing Amy

I have really enjoyed rereading my old journals. I can look back at the lessons I learned once-upon-a-time and I can re-learn them. I can reread about the trials I faced and how I overcame them and find renewed strength in myself. Mostly, my old journals make me laugh at myself and cringe... such as the "love entries" like I already posted. In talking to Eric about that lately, I came across another journal entry. It was about his sister, Amy. I shared the entry with him. I haven't read that entry in forever, and now upon reading it again, I think it was poignant to me, in helping to shape the way I tried to live my life as I finished high school and went off to college. I was 18 when I wrote about this. Without further adieu...

January 4, 1992

The first time I met Amy I didn't like her. She just seemed too perfect. She was a straight-A student, a well-versed scriptorian, a skilled conversationalist, extremely talented, the perfect daughter and the perfect sister. She and her brothers were the best of friends. I guess truly, it's not that I didn't like her; I realize now I was jealous. She emulated the kind of person I want to be and strive to be and yet it seemed to come all-too-easily for her.

One Tuesday night I had signed up to babysit in the nursery for the Relief Society Homemaking activity. Amy had just turned 18. She was officially in Relief Society now. It was summer and it was warm outside. The kids were getting antsy in the nursery, so I decided to take them outside and let them play in the grass. Soon, Amy came outside, oddly appearing a bit nervous. She asked me if she could hang out with me and the nursery kids. I did not expect that. I said yes. She sat down on the grass next to me and explained how she did not feel comfortable in Homemaking with all of the "older ladies". I was utterly shocked. I thought for sure that she was so mature she'd just love it there.

We sat in the grass and talked and laughed for over two hours. I suddenly saw Amy as a real down-to-earth person. The more we talked, the more I realized that while I was jealous of all of her incredible qualities, she was too humble to recognize most of them within herself. She didn't realize how close-to-perfect she actually was. I also discovered that she was shy in groups where she didn't feel like she belonged. And I tried to imagine what it would be like to move to a brand new school my last year of high school. It would be a little overwhelming. Amy admitted to feeling like she did not fit in. I immediately felt ashamed for the way I had previously misjudged her.

In that instant, the very moment in which she chose to share her personal insecurities with me I had a new respect, appreciation and love for her. I think it took a lot for her to leave the Relief Society and come join the nursery to hang out with an immature girl like me. I realized through our conversation that we weren't all that different either; and in fact she had done some quirky things too. She showed me the orange streaks on her legs where she tried to use that spray-on tan stuff. We laughed so hard over that.

She taught me more about loving and not judging others in that one evening than I had learned up to that point on my own. Shortly after that night, Amy went off to college. I never looked at her the same way again. She is a pillar of strength. Anyone who has ever met her, even if only briefly, knows at least that one thing about her. I will never forget what she did for me that night; how she gave me eyes to see.

Amy died January 2, 1992 of Lukemia.

Journal Journey: He Broke My Heart

Fact: I've only been dumped twice in my entire life. The first time was 20 years ago; I was 15. The second time was 6 months ago... I was...er, um, yeah... 35. Grrr...Big-D.

Fact: Both times sucked. Both times I felt like my heart was going to explode right through my chest cavity and burst into a million pieces on the ground in front of me. Must by why they call it heartache.


Sunday July 23, 1989

This past weekend was Youth Conference. It was really great, except for one main thing. Eric. I suppose you could say that Eric let me down. We had a talk and he said that we should just be friends. But he hasn't seemed to act very friendly lately. Like today, when I said hello, he didn't respond. But no matter what happens, I could never hate him. A big part of me still loves him because we shared so many things that were like secrets to everyone else. We told each other things we never told anyone else. Right now I'm feeling like a big part of me is missing; a part of my heart. It's like I had a nice package, neatly wrapped up and then he came and untied it.

Fast forward to age 18. I went off to college at BYU-Hawaii. Eric was there, serving a mission for our church. There were a lot of "coincidences"; too many for this one post.

Age 19. I was engaged and having several doubts. I wasn't certain. And yet, for some reason I said "yes" anyway. I flew home for the summer to attend my sister's wedding just a few months before my own. I remember this incident like it was yesterday and think about it All.The.Time.

Monday July 12, 1993

There are many emotions I am feeling right now. It seems lately that everything is so confusing... just this past year Eric and I talked several times. Then, shortly after Christmas, shortly after meeting [the man formerly known as my husband] I talked to Eric on the phone. It just didn't seem like we had anything to say anymore. I thought perhaps that I was finally over him after four years of pining over him. And I'm not in love with him anymore; I mean I am getting married to someone else. But maybe you just never really forget your first love.

Anyway, yesterday I saw Eric at church. He came home from his mission. I was surprised to see him there as I turned to walk out of the chapel. As I walked towards him, I looked at him and he looked at me. I tried my best to smile at him, as if to say hi. He sort of nodded back and gave a half smile. As I reached the point where he was standing, I paused and we looked at each other for a brief moment. His eyes told me he had lots to say. My heart ached for him. I knew that he was going through something. There were so many things I wanted to say to him; wanted to ask him. I wanted to know what everything meant from the last 10 months. I wanted to know how he was. I wanted to talk to him; to hug him and to have him want to hug me back. I wanted to tell him everything would be okay. I said nothing. I walked on. I am engaged to someone else; in love with someone else. He seemed to understand.

Experiencing my most recent heartache this past year has brought me back to this one pivotal point in my life several times. I know that the life I am living now is a direct result of the choices I have made thus far and I am truly grateful for my children. I realize that my experience may be somewhat altered today if I would have made a different decision back then. But I do not want to live with any more "what-if's" when it comes to love.

I want to give my heart and my trust and I want to give it with everything I can. And then, after I have given everything, when or if it doesn't go my way, I can move on in peace.

I'm not trying to move mountains here... just looking for that thing called love.

Journal Journey: My First Love

Today is a continuation from yesterday's Journal Journey. Eric's mom finally instituted a 20-minute time limit to our phone calls. Guess she didn't know I was a talker, tee hee. At least they were local calls, right?

Anyway, to bring you up to speed, I was 15 1/2 and not allowed to date yet. Eric was 16, almost 17. He and I came up with a plan. Eric had an older brother; I had an older sister. We set them up and they became boyfriend and girlfriend like right after their first date. Woo-Hoo! Many times our scheming involved Eric and I "tagging along" with them places. (By the way, how was that NOT dating? hehehe)

My sister and her beau sometimes had a little teensy problem keeping curfew. I think this might be one reason my mom would let me tag along. Perhaps she thought my sister would have a better chance of getting home on time if I went too???

Sunday June 11, 1989

During church [Eric & I and our two siblings] made a plan to hang out at Eric's house after a youth fireside. Rachel G. wanted to stick around too. So we all played HORSE in the driveway. Of course Rachel is into basketball and won. I didn't really even pay attention to the game. Mostly, Eric and I just held hands and talked. Soon, Rachel had to go home, so my sister and her boyfriend said they would drive her. Eric and I stayed behind. We talked a lot about our goals and our future. I told him how our friends said we'll probably end up marrying each other. He said he wanted enough kids to form two basketball teams. We both want lots of kids.

After a while, [they] were still not back and Rachel only lives a few minutes away. Soon, Eric's dad came outside. He asked where they were. We told them that they went to take Rachel home. Eric's dad said it was ok for him to wait outside with me until my sister came back to get me. Well, I don't know how much time had passed, but it started to get a little windy and chilly and of course dark out. We didn't want to go in the house, cuz his parents and little brothers already went to bed. So, we decided to sit inside the Suburban in the garage.

Then we heard the door from the house to the garage open. It was Eric's dad again. We didn't want to be caught in the suburban, cuz we didn't want his dad to know we had been kissing. So, we ducked down. I was nervous, cuz his dad walked right next to the car and was standing right outside the window! I was sure he saw us. I tried not to make a sound. Finally he went back in. We started giggling. Thankfully my sister got back a few minutes later.

Friday June 23, 1989

Today Eric and I talked on the phone. We shared a lot of our thoughts and feelings with each other. It was really neat. I have never met a guy like Eric before. We told each other how we felt about one another. He told me he loved me. Other guys have told me that, but it was different. They just wanted to kiss or something. And I never told those guys I loved them back. With Eric it is different. I know he meant it because of the way he said it. He makes me feel that I am special to him and that I matter. I feel the same way about him. I feel that I am in love with him. I told him I loved him too. It is the first time I have said that to any guy.

Funny now to think that at 15 I could have been in love with someone. But Eric was my first love. I loved him as much as any 15 year old possibly could love another. A first love is so paramount; at least for me it was. No other guy could hold a candle to Eric in my eyes. Truthfully speaking, Eric has always had a piece of my heart. I don't think one ever truly gets over his or her first love, do you?

Once again, stay tuned tomorrow for the final "chapter" of my first love...

Journal Journeys: Then There Was You

Some of you may recall a few weeks ago when I posted this post: Journal Journeys: The Doorbell Ditch. As I had mentioned then, I've been rereading through my old journals. Here is more of THAT story... Just keep in mind that I was 15 1/2 and a bit of a dork... :)

Thursday May 12, 1989

...[writing about other boys]...Then there's Eric. His family moved into our ward at church a few months ago. I have had the biggest crush on him since the first time I saw him. I really like him and I think he might like me too, but I can't always tell. Anyway, Eric seems different than the other guys at church. I guess time will tell if he likes me too.


Sunday May 14, 1989

[This was the entry of The Doorbell Ditch in which Eric basically makes it known to me that he likes me.]


Wednesday May 17, 1989

Tonight at church I saw Eric. With other guys that I used to flirt with, I always knew it was just infatuation or for fun. I never really had strong feelings for any of them. But Eric is different. Not only is he totally good looking, but he is kind and courteous and totally funny, and well, just plain great! Little does he know I think the world of him. We get along so well, he seems perfect. He comes from a family of six kids and I come from a family of seven. I daydream about him all the time and fantasize that we'll like get married one day and have like ten kids or something. But, it's just a fantasy, and he would probably think I was weird if I ever told him that!


Saturday May 20, 1989

Yesterday when I was on the phone with Eric, he told me he would take me out as soon as I turned 16 and am allowed to date. That is like six months away. So, as you can imagine I've been in seventh heaven all weekend. We always have the best conversations. We call each other like every day. Our phone calls last for 2 or 3 hours and usually we have to hang up because his mom doesn't like him tying up the line. I wish they would get call-waiting, like we finally did. At least now my parents rarely tell me to get off the phone.


So... totally dorky, right? Yeah, I told you. Anyway, as you can tell, I was totally twitterpated over this guy; he was like the cheese to my macaroni. He was the moon to my darkness and the stars in my eyes... stay tuned for more tomorrow! (like slowly ripping off a band-aid...you're welcome.) :)

Journal Journeys: The Doorbell Ditch

Here is part of an entry straight from my teenage journal. And I will just preface this and say, I hope no one whom is mentioned will be embarrassed, humiliated or offended. I was nearly 15 1/2 when I wrote this, and I will warn you now that it is cheesy...

May 14, 1989

Yesterday, Elkhart's top seminary* team won the scripture bowl. Afterwards, we all went over to Sister Kiser's (the teacher) house to celebrate. She threw a party for all of us for the hard work we did. When I got there, Eric was already there. Most of the kids wanted to watch a movie, but it was sort of boring. So, Eric, Amy, Andrew, Ryan and I decided to play Pictionary. Then a lot of us went outside to play Hide and Go Seek. It sounds a bit childish, but it was actually a lot of fun in the dark. Eric and I ended up hiding together most of the time. After that we wanted to go on a walk. So, Naomi, Ryan, Andrew, Ben, Hilary, Haylie, Eric and I all went.

Eric said he wanted to do some "doorbell ditching" so he went up to a door and knocked and then we all ran away. We all ran down the street and then walked down to the river. On the way back, Ben said he wanted to doorbell ditch someone. We all said he better not. But he did anyway. We all started running when the guy actually came out of his house! After we got around the corner, we figured we were safe, so we stopped running and just started walking again. We were only a few houses away from Kisers when all of a sudden some headlights shone brightly on our backs. We turned around and it was that guy whose door Ben pounded on!

We all took off running towards the Kiser's backyard. I was coughing so hard from laughing and running. But while the others went inside for ice cream, Hilary, Ryan, Eric and I stayed outside and just talked. My coughing was getting worse the more I laughed, so Eric said we should go inside and he would get me some water. Then we went upstairs (ahem, the living room) to talk some more, just the two of us. He told me he wanted to take me to his Jr. Prom. I was excited. Of course this is still almost a year away, but I said yes. Ever since Eric moved here a few months ago, I've had the biggest crush on him. I can't wait till school gets out. Then it will be summer break, and more adventures!


What's an adventure YOU remember or wrote about in your journal that YOU did as a teenager?

*Seminary is an in-depth scripture study course that our church offers the youth. We used to compete at the end of the school year in scripture mastery bowls.