Big Bear

I've started to extend my weekend visits to Portland to include a work day as well. I will drive or take the train down on Thursday evening and then work remotely on Friday. It gives me more opportunity to connect with friends and family and, frankly, enjoy the city I love.

I often grumble about working remotely, it is slow and tedious. But the day I got to work with Mickey, remote wasn't so terrible.

He, along with Showtime pictured below, are some of my favorite friends. They are the older brother's I always wanted and between them and Vik... all boyfriends should be scared. Very scared.

Hand hug.

Choose Happiness

Yet another whirlwind weekend in Portland... clear skies, warm temperature, family, and friends.

It had the makings to be perfect and a great escape but bad news hit on Saturday night that left a bad taste in my mouth. It had me crawling into bed early that evening and distracted for much of Sunday. And now here I am, Sunday night, well technically Monday morning... it's nearly 3am and although my left leg is asleep my mind is wide awake.

I have three ideas I remind myself to live by:
1. Don't waste my time.
2. Take care of myself.
3. Spend time with people who make me happy.

I am worried that anything I type at this point will be a hodge podge of thoughts...

So all I will say further: Choose happiness. Every day. Every minute.

Long Walks

What matters most to me:
Doing what makes me happy with the people I love the most.

I am learning to cut out the clutter and the rift raft especially if I am using it as merely a distraction.

I love my sister, brother, and my dear friend, Elyse. To add to my love fest is a long walk, a minute to scrawl down some ideas, and a good iced coffee at my local shop.

What matters most to me may mean nothing to you but I hope you find your own "thing" and then fight for it. Make it your priority too.

Bake-A-Thon

This time last year:

It is so easy to get stuck in the day to day. Work has been all consuming and stressful. I had my pride take over and I took on a large project that I should have developed a team instead of doing it all myself. I am missing Portland and needing a vacation. Worst of all... my high bun is losing all oomph. (Kidding... not really.)

I was sitting on my bed looking into my closet trying to decide which dress will take me from a derby party to a cinco de mayo party and secretly wishing I didn't return that fascinator four months ago.

I pulled out my phone to catch up on instagram and saw a photo of a friend celebrating their birthday.

"Has it really been a year?"

May 5, 2011.

I can remember that day clearly. I was wearing a little red dress and spending the evening with my then boyfriend. Although I didn't know this then, I would be introducing him to my family the next day. The first time I had ever done so in my life, a big step in the world of "Adult Danielle." I thought this boy was the cat's meow.

In that moment:

• I was living in the suburbs of Portland.

• I didn't love my job but I was good at it.

• My family didn't officially include a brother yet.

May 5, 2012.

Looking back over the year, almost every aspect of my life has changed.

New city. New job. New family (well, expanded family).

• That boyfriend and I didn't work out but it did set a standard for future boyfriends and my "type". In case you haven't heard me say it, the break ups may get harder but the men sure do get better!

• That same boyfriend, ignited an interest in Portland. I spent the following months, up until my move to Seattle, learning and falling in love with that little city. Now in Seattle, I miss Portland but I am exploring where I live now and appreciating what I have.

• My job is fantastic, even if I sometimes complain. I am able to impact international business and create standards that are asked to be replicated.

• My family has grown. I now have a brother and fur nephew. Also, a Seattle family that I would be lost without. 

I am amazed how much we can learn and our capacity to change. I get lost in the day to day but in retrospect, I am not the same girl I was this time last year. I am better, stronger, and happier.

I am still sitting on my bed deciding what to wear to today's festivities. Just for the heck of it.... I'm thinking my little red dress.

Revel

Sunday Brunch at Revel:

Pros:
Sticky Buns
Sticky Buns' frosting
Bacon the size of my face

Cons:
Having to share center of sticky buns.

Opening Day

Opening day: Mariners vs Athletics.

I moved to San Francisco area during the Moneyball era.

As a high school girl, my focus was on Hudson, Mulder, Zito, Crosby... the pitchers.

After living there for many years I moved to Portland and lost the fun of major league baseball games. TV didn't do it for me.

You can imagine my joy at living in Seattle now and getting to spend opening day with friends and my Oakland A's. Especially since we won... I was only boo'ed 3 times!