the pacific northwest.

i just got back from a fabulous trip with my dear friends devon and steve to the gorgeous state of oregon to visit our friends beth and eric. beth and devon were my roommates when i was at biola, and it is always so great to spend time with them [and their husbands!]. we got there on wednesday, and came back sunday morning, and i cannot describe how amazing it was to simply get away from the hustle and bustle of life, and spend some good quality time with old friends.

wednesday:

[getting on our flight to portland!]

thursday:
on our first full day there, we explored the beautiful city of portland. for quite a long time, i was determined to move to the northwest after i graduated from nursing school, and being back there definitely reminded me why i wanted to move in the first place. it is just so beautiful, calm, and peaceful there...and there is a coffee shop on every street corner [definitely my way of life!]. however, the few times that i shared about work, i was reminded why i have decided to stay in los angeles after graduation. people talk about the need and poverty overseas, however, they have no idea the need there is right here in los angeles. the community of south central los angeles is one that is full of hurt, hate, anger...and it is one that has been forgotten about. and even though it is something that can drive me crazy at times, i feel called to serve the people of this community. so pacific northwest, i may come reside in one of your beautiful states someday...but i have a job to do first. anyway, that was a tangent, getting back to thursday [our first full day there]. beth had a nursing interview in the morning, so she dropped devon, steve, and me off and we explored the city for a few hours. she then met up with us and we went HAPPY HOUR HOPPING. i had never done it before, but it was so much fun! good [and cheap!] food, good friends, and delicious drinks...yes please.


[at a cute little cafe called vivace's...the food and coffee was delicious]






[this bookstore was HUGE! we were in here for a really long time...it was awesome]


[happy hour 1: jake's bar and grill]


[happy hour 2: henry's tavern]




[happy hour 3: portland city grill. it was 30 stories up! it was awesome!]

friday:
we spent our second day at cannon beach on the coast. words cannot describe how beautiful it was! there is just something about lush beautiful trees going right up to the water line...it simply takes your breath away. after we walked around and took pictures on the beach we went and got lunch at a little cafe in town that was just delicious. it was another great day...







saturday:
on saturday we had a nice slow morning at beth's house, and it snowed!! it was so much fun, especially since none of us see snow on a regular basis. beth's older brother had gotten married in hawaii 2 weeks ago, so her and eric had his wedding reception to go to, so steve devon and i spent the afternoon in a shopping center and found our way over to a small pub called mcmenamins. here we enjoyed some delicious sweet potato fries, drank some really bad spanish coffee [but made a come back with delicious ruby beer], and simply shared our hearts with each other. i was reminded this afternoon how blessed i am. not many people can sit in a small pub in the middle of nowhere for hours and simply share and listen the thoughts and feelings with good friends. devon and steve, thank you for letting me share my heart with you, i am so grateful to have you in my life.




[beth and eric's HUGE beautiful house!]


[at mcmenamins]

sunday:
on sunday, we woke up really early for our flight, and we back in los angeles by 0900, which was good since i had a million things to get ready for school. overall, it was a great trip. beth and eric, thank you for your hospitality, we were all blown away with the love that you showed us. devon and steve, thank you for being my traveling buddies...i enjoy the trips we take together. beth and devon...thank you for still being in my life even though our college days together are over. you two have been such a huge blessing to me over the last 4 years, i love you both dearly [and your husbands are pretty cool too]. this was a perfect way to end winter break and gear up for the LAST semester of school...nursing, bring it. i am rested, refreshed, and ready to go out with a bang.




[on our very early flight back to los angeles]

and on a side note, please go listen to THIS SONG. it is my current obsession right now, and it is kind of awesome.