Sipping Starbucks: An Exploratory Session featuring Rayla and Brittany: Jogging

Topic: Do something Portland-y

Brittany asked me to do something that is “Portland-esque” and chronicle the experience. There are many unique, Portland-y things to do around here, including Multunomah Falls, visit Powell’s , or shop at a farmer’s market. I would have been more than happy to do any of these relatively low-impact activities, but since Matt is gone and I only feel comfortable driving to Fred Meyer, the laundry mat, and work by myself, this limited my possible activities. So what did I come up with? I decided to go for a jog. While this is not a Portland exclusive thing, Portland is known for its outdoorsy people. And hey, only Portland would think it’s a good idea to have a relay race starting halfway up Mt. Hood and continuing all the way to the Pacific Ocean. And, as it turns out, it was raining (WHOA!), so I ran in the rain, which I would say definitely qualifies being Portland-esque.

On to the experience. Let me be clear. I HATE running (well, in my case, jogging, but same thing, really). I HATE it. Everything about it. Especially if I am doing it outside on the concrete. There is no “runners high” for me. It’s more like a “Sara why the heck did you do this to yourself hate.” But because it was the only thing I could come up with, and let’s face it, I need to do more exercise, I found myself heading out into the rain for a jog.

Let me explain why I hate running so much. I have a lot going against me. I have patella femoral syndrome, which means my quad muscles don’t hold my patella in place and it can slide around grinding away at bone cartilage. Yay. I also have extremely high arches and run flat footed, which causes all kinds of shin and calf pain. I have tried adjusting my stride so I’m not running flat footed, but nothing has worked. Give an elliptical machine- or an inside track like UI’s rec center- any day of the week so my knees can forgive me.

I didn’t try to make any world records today, I just decided a nice mile or so would be good for my first run in, oh, five months. Unfortunately, I managed to find a road that took me down from the bluff to the river level. I had no idea at the time how long this road would be, but I thought it would be a nice workout to run both down and uphill. Yeah, bad decision. This road went about a quarter mile or so downhill. Shockingly, the only way to get back up a bluff is to run back uphill. Fun times.

As bad as the run was, while I was running a few errands this morning, I just so happened to buy a Starbucks. This is also a Portlandy thing do to that I enjoy eons more than running, so I at least got to do that! And while I write this, I am enjoying a Widmer Hefeweizen (with lemon, of course), which was brewed about five miles from my current position. I’m leading quite the Portland lifestyle today!

"Sipping Starbucks: An Exploratory Session featuring Rayla and Brittany"

This week's topic: Brittany wants to know my opinion on hippies

First off, I would like to explain that there are three types of people in Portland: the Normal People, who are the definite minority, the Hippies, of which there are two subspecies, and the Weird people. The Weird People can more accurately be described as the “people who have spiked or unnaturally colored hair and wear trench coats, but they’re not emo, are usually smoking pot, and have hippie-ish qualities but are even weirder than hippies and only know how to socialize with themselves, and can become violent when in the presence of another group of Weird People that don’t vibe with their particular weirdness.” You know, those people. Even the hippies avoid them and goodness knows Normal People do.

But I digress. Back to hippies. As I mentioned, Hippies belong in one of two subspecies: Normal Hippies and Weird Hippies, aka Portland Hippies. Normal Hippies might seem like an oxymoron, but let me assure you, it is not. Normal Hippies are what most people think of when they think of hippie. They are definitely hippies, but can and do socialize with normal people. Sure, they know an awful lot about organic foods, and might be wearing organic cotton clothing that is landfill friendly, but they can still function normally. Sure, they look weird, but at least they act normal, except with the occasional pot smoking (but I guess that’s also normal for Normal People). Also, if they own a car (most own bicycles), it will be one of the following: a Prius, a Subaru Outback with an Obama sticker on it, or a small car that is 25+ years.

This brings us to the Portland Hippies. These are the extreme version of the Normal Hippies. They are stoked up on all kinds of drugs and usually great you with “Hey, man,” but generally they don’t socialize with Normal people. Their hair hasn’t been washed in years and their clothing is some kind of cross between Normal Hippies and skaters. Weird Hippies cannot socialize with Normal People at all and are only ever surrounded with other Weird Hippies. They are mostly harmless, but somehow have this ability to make themselves look really, really scary. Do not leave me along with these guys, EVER.

So what is my opinion of hippies? I try not to judge, but I can’t help thinking that they are weird. Normal Hippies are fine, and can actually be quite hilarious, so I would be happy to have some Normal Hippie friends. Don’t ever introduce me to Weird Hippies, though. Those guys are seriously scary. And quite possibly have lice.

"Sipping Starbucks"

So for the lack of stuff to do, I have decided to start a weekly "column" on my blog so I have something to look forward to every week. The idea of this column is to feature my sisters, Rayla and Brittany. They are to come up with something for me to write about every week and I have to do it, no matter what. It can be to give my opinion on a picture, or research some urban word I do not know, or do a truth or dare, or anything else they might come up with.

I have decided to call this session "Sipping Starbucks: An Exploratory Session featuring Rayla and Brittany," which is a combo of the title that Rayla and Brittany came up with. Even though I have set this column to appear on Wednesdays, I am posting a pilot session today (again, because I had nothing to do). I hope you enjoy my explanations of the sister's topics!

Second Cousin Coming!

So shout out to my cousin Emily, who is expecting her first baby with her husband! I know she doesn't read this, but that's ok. Her baby is due on my dad's birthday! I probably won't be seeing the new baby anytime soon, but I look forward to being a second cousin in spirit!

All Things Glee

As many of you know, I have now jumped on the Glee bandwagon. I refrained from doing so because I just knew I would get addicted to it and I did not need that extra distraction in school (plus, I already keep up with The Office, Bones, and CSI: Vegas). But I finally gave in and, like predicted, I'm hooked. I haven't seen all the episodes from Season 1 yet, I have only a few episodes left, but Netflix only delivers DVDs so fast. However, I have seen all of Season 2, so I feel confident in discussing my opinions of the show and cast. Here is my 2 cents worth of all things Glee:

1. Rachel: She's annoying and I can't stand her. Her arrogance drives me nuts.

2. Mr. Schuester is my absolute favorite character. Why? Because he is the most "normal" character in this show. Most of the other characters are either too extreme or way too stereotyped. That doesn't stop me from liking other characters, though. I love Kurt and Brittany is hilarious, albeit rather hard to relate to. And you gotta love Sue. And Emma Pillsbury, of course!

3. Brittany's one liners often make the best quotes.

4. Terry Schuester is just about the most evil person out there. I don't care how much Mr. Schu and her wanted a baby, you don't keep faking your pregnancy and then "steal" a baby from your husband's student. Only the truth is the best option in that situation and I am SO glad that they went their separate ways.

5. My favorite couple is Mr. Schu and Miss Pillsbury (anyone surprised, I mean really). At first, I had no idea why they didn't get together after Mr. Schu's divorce, but now having watched that episode, I don't blame Miss Pillsbury for yelling at him. (He kind of was a man whore there for a little bit, even though nothing "bad" happened). And now, Dr. Carl is in the way and I hate him. But whenever Mr. Schu isn't looking, Emma is looking at him like she used to, so there's hope! I look forward to the day that they get together!

6. Ok. So does anyone else not understand Finn? I don't get how he can be so into sports and so into Glee Club and still not be comfortable with being in Glee Club, even though he obviously loves it and is really good at it. He's kind of wishy washy. Most choir guys I know that actually loved choir didn't care about what their peers said.

7. The slushy thing is a little ridiculous and was only funny the first few times. Besides, how many schools would allow that to continue?

8. I don't like Quinn. The only reason behind this is because half the time, I like her and the other time I hate her. I don't like feeling that about a person! So I don't like her character.

9. Can Laura Bell Bundy please star on the show? Thank you.

10. So they showcased Justin Bieber songs. Gross. Taylor Swift actually has fans over 12, so how about you showcase her, too? Besides, the show is catered towards people her age, anyway. And when are they going to sing a Celine Dion song? PLEASE? She has how many hits? Lots.

10. Less pop songs, more classic rock and Broadway tunes, and they have completely left out country songs. Sing a few country songs!

11. Kind of glad Finn and Rachel broke up, not going to lie.

Well, I'm sure I'll think of more, but now I have to go make dinner for my husband when he gets home from class. New episode of Glee tomorrow!

Birds + Earrings = Yummy

So, today at work, the conure ate my earring. For those of you who don't know, a conure is a small parrot, brightly colored, a little bit bigger than a cockatiel. Our conure is really friendly and loves people. I love to interact with her. We recently shipped her cage mate off to another store, so she was being rather loud and annoying, squawking constantly. I went in to give her attention, since that's usually what's bothering her and she is seeing all these people outside her cage who are not playing with her (shame on them). When I play with her, I like to keep her only on my hands so she doesn't get up on my shoulders where it becomes impossible to take her down nicely. She also likes to nibble and I am afraid that she will do this on my ear - and if you have ever had a parrot bite you, you will know their beak is freakin' STRONG. But she's a fast little bugger, and shimmied up my arm before I could prevent her. I should also mention that she is attracted to nice, shiny expensive things, like my wedding ring, and my earrings (although my earrings were those cheap plastic earrings that look like diamonds). Well, before I know it, she was crunching away on my earring. I have no idea if she swallowed it, or spit it out, but I'm pretty sure she swallowed it. I really hope nothing bad happens to her, since she also happens to be $600. It would be just my luck if a $600 bird died because she ate my earring. And it was just a stud, so nothing that would have been too distracting.

Aren't animals the best? :)

Long Time Coming

Looks like I need to improve my blog updating. I probably haven't been updating as much as I should because our life is pretty routine and not very exciting, for college students. I work, and if I'm not working, I'm at home either reading or watching TV, since I don't really enjoy driving around in this town by myself. I do enjoy the cooking, but that does get rather stressful sometimes in such a small kitchen and no dishwasher. Matt has a lot of studying and school work to do, with his senior project - a flying wing - taking up most of his time. With his time taken up with studying and not a huge income to peruse, we don't get out much, but we're enjoying the slow pace for now. While Mississippi is not the first place I'd like to live, I'm looking forward to that adventure to start. Matt received his EAD, so he is expected to report to Columbus AFB on July 18th (which happens to be his sister Brittany's birthday). However, they scheduled him to begin IFS in Colorado July 11th. The problem? IFS is about six weeks. One of these dates will be changing. We are hoping his EAD gets moved up so we can move down to Mississippi earlier. We have learned that UP might make us move out of our apartment soon after graduation instead being able to stay here for a few months in the summer. If that's the case, we might have to move in with the parents for a few weeks, since there is usually a strict rule on how early you can arrive to your base and have then refund your move. We're hoping that we find out soon and that everything works itself out.

Our last ski trip was outstanding! I am getting better and better, which includes snow plowing less :) I am still hesitant to go fast, so I still just crisscross all the way down the run, but I'm getting there. I should progress to blue runs in the next few times we go. I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to try black runs, but I have a blast just doing green runs so I can still enjoy the day even if everyone we go with does black runs. Besides, they always meet me half way down the green run coming from the black run, anyway.

Lenny grows every week, it seems. He is an odd animal. He HATES being picked up, but once he's out and running around and chilling with you, he HATES being put back. He should learn to make up his mind. One thing he has made up his mind about is his love for crickets. He gets SO excited when the bag comes out that he has now started to jump up and attack the bag before I have had a chance to dump the crickets in. This has let to several jumps on my part, along with spilled calcium dust into his terrarium. I would like to add that Jerry and Smeagol are as entertaining, but since they are a betta and a goldfish, respectively, they aren't the most exciting of creatures.

Matt and I are looking forward to getting a puppy (and additionally, a kitten for me). We can't get one until we are out of this apartment, so that's another reason we want to move Mississippi sooner rather than later. We can't decide if we want a golden retriever or a Bernese mountain dog. We both want a Siberian husky, but we really don't want the husky to suffer through the hot, humid weather of the south, so we decided we should get the retriever or the mountain dog first. Now we just have to figure out which breed we want! And the name, of course. Matt fancies any name from the show 24. I'm not as easily convinced Jack is a good name for our puppy, but I'm sure we'll settle on a name once we get him/her. I have already picked out a name for my kitten. I am going to get a male gray tabby and name him Huey after the Air Force helicopter. Plus, I just think that's an adorable name. Matt could really care less about the cat, but I love them and want one because I just know the dog will like Matt better, so I need the cat to like me better. Plus, you don't really have to train a cat.

I hope everyone is having a great new year!