Autumn Leaves

Two nights ago I went for a run in what is currently my favorite running setting: dark, blustery fresh wind, patches of light rain, plenty of moon light and/or city shine, and brisk but not frigidly cold. It was a sure sign that October is officially here and fall is in full swing. Every time autumn comes around I am reminded of why it's my favorite (though spring is a close second). I don't know what it is, but something about fall makes me want to wear wool, write on some bright orange stationary, collect leaves, puddle jump, bake pumpkin spice bread or a rustic apple tart, plant some mums, go on a hike, carve a pumpkin, or make chai tea, just for the spicy smell of it. It brings back memories of growing up on the east coast, biking through Vermont, watching the brilliance of the changing leaves and enjoying the crispness of each day. I guess all of the beauty of autumn helps to mask what the season really is: an ending. It's an end to those carefree days of summer, and many are quick to end the love that they grew in the summer, for fear that it will freeze over in the winter (thank you, Feist). If only broken hearts could shatter into a thousand brilliant pieces of orange and red and gold to be admired like the foliage. I'm glad that at least nature dies in such a magnificent way.

but i miss you
most of all, my darling
when autumn leaves
start to fall

-Eva Cassidy-

Today's The Day

Today I sat here for eight hours just like I do everyday. Stared out the window and dreamed (or is it dreamt?) about the clouds as I gazed at thisand became at least moderately obsessed with these. Decided that I need to take a ride in one real soon. Found a good excuse to go here on my lunch break. Sat on the cobblestones and people-watched while I gulped down a fry-filled pita. Ate the most amazing waffle with bananas and chocolate sauce until it looked like this . Established that co-worker Jimmy (affectionately known by some as Jim-Bo) has in fact been drinking buttermilk since his arrival in Belgium. Played with photoshop after being lectured by my boss about how we don't need vacations (he claims he hasn't taken one in two years) and took an imaginary field trip to an african beachand another to antartica. Got paid for it (in my dream). Maybe you should click on those pictures to make them big and see how good I am at photoshop. Bought this fabulous little thing (it's a pumpkin, can you tell?) to celebrate the impending arrival of October. Yes! I intend to eventually use it as a vase for an autumn arrangment of flowers. Wore these (my favorite running shoes ever - Nike Free 4.0) and went for a long run here . Watched young protesters protest and proceed to play manhunt in the park. Danced with reckless abandon for at least 20 minutes thanks to this incredible invention and admired my 30-foot shadow as it wriggled and popped to music that could be heard by no one but me. Accidently forgot to set the microwave to its toaster setting and made something that looked like this . Ate it anyway. Listened to this fine young musician for hours. Didn't get sick of him. Can't wait to download the next episode of this because I'm pretty sure I have the first episode of the season memorized by now. "It's all gooooood." Thought about my friends here (and other places too, don't worry). Wondered if I want to live here when I leave Brussels. Still unsure.

It was a pretty good day.

-Aimee Mann-

Run

I have been running more lately and I got really curious about how fast I could run a mile. As far as I can remember, I haven't timed a mile since high school, where my personal best was a 5:58. So last night I headed up to Nike's track and gave it a go. I know I could have done better if I had someone running with me, but I was pretty happy.

6:48.

I can do better.

-Snow Patrol-

Bad Diary Days

I finally arrived in Portland on Saturday night. I say finally as though it felt like it took forever, when in reality it seems like I left this place yesterday. The past two weeks have been such a whirlwind anyway that I haven't had a chance to breathe, let alone absorb the fact that I'm in entirely new circumstances and a new phase of life. I still don't comprehend it. Speaking of which, there's a lot that I don't currently comprehend. There is a lot that I probably never will... but my question is, how can I convince myself to stop searching for answers when sometimes there just aren't any. Or at least none that will satisfy my craving for understanding. In the 45 hours that I've been here, I've already been thrown for a few loops and I'm sure there are more to come. I guess in some ways I asked for it. I've been learning this about myself. I have a strange temptation to always pour salt in my own wounds.

Where can I begin? Well, really there's only one thing that made last night sleepless and there are countless things to be thankful for, so let's start with those. Oregon is beautiful as ever - green-green-green, blue skies and sun-sun-sunshine! I went to visit some co-workers at Nike this afternoon and I felt like I was at home. The smells, the stairs, the whole scene was just so familiar. I miss it. And this morning I went up to Tualatin Hills Nature Park for a nice run. I love to just get lost in a new set of trails. I got some photos developed and there is a great one of Kendrick and me in Moab. Oh, and I graduated a few days ago! It's all about the little things.

-Pedro the Lion-