Bottom Of The River

Holy heck.  This video is so strange, but the song is incredible! Chills.  It sort of reminds me of Deep Love...if Deep Love were set in a deep south swamp.

"Hold my hand, ooh baby its a long way down to the bottom of the river".

4 Miles

Today after work and a trip to costco, my mom, my sisters, and I went for a 4 mile "walk".  I dont mean a casual stroll around town...I mean intense, arm pumping, sweat inducing, fast walking.  My mom is doing the Portland to Coast Walking Relay again this year in august and is in the middle of training for it.  I did the relay a few years ago, and let me tell you, there are some crazy people there.  I didnt do any training at all before the relay because I figured, its fast walking...how hard could it be? Im young, I've got all the energy in the world...what a mistake.  There were old ladies passing me on the course! There were people whose fast walking speed is my jogging speed! It was insane and I've never been so sore in my whole entire life.  It was a really fun experience though.  One day I'd like to do the Hood to Coast which is a bit farther and is a running relay rather than walking...we'll see about that.

This is me and my mom during the race.  Our team was called "11 Hens and a Chick" because I was the youngest and the rest of the team was older.  At this point, nothing hurt too badly and it was still fun

This is afterwards...when everything hurt.  Im actually pointing at the finish line and not the old lady who probably passed me on the course and decided to photo bomb my pictures just to rub it in my face hahaha

Advice From Amy Poehler

For me, friendship is hard.  Im not one of those people who likes to go to big parties and Im not the friend that texts you everyday or hangs out with you everyday.  Im not going to lie, I actually really like being by myself...probably too much haha with that being said though, I do value friendship.  I think its so important to have people you can turn to when you're having a bad day and it seems like everything is against you.

However, I think its also super important to know who your real friends are and to not keep anyone around that makes you feel less than in any way.  There is a friend I used to have who I thought was my best friend.  We did everything together, went everywhere together...all that stuff.  Recently though, I've come to realize how small she made me feel.  If I hung out with someone she didn't like, we fought about it.  If I dated someone she didn't like, we fought about it.  If I didn't hang out with her when she wanted or text her everyday, we fought about it.  It was absolutely exhausting, and I spent three years trying to make things work.  I gave up a lot of good friendships and I was a bad friend to others because of this friendship with her.

She and I don't talk anymore, and while part of me is sad about it, the other part feels like I made the right decision in cutting off ties.  Nobody in your life should make you feel inferior, and you shouldn't waste time with people who do.

In the words of Amy Poehler, "Only hang around people that are positive and make you feel good.  Anybody who doesn't make you feel good, kick them to the curb.  And the earlier you start in your life the better.  The minute anybody makes you feel weird and non-included or not supported, you know, either beat it or tell them to beat it".

On a lighter note, we put eyebrows on my dog.  She's so fabulous.

The Painted Lady

I can not even tell you how excited I am right now...because...ME AND EMMA ARE GOING TO THE PAINTED LADY!!!! :)  Its this restaurant in Newberg that I saw on a "top ten restaurants in the country list" forever ago and have been dying to go to.  For my birthday my parents asked me what I wanted and I only had three things: reservations at The Painted Lady, a hot air balloon ride, or to go caving.  I knew I would only get one of these things and Im so happy with the one I got! Just look at this menu:

Chef's Trio

Chilled Potato/Leek Soup, Fanny Bay Oyster, Crème Fraiche, Caviar
 
Foie Gras Two Ways: Seared, Lentils, Chambord & Pate, Almond Tuile, Gooseberry
($7 Supplement)
 
Baby Carrot and Beet Salad, Savory Crumble, Ginger and Citrus
 
Venison Carpaccio, Arugula Salad, Horseradish Aioli, Parmesan
 
Hamachi Sashimi, Avocado, Pear, Cucumber, and Wasabi
—
 
 
Golden Halibut, Local Artichokes, Manila Clams and Hearts of Palm
 
Slow Roasted Salmon, Asparagus, Walnut Pesto and Celery Root
 
Potato Gnocchi topped with Wild Mushroom Ragout
—
 
 
Herb Crusted Filet Mignon, Potato Puree, Spring Vegetables
($6 Supplement)
 
Bacon wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Creamy White Polenta and Medjool Date
 
Rabbit Roulade, Cauliflower, Stinging Nettle & Wild Mushroom Agnolotti, Morels
 
Cardamom Scented Crepes with Roasted Vegetables, Cous Cous, and Red Wine Soubise Sauce
—

 
Chevre Cheesecake with Poached Pear and “Pearamel”
 
Oregon Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Compote and Balsamic Reduction
 
Chocolate Soufflé with Grand Marnier Crème Anglaise
 
Trio of Citrus:
Lemon Poppy seed Cake with Semifreddo, Orange Crème Brulee, Lime Tartlet 

I seriously can not wait! Im slobbering already.

Driving Lessons

Today Emma and I went and saw the new Star Trek movie.  It was so much better than I was expecting! I didnt care so much for the first one so I didnt have very high expectations for this one, but I was pleasantly surprised.
After the movie, I drove Emma to the church parking lot to practice driving for the first time (she just got her permit today).  It was pretty decent for a first time, but she's definitely not ready for the roads just yet.

Ironically, this is the song that was on the radio as I was teaching her to drive haha "I dont care, I love it".