Tag Archives: Portland

Now With Bigger Photos

A change of season brings a change to the blog. I’ve been longing to post bigger photos on here for a long time so, on a whim, I decided to update the blog template. No more header image, just a clean and simple design that will show my photos the way I want them to be seen (ok, I also want them to be displayed in a gallery somewhere one day but I’m taking baby steps).

I also plan to update the about me and contact pages but they require me to spend a little time finding the right words. Writing doesn’t come easy to me and writing about myself... well, let’s just say it could take a while.

Oh, and I also need to update my portfolio.

I’d better start a list…

In the meantime, I’ll procrastinate by posting a couple of new photos. I took these at Powells last week, otherwise known in our family as the best place to waste a few hours in Portland.

Today’s Photos Finding Zen Under the Sakura

Yesterday was the perfect Spring day – warm and partly cloudy with just a few short sprinkles of rain that quickly disappeared. I took the day off to spend with the kids during their Spring Break and we made a spur-of-the-moment decision to catch a train into the city.

I have to admit that I had a personal agenda. I’ve lived in Portland for almost ten years and this is the first time I’ve managed to make it to the Waterfront while the cherry blossoms are in bloom. The kids agreed to let me take some photographs after I promised a visit to Powells and some rotating sushi for lunch. I think I got the better end of the deal.

Ambulance Rides and A Curious Look Back

Our Spring Break is off to a rocky start. What started out as a nice, sunny morning, quickly became a scary situation when Kei was taken by ambulance to the hospital after suffering an allergic reaction to some medication. He’s OK now, but I was very worried. The up side? The kids were with him and experienced their first (and hopefully last) ride in an ambulance. Thomas said it was cool, even if they didn’t turn on the siren.

Side note: It hurts a little that, in an effort to save money I arranged a series of childcare swaps with friends rather than sign the kids up for day camps. It was a fantastic plan (and still is) but, sadly, it looks like that money will be spent on medical bills instead. Don’t get me wrong, the ambulance ride was absolutely necessary in this instance. I just wish it didn’t drain our bank account.

Let’s change the subject, shall we?

I was looking through my photos from the past few weeks and realized that apart from the red couch pics, I hadn’t shared the rest of our photos from our recent visit to OMSI. While I used to take Thomas to the science museum a lot when he was a toddler – they have a baby playroom – I realized I hadn’t taken them to check out the museum since they have been old enough to really enjoy and understand it. A school holiday seemed like the perfect opportunity.

After my kids asked me what this is…

…we made a stop in the ball room where the they had to build tubes and then use forced air to move balls through the tubes. Samuel showed me around.

And, honestly, I think they were a little delusional with this sign.

We then wandered around learning about balance and earthquakes and all things physics. I may have even learned a thing or two.

This was so much fun – paper, a pen and a pendulum.  think we made about six of these drawings.

Sadly the boys wouldn’t let me take any pictures of these with their static electricity hair, but this was the next best thing.

We built perfectly balanced arches…

Played with some puppets…

and looked for fossils.

We even sorted some recycling, although Thomas looks a little perplexed by this potato.

It was a great day – so much so that we stayed for about five hours and were forced to eat in the OMSI cafeteria. I have to say, though, that the food was actually very good. I’ve eaten in a lot of museum cafeterias and was incredibly impressed by the quality and the reasonable prices. I’m tempted to go back even without a museum ticket.

I’ve determined that 7 and almost 5 are great ages for OMSI. At this age, the boys have just enough curiosity that they’re not easily jaded by things like electricity and, well, puppets. I think we’ll go back agan soon although I think a trip to the Planetarium might be on the cards. I think the boys would really enjoy it and, to be honest, I might too.

Today’s Photo of a Mountain Above the Clouds

When you live in a Portland winter, it sometimes feels like an airplane is the only thing that’s going to get you to a little sunshine. Not a bad view from my window seat to Seattle this morning.

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Wordless Wednesday: Zoolights on the last day of 2012

This year we got it right – arrived just as the sun was setting and the gates opened, boarded the second train with almost no wait and brought our own (delicious) Hot Chocolate and snacks, and dressed appropriately for the below-freezing temperatures. The skies were clear and the air was icy but the kids did not complain once about the cold. The perfect sendoff to 2012.

Bring on (Some) Rain

This weekend will bring rain to Portland and, apart from the two hours when I’ll be praying for the skies to part long enough for me to take some fabulous photos of a friend’s family, I welcome the wet weather. A dreary day will leave me with no excuse but to spend a little time indoors crossing things off my long to-do list. I need to get a start on some Christmas gifts, finish editing a photo session from last weekend and squeeze in some much-needed exercise.

Last weekend we managed to get outside despite the wet weather and take a quick hike around Oaks Bottom. On a slightly related note, Samuel spent a good part of the weekend repeating his favorite new Japanese word, Oshiri, which happens to mean bottom. Quite the coincidence and, apparently, hilarious.

It was wet and cold but so much fun. It’s been a while since we’ve all been on a hike together and I forgot how much I enjoy getting away from the house to spend time looking for frogs and listening to birds.

It was probably also our last chance to take in some autumn foliage. I’m pretty sure the rain will take care of the last few leaves this weekend.

Catching Up With The BFG

About three weeks ago (I know, regular blogging has not been my strong suit lately) the boys and I went to see The BFG at the Northwest Children’s Theater. I grew up reading Roald Dahl’s twisted stories so was likely more excited than both Samuel and Thomas combined to see one of his world’s come to life on stage.

And, in short, it was wonderful, although a little scary according to my children – even though they both knew the story and that the bad giants were clearly not going to be able to eat them through their massive foam heads.

Besides, they’re actually quite friendly in real life.

At one point Thomas kept telling me he had to go to the bathroom, just so he could leave the room. While I felt a little cruel making him stay (although I let him stand behind a piller at the back of the room), I knew how important it was that he stay for the happy ending. Because there is ALWAYS a happy ending. I just had to make it through a few loud declarations of “I DON’T LIKE THIS!” (Apologies to the people sitting near us).

I also didn’t want him to miss the fart jokes – they’re the best part.

After the show, we made our way out into the foyer to meet the cast and grab a few autographs. The boys were a little shy at first but, after getting their first autograph, Thomas was suddenly motivated to get them all. Well, motivated to push his brother forward to get them all for him.

We managed to gather autographs from every single cast member, but I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied until I managed to capture of photo of the BFG himself. And I also knew that a photo of the BFG would be nothing without a small boy standing beside to provide scale. It took quite a bit of coaxing, but Samuel finally stepped up to the challenge.

In the car ride on the way home, the boys both told me how much they loved the play and replayed the fart jokes out loud over and over and over again.

And I think they both learned that it’s always worth watching until the happy ending.

Karaoke is Good for the Soul

I am convinced that there is nothing quite as good for the soul as gathering a bunch of girlfriends to sing at the top of their lungs, have a few drinks and enjoy a lot of laughs.

I have loved Karaoke since that very first time I went out partying with a group of Japanese Mailmen after my day as the honorary Postmaster General of Sukagawa Japan. (A very long story that I may share on the blog one day). I remember at one point during that evening many (many!) years ago, and likely after more than a few sakes, it suddenly occurred to me that no one cared if I sang out of tune. What they cared about was that we were all having a good time and, for this frustrated High School-musical-star-wanna-be, it was wonderful to feel free enough to sing at the top of my lungs with no judgement. The only danger was that I wouldn’t have enough fun, and that was entirely up to me.

So, when my friends at work look at me like I’m insane every time I tell them I am out for another night of Karaoke, I try to explain that you don’t have to be a great (or even a good) singer to enjoy it. You just need to make sure you’re with great friends who are willing to let go of their fears and inhibitions as much as you are.

And if you have some reservations, a little jalapeno sake can always help get you through the first couple of songs…

Side note: I’m pretty sure this next photo was taken during one of the many Beastie Boys tributes of the evening.

And this next song had a line about tears… or crying. Our performances tend to get more literal as the night goes on.

Thanks for a wonderful night ladies and my apologies for keeping you all out so late. Who knew that a three hour Karaoke session could turn into five hours so easily? I guess that’s what happens when you’re having just TOO much fun.