Pumpkins----->Jack 'O Lanterns

I think fall really is my favorite season, and Halloween very well might be my favorite holiday.

I just spent the evening carving pumpkins with one half of my nieces and nephews.

And now I have pumpkin guts all over me. I guess that's what happens when a 23 year old "adult" and three kids between the ages of 2 and 10 get together and get carving.

One of the highlights of the evening was when my brother-in-law busted out the power tools to whip the youngest's pumpkin into a shape.

The kids got tired pretty fast, and the evening was hectic. This, believe it or not was the best shot I got of all of the three of them. I wish I could say I asked them to make scary Halloween faces...but it's just not true. They sure are terrifying though. ;)

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Lisa Lately

When I haven't been waiting tables lately, I have been staying up late-- scoring over Norwegian job sites, searching for work permit worthy jobs. And reading books. And stressing about packing all my stuff across the Atlantic and missing my family. And watching movies. And missing Lars, and learning some new recipes. And catching up with old friends, connecting with new ones and dancing the night away to live music. And changing diapers, and handing popsicles number seven and eight to my grandma (who definitely doesn't remember eating numbers one through six). And kicking ass, and taking names.

There isn't too much time left before I leave the country and I think subconsciously I have been trying to do as much as possible, prolonging bed time until 3 or 4 in the morning to make the most of the 24 hours in each of the few days I have left.

My plan isn't working, however. I need my sleep. And thus I end up sleeping late in the day and then puttering around for an hour or so before realizing that it is basically time to get in the shower and try to put together a work-appropriate ensemble (nice, but not too nice) since all my usual work clothes are dirty.

It's a vicious cycle, and one that I probably won't break anytime soon. So I will instead leave you with some recommendations: Read The Lovely Bones--it honestly changed my life. My Sister's Keeper was good too, although I feel like I should have cried but never did.

Watch 17 Again (if you're in the mood for a feel-good flick) and if you don't expect much, like I didn't, you just might be surprised with Zac Effron--he is actually talented for a teeny-bopper. Duplicity is also worth your time. I watched My Life in Ruins, which I don't necessarily recommend but for which I don't have a lot of negative criticism to offer either. The Proposal was pretty darn funny. Bullock is getting hotter as she gets older, and I finally was able to take Reynolds seriously. DO NOT see Couple's Retreat. Instead, watch the preview. That's basically the entire movie.

As for me, I'm prolonging bedtime and watching Slumdog Millionaire.

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Spokane

Have I mentioned I love fall? I really do think it is my favorite season of the year.

When I was in Spokane for the wedding weekend, I met up with Melissa Huggins and her boyfriend Sean Allen from PLU. I first met Melissa through Residential Life as we were coworkers as RA's in Tingelstad. Ever since then we remained in touch, rejoined staff a couple times, made a lot of innappropriate jokes and networked and have met many people through each other. One of them is Jamie Stewart, who I also worked with (briefly) and adore. She also just happened to be in Spokane (visiting from Alaska!) the same weekend I was there, and thus the four of us PLU alumni met up for a stroll in Eastern Washington, hours away from Tacoma.

I really had no idea what a nice place Spokane was...and I was lucky to explore it on a beautiful, crisp day, with friends that knew their way around a bit! We mostly just puttered around, got some coffee, checked out some waterfalls and goofed around. It was glorious to see all three of their happy, smiling faces again. I only wish I would have had more time there with them!

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A mansion wedding

On October 10th, a good friend of mine from PLU married his long-term girlfriend Kari. I was honored to be a part of the bridal party as one of Ryan's groomsmen (or a groomswoman I guess?). The wedding was at a Lutheran church in Spokane, followed by a reception at a mansion!

I had an absolute blast, met some new, fun people and really enjoyed what turned out to be easily one of the best wedding experiences of my life thus far.

I will say though, all that lovey-dovey stuff sure did make me miss Lars!

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Alumni Game

I don't EVER remember having so much fun playing softball.

This past Sunday, the new coach at PLU (starting her second season) hosted an Alumni Game after taking a break from it last year. During my career at PLU the Alumni Games were a big deal; previous players came from far away with their whole families, even people that graduated in the early 90's! Needless to say, everyone was very disappointed when it didn't happen last year and really excited when it was scheduled this year.

The day was magical--the weather came through, Mt. Rainer was out to spectate, we had exactly 9 players and were able to field our own team. Despite being out of softball shape, we actually played pretty darn well. We turned two double plays, had maybe two errors in eight innings, Heather and I both hit triples, quite a few others had solid singles, Liz made an awesome diving catch in center and our pitchers (after not pitching for years) really came to play. We had nothing to lose and we played like it.

It was AWESOME--worth every sore muscle and bruise--so incredibly good to be back. I just wish I could have stuck around a bit longer after the game and maybe have moseyed around campus a little bit but I had to hightail it back home to work at three. It was one of those beautiful fall days, where campus was looking especially inviting because of all the old bricks, changing leaves, green grass and good memories...

...I do believe PLU might always feel just a little bit like home.

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Turist in my Own Backyard

I feel like I took a vacation at home last week when Iselin came to visit me from Norway. Except I still worked. Hmm. Anyway, I picked her up late Monday night from the airport in just enough time to come home and get a good night's sleep in order to tackle Seattle the next day. We both bought City Passes so we spent $54 and received entry passes into quite a few of the tourist sights and saved a lot of moola!

The first day we hit up the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, the Space Needle (twice, once at day and once at night), Pioneer Square and lots of random sights and detours inbetween. We spent some qualiy rest time exploring and splashing in the fountain at the Center, and I can admit that I felt like a little kid again. I think we walked over 10 miles that day, back and forth between down town and the Seattle Center. By the time we got back on the ferry and headed home, we were absolutely exhausted.

But ready for another go the next day! The second attempt we handled some business first, checking out the Amtrak station that Iselin would be hopping on a train from the following Monday. After that we made our way back to the Market, met up with Melissa from PLU and explored the Experience Music Project. We had planned on checking out the Pacific Science Center as well but it was closed for some days (just while she was here haha). We weren't that disappointed, however, because it gave us just enough time to high tail it down to Pier 56 to get on one of the Harbor Cruises! Melissa, Iselin and I kicked back for about an hour and sailed around Elliot Bay.

We sadly said goodbye to Melissa and the biggest city in Washington and headed back to Little Norway once more. The bext day it was time to give our legs a break, so we sat our butts in some kayaks and paddled around the Puget Sound (after exploring the beach a bit, of course!).

We headed back, showered and ate and went into town so Iselin could meet Little Norway for the first time. I do have to say she thought it was pretty charming...which is lucky for her since she had to spend some serious time there while I was working. Luckily we were blessed with gorgeous blue skies and green grass that was begging for reading guests. :)

The next day it was Port Townsend for some more tourist fun. There was the annual Pt. Townsend Film Festival while we were there, but we couldn't convince ourselves to sit inside when it was such a gorgeous day outside. So we basically just wandered around (and goofed around). . . making lots of jokes and getting lots of strange looks from the Norwegian rolling off our tongues.

That night after I got off work, we basically had the best time of our lives. We went to see some live music and danced the night away! It was absolutely glorious and I think my face is still a bit sore from the smile that was plastered on my face all night. There was seriously so much goofy dancing that my entire body was sore the next day. (Might I mention, we found some serious hotties to dance with?)

Saturday, we made our way to Mill Days, a logging festival in Port Gamble. We listened to some country tunes, took down some coffee, watched some wood carving, rode some tractors, sampled fudge, checked out some old cars and tried our hand at the classic carnival games. Then after I got off work we stopped by my sister's 30th birthday party, headed home and called it a night!

Sunday, we took off to Sequim to see some zebras, grizzly bears and peacocks--OH MY! Yes, you guessed it, the Game Farm. I think my car still has buffalo slobber on it! We took it easy that night, reminscing on a great week and thanking each other for the company by sitting on the couch like zombies eating potato chips and watching movies on TV. Then it was up early the next morning to get Iselin on the train down south to San Diego.

I was sad to see her go. We had the best time, and I think I may have made a new best friend. I am looking forward to going back to Norway more than ever after having really connected with a Norwegian girl that I get along with well. I mean really, how do you endure a week as intense as that one, with language challenges without once being irritated with someone? That's gotta be a good sign!

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Cruella de Vil

I will admit that when I booked my return ticket to Norway I did calculate in October 31st as an important day to include in my time home. There is nothing like Halloween in the USA--I think I saw a few witches in shop windows last year in Hamar, and I do remember attempting to celebrate the essentially American holiday with my program in Spain in '06. But, as I said, there is NOTHING like Halloween in the States. And I am really looking forward to it.

This year I am realizing a life long wish (okay maybe not life long, but long at least) to be Cruella de Vil for the big night. I hadn't planned on it at all actually; I always thought the costume to be a bit too involved and a bit out of reach. However, today when I was shopping at Value Village with Brenda and Jamie, they showed me a fur coat that was to die for. It was a perfect Cruella coat and at $15 I just couldn't pass it up. I also got the gloves, the cigarette holder and some black and white hair dye. All I need now is a slinky black dress, some make-up tips and to get the night off work!!

TRICK OR TREAT?!?!?!

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