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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