Oregon, in the winter.

Exploring with the fam, some foggy day in april

I'm not going to write descriptions for these photos. There are yummy snacks, and rivers, fantastical trees, and ponies. I think everyone's imagination can make a little something out of that mix.

Holidays in Eugene, 2009

Yes, I'm super lazy. Yes, these are super old. But, I was going through my photos today, and realized I never did anything with the photos I took over the holidays last year. So, two new batches of old photos are coming your way.

X-mas eve, we went to the holiday market with family friends. Anandum is and old friend of Ravi's, and in recent years, neighbor too. His kids - Tap, Nitya, Tarun and Neet are all amazing people.




The whole crew, at Tom's wood working workshop




Afterwards, X-mas eve dinner at Govindas. That's Erik, Tap, Nitya, Michele, and Anandum going counter clockwise around the table. Where is Asha?

Asha, crouched over her Christmas presents. I think she's about to hatch a few more.

Erik's Box!

Sooooooo cute.



Time to go home already! So sad. It's a good thing we had a lovely train station to wait in.

Snow makes me happy.

So this week has been kind of amazing. I don't work on sunday or mon. I cleaned the house, died my hair, and started a secret felting project. Tuesday was a snow day. Erik and I finally went to the stamp collectors shop, did a little exploring and shopping downtown, and repotted some plants. I even trimmed my hair a little. Wed the Uw was supposed to reopen. But thank to my friends and Komo news, the many wonderful students who left comments on the Uw alter blog, and lots and lots of footage of cars sliding around Seattle's icy streets, the Uw closed Wed too. We went to the book store, the library, and each bought a pair of slippers, and a scarf.

The next few days are holiday, and one I'm looking forward to. The first thanksgiving I ever spent with Erik, it was just the two of us. And I remember thinking I finally found somewhere I belonged. Tomorrow we plan to make banana pancakes for breakfast, and will continue to enjoy that feeling of belonging that's lasted seven years.

And, if you were counting, that means I got one full week off work. That's right. A week. No vacation leave or planning, no sick leave, no negotiations. No travel plans, no house guests, no schedule Just a full week off work, totally free, totally awesome.

Pigeons!

I've always loved pigeons, but since we moved to our new apt, the obsession has intensified. There is a little park 4 blocks from my house, where I take the bus to work every day. This park is full of pigeons. Someone surreptitiously feeds these pigeons under the bushes - they are all very fat, very lazy, and totally rad. My favorites are the almost white ones, with black flecks. Bit I love them all, when they are waddling, with their little heads bobbing back and forth. Sigh, they are so pretty... and so dorky :)

omg sparkeliest ring evar

My ring came in the mail today! I ordered it from Kate Szabone, and I couldn't recommend her more. Everything she makes is so delicate, all of her diamonds are conflict free, and she let me fuss over every little detail.

Guys, diamonds are so sparkly. They really are! I've never been that excited about the clear white ones, I didn't see what the big deal was. Mine is a stormy grey one, very rhutilated, that changes a ton in the light. I was expecting all of those things from the photos, but the sparkles were an unexpected and totally welcome bonus.

I guess I really am getting married! 9 months to go, bring it on.