Way too long since I have posted!

Man, the last 2 or 3 weeks (or whatever it has been) has gone by in a blur.  I can't believe that we are already entering into the 2nd week of July!

The rain has finally let up, and we have been taking advantage of the sun!

So since so much time has passed since I last posted, here are some of the highlights :)

I spent some time in Portland for work for our Board and Staff Retreat.   While there I....

Had some delicious port flavored ice cream from this adorable pattisserie on Division St near 35th St.

I also stayed with a friend/co-worker nearby and went out after dinner one eve with her and some of the other co-workers.  It was a blast!

I rode the train there and back...which I just love!  I wish I could take the train everywhere. 

Then last weekend, we got to have a full, 4 day weekend!  It was awesome!  I ended up working a half day on Friday, as we had a table outside our new office for the First Friday Art Walk in Eugene.  We are moving into the office soon...

Not the best pic, but I will be moving into this office with Helios, the Bus Project, Basic Rights Oregon and I, of course, will be the Oregon League of Conservation Voters peep!  It is going to rock!

Also over the 4th weekend, I worked in my amazing garden some more.  I am so stoked about how well it is doing this year!  Here is a pic from last weekend.  Since then I have planted pumpkins, acorn squash and new rows of lettuce and arugula.

And check out my pretty peas...

Yay!

Then on the 4th of July, my hubby and my friend and I went out on our new raft to float on the river.  It was great!  We went out a bit late and ended up having to catch a ride with an awesome group on their speed boat though....lol!

My hubby and friend in the boat....

And a pretty great pic of the 3 of us!

Cheers!

This weekend we had a going to China party for my hubby.  He will be leaving next week for China!  It is crazy, but I am excited for him.

Have a great rest of your Sunday, and a good week as well!

Ash

Day One - New Job-

Today I started the new job.  It is going well.  Lots to do, but that is always the way it is in the world of non-profits!  I am excited to get on the road and start meeting people in my other counties.  My hope is to be in Portland for training one more day, then in Bend, Oregon the rest of the week and into the weekend for more training then the Rebooting Democracy conference by another group I am involved in. :)

It was definitely an interesting day. I tend to notice the little funny things more when I am alone. Here are some observations from today:

1) I take parking in Eugene for granted.  Everyone in Eugene hates the parking situation, but I don't know why they get so upset.  For example, in order to park close to my work today in PDX, I had to give my keys to the attendant so that he could move my car at some point. For a 'small town' girl, this was new to me, lol.

2) I love seeing how areas of town are mixed.  Today I noticed that just across the street from our nice office building with art galleries and restaurants on the ground level there is a place that advertises "Exotic Dancing" until 4am. (I think I really am starting to sound sheltered! haha)

3) The little bar I went to tonight to have food and get a drink was hilarious.  When I asked for a vegetarian option, I sorta got a funny look.  I asked about the 'baked mac and cheese' and the server said that was vegi, so I ordered it.  When it came it was literally kraft mac and cheese baked into a fried crust thing (like the outer part of fried mozzarella sticks).  Hmm...well at least I got to try a new food! hehe

4) To make the experience even better, there were these awesome women, probably in their mid 60's and older, learning line dancing to new pop music like Kid Cuddi.  They would start the song and do the first 16 beats or so and then pause the song to learn the next dance moves.  It was seriously great! Go ladies!

5) Finally, I am not sure if I am comforted or saddened by the fact that Portland, a much larger city and metro area than Eugene and its metro area, has tv news that it is at least as bad, if not worse, than Eugene's.  They actually showed a clip of a baby on youtube that would scream and cry when Miley Cyrus was on tv, and would laugh and dance when Jon Bon Jovi was on....wow.