BLOG — Boots and Beer

Oregon is beautiful (minus the rather grim, rainy climate), as is the rest of the Pacific Northwest, and I have been meaning to visit since I got back from my year in Ireland. Two of my close friends moved to Portland and Eugene, and since I live quite a distance away, I hardly ever to get to see them. Quite frankly, too much time had passed, so I finally bucked up and bought my plane ticket to visit them for a six-day trip.

The trip was exactly what I needed to break up the monotony of my sea of 9-to-5's this summer, and I'm so stoked that my friends could take time off to spend with me! We got to do an assortment of fun shit, even with the rain putting a damper on our activity level. I’m talking about hot yoga, surfing, hiking, beach camping, and of course, all the noms. :)

This trip was not only fun, but also taught me a few lessons. I became aware of how inflexible and uncoordinated I am, and how I really need to get back into doing yoga and gymnastics, even though I still rocked that shit. I also learned that I'm still shit at surfing, though to be fair to myself, this is only my third time attempting to ride those waves. Trying to adult and prepare to go camping (buying a bunch of food to cook around the campfire, packing the car, attaching the surf board to the car roof) had quite a haphazard result. Sausages for dinner.Check. Eggs and other items, not check (we forget to pack any cooking items/utensils). Also, being on the far side and downward slope of the tent means that you will wake up soaked and miserable. And, for those that don’t know, I am one of the least graceful people you may ever meet, and my trying to photobomb other people’s photos in the fog means that I'll just tweak my ankle and land on my ass. What can I say? You live and you learn.

Did you know that when you attach a surfboard to a car roof, it makes an awful humming sound? You learn to tune it out after a while, but the initial onset of that sound is quite jarring. My two close friends and I ended up camping at Otter Rock on the beach, and hilarity ensued after we arrived and I attempted to put on their extra Body Glove wetsuit. I don't know if you have ever attempted to put on a wetsuit that has no zippers, but trust me, it is not an easy task! My friends both had to help wrench this thing over my body.

She can surf somewhat, me on the left on the other hand...

Small coastal city we stopped to grab breakfast and watch the sea lions.

Later on, we set up camp on the beach, and realized that we were severely under-prepared to go camping, but fuck it. YOLO, right? With sand in ALL our crevices, we decided to make the best of it. So, under the full moon, we had a great time getting drunk and eating sausages and marshmallows. And then, in our heavily buzzed states, we starting freaking out once the tide came in and we realized how ridiculously close it was getting to our tent. But, since we didn't wash away in the middle of the night or get swallowed whole by Cthulhu, you could say we were “winning.” We lived to see another day. :)

The next morning, still soaked and soggy from our beach adventure, we packed up and headed down to Eugene. The next few days that followed were filled with Saturday markets, flower gardens, good food, and hipster dive bars. Getting to hang with other old friends in Eugene definitely made for a better stay.

Freshly made nan and Indian food at the market.

This is a Chinese crepe or Jian bing. OMG so fire.

After the weekend, heading back to Portland was bittersweet. On the one hand, I went hiking near Multnomah Falls and ate WAY too much street food. All the noms! I regret nothing. :) But, on the other hand, the realization hit me that I probably won't get to see my friend for another year or so. I’ll miss her, but I wish her and her boyfriend all the best on their upcoming European travels.

Overall, it was an amazing trip to Oregon and it was so awesome that I got to visit with two of my favorite people! I am very grateful that despite the thousands of miles that separate us, and sometimes the weeks or months in-between times that we talk, we always pick up where we left off and most importantly always have each others back. Love you bitches, always and forever. Can’t hardly wait ‘till I see you again!

WORK HARD PLAY HARD. That's the motto I like to live by. Why limit yourself when you can have the best of both worlds?

The last few months have been a very interesting journey and I'm so happy to have come so far. For the last 3 months, I participated in a intense fitness challenge to kick my ass back into shape. I’m talking about group classes for interval training with weights 4-5 times a week, plus a pretty restrictive diet. Still have a ways to go, but I accomplished so much during that time. Made new friends, lost a bunch of weight, and I am now a member of a new gym. In doing all of this, I haven't had as much of an opportunity to adventure, but spring is in full swing, and it's time to get out in the world. But, bitch I can have my cake and eat it too. :)

It can be so hard to get out of a rut, but once you build up momentum, nothing can stop you. Except yourself. Don't let that shit happen. Don't let the world get you down. The only thing holding you back is you. Be stronger. Be better. Do better. Be kind, especially to yourself. That's something I struggle with on a daily basis. I am my own worst enemy. Just like a moth drawn to the flame. But I will fight and I will do great things, even if those things don't align with your ideas. Be unabashedly you, and stay curious y’all.

It's almost summer time. Ya know what that means? Bonfires, pool days, too much beer, camping, and adventures. However, working that 9-5 grind always puts a damper in my summer air. Ya heard? Here's my list of ways to stay sane while working that 40 hour work week. What's your favorite?

1. Spend at least 30 minutes a day outside and soak up the sun. I am one of those humans where my mood is highly affected by the weather. Get your vitamin D on.

2. Let loose. It's okay to totally throw your diet for a day. Life isn't fun if you can’t splurge sometimes. Or a lot of the time. As long as you know that it's all about that moderation.

3. AT LEAST once a month, push yourself out of your comfort zone. Try something new. Go on a weekend trip, try a new restaurant, and talk to that stranger you would normally be too shy to talk to.

4. Nature is your friend. I know it's hot. But get off your phone and spend some time getting back in touch with the natural world.

5. Write yourself motivating messages on sticky notes and put them on your mirror in your bathroom or on your fridge at home. i.e. hustle harder, do epic shit, love yoself.

6. Make time for friends old and new. Everyone these days likes to be so self-involved. Go out of your way to be there for someone, or do a random act of kindness for someone you've never met.

7. Stay active. Go on that bike ride even though you’re going to sweat through all your clothes. Don't be afraid to sweat. It's natural and it smells, but who gives a fuck?

8. Set a new goal and keep yourself accountable. Even better, tell friends and family. Post it to social media. That way you have more people counting on you to accomplish it.

9. Go on a holiday. As American's we don't not get nearly enough time off to spend with friends/family or time to see the world. Don't trick yourself into thinking that you can't afford it or that you will just stay at home on your days off. Go somewhere. Do something.

10. Treat yoself. Don't overthink it or beat yourself up over it. Be kind to yourself. After all, it's the little things in life that matter most.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST ADVENTURES WITH TWO OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE

10 WAYS TO WORK AND STILL STAY SANE DURING THAT SUMMER BUZZ