Portland

The cruise ended and the family drove down to Portland. My brother, sister-in-law and I stopped off in Seattle for a nice visit with a friend of my brother's. I had never been to Seattle before, and I liked it. I was surprised by how sprawled out and un-city-like it was; it's the type of place where someone could own a house and have a yard while still having the luxuries of a reasonably large city.

Portland is also a fabulous place. I like it here a lot. The people are overwhelmingly nice (or maybe I've just been in Paris for too long) and there seems to be a nice bridge between city and small town that makes this place have the best of both worlds. The laid-back atmosphere is nice, and I've been enjoying time spent with my sister just chilling out and giggling.

It's always nice to see people in their real element. I can't believe she's lived here two years and I haven't managed to get out here. Next, I'm on to New York to hang with my brother and some friends for a bit before taking the plane back to France.

I've enjoyed my trip back to the US more than any other trip back. Sure, there was the mild breakdown on the cruise, but I think it was a good thing in the end. I realized some stuff about what I want to do, where I want to be, and how I want to get there. It might not be the easiest road, but I can't not take it just because I'm afraid.

Today I talked to a good friend from high school on the phone for a bit. I feel so lucky to still be in touch with my dawgs from Ace Deuce. I really feel that they're somehow integrated into my backbone. Most of the strength I have now has come from knowing them. I think I'll miss everyone more than usual when I head back to Europe in a few days. That can't be a bad thing, though, really.