To Dare Mighty Things

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Sept 3 - Sept 11

It's been a long while since I've posted something. The good thing about blogs, however, is that you can continue where you left off even if some considerable time has passed. Unfortunately, so much has happened since I last wrote about me and Samantha's adventure, it will be impossible for me to detail everything that has happened since my last post. However, I will try my best to summarize our new life in the Pacific Northwest.

In my last post, Samantha and I had just moved from Eugene, OR to Vancouver, WA for new employment opportunities. Since moving here back in February of 2016, I have worked as a Child and Family Therapist for a non-profit organization called the Children's Center. Last month, Samantha accepted employment as a Victim Advocate for the Clark County Prosecutor's Office. In all this time, we have had many amazing moments and fantastical adventures including hiking excursions, beach trips, concert viewings, floating trips, long walks in random places, road trips, etc. In a nutshell, it's been a beautiful ride and it is a shame I didn't chronicle it as well as I should have. I let myself become a little complacent, but I plan on remedying that with this new post.

This last week was very special to me. My mother and her husband, Martin, came to visit me and Samantha between September 3 through September 11. For those of you who don't know my mom, she has never been anywhere outside the Midwest. So to have had her visit me in the Pacific Northwest was both a surprise as well as a treasure. I don't say that to be cheesy either. My mom has never had much vacation in her life, so for her to have made this trip was surprising because travelling long distances is something that she has simply never done and it was a treasure because I got to share this place that I love with someone very important to me.

Below is just a sample of some of the things we did together. What I enjoyed most about our time together was the shared experiences we had hiking and exploring. When you live so far away from your loved ones, you make the most of what time you have together. I also enjoyed that we made plans for future adventures the next time mom visits (which will hopefully be sooner rather than later). While it was sad to say goodbye, I can rest a little easier knowing that I finally got to share this place I love.

Mom and I enjoying the scenery at Seaside, OR.

Pretty view from Beacon Rock State Park.

Mom showing some love to Kermit.

Mom and I at the Oregon Zoo.

Enjoying some good food at the Tin Shed Garden Cafe in Portland, OR.

Enjoying a nice walk at the Forest Park in Portland, OR.

Mom and Martin at Forest Park in Portland, OR

Pretty shot at Beacon Rock State Park.

Mom and Martin at Multnomah Falls Restaurant

Mom and Martin in front of Multonmah Falls

Mom and I on the beach at Seaside, OR.

Huge kites on the beach at Seaside, OR.

An up-close shot of huge kites on the beach at Seaside, OR.

One of my favorite picks of the beach at Seaside, OR.

Mom and Martin at the car show in Seaside, OR.

Enjoying some treats

Mom and I (Seaside, OR)

Candid shot of me and Mom on the beach at Seaside, OR.

Mom and Martin on the beach at Seaside, OR.

Mom and Martin with the Pacific Ocean behind them

Mom, Martin, and I at the Nehalem Bay Winery.

Samantha and I in front of the Willamette River at downtown Portland, OR.

Mom and Martin in front of the Willamette River at downtown Portland, OR.

Mom near the top of Beacon Rock in Washington.

Mom and I at the top of Beacon Rock at Beacon Rock State Park in Washington

Mom and Martin at the Oregon Zoo

Samantha and I at the Oregon Zoo

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Moving to Portland (Vancouver actually)

It has been awhile since I have made a post in our blog. I apologize for that since so much has happened since our last post. Really, there is too much to say but I will cover the main points. First off, Samantha and I moved to Portland. Well, Vancouver really but its pretty much the same thing. Second, we moved to Portland because we got new jobs! While Eugene was treating us well, Samantha was offered an opportunity that was too good to pass up. She is once again a Victim Advocate! I am so proud of her, it's difficult for me to put into words how proud I am. I too also got a new job. My new job has me continuing to provide mental health services to children as a Child and Family Therapist. So far, I really like my job and the people I serve.

While we have lived in Portland for a month, we have spent much of our time getting situated into our new jobs and getting used to our new routine. That doesn't mean we haven't taken time to enjoy Portland. Since living here, we have gone to a cat bar (a bar with cats that keep you company), went to the art museum, got denied entrance into the exclusive Nike store in Beaverton, and enjoyed a craft beer brew fest. It is my hope that I can make bi-weekly posts like I did in Eugene. Sometimes life throws a curve ball, and you just have to embrace it.

Last day in Eugene, OR.

The apartment before moving our stuff in.

Samantha's new ride

Columbia River

Home sweet home

Rainbow in Vancouver. Good sign of things to come

Our new city!

Taking a stroll through Portland

Samantha telling a secret

Hanging out at Purringtons Cat Lounge in Portland, OR.

A cat at Purringtons Cat Lounge

Having a good time

Samantha and Kermit moving to Portland

Zamora wondering if this is the last move for awhile

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas…Happy New Year and any other festivities we might have missed out on during our period of silence. Although we have been somewhat quiet, we have tried to keep ourselves busy…mostly doing indoor stuff as it’s getting rainy and colder.

A few updates in the month of December are that, we finally got a dining table. Life has been tough without that piece of furniture. It was nice to have a homemade dinner at the table, with dim lights and fine wine. Also, I can now comfortably study for the GRE/MAT exam!

Some fun stuff we did was participate in a Santa Pub Crawl where people dress up as Santa and walk around downtown singing classic Christmas songs. On Christmas day we opened up our gifts! We were so thankful to receive gifts from folks in Springfield, Missouri. I won’t lie, it was a tough Christmas, our first away from family. Those gifts made it a lot easier to get through. We then had dinner with our friend Ezi in Salem, Oregon, and her family. She had an awesome spread of food from her home country, Cameroon. And with African music playing in the background, we couldn’t help but reminisce about the many Christmases spent with family. It was a fun night.

Of course before the year ended, we managed to watch the much awaited Stars Wars movie. It was everything we expected and more. Justin was taken back to a much more innocent time in his life. If you haven’t watched it yet, you must!

We got invited to a New Year’s Eve party. It was hosted by members of the African community here in Eugene. The food was amazing, the entertainment was pretty good and the music…let’s just say the Lwali family would have appreciated it. The New Year was ushered in at a loud venue with some friends from the party, but most importantly, we had each other…

Finally a new year has arrived. So many changes happened at the end of last year. It hasn’t been an easy ride, and we are still struggling to settle in, but we are a lot more optimistic about our future and can see ourselves being a part of the rain, fog, trees and mountains this part of the world has to offer. This year we hope to visit family and friends, make progress in our careers and be more adventurous.

We love you all and we are thankful for your support and prayers. Happy New Year!!!