Also...

...I've officially blogged more in 2010 that I did in 2009. I knew it was a record-breaking year?!

...I think I'm going to change the layout soon. New place. New year. New blog layout, naturally.

...This might be the last post before next year. So, see you in 2011!

Back in Portland...for a few more days

This has been a few weeks in the making, but I am moving on to the next part of the journey...in Austin, Texas.

I leave on New Years Day. Pretty epic, I think. It will take me a few days to get out there. I'm planning on passing through Boise, Provo, Albuquerque, and Lubbock. So, it should be an adventure.

I'm anxious to start this new phase. Wish me luck.

Shout out to Mindy!

Just thought that you all should read this post. I think it's hilarious.

Thanks again Mindy!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I'm probably not going to be able to let you all know, individually. So, I just wanted to write this post telling you that I love you and wish you a very Merry Christmas this year. I hope you receive all the happiness that this season should bring. I'm glad we're friends (and in some cases family). Thanks for being so good to me.

Arohanui.

Mormon Notes: The Greatest Gift

I think it's time to remember why we celebrate Christmas!

People.

As the previous post indicated, I flew to Las Vegas in order to get to St. George, UT yesterday. One of the highlights (and sometimes the opposite) of flying, is the people you get to sit by.

I think that people are really fascinating and I really like them. I sat by a few really interesting people on my flights yesterday:

• One was the mother of college-age children; she is a Nurse acupuncturist and was flying north to be with her daughter and son-in-law. She sat in the aisle and her husband was on the other side in the aisle also. 

• The next couple I sat between were older. The husband worked for Boeing, but has since retired, and his wife is a travel agent. We only talked for a short time, but they were very nice.

• On my final flight, I didn't end up speaking to them at all--I was tired--so, I slept almost the entire time. 

Talking to people is a great thing. You never know who you're going to meet and I think you'd be surprised at how much fun you can have on a flight talking to a complete stranger.

Back to St. George.

So, I'm heading to St. George tomorrow bright and early! Very exciting. I actually really love flying because it usually means I'm going somewhere.

I'm going to visit with these folk for the holiday season:

It should be a very Merry Christmas indeed!

My flights are a different story...they aren't non-stop, that's for sure. I'm going to be in four different airports tomorrow. PDX. SEA. LAX. LAS. How do you like them apples?

For the record, I took the cheapest possible option on Hotwire. Thank you.

I love life.

I just thought that you all should know how much I am loving life right now. Sure, I would rather be married with three kids; but, you know what? That'll come. Ha ha. Do I sound desperate? Because I'm not--I'm just happy. You can't ask for anything more than that, right? Happiness is a great thing.

I have honestly always been really blessed. I have a great job and I'm progressing.

One point of interest: I'm patiently waiting to hear back from the United States Immigration Service to see if I'm allowed to work in the country passed next May. I have a visa until then, but beyond that, I may have to go home. However, I believe that outcome is highly unlikely. Highly unlikely.

Room or an apartment in Austin?

So, I continue to go back and forth on this. However, I can't figure out whether I want to (1) have my own place (I'm a grown up now, ya know); or (2) whether I just want to move in with randoms in Austin.

This picture is from New Orleans...however, it sums up my feelings about this. Ha ha.

I think there are pros and cons for both of these options:
(1 - some pros) I'll be able to do as I please and I've never lived alone before (New Experience).
(1 - some cons) It'll definitely cost more and I own no furniture. Ha ha.

(2 - some pros) I'll get to know new people and I'll save a bunch of money.
(2 - some cons) The people may be weird ("Keep Austin Weird" is their city motto).

Any of you have suggestions for me?

By the way...

Any of my avid BYU friends going to the University of Texas vs. BYU game in Austin next October. I'll be there.

Just saying.

Oh, Portland.

Are there any songs about Portland? I could probably google that, but I can't be bothered.

I guess I just wanted to write a little tribute to the place. Portland, you've been good to me. I'm pretty sure I'm going to miss you.

That's right. Even though you rain heaps and are a little cold right now, I've enjoyed my time here. Plus, you have a lot of awesome places to eat out. Watch out!

Family Update

It's been a long time since Thanksgiving and I know that you've all been waiting to hear what's going on.

Basically, I had an awesome Thanksgiving weekend. I cooked the turkey for my cousin and her husband. We had a fairly quiet day, the meal was really nice, and we went to watch "Unstoppable." Then, that weekend, we went and visited some of my cousin's friends in Washington state. I thoroughly enjoyed myself too. Great families and really nice people.

On our way home, we actually stopped in and had dinner with some distant relatives. So, my Grandmother's brother, Percy Rivers, had a daughter and she lives in Washington with her daughter and son-in-law. It was a blast from the past--to say the least.

Also, since I last posted, my older sister, Ariana, and my father, Hapi, have both celebrated their birthdays; along with my cute niece, Belle. So, a huge "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" to all of them from me and my mates in America. Love you.