Back in the USA: Oregon and Seattle!

For the past couple of months, I've been home in the States. I've mostly been in Illinois and Indiana, but I've also taken a couple trips.

My second trip was at the beginning of this month. I flew to Portland, Oregon to visit my friend Amy Marsh; we went to the same church in Korea from 2006-2008. I was there for eight days. We had a great time going around Portland together; she was an excellent host! My time in Portland included a soccer game, tubing down the Sandy River, an improve show, a (surprisingly sunny) day at the beach (including a stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory and the purchase of too much fudge), the Saturday market (on Sunday ^^), waterfalls and short hikes around the Columbia River Gorge, and some great food – a Korean burrito and several delicious foods (and drinks) during Happy Hour (which, for those of you unaware of Portland happenings, is a big thing there; nearly every restaurant or bar – and even shopping mart - has Happy Hour deals). One of my favorite Happy Hours was spent at a place where not only can you get cheap food/drinks, but also watch a movie in a gymnasium filled with sofas/armchairs for your viewing comfort... So we enjoyed tater tots (and I had an amazing veggie burger) and ruby ale whilst lounging on a sofa, watching a semi-new movie… All for a low price!

While in Portland, I also visited with two other friends from Korea, Sarah Lee and Greg. We all worked at LCI; during my first 2 months at the Ansan branch we worked together (it was their last 2 months). Sarah Lee is quite pregnant (7 months) so we just hung out around their apartment, and their neighborhood a bit, catching up, watching episodes of The IT Crowd, and watching many movie trailers (and even one movie).

Amy and I also went up to Seattle for a day. Our day trip included the Pike Place Market (including the first-ever Starbucks store), Pioneer Square, delicious food at a French café, and the Space Needle (though we chose not to go up; it’s very expensive!). In the evening we visited Jackie and Kevin, two more friends from Korea.

It was sad to leave Portland, but, alas, it had to be done eventually! (go here for photos!)