Angels in the Snow

It doesn't always snow in Portland, but when it does people tend to have this amazing spirit of helping each other overcome the great white beast.

I have come to realize this after living on a steep hill, where we have seen some pretty nasty car pile-ups due to ice and snow, and pretty amazing people helping whenever they can.

But after this Christmas, I know that it isn't just our neighborhood - its Portland.

Allow me to illustrate - Christmas Eve - I was going to David's family's Christmas Eve service on trecherous thawing roads. At one point our little white Pontiac Grand Am spun out of control, nearly falling into a ditch, and getting stuck in the snow. We were half way across the street when a random person jumps out and starts pushing us, only to disappear as soon as the car moved an inch.

Then later that night, as David and I were going home, we knew the Pontiac would not be able to make it up the steep hill, so we parked at the bottom and decided to hike up. Before we could even begin the incline, a man on an SUV appears and offers us a ride. Apparently, he has been giving rides to over 20 people that day and helping tow others throughout the recent storm!

Christmas morning, we started our journey down the hill to our parked car when a person from church just happened to be driving by! We waved him down and he gave us a ride to the bottom of the hill!

On the way back from church, as we were trying to make our way up a hill, a neighboring man eagerly gave his shovels for our use, and even lent a hand.

This is what Christmas is all about, eh? Being there for your neighbor, with no need for anything in return, just simply loving and lending a hand.

I think this has definitely been a memorable Christmas, not just because of the chaotic snow, but because of the amazing spirit of the people - whatever compelled them to help and come out of the usual shell, may that continue to grow throughout the year and into years to come!

Snowflake

Snow.
It falls from the sky
Lands on the ground
And either melts or sticks.

What kind of snowflake are you?

There are certain conditions that help
Is the ground cold?
Are there other snowflakes to keep it company?
Support?

What kind of snowflake are you?

Are you already on the ground, white and untouched?
Are you already on the ground, stepped on and dirty?
Or are you falling from the sky?

What kind of snowflake are you?

Are you powdery or wet?
Do you blow with the wind?
Or maybe you're packed solid?
Are you turning into ice?

What kind of snowflake are you?

Because life is a snowstorm.

There are seasons, there are reasons.

Things change and we're so fragile
Like snowflakes we can change
Be affected, melt, be broken
Blown by the wind
What is our foundation?

And how much can people tolerate us?

Though snowflakes don't have control of themselves
We do.

So what kind of snowflake are you?

Never alone

Today, I was sitting on my laptop going through some wedding planning details when my little 7 year old brother runs in begging to play with him. He is a musical boy, so he suggested we go to the room with the piano so I could still work on the computer while he plays and sings for me. So the darling started singing about how I would be getting married to David and that he would miss me. This inevitably made my heart melt. Then he started jumping on the bed and saying how he would miss me and then he said, in a matter of fact way, to "give me a hug because I'm going to miss you."

I couldn't help myself - I started bawling. He looked at me and said reassuringly, "Elena, don't cry. You will never be alone because you have David and God."

It was the most beautiful thing that gave way to more tears. But out of the mouths of babes, the words are true. <3

Last Week!

Last week was absolutely amazing - from Sunday to Saturday, an absolute blessing moment after moment! Many great things have happened, new milestones reached, and inevitably announcements that must be made.

First, great news - I finished Fall term 2008. It was brutal term - my first attempt at working full-time and going to school full-time, but praise GOD I survived and am ready to take on the next term. :) Only 5 terms to go!!

The next milestone of life is my great age - I have reached the infamous 21. It was a great time indeed. This year I was fortunate enough to celebrate it twice, first at Barberry Apartments doing arts and crafts with kids and friends, and then at Pambiche in NE Portland. Pambiche has amazing Cuban cuisine - thank you Oksana for suggesting it. Their website also has great music, which did greatly influence my decision to go there (along with their colorful archecture).





And last week concluded with the most wonderful, biggest decision of life events - I got engaged! It was the greatest galactic explosion yet, and there is plenty more to come. :)

Overall an exciting week that didn't simply end. The fun continues as we are snowed in and the city continues freezing. I had the day off today, and am wondering if the same will be for tomorrow...

And all of this BEFORE Christmas! I don't imagine life can get any better :)

Find It Quick!

I really love this game, and I need some music as I am trying to keep my sanity amidst the studying and writing...so here it is :) The Shuffling game! I don't have an Ipod so it is completely my special Pandora mix..

1. Put your music on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Post it wherever you feel like and share it with someone else!!


If someone says, "Is this okay?" you say...
Just Hope - Badfish

What would best describe your personality?
Wow - Spin Doctors (you better believe it! :D )

What do you like in a guy/girl?
This I Promise You - *NSync (yes, if every word you say is true ;)

How do you feel today?
Home - Michael Buble (actually, I am where you are, hehe)

What is your life's purpose?
Soul Rebel - Cornel Campbell (love it!)

What is your motto?
Be With You - Enrique Iglesias (lol)

What do your friends think of you?
Rodeo Clowns - Jack Johnson (interesting..)

What do you think about very often?
Great Is Your Mercy - Donnie McClurkin (amen!)

What is 2+2?
As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys (guess its all relative, as long as you have love :)

What do you think of your best friend(s)?
Don't Speak - No Doubt (I sure hope not..)

What do you think of the person you like?
Why Can't I - Liz Phair (yes David, why can't I breathe when I think of you? I love you!)

What is your life story?
Heaven By Your Side - A1 (awww...)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Look After You - The Fray

What do you think when you see the person you like?
Hold On To The One - Slightly Stoopid (truth!)

What do your parents think of you?
Crooked Teeth - Death Cab For Cutie (wow, true)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Little Victories - Matt Nathanson

What will they play at your funeral?
Show Yourself Strong - Fred Hammond

What is your hobby/interest?
All This Beauty - The Weepies (yes! everyday is ice cream and chocolate cake!)

What is your biggest secret?
Nothing Left To Lose - Mat Kearney (but I still wont tell you :P)

What do you think of your friends?
Inconsolable - Backstreet Boys

What's the worst thing that could happen?
Radar - Britney Spear (yes, getting caught by the radar by a cop on a motorcycle)

Where will you die?
Where The Streets Have No Name - U2

What is the one thing you regret?
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - Jack Johnson

What makes you laugh?
This Years Love - David Gray (an extended smile :D )

What makes you cry?
He Got Game - Public Enemy (because its so beautiful!)

Will you ever get married?
Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2

What scares you the most?
The Gladdest Thing - Deb Talan (not sure why)

Does anyone like you?
Come And Get Higher - Matt Nathanson (:D)

If you could go back in time, what would you change?
Naked As We Came - Iron & Wine

What hurts right now?
When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating

What will you post this as?
Find It Quick - Steel Purse

Black Friday Shopping Mania

I will admit it. As much of a shopper as I was and am, I have never gone shopping on Black Friday. Working in retail for two years, I have worked the maniac hours and seen people crowd the stores as if it was the only day to shop. When I wasn't working, I intended to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to hit the proclaiming sales of the year and score some serious bargains. But I could never get myself to wake up that early after an amazing, exhausting Thanksgiving feast and celebration.

So this year, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Woodburn Company Stores started their Black Friday madness on Thanksgiving night!! No need to go to sleep and wake-up early to go shopping (I love shopping, but not more than sleep). So at around 9:30pm, David my boyfriend, David my brother, and I jumped into the car and drove off to Woodburn.

As we approached the exit, we realized we were stuck being several miles of traffic. It was literally going stop and go, the parking lot was full, and people were abandoning their cars to jump the fence. It was insane!

Finally, after an hour of waiting in traffic (2 miles) and finding a parking spot we began our adventure.

We shopped, literally until we dropped. Scoring sweet deals on athletic gear from Adidas and Nike, to the rare 50% off everything at Banana Republic. By 3am, we started getting a little delirious and everything seemed to look good. The crowds withered by then and we realized we should probably head back to Portland.

On the way, we figured we might as well stop by Fry's. Fry's, supposedly had amazing sales. I have never gone to an electronic store this early in the morning and never did I expect to wait in line for at least an hour to buy my products. I nearly croaked.

So it was pretty much an experience to remember. Several of the "morals" or thoughts I take away from all of this is simply... Elena, you are not as crazy as a shopper as you once were. I could handle probably 2 hours of the madness, but an all-nighter of shopping?! What once was my fantasy has now become a nightmare. Lines, stampedes of people, and way too much things to choose from, things I may not even need, is not worth the sacrifice of precious sleep. A few extra dollars of saving...well...I love bargains...but it just may not be worth it.

I don't regret this experience. In fact, I think its really given me a greater insight into humanity. The mania that surrounds black friday is insane. It is addicting and draws you in. But in the end, leaves you no better off than before (I got merely 2 Christmas gifts off my list in over 6 hours of shopping).

Will I do this next year? Haha.. We'll see. I can't quite say no, but I don't want to think about it now. But then again, I suppose that is the mysterious power of Black Friday...