DISCLAIMER : With great willpower, I have managed to not eat past I’m full and to save leftovers for a second meal – this also makes me think that I’m being frugal. Point is, I’m going to fill this post with a lot of food pictures, but I have not been gluttonous :D

Also, I found this coincidental quote that I would like to dedicate to my parents. I read it in a book called “Tea with Jane Austen” (a surprisingly educational read) – The chapter was titled “Cents & Sensibility”

“I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant & spending all my Money; & what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too.”  -Letter from Jane Austen to her sister, Cassandra, 18 April 1811

So, Mom and Dad, I promise not to buy as much food/coffee as I did this past week – I blame my over zealousness on a tid bit of loneliness and my need to explore the new city but now that week one is over – I am newly decided on frugality!

BEGIN : Alright, now I can get to the actual purpose of my blog instead of rattling and self-justifying. I’ve read two books this week, watched about 8 movies, worked for Kiki Magazine, Bent, and surprisingly I’ve spit out an illustration that is halfway done! I’m moving at a good pace :)

The only problem at work is that there is no lunch/lounge room. There’s a kitchen (with salty temptous jars of Adam’s peanut butter) but sadly there is no where for people to sit and chat or for me to read during my break. Day one Nando took me out to lunch, which was super nice! Day two I ventured out on my own to find a spot to read. I came across Cafe Pallino, and I was going to just sit and read, but then I felt guilty using their space, and then I saw gelato, and then I tasted it…so yes, I bought a small cup of brownie coldness and enjoyed a few pages.

Day three at work I went out again, terrible me. There are about 3 coffee shops in a row, but I decided on one. I bravely ordered salmon on foccacia with red peppers, avocado, tomato, leaves and ate half of it. It was damn good but it was a for sure tummy acher. I’m not used to so much rich fish in one sitting. It was so decadent and tasty, but my poor stomach was yelling “WHERE the hell is the peanut butter and carbs?!” I satisfied it’s request with a cinnamon orange scone.

Day four at work I got smart and ate pb&j, cut my lunch hour to 15 mins, and left at 5 so I could go downtown to this event called “First Thursday”. Once a month these galleries, all within a couple blocks of each other, open their doors, serve free wine and goodies, and provide some live music. Downtown Portland by myself at night was a little daunting, but once I found the galleries, I was grateful I had braved the bus ride to experience it.  The first gallery I walked into featured these gorgeous oils of Andalusians, Fresians, Lippizaners…horses that seemed to move off the wall in a flurry of bold color and wispy strokes. I fell in love and couldn’t stop staring at them. I introduced myself to the artist and we chatted about her painting method and horses and she said she would help me find a place to ride here! Here name is Janey Belozer, and she inspired me to want to PAINT, not with a Photoshop brush, but with real, messy, wet colors on textured canvas. Sigh, maybe one day I can sell paintings of horses? Pretty please?

(Below is a picture of the Lightrail – I haven’t been on it yet, but it’s almost like an above ground subway. Under that picture is one of the paintings by Janey Belozer.)

Well after getting woozy off a glass of wine and an empty stomach, I rode the bus home and ended up checking out a small bar with my roommate. We chatted, I ordered a grilled cheese (which was melty and gourmet with 3 cheeses – way more than I expected for a few bucks at a hole in the wall bar)  and a mudslide. I’d say the night ended rather spectacularly.

Friday night was a bust…I watched a movie (I can’t even remember which one), ate leftover grilled cheese heated in the oven (no microwave here) but then I got to video chat with my favorite boy! Video chatting when your 2,000 miles away is a blessing. That night I froze again and woke up multiple times.

TARGET to the rescue!! But first I spent Saturday morning walking and walking until I came to Fresh Pot, a coffee shop inside of a gargantuan, used, new, sprawling bookstore in which it pained me to pass. I browsed but resisted – I’ve got the library right?

(Below is a picture of a BRIGHT turquoise house that I passed while walking, a pretty aquamarine plant, and my shoes – what I see for at least 50 minutes every single day.)

Anyway, I sat down with my computer at Fresh Pot to do some work and had a vanilla latte which disappeared quickly.

After, I walked around – the area had a lot of neat little shops – toy stores, vintage stores (there are lots of those around here, I swear no body buys anything new in Portland), restaurants, theaters, etc… Eventually my latte digested and my stomach rumbled. I tried going to Pine State Biscuits – this famous eatery, but the line was long and out onto the street. I guess biscuits here are what cupcakes are in NY? I passed and walked to the Laughing Planet, another popular food destination. Cheap Mexican accompanied with leftovers and a crazy environment where there were dinosaurs on the tables and kids running around like hooligan monkeys. I left very quickly and decided that Qdoba is, by far, way yummier.

Okay so after that I thought I was done with food…but dammit, a beautiful pink window sign that said “cupcake” magnetized me inside where I purchased a bite size chocolate cupcake with mint butter cream icing at 75 cents. Um. Do I even need to explain how good it was? Let’s just say the cake to icing ratio was ideal – swift satin mint and a kiss of spongy chocolate.

Next it was time to pay the stupid bus fee of 2$ so that I could go to Target and buy a 17$ comforter. How marvelous is it that they had a gold queen size comforter with zebra stripes on sale? Yea, I’d say 100% marvelous. Plus I bought a blue tooth headset so that I don’t have to walk with my hand on my ear coming  home from work everyday…mommy makes me call her :p

After that, Jody (roommate), said she was headed to the Clackamas Mall to pick up a necklace. I tagged along, for fun – another chance to see more of Portland! Their mall was fancy looking and I saw a See’s Candy store – so I took a pic for my Nana, she loves their toffee and Kenwood only has it during Christmas! I also spotted a puppy who wanted me to take him home – why is it that I always want a build-a-bear? He’s so cute!!!!! GARH. I resisted buying a stuffed animal though, don’t worry, even though its fluffed dots and glistening eyes pleaded with me.

Saturday night ended with me being tired and sleeping under my warm blingin’ comforter.

Sunday I ventured out again to Pine State Biscuits. There was still a line at 9am, but not as long. I ordered a bacon, egg, cheese biscuit sandwich with a small side of gravy. It was so crowded that I had to sit a table for 4 with 3 men who were eating together. They asked me why I was taking a picture of my food. I laughed and then I bit into my sandwich. Oh my lordy, how incredibly crumbly, milky, fresh, gooey, crunchy, salty….the heart attack seeped into my tongue and poisoned my buds with an addiction. I WILL go back before I leave :D

After that I sat at the Opposable Thumbs Cafe and worked on a design for Kiki (I LOVE doing stuff for them – always makes me happy and I get to draw!). After my heavy heavenly biscuit settled into my stomach, I ordered an iced vanilla latte and ahhh, yet another experience for my mouth – rich and cold, the perfect mix of creaminess and wickedly dark espresso. Best iced coffee to date – screw you Starbucks.

So finally, I’m done talking about food (and don’t expect as much yumminess next week, I NEED to save money!!)

I came back home after the cafe and met Jody’s friend (yey I know one more person in Portland, I can see my social network growing at a tedious rate…) We went to this vintage shop in which I thought things were over priced, but like I said, everyone buys old things here, so maybe that’s why. There were some neat things in there among which I found Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books – both of which my Mom read when she was younger – so here Mom, this picture is for you!

To wrap up, I had a fantastic first week in Portland! Despite all of this food+fun, nothing is going to cork the waterworks stored in my chest that sometimes erupt out my eyes at random points in the day – miss you all!!