Trip to Portland with Jen

I have been extremely busy for the past few weeks, but I finally have time to update my blog.  Where do I begin? I must write about the awesome day trip I went with my friend, Jen, on June 9. It was my first time going somewhere other than restaurants or stores I went without any kids. I felt like I sneaked out of the house as we set off early morning, feeling a little strange to have all these responsibilities off my shoulders for the first time. I am sure Jen felt the same way. We talked and laughed a lot and the drive was pleasant, unlike the nightmares of car rides with grumpy husband and screaming kids!

Unleashed - would be the theme of our visit in Portland. We parked the car by their version of chinatown for $6 (had to ask the attendant if that is really an all day fee) and walked all day long, our busy mouth moving all the time. There was a big parade in downtown Portland with high school marching bands, FHA queens on horses, and wrinkled veterans on open cars. It definitely had a small town charm, which was very fresh coming from a high tech suberb. We decided to try food carts for lunch. We asked one of many police officers out there at the parade where and which food carts are good. He unenthusiastically mumbled, "I don't know, I don't eat there" with a smirk, so I asked him why. He said he doesn't trust them since they might tamper the food since he is a police officer. "It's a different world with the line of business I am in." he said. We laughed about it as we walked, still wanting to try them. My iPhone was more helpful. The food cart lot had at least 25 food carts parked on the parameters of a block sized parking lot in downtown. They had a wide variety and it took us some time to decide what to get. We picked Cuban and sat on the curb and ate as we watched the cheerful marchers. It was delicious!

After lunch, we decided to go to Alphabet Street, where there are cafes and unique stores lined up. We looked at the map and decided to walk since we didn't have a stroller to push or kids to tag along. We were so mobile, it was so liberating. A small thing Moms can get excited about... We walked and looked at shops, had tea at Starbucks and chatted. We once used to people watch and that is something we don't do that often anymore. We talked about people walking by, what they might be doing, analyzed the store displays across the street, wondered what our husbands are doing etc... It was fun! We walked some more and bought some souvenirs for the kids and tried a scoop of pear and blue cheese ice cream from a famous store that was just out of this world!! It was so good we kept talking about how good it was the entire time while eating.

We decided to head back to downtown and again, we decided to walk. We didn't feel tired at all even though we had heavy bags to carry. We felt pretty light and energetic and now realizing how the right combination of moods and circumstances can falsify the actual fatigue level. We visited some shops in Pearl District and even went inside the Powell book store which was the biggest book store I have ever seen. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner. We picked the Japanese place I went when I visited the city with friends 15 years ago from Idaho. The chirashi with salmon eggs and salmon slices were very good! The sunlight was drawing longer shadows as we walked back to chinatown to Jen's black SUV. We still had three hours to drive home, but we were still in the mood to talk and laugh together! The drive was fun and very quick, just like the morning. I really had a good time and I hope to do it again soon, but with less walking next time. Jen and I were useless the next day. I was so tired with achy back and calf muscles, all I could was just lounge around the house. Mike was an excellent husband for taking care of kids on both Saturday and Sunday! Thank you, Mike for letting me have fun and rest up the next day! I really have the best husband in the world!

Little Things Here and There

Sean was drawing using the pictures from the books as a guide.

June is going by fast.  The look and feel of things are changing, warmer sun, the light feel of t-shirts, more children playing out in the neighborhood...  Long rainy days of the Pacific Northwest is almost over and we waited all autumn, winter and spring for our glorious summer.

The Campbell household usually goes through a tough time about this time of the year.  The changes such as the end of school year, summer vacation, and what's to come after summer is terrifying for Sean.  The things we usually look foward to can seem like a growing dark shadow to a child like him.  When he is anxious, our stress level tenfolds since he is more prone to throw a Godzilla sized tantrum for a tiny conflict.  We are battling this challenge by staying cool and consistent, but it isn't easy.  He is a keen observer and quick learner though, so I hope he finds a soothing way to calm his anxiety.  He is getting better every day now, so I am sure he is on his way!

June is a busy month with big events like Mike's birthday, Father's Day, and graduation from kindergarten.  I will sure to write about those topics later, but I wanted to take a note about my early summer pleasure, Copper River Salmon!  love salmon in general, but ever since Jen introduced me to the very special fish last year, I had been looking forward to eating it and thinking of ways to cook it up perfectly.  I got a sockeye the other day from Costco and pan fried it with olive oil and lemon juice after salting it for half an hour.  The fish itself has great flavor, so you don't need to add a lot of seasoning.  The voted best recipe for Copper River, according to Seattle Times, is to pair it with a cranberry rhubarb wine reduction, but I personally like it simple.  I am looking forward to getting the king salmon next.  That is the crown jewel of Copper River.  They are the kings!

Apart from the salmon, Mike had a mini triathlon on the first weekend of June.  He felt great and placed decently.  He had hoped he swam better, but he kicked butts in bicycle.  Above all, he had fun  competing and I am happy he is getting out there and staying physically fit.  Being off the radar from racing and exercising myself, I have a lot of respect for him for keeping a strict work out schedule even though he is tired from work and family responsibilities. 

I had an exciting outing with Jen last weekend to Portland, but it is getting late and I will write about it next time!

Package from Alyson and Grandma

My mother admits, ever since Alyson went to live with her, the number of packages from her has decreased significantly.  We have only gotten a few packages from Japan since April and even the kids commented how the boxes from grandma are no longer at the door. 

That is why all of us were very excited when we found a well bundled (my Mom literally bandages boxes with a packaging tape well and beyond) familiar looking box appeared at our door in early June.  We always open it right by the door.  The kids cannot wait to open it, so I bring my kitchen scissors to the entrance hall and cut it open while the kids stoop over it eagerly waiting to find out what is inside. 

This time, Saya got a hat which she wore it rest of the day, a few snacks, two sticker sheets for all three kids and beads.  Sean was jealous of Saya's new hat, but he liked the beads and made himself a blue and green bracelet.  Saya felt like she has gotten the best deal of all and quite pleased with herself.  The best thing in the package though was the message Alyson wrote to us.  She wrote a birthday message to Daddy and he took it to work to put it on his desk.  On a message to Saya, she used Japanese stickers to write "I love you, Saya.  from Alyson." and it's on our fridge.  Saya was very happy!

Thanks, Alyson and grandma!  You made our day!!