Hello all! It's been quiet a while since I, Kimberly, have sat down and written a blog. Instead of writing separate posts for everyday of the month, I am going to make three very dense posts about Bay & myself adventures of the month.
This month I was focused on a few different tasks, such as finishing Winter term of the Sign Language Interpretation program. Woah! Their was so much homework due in such little time too. I did it!!! I got excellent grades too: 2 A's & 1 B. Now I have one more term left, Spring term and to pass the QE (Qualifying Evaluation.) "I PASSED!!"- says future self.
One of my other focuses was to get a Vitamix. As you have probably read, Bay & I was and still am eating plant based foods. For the month of March, I blasted Facebook with crazy pictures to remind people to vote for me for the grand prize of winning a Vitamix. I did a lot of things to get votes. I told my classmates at school to vote, people who live in my building, friends, family, "vegan-plant based food" groups/like pages on Facebook, and I even had a private VIP event page for the month of March reminding everyone to vote. Luckily, my partner Bay helped me in finding new, cleaver ways to post funny pictures to click the little green vote button. Hahah.
My first picture said, "Cheddar says, "Don't be shy; vote for my mom once a day until the end of the month. Don't wait, do it meow!" (above left)
Some people were confused on how to vote. Bay made a picture of the vote page and showed how to click on it! (above right)
More pictures to follow of my amazing adventure to get people pumped to vote...
Guess what?!?! I won the Vitamix. Click on this link and see what I won from the YU 30 Challenge!! BOOOMMMM. AHAH. Thank you all so much for your help and support. xoxo.
In other news, Bay & I decided to look for a place before we took our trip to DC. We looked all night on Craigslist (CL) and woke up to go to an early appointment. The first place we saw was a definite NO! I called different posting and heard nothing but bad news- "This place is already taken." or "You can be signed up on a waiting list."
We went to Tinshed to eat some delicious vegan food and looked at the most recent ads on CL. We found this wonderful place in SE near the Coop we love and frequent. Yes!! We both look at each other and knew this was our new place. We called and made an appointment for 3:30pm. They gave us recommendations on how to make the application process faster, such as a background check as well as a $300 deposit to hold the apartment. On our way home I finished my background check. Bay had to go to work; but before she left she too finished the background check. I took a quick shower and headed to our potential new place two hours early. Yes, you read right- two hours early. Both of us knew that apartments in Portland go quick.
On my bus ride there, Bay & myself both put out a positive messages into the universe of "how happy we are in our new place." or "how Ched is running up and down our stairs in excitement." I had this perma-smile the whole way there. When I arrived I sat in perfect view of the house. I sat on the cement looking up so often in hopes I was the first to see the place. I sat and waited while drawing "I <3 our new place." and smiley faces. Hahah.
Ten minutes early, the woman showing the apartment arrived. I looked up and smiled. She lead me into the apartment. It's so beautiful! It had hardwood floors, claw-foot bath tub, a place to garden, bathroom/kitchen/living room/office are ALL separate rooms... As she shows me the bathroom two more people come up the stairs. I hand her my deposit to hold the apartment. She looked shocked! ahah. She said, "wow! Your partner must really trust you, if you get the 'go say' on a place." I smiled and nodded. After filling out the paper work, I asked the woman if I can video our new place. She said. "yes." ahah. I frequently look at the video from time to time imaging where to put things. We are still so excited to move in May.
A few days after finding a new place, Bay & I took on a new adventure "standby tickets" and visiting the East coast for the first time- DC. We only had two hours of sleep before walking over the max to take us to the airport (image left.)
Bay & I arrived to the airport. How standby tickets work is everyone must wait until everyone has boarded. A person may go up 30 minutes before airplane departure to find out if seats are available. Two seats available. We had to wait after the two people's names were called. "John and Sandra please board Portland to DC flight," said the Alaska airlines. Could this really be happening, both of us get on the same flight? We looked to our right and see a man sprinting to DC flight. Dang it! That means one seat is available. We both looked at each other. I protested, "Bay you take the flight! I can wait." She said, "no, we already discussed this. You're taking the flight." Both of us held back our tears and I went on the flight.
I walked on a PACKED flight of 178 people trying to find my seat. I ask the flight attendant to assist me. I was looking at the ground for numbers instead of looking up. Whoops! I look down once again to find my seat and look in a teenage girls eyes- horror filled them. She asked, "Can you please trade seats with my MOM?" I said, "of course."
I moved a few rows back in between to women. As the flight took off, I fought back tears. I wanted Bay sitting on the flight with me. The "what if's" rushed through my mind...what if I never get to kiss her again; what if that was the last thing i say to her; what if...The women on either side of me kept checking in on me to make sure I was okay. I think they were afraid I was going to freak out. I heard the girl who I switched seats with started to hyper ventilate as we took off. Her mom was trying to soothe and calm her. Eventually the pills kicked in and she was more relaxed.
I kept my phone on the whole flight and ever once in a while it would allow me to text message. I sent one to Bay stating that I was fighting back tears because I wanted her to be on the flight with me. She sent me one stating the same.
Bay researched what we could bring on our flight such as a food. We went to People's Coop and brought food for our trip. I brought a huge avocado with a Pixie Retreat sandwich. I asked the flight attendant for something to cut open my avocado. They smiled and give me plastic utensils. Let me tell you, it's very challenging to open an avocado with regular utensils and with more room- let alone plastic utensils wedged between two women!
Finally, I arrive to DC and listened to a message from Bay. She said, "She got on the flight to DC and will be there soon." Joy filled my heart. My phone was about to die. In the DCA airport is really hard to find electric plugs to charge my Iphone. I finally found one at the telephone booths. I still couldn't believe I was in DC.
It was beautiful outside, sunny, warm. My text message from Brian stated, "to take the Metro- to NOMA station." Huh. What is a Metro? I looked outside to see a bus saying "to Metro." I asked the driver if he is going to the Metro. He pointed to the sky and said, "see that? That takes you the Metro. It's the second level of the airport."
Confused and perplexed I took the elevator to the second level in the airport. I walked across the hallway of windows and found people buying tickets. This very nice black man assisted me with the machines. I pointed to where my destination was and he gave an explanation of what I needed to do- take the yellow line to Gallery place/China town and take the red line to Glemont/Noma station.
I walked up the stairs to see people waiting for the Metro. I looked down to see rows of red flashing lights and I heard a roaring noise. The Metro was coming in full speed. I hopped onto the yellow line and got off at Gallery Place/China town. Hmmm... Where is Glemont/Noma station? I assumed it was on the opposite side of where I got off. I hopped onto the next Metro and it was the yellow line. Maybe this is really the red in disguise? I stayed on and looked outside to everything that looked so familiar to the first ride. At last I made it to the Airport again? oh no!
I texted Brian and he told me to do it again. But this time "Noma station- red line." That's what I thought I did the first time. Dang it. I hopped on the Metro again and off at Gallery Place/China town. I looked around to find the red line. AHHHH! You must go up the stairs to find the red line. *shakes head*
I find the red line- Glemont and get off at Noma station. It's started to get dark and I started to worry someone would jump me. I was warned multiple times to be careful in DC after dark. I whipped out my almost dead Iphone and mapped to his house. I thought I was walking pretty fast until a woman with head phones sprinted past me. Oh! This is how we do it in DC. I walked faster to keep up with her. On my walk I saw Gallaudet University and people outside of their apartments signing. Was I really here?
Finally, three hours later, I arrived to Brian's house. I arrived to see a woman chatting with her mom on VP. I waved to her and she asked if I was Bay. I replied, "no, I am kim." She let me in and introduced herself as Elly. Brian came down the stairs and I thanked him repeatedly for helping find his place. She greeted me with a smile and said, "no problem." We chatted for a while, ordered some pizza and Elly went with me to find Bay at the Metro red line. I was too afraid to venture out alone.
I was so excited to see her. I ran up to her and gave her a huge hug and kiss. We once again took the Metro back and met up with Brian at his job at Gallaudet University. He let us stay in his room for our trip. Exhausted, we went to bed.
After being overwhelmed by everything that will soon happen, I've decided to simplify. I researched various websites on how to simply my life. My favorite one thus far is called Zen Habits. If click on that link, scroll to the bottom, click "all of the posts" and see what applies to you. I'm in the process of de-cluttering my life. Ha! I look around my tiny studio and see so much things- hung, on counters, tables, chairs, etc. I read this article from Zen Habits as seen here. It's an in-depth post with 72 different ways to simplify your life; within each suggestion there is an article linked expanding on the idea. All of my adaptations stem from Zen Habits below. However, if you want to read something quicker check out "18 ways to live a simple now" or "10 simple ways to live a less stressful life."
