Back in Portland

Nikki

     After a year of moving and traveling from Canada, to the Midwest of The States, to South Korea, Japan and back to America, this September I found an apartment to settle down-for a year- back in Portland. The month of September was filled with moving into my new place, rearranging the furniture several times and job hunting before classes started up. The week before school started I balanced job interviews and meeting up with friends. 

     My first day back in Portland Roy and I had our very first date. After getting the keys to my new apartment and of course checking it out with overjoyed excitement. Roy and I went to Buffalo Wild wings. Aside from Roy, Nikki was the first person I got to meet up with again in Portland. Her and I were both craving Bingsu and luckily for us, there is a food cart near my apartment that has it. After getting our food we took it back to my place to eat and spend the rest of the night catching up. Later in the week I met up with another one of my friends who lives in my building. We met for lunch and I shared my stories of Korea with him and made plans to see each other often as we are now neighbors. Now all moved in Georgie and her twin sister Sharmaine drove up from Salem to visit me in Portland.

Georgie and Sharmaine

Georgie and I reminisced about Korea and found it humorous that this was our first time meeting in America. With Nikki, Georgie, Sharmaine and I enjoyed a night of pizza, popcorn and seltzers. 

     For classes, they are of course, all online. My senior year at university is looking to be completely online. This term I have Research in Health Fitness, Physiology of Exercise and Health, Mind and Body. I was taking Korean as well, but after the first week of class I felt I would benefit more from studying on my own, also, I don't mind the extra time in my schedule now. Portland State University has already announced that winter term will also start online, so for the time being I can officially do my university studies from anywhere I want. My desk, the library, my bed... or anywhere in the world. If only I had the money to travel again. 

     My second week of school brought no excitements or new stories, but the interviews paid off and I started my first day at work the second week of October. With the pool closed at Portland State University, returning to my job at campus rec was not possible in the near future. I extended my horizons and now am working at Brain Rehab Network. An organization that works with individuals and families who are living with a traumatic brain injury. I work in the residential aspect, helping individuals in their apartments with cooking, cleaning and anything else they might need assistance in. 

    For now it is work and school; until the upcoming holidays bring more stories.