So, I cannot believe that this week the calendar turns to November. Even though here in the great Pacific Northwest, it does stay quite green throughout the winter, fall is still a time of change. And, I guess, it's as good a time as any to reflect on all the change that has happened throughout this past year. What a year it has been! One year ago at the start of November, Sara and I were living in New York City. All of our things were either sold or packed away in boxes. We were just about ready to fly off on our 2-year-belated honeymoon in Italy. And after Italy, were going to fly across country to start a new life in Eugene, Oregon. If that ain't a crossroads, then I don't know what is. What I like most about this adventure is the sense of freedom that I feel by knowing that we chose a path and that we are making the best that we can out of it. We've met so many new people and seen so much more of this beautiful country. You know, it was exactly 200 years ago that Lewis & Clark made their way across this land to the Pacific. Obviously, they were not the first ones to do that. Many did and many have since then. But, I do think there is more of a pioneering spirit here than exists on the East Coast. I'm really starting to appreciate that. It is very different here than NY. Not better, just different. I wish that I could explain it better, but I just know that it's not something you can understand by reading some Gallup polls. I don't know for sure if Sara and I "fit in" here. But, I don't know for sure if we "fit in" anywhere. What I do know is that we are happy here. One year is not a very long time, but it was long enough for us to
start our new life here. I feel like we've done that much, anyway.
So, I cannot believe that this week the calendar turns to November. Even though here in the great Pacific Northwest, it does stay quite green throughout the winter, fall is still a time of change. And, I guess, it's as good a time as any to reflect on all the change that has happened throughout this past year. What a year it has been! One year ago at the start of November, Sara and I were living in New York City. All of our things were either sold or packed away in boxes. We were just about ready to fly off on our 2-year-belated honeymoon in Italy. And after Italy, were going to fly across country to start a new life in Eugene, Oregon. If that ain't a crossroads, then I don't know what is. What I like most about this adventure is the sense of freedom that I feel by knowing that we chose a path and that we are making the best that we can out of it. We've met so many new people and seen so much more of this beautiful country. You know, it was exactly 200 years ago that Lewis & Clark made their way across this land to the Pacific. Obviously, they were not the first ones to do that. Many did and many have since then. But, I do think there is more of a pioneering spirit here than exists on the East Coast. I'm really starting to appreciate that. It is very different here than NY. Not better, just different. I wish that I could explain it better, but I just know that it's not something you can understand by reading some Gallup polls. I don't know for sure if Sara and I "fit in" here. But, I don't know for sure if we "fit in" anywhere. What I do know is that we are happy here. One year is not a very long time, but it was long enough for us to start our new life here. I feel like we've done that much, anyway. 
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Sara & I were talking about the fact that you'll be moving into your new house one week shy of your 1-year-Oregon anniversary -- that's amazing, especially since you didn't have jobs or even a clue about what kind of jobs you might get, and you didn't even know a single soul when you got there!
Congratulations on taking a risk and embracing the pioneering spirit and being open to where that leads you. Maybe you won't "fit it" in Oregon forever, and maybe you'll get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a villa on the Amalfi coast -- but because of your adventurous natures and the fact that you've up & moved across the country, you'll know you have the nerve to up & move to Italy, or to Long Beach :) or wherever the mood takes you (hopefully not Kansas).
Or maybe you'll discover you're really true Oregonians at heart and put down roots in Eugene. Who knows?
We both really admire you guys for taking the chance. Happy (almost) Oregon Anniversary!!
P.S. Koji says you should've bought a house with a taller fence, though! :)
Thanks Sonnjea! And I'm sure that we can work something out for Koji!
On a side note, Starbucks are no different in Oregon. Actually, Starbucks are EXACTLY the same. You can even buy the NY Times at every Starbucks in Eugene, if you are so inclined...
ps I meant to say how pretty those pictures are, too. Did you guys take them?
Yes, we took them last weekend (or the weekend before???). We had taken a walk along the river path. This was on the South side near Skinner's Butte. We hadn't walked there in a while. It's purdy. :) I made the collage with Picassa.
Jeez, warn you guys that Diane is going to raid the blogs for her column and you write something all thoughtful! It really is cool what you two have done. Not many people would, and even fewer would pull it off with the aplomb you have.
Our dogs would be fine with the short fence, by the way. In fact, we got invited over to some friends' house for dinner last night and they invited the dogs too. (Diane made sure we gave them baths before going visiting...)
What about you? Did you bathe?
Didn't think of that!
Maybe we'll impose visiting rules. Clean people and clean dogs. But, that may mean we couldn't go into our own house!
We always wash before we leave the state. Isn't that federal law or something?
If it isn't, it should be!
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