Remind my time in Portland

Hi there, this post might be my last blog posting.

I can't believe that I just have 2 months and few days in Portland.
Actually, before came here I worried about homesick that makes me want to back my country. But, It was overcare. Nothing happened.

For this posting, I need to choose the best thing during my time in Portland.
HOWEVER, I can't. I can't chose only one! As you know, Portland is filled with 'NICE' things! Nice people(some weird people :9), hundreds of food carts that sells delicious-exotic-different taste foods, greens, freedom and rain :P.

Anyway, I reminded what I did since I came here.
I went to Saturday farmers market at PSU which is always fresh.
I went to Mississippi street which is my favorite.
I went to Oregon coast that makes me remind my country.
I went to Powell's bookstore.
I went to waterfront park jazz festival.
I went to MT, st. Helens.
I went to 23rd Ave which is fancy.
I traveled with mom during summer break which is tough.
I traveled to Chicago, and New York, Seattle.
I went to public library and lend a book.
I went to pumpkin patch where a lot of pumpkins.
I went to Bob's red mill.
I went to Halloween party.
I met my host family who is vegetarian.
I met my dear friends in PSU.
I went to NW hostel with my classmates and we made a nice dinner!
I watched the Avengers, Dark knight rises, Rise of the guardians, 007 Skyfall in the theater without subtitles.
I watched Trek in the park that was really nice.
I read ENGLISH graphic novels and 2 novels.
I ate Little big burger which is really small.
I ate big portion American food.
I ate Ruby jewel's ice cream, and salt and straw's too.
I surprised recycling.
I surprised naked bike riding.(REALLY!)
I excited in Portland
I felt happy, also I felt confused, and cried twice, when the first night in America and worried about my future.
Recently sometime or other, I realized that I'm thinking in English.
I laughed when I thought myself as a Portlander.

Wow, it's kind a long list. However I think this list is not perfect. Maybe I missed some memories. Whether on this list or not, I'm sure that my experiences in Portland are precious and I won't forget it.

Nevertheless, if I have to pick one great thing that I had in Portland, I think this fall semester is the best. Before attend Psu, I don't have friend in Portland because I'm so shy when I meet stranger, so almost of time I went somewhere by myself. However after attend PSU, I met my dear friends and we went out somewhere and have a pleasant time.

In addition, this Thanksgiving(that is first thanksgiving in my life), somebody asked to me. "what is your thanks?" I answered "I'm thankful to my parents, because if they don't give me a chance to study in the U.S., I couldn't have those great experiences."

Anyway, it's sad that I'm leaving this school. I will miss my classmates, teachers, and all PSU.

Pumpkin world lol

Thanksgiving, Christmas tree light on and etc.

On thanksgiving day, my host family invited one of host families friend's house.

That house was big- and fulled with antique things.

We had Turkey, potato something mixed strauda(?I don't know this one's spelling and mashed potatoes, etc, A LOT )

Isn't it beautiful??

And for dessert, Pumpkin pie, Pecan pie, Lemon meringue pie and apple something.

It was awesome! 

-------------------

And the Black Friday, I could get ride to Clackamas shopping center, so I went to there at 11:30 pm, and I got home at 5 am.

It was..... amazing!

I couldn't focused on shopping because I was so sleepy :p

Have a sleep some time, I went out with Akiko, and later, I met Mathilde to watch the Christmas three light on! 

Crazy Heavy Rain and hundreds of people :9....

It was hard time but fun too.

at this stage, Von trapp family(Yes, that sound of music family!) sing a song, Pink martini's member played carols. lol 

Light on!

After that, Mathilde and I were so hungry and cold, we went to Luc Lac which is Vietnamese food restaurant and Masumi recommended.

I ordered chicken Phuh?(seriously, they said 'phuh?')

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO DELICIOUS :9

 And they gives us some drink which is APPLE JUICE and small cupcake, because that day was their one year anniversary.

OMG

I'm looking for the place which is warm and can swim at the beach! For the winter break.
But it's really expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!! agh!

The Cat

 I think that this cat is a girl.

But It wasn't.

Small things

Hmmm I can't find specific topic. So I just write down small things.

1. My small project

When I just arrived Portland, I hang around Pioneer mall, and I saw Moonstruck chocolate cafe. http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/

Moonstruck chocolate is originally from Portland :)

I had chocolate milkshake, cafe mocha, and so on... everything is delicious. Yummy.

Then I saw it- it's totally attracts me!

Those chocolates!

Truffles!

UGH!

AWESOME!

And I decided to eat all of Moonstruck chocolates :)

Finally on this weekend, I bought 3 chocolates.

 I chose one extra-bitter chocolate

 Well, I like dark chocolate, so I chose this one and it was wonderful.

There's no impure taste.Pure bitter chocolate! 

 It was sooooooooooooooooooo good.

And the other one is..

 Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Truffle and Italia Espresso Chocolate Truffle

Yes, that left one has Bailey's Irish cream :9 But I didn't try yet.

The right one has Italia espresso ganache. Outside was sweet but inside was bitter :9

2. Little Big burger! http://littlebigburger.com/

On Sunday, I went to 23rd with Akiko. Actually I want to go to 'Two tarts cafe', but there was under construction. Nah.

So we went to Little big burger :)

As you see... It's really small..... not BIG. But It's okay. I like it.

They have Cheese burger, Hamburger and Veggie burger.

Today, I ordered Tillamook Cheddar Cheese burger.

AND

Truffle French Fries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you go to Little big burger, you must try this one. Because it's awesome!

It's not normal french fries.

And they have really good 'Catsup' not 'Ketchup'. Kind a pun!

Also this 'catsup' has different taste than the other normal ketchup.

So they sell their 'catsup' in the store.

3. Salt n straw. http://saltandstraw.com/

After Little big burger, I want something sweet.

So we went to Salt n straw. Usually on the weekend, they have a lot of customers, but today wasn't that much.

This is first time to try this ice cream shop, so I ordered my favorite taste; Strawberry.

However, they don't have normal strawberry taste. But they have 'Honey Balsamic Strawberry with Cracked Pepper.' Wow isn't it long name?

Anyway, I tried sample spoon for this H.B.S.w/P(It's too long to write in whole name)

And it was so good. 

In the Salt n Straw

Wooo. It has interesting taste. At first, it's tart, and then sweet flavors following.... and finally you can meet strawberry. Sometimes surprisingly peppers show up!

It was pretty interesting taste.

If you like adventure, I'd recommend this taste.

How was your weekend?

Nov. 1st

My favorite Wicked sound track - For Good

Please listen this music

-------------------------------------------------------------------

(Elphaba) I'm limited

Just look at me - I'm limited

And just look at you

You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda

so now it's up to you

For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda):I've heard it saidThat people come into our lives for a reasonBringing something we must learnAnd we are ledTo those who help us most to growIf we let themAnd we help them in returnWell, I don't know if I believe that's trueBut I know I'm who I am todayBecause I knew you...Like a comet pulled from orbitAs it passes a sunLike a stream that meets a boulderHalfway through the woodWho can say if I've been changed for the better?But because I knew youI have been changed for good
(Elphaba):It well may beThat we will never meet againIn this lifetimeSo let me say before we partSo much of meIs made from what I learned from youYou'll be with meLike a handprint on my heartAnd now whatever way our stories endI know you have re-written mineBy being my friend...Like a ship blown from its mooringBy a wind off the seaLike a seed dropped by a skybirdIn a distant woodWho can say if I've been changed for the better?But because I knew you
(Glinda):Because I knew you(Both):I have been changed for good(Elphaba):And just to clear the airI ask forgivenessFor the things I've done you blame me for(Glinda):But then, I guess we knowThere's blame to share(Both):And none of it seems to matter anymore(Glinda):Like a comet pulled from orbitAs it passes a sunLike a stream that meets a boulderHalfway through the wood(Elphaba):Like a ship blown from its mooringBy a wind off the seaLike a seed dropped by a bird in the wood(Both):Who can say if I've beenChanged for the better?I do believe I have beenChanged for the better(Glinda):And because I knew you...(Elphaba):Because I knew you...(Both):Because I knew you...I have been changed for good....
From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/for-good-lyrics-wicked.html ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------This song is my healing music.When I feel depress(like now), I hear this song and get better.My favorite part is here, Glinda's part. 'I've heard it saidThat people come into our lives for a reasonBringing something we must learn'
When I understand this lyrics, I thought a lot of things and so far I do.It makes me 'thinking'.What I did, What should I do now and What should I do in the future.
My study in the U.S. already passed 60% and more.I'm here for studying English and find my life way.But until now I'm wandering. I don't know where I am.

Trip to Chicago 3

We run Montana state so far :)

Yes yes, Montana state is massive broad!

Second day at the Amtrak, I had a cheese burger for dinner, and take a Trails & Rails again.

Well, It was not bad.

After dinner, volunteer changed to another person, his name is Don. The guy who is in this photo. He was so funny and good at explain related to Amtrak and nature.

Before get sleep, I met a man who's name is Bill. We talk about my trip.

I told him I'm going to go to Chicago, but I didn't decide where to go. He gave me an advice about trip to the Chicago because he live in the Chicago! hahahaha.

Also Don give me an advice about trip by Amtrak. I told him I'm planning ride 'Coast starlight' and then he said take a flight to Denver, and ride Zypher and Coast starlight. He told me 'You can see whole landscape of California' and I reminded.

Third day, I tried breakfast in the dinning car, I ordered 'French toast'.

Well, it's expensive and..... not good taste. No worth. I don't like it.

We passed Minneapolis MN, 

 Winona MN,

 and Dells WI.

So, Finally, I arrived CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! It takes almost 50 hours!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!

But, as you know, it was fun. Seriously!

After arrived Chicago, I take a 'L' to get to hostel. 

And this is L train's platform.

Chicago has really good public transportation. It's really old and old.(Second oldest train system in the U.S.)

The 'L' is short form of 'Elevated'. Because almost parts are elevated.

If you watched the movie 'Batman Begins', maybe you remembered scene where Rachel attacked from armed man. There is one of stations of the L!

'L' station

 After unpack at the hostel, I showered :) I was so excited because I can't shower almost two days! Anyways, I got a special priced ticket to Willis Tower (also known as Sears Tower) only for student guests who stayed in the IH hostel.

I went to Willis Tower! The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the U.S.!!!!! And the seventh-tallest freestanding structure in the world! Can you imagine? Totally DIZZY!
This photo is taken at the Willis Tower observatory.
I was so impressed when I saw this nightscape.

 

Isn't it wonderful?

And, this is one of funny things in this observatory.

The building's west side has special space. This glass balcony's floor is transparent glass. Yeah, it's kind a scary! 

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I asked someone for take a picture of mine :)

To be continued