Ode to Oregon

We were driving along the coast, heading back to campus after our first date (well, pseudo-date since neither of us would admit it was one until much later), and I specifically recall the conversation in which we shared our dreams for the future. I wanted to book it to Latin America as soon as possible and work with street children. B was looking to go into investment banking and live in Oregon. I remember thinking, We have a problem...

I could never live in Oregon. Ew.


Dear Oregon,

My deepest apologies. I rescind those hastily made judgments of long ago. This is me eating my words.

Time and life, they change things. This past weekend, pretty much all that ran through my head was, "I would love to live here." Perhaps it was the lush shades of deep green everywhere that surrounded me in a perpetual canopy of serene tranquility. Or the rocky caves that bring you right under a sparkling waterfall. Or the rain and moody climate that become almost romantic when you spend most of your waking days in a scorching inland city of brown and dust. Or maybe it is the fresh nigiri the size of my cell phone that melts divinely on my tongue just long enough to savor yet leave me craving more. Or the warmth of strangers who smile and send jolly greetings simply because I passed them on the street. Or the enigma of a chic city downtown that somehow manages to remain relaxed and unhurried. Or Powell's palace of a bookstore and its delightful 8oz. cappuccinos. Or a basketball team and free chalupas every time they win at the Rose Garden.

I confess your eighty-seven feet of snow this past winter and I are still working out our differences. Winding up an icy road while holding our breaths for fear that the slightest exhalation will send us veering into on-coming traffic is not quite how I picture an ideal death, but I suppose snowball fights, frozen skate parks, and snuggles under a warm blanket when the weather outside is frightful are otherwise worth it.

And I will concede, you make some really delicious doughnuts and to be honest, that's about all the convincing I need. Until we meet again.

Warmest Regards,
Lo