And Here I Am
Wow, so much time has passed since I last posted! First of all, the problem with comments and archives is fixed. Actually, it was quite easy and the root of the problem can be found here if you’re interested.
I arrived in Portland two and a half weeks ago to the same weather it’s been for the entire time I’ve been here – cloudy and cool/cold. The trees are still barren, biding their time until spring comes. I wish it was warmer, but I’m happy for the crisp gusts of wind and the sparkling of the neighborhood after a rainfall. I’m living with my mom and brother, which seems to be a pretty common trend in this economy. Of course my circumstances are a little bit different than an average boomerang child. I’ve got a second floor bedroom with lots of light, which overlooks the backyard. There’s carpeting everywhere in this house, but I’m not sure I like it. I miss the warm floors of Korean homes.
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been traveling here and there, setting up the bedroom, buying needed supplies, and organizing. All the big things are pretty much done, hence my return to the blogosphere. I’ve also been researching universities in this area. Before leaving Korea, I had idea which program I wanted to apply to, but things are changing every day. I have a short list of four programs that would fit my needs, but nothing is definite yet. The state of the American economy is definitely a factor in which program I choose. (More about this in a future blog post.)
Now, let’s talk about food. The first thing I ate after arriving was an Italian sub from Subway – boring, I know. There were lots of fast food places between the airport and home, but I made a promise to myself of eating healthy and have stuck to it so far. Subway sandwiches are the closest thing to fast food I’ve eaten since being back. I know it’ll be disappointing for those in Korea to hear, but I have not had a taste of Taco Bell burritos, Sonic burgers, or Blizzards from Dairy Queen yet. I also try not to eat anything frozen, that comes in a can, or considered “junk” food. For the price of a regular apple in Korea, I can get one (sometimes two) fresh, locally grown organic apples. So, foodies in Korea shall have to look somewhere else for fast food porn. As a side note, I do miss Korean food, but not that much.
Too bad I’m not a beer drinker. This is the northwest beer section of Whole Foods. That bottle of Asahi on the second shelf is $2.79, by the way.
A sparkling new Whole Foods opened up a couple miles away. I was hoping to see the green Whole Foods reusable shopping bags (as seen on Top Chef) there, but this store didn’t carry them.
I LOVE this hummus from Trader Joe’s – $3.49.
I’ll be blogging regularly from now on.
Lao-ocean-liner,
I’m embarrassed to admit it but I really missed reading your blog.
Welcome back,
Garrett
Thanks!
I missed blogging, taking pictures, and sharing it with everyone.
After “Slumdog,” you might want to give “Let the Right One In” and “Gran Torino” a viewing. “Let” is now my all-time favorite vampire movie, and should have won the Oscar instead of “Slumdog,” but it wasn’t a feel good movie just like Clint’s fantastic work in “Gran Torino.” Both were robbed because they were too dead on and not “politically correct” in today’s too easily offended world. With Oscar voters like these, and people like these :http://www.denverpost.com/harsanyi/ci_11776544 , free speech may go the way of the dodo soon.
I just went and saw the trailer for “Let the Right One In” (http://is.gd/4J5O). Weird kids are a bit scarier than weird adults. I’ll have to look for that movie. “Gran Torino” was already on my radar and I’ve been meaning to give it a watch. Thanks for the recommendations!
“Slumdog” was a unique and heartfelt movie that ranks as one of the movies of the year. A movie which examines India warts and all which I wouldn’t consider politically correct in the least bit.
Haven’t seen “Let the Right One in” yet. “Gran Torino” was a great story with sub par acting.
Man, this post brings back memories when we arrived back home in Canada from Korea. I missed the food from back home more than I thought I would in Korea. For our first couple of days I ate all my old favorites from favorites restaurants to junk food snacks!