Jeepin', Montavilla and Asian-Alcohol-Pets

I have now been back in my homeland for two months and the time has flown. It is hard to explain, but things are just easy. I don't have to stress out at the grocery store worrying about unintelligible labels or conversion rates. I realize how much I missed the freedom of driving where I want, when I want. (but not missing how great it felt not to be shelling out for gas and insurance) As much as I am still trying to avoid the collection of "things" I am glad that I have a few more of life's basic necessities. (and not having to continuously cram them into a small backpack) I can tell that there will be more adventures like the great 2010-2011 trek, but for now I am just relaxing.

One of the first tasks I knocked off of my return list was to get my transportation back in order. That was achieved with the procurement of a bad boy Wrangler four-door which I look forward to rolling around in this Summer sans top and doors.



Now mobile, I directed my attention to my living situation. The first month back was spent crashing in Dad's vacant South Waterfront condo, but since he returns to Portland in the summer there was an hourglass in the back of my mind. I found a small two-bedroom house in the evening shadow of Mount Tabor. It's a little green yardless cutey tucked behind some trees and bushes. I've always wanted a shop for my boy toys, and this house has a 35x25 behemoth in the space where a backyard should be. It works for me!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_DVIoUrVq8

I spent the first couple of weeks cleaning out the massive shop, painting a cool mural on the back wall and painting flames around the entire lower perimeter. My ex-roommate Kyle happened to be building a race car to compete in some Formula D drift competitions this Summer, so I have rented out half of the shop to him. It's cool to wander out to the shop to follow his progress.



Since I had a residence and a roommate again, I added two more little roomies that get to live rent-free. Two Calico sisters (that are both sleeping peacefully on my lap as I write this) have adopted me and are creating havoc with my unpacked boxes and loose items. The black one is Sake (sah-kee) and the white one is Sujo.



Now that Summer is approaching I look forward to all of the activities that I used to do before I owned a boat: hiking, biking, camping. For now, I am just taking a deep breath and appreciating where I am. Welcome home!