With new places comes the process of acclimating to the new surroundings. I have, in some ways, fallen into the daily routine of a new place and a new job (or at least a new store - the job itself is the same), but I'm still finding new things to adapt to: the grocery stores, the incredible public transportation, the closeness of the coast.
One of the grocery stores near my house sells bulk items at a great price, but I think I've discovered that it's never a good idea to get all your eggs in one basket. They don't have a good selection of honey or peanut butter, for example, and the bread I like is about $0.50 cheaper on average at Target, which isn't even a grocery store. I also love Trader Joe's yogurt and have, as expected, fallen in love with 3-buck chuck. (Thanks Claire!) I'm about hitting my grocery budget this month, but next month I'm going to try shopping multiple grocery stores. This may sound mundane to many, but I enjoy food - not just eating it, but the challenge of eating healthily and cheaply as well as locally and freshly. And these things, while not as challenging as you may think, are a puzzle to put together - even more so in a new place.
The public transportion will just take practice, which is something I'll be doing tomorrow when I meet a friend from work at the Saturday Market downtown Portland! As of right now, I know how to get to Powell's - the largest bookstore in North America (it's the size of a city block), but I think I should add the Saturday Market to my list of locations I can get to without drawing a map. I did successfully get to this coffee shop in Beaverton where I am writing this post and did not have to use a map. I'm finally beginning to trust myself to get in the car and just drive and hope I find the place I'm looking for.
And last, but certainly not least, I went to the Pacific Coast and stayed at a house right on the beach and, to top it off, made some new friends. My roommate and two neighbors are all in the same community group at their church and invited me to come along to a planned weekend retreat to visit one of the group's leader's parents. The place was beautiful and we enjoyed, among other non-high-energy seeking tasks: drinking lattes and tea at all hours, eating deliciously prepared meals, a soak in the hot tub on a 38 degree morning while enjoying scenic views of the ocean, a walk on the beach at sunset, and an evening viewing of Up.
And now, off to the Beaverton Powell's - not as good as the original downtown one, but I saw this location on my way here and thought that I would have to check it out. And then home for some pasta and cider and possibly some book making. Be sure and check my Etsy store. I have some new listings! (I've been busy.)
