the new year. already packed full of enough stories to take the “n” word out of my mouth. normal that is. normalcy is gone. stability feels like it is on its way out. yet, i feel strong and stable. no clue what the months ahead hold, but confident in my ability to stay sane. to plant roots when i need to and uproot them again when i can.

PDX > SJC
car trip to SFO and back.
greyhound bus to SBA and back.
SJC > PDX
PDX > DEN > ORD
car trip to GRR and back.
ORD > PHX > SJD

my life is becoming definable in airport codes.

SJD > PHX > ORD

i didn’t plan for once. after a week laying on the beach in cabo san lucas with the siblings and mom, i brought in 2013 in chicago with my crew of high school friends. fell back into old routines and sunk into some family time. had my sister set up my quickbooks for saradipity. it is nice to have my business financials match how organized i keep every other aspect. after that, the plan for me floated. a trip to florida to see a friend? a trip to bishop to do some climbing? more time relaxing and catching up on work at home? all my preconceived plans dissipated.

and so i went to puerto rico. found a cheap ticket using my miles and hopped a plane.

ORD > MIA > SJU

joined my best friend and his best friend and his family for a week of crazy waves and sun and rainbows.

rainbows where you can see both ends. and then it starts down pouring. and you grab your beach towel and books and run for cover laughing and smiling all the way.

fresh mangos off the tree in the yard, and the sound of spanish soap operas at night. and the frogs. coqui coqui. work mixed with play mixed with spanish karaoke and a chance to show off my michael jackson dance moves. thinking too much but feeling okay. getting to know my best friend’s family for the first time in ten years. not laying in the hammock and reading as much as i would have liked, but moments of relaxation found. with four mediano vasos con parcha y coco helado. with a wandering pig and flock of dogs/goats. one last night in san juan left me in a fancy resort’s hot tub in all my clothes. and then…

SJU > MIA > DFW > PDX

home. it’s been two months. this city. the people. i like it here. i miss it and am glad when i return. what do you do when you are home for four days? yoga. nathan’s yoga class…as much as i can. climbing…as much as i can. catch up on work work work. hang out with my notogroup coworkers and gossip and eat fire on the mountain wings. unpack. and get ready to repack for…

PDX > SLC
SLC > PDX
PDX > LAX
LAX > AMS > DEL
BOM > CDG > LAX