My Adventures in Writing

I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you spend the day surrounded by loved ones and good food. Enjoy yourself and count your blessings. We are all so blessed! I am thankful for my family and friends, who show their kindness through unconditional love and support. With them, I feel I can do just about anything. I am thankful that God has given me so many opportunities to use my gifts. I am thankful for the peace I feel in my home, in my marriage and overall. I am hopeful that this world will take this season to heart, finding ways to express love around the world. Sometimes we take for granted all we have, and Thanksgiving is a great time to stop and count each blessing. Once the list begins, you will be amazed at all you are blessed by. With love, Aurae

I don't like driving in Portland but I am forced to endure it for another month. I attend my classes Friday night in Hillsboro and then drive to SE Portland to stay the night with family. The drive usually takes about an hour, even though it's about 25-30 miles. The first time I drove to SE Portland, it was dark and busy. I got lost twice, well, I wouldn't say lost, more like misplaced. I knew where I was and where I wanted to go; I was just in the wrong place. So, the next time I got misplaced again, thinking I could use a different route and end up at the same place. That's what I get for thinking at 10pm after a long day of work, class and driving. So, tonight, I made my fifth trip to SE Portland and it was just about perfect. I still don't like driving in Portland. People drive so much faster. There are signed pointing all over the place. I am thankful that there isn't too much traffic at 10pm and then at 8am when I leave again. There is only one thing that makes my drive worthwhile. As I come through the Sunset Tunnel into Portland and turn onto the bridge, the cityscape lights up the night sky, reflecting on the Willamette River. Every time it takes my breath away. You just don't see that site anywhere else in Oregon. It's amazing. I wish I had more time to view it and take in its glory.