Business Trip to STL

Enjoying my visit to XPLANE's STL studio

where I get a spectacular view from my hotel room

at the Hilton at the Ballpark

in downtown St. Louis.

An XPLANE Halloween '09

XPLANE celebrates Halloween in style

VTS pumpkin carving

(Mine won for the Spooky category!)

Costume contest

I won for most original!

(I'm the one with a box on my head)

Last year's costume

(My running theme: XPLANE styles)

My Very Own Place

Wednesday was the first night I spent alone in my very own place.

It's still got a lot of work to make it feel like home.

I wasn't joking.

Special thanks to Mom, Kirsti, and Navy for helping me move

(and tolerating my anxiety over the entire ordeal).

Committed

All right, I've done it.

I signed up to take the SPHR

Senior Professional in Human Resources

certification test on Dec. 18 at 8am.

Wish me luck. I'll need it.

Off to study...

10 Dollars?!?! Really?!?!

A couple of my friends have been hooked on using the word

hoodwinked

to describe being duped, ripped off, tricked, etc.

Well, the word is perfect for referring to my past two experiences

with fast food chains.

First of all, I'm not one to frequent these establishments.

In fact, I usually make every attempt to avoid them,

but on rare occasion, I get an insatiable craving for a

milkshake.

And typically, the lowest-cost solution to satisfy my desire

is to swing by the drive-thru of one of those internationally recognized restaurants that cater to the impulsive buyer.

So over the past two weeks,

while barely functioning in some sort of low-blood-sugar trance,

I've found myself in two separate fast food places,

ordering a milkshake, and,

thinking that I'm really hungry,

ordering some sort of burger too.

Then suddenly I'm faced with the option to order a

"combo meal."

This is where it gets tough for me.

Remind you,

I'm unfamiliar with the deals offered at these greasy joints,

so I stand there staring at the

way-too-colorful and way-too-small-printed menu,

calculating which option will provide the most value for my

hard-earned dollar,

while an acne-covered, brace-faced boy in a ridiculous uniform

convinces me that the combo meal is the way to go.

Well, in situation numero uno, I opted not to go the "combo" route,

and I forked over nearly ten bones for two sandwiches and a drink!

I was flabbergasted!

So in situation numero dos, at a different artery-clogging locale,

I figured the combo meal must be the ticket.

Wrong!

Again, nearly ten bucks dropped on a milkshake and burger.

Hoodwinked?

I think so.

Or maybe those boys behind the counter were taking out all their teenage angst on me poor, ignorant, unsuspecting me.

Photo found here.

A Gift from the Homeland

A good friend paid a recent visit to the

lovely Scandinavian nation

where my roots are planted

and sent me this:

Yes, it's just what you think it is...

dirt from Finland.

A gift I'll treasure for always.

SLC Vacation

For all my talk about loving Portland, I sure do like Salt Lake a lot,

and I especially miss all my close friends and family there.

It was so great to see so many of you, yet I'm sad that the two-week visit still wasn't enough time to squeeze in meet-ups with all of you.

Next time.

Next time.

Anyhow, the visit was fun, a vacation of sorts, a much-needed respite.

Highlights are as follows:

The awe-inspiring UT fashion scene, as witnessed at the Iron & Wine Concert at the Gallivan with Bladh & Darrin.

Homestead Crater/Hotsprings with Julie, Matt, Shauna, & Kristine

Hanging in Tanner Park with the Ricksie Chicks.

Polarbear vehicle as spotted at dinner at Porcupine with Spencer
(Yes, this guy actually drove this girl home on that contraption).

Hiking in Millcreek with Dave and Thor.

Wakeboarding at Starvation with the cousins (after a 5-year break).
Too bad Tanya didn't get any shots of the wicked air I caught. Haha.


And other highlights not captured by photo...
* Craft day at Kelly's
* Dinner at CPK with all the girls
* Farmer's Market
* Running in City Creek Canyon and resting on Heikki’s bench.
* Dancing at the Sandbar with Natani and friends.
* Watching parts of the Tour of Utah.
* Bouldering at Temple Quarry with Spence.
* Red Lobster with Grammy & Grampy & Kathy.
* Discovering the delicious cardamom waffles at Finn’s Café.
* Catching up with the Snowbird HR crew at Pace's (We missed you Trav. Keeping you in our prayers).
* Spaghetti dinner with banana cream pie for Colby's b-day.
* Visiting with Claire and Annie at Dear Lizzie.
* And all the good chats with family and friends!


Now it's time for you all to come visit me in Portland.
I promise nothing but good times!