Of Old Friends and More Mexican Train

In some ways my last day in Portland came too soon. In others, not soon enough.

Believe me, I could have spent so much more time there and seen and done so many more things. Visited old haunts, discovered new. I miss my hometown. I miss my family. And four years is a really long time.

On the other hand, all the excitement and camping and marrying off of people left me completely drained and Idaho was starting to sound really good.

I know. I know. My marbles weren't just lost, they were smashed to oblivion.

In any case, I had one more day left in the Big City. Bonnie picked me up from the Maynard Five Star B & B and we headed off to Barnes and Noble to meet a very special person. Someone I hadn't seen in a really long time. Miyuki.

Some of you may remember the days I hung out with Cori. Well, Cori and I met Miyuki while she was at university in Portland. What a great time we all had... salsa dancing, house parties, birthdays, family dinners... and then we lost touch. But with the beauty that is Facebook, no one is ever truly lost and Miyuki and I got back in contact again. It was great fun seeing her and catching up on her adventures. She even gave me a lovely gift of a drawing she did (She's an amazing artist! I'd forgotten that.) of me as a harlequin, red hair and all!

Of course, being at Barnes and Noble, I just HAD to buy a couple books. Ok, three books. Some people smoke. Some gamble. I buy books. Maybe I should see a therapist about that? Nah...

Beside which, books are 25% - 35% cheaper in the US than in UK. And with my particular taste in books, it's nearly impossible for me to walk into the average UK book store, browse and bit, and walk out with a decent book. They're just so limited. I admit I was a bit like a kid in a candy store after four years in Outer Mongolia.

So, after coffee with Miyuki, Bonnie and I hopped in the jeep and headed off to another place I haven't been in four years: Portland Saturday Market. It's pretty tame compared to Camden Town Market, but it's still so uniquely Portland.

I was pleasantly surprised to find they'd extended the Free Zone (Or whatever they call it.) clear out to the Lloyd Center. I haven't never understood the governmental propensity for insisting people take public transport to save on fuel and decrease congestion, but then make it completely inconvenient to actually do so, I'm glad to see Portland being somewhat logical about the matter. London's TFL could seriously learn a thing or two from good ole Tri-Met.

We had a lovely couple of hours mooching about the Market. We started off with a lunch of burritos and taco salad. One thing the UK is sorely lacking is decent Mexican food. We then headed over to watch a street dancer the likes of which even Camden Town can't boast.

We then headed to the main part of the Market and spent the rest of the time munching on elephant ears and drooling over handmade cloth totes and all natural soaps. What can I say? Life is made of such simple pleasures.

We finished off down by the River for a spot of people watching.

Tuckered out by our day of adventuring, Bonnie dropped me off at my final port of call for the Portland area: Ellen's B & B. It's not every B & B to offers it's patrons a rousing came of Mexican Train before bedtime.

After three exciting rounds, we all toddled off to bed. I was headed east on the 'morrow, to the wilds of North Idaho.

I suddenly felt the need to arm myself with Starbucks and a flare gun.

Of Weddings and Babies Part Three

Unfortunately I did get a shot of the single most hilarious moment of the entire event. My brother Dan decided to pull a classic "Best Man Joke". When the minister asked for the rings, he yanked open his jacket and declared, "I have a nice selection of items...."

Hey, Christine! Welcome to the nut house. Er, I mean FAMILY. Welcome to the FAMILY!

His daughter, my lovely niece Anna, made up for her father's mischief but looking like a little lady in her pretty purple dress.

The reception was at Christine's grandma's house. Christine's grandma is a real pip! And her house is gorgeous. Lots of places for cousins to hang out.

Here's Reann and me (With a very large Jaybird lurking in the background.).

Here is my Natural Gift of Photography at work: Mom with her mouth open. Yep, 'cause I'm awesome like that.

I love this picture of Dad with Sarah. Isn't she just the cutest little thing? Another one of Christine's friend's genius photographs. Jealous? Me?

What's a wedding reception without a toast? (Just don't tell Mom it was REAL champagne.)

Lili having a chat with the newest addition to our family. Christine doesn't look ready to run. Yet....

Auntie with Jake. Another lovely photo by the Genius. Sigh. If only I had half the talent. And a ginormous camera. But isn't it sweet? He definitely captured some magical moments.

Naturally Sarah played favorites with Uncle Scott. Traitor. Sarah, not Scott.

And the happy couple. I can't imagine a better partner for my baby brother. I am so glad they found each other.

Christine Marie Duncan & Stephen Wayne Meliza - 28 August 2010

Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar
but never doubt thy love.

~William Shakespeare~

Of Wedding and Babies Part Two

Saturday dawned bright and early. I did not. Jet lag was still kicking my booty in a big way.

After several cups of coffee, I was kicking jet lag's booty right back. After all, nothing was going to stop me from being bright eyed and bushy tailed for my baby brother's Big Day. Or from hanging with my Poopa who is still kicking it at 90, ya'll.

Also, I had to look super awesome. It's like the law when you're the sister of the groom. Hard to outshine Dad in his snazzy tux, though, don'tcha think?

So here is the nuclear Meliza clan. The originals. The ones that milked goats, picked rocks, annoyed me non-stop.

No, I'm not talking about my parents.

And here's the OTHER Meliza clan... my Tante Elena (That's aunt Ellen to you non-Portuguese speakers), uncle Del (Only because I don't know how to say "uncle" in Portuguese), cousin Dan (Who is either playing Jesus in the next Christmas pageant, or has turned hippie.) and cousin David (Who is awesome because he buys me hamburgers and also because we rock at Mexican train.)

Now I did not take this picture. I know you are shocked. But really, I'm not that good. A friend of Christine's who has the World's Biggest Camera (And obviously some talent which I sorely lack.) took this picture of the grandparents of the groom looking fabulous in their wedding finery.

I didn't take this one, either. But I love it. Here is my new sister-in-law, Christine. Gorgeous, isn't she? What can I say? My brothers obviously have excellent taste. (I refer, of course, to the gorgeousness of my other sister-in-law, Rita. Never let it be said that I play favorites. Ahem.)

And now it's down to business. Getting these to kids hitched. Have you ever seen a man so serious?

I don't know what happened here, but this is the World's Tiniest Picture of Vows (or maybe it was Rings.).

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for. Ladies and Gentlement... The Kiss!

Of Weddings and Babies

Friday night was Rehearsal Night. Honestly, I've never understood the need to rehearse a wedding, because Somebody (Like my brother, Dan. But that's another story.) always has to throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings no matter how carefully practised the event is. But if it involves hanging out, goofing off and eating stuff, then I'm all in. Plus it's an excellent opportunity to exercise the Meliza "Charm" for Stephen's future in-laws.

Poor future in-laws.

Nathan was highly enthusiastic about the proceedings. Personally I think he was in it for the pizza and cookies.

I met my niece, Sarah, for the first time. Cute as a bug's ear and I tried to get her to let me hold her, but she wasn't having any of it.

Anna, however, has inherited the Robert's camera posing gene and was more than willing to ham it up for the camera. Getting her to smile in a non-goofy manner is another matter entirely.

I also met my nephew Jake for the first time. He was much more into the whole cuddling business.

Of course, the truly important thing about rehearsals is the Rehearsal Dinner. This particular Rehearsal Dinner involved pizza from Round Table Pizza because that is where Stephen proposed. Or where they ate AFTER he proposed. Or something like that. I'm a little fuzzy on the details. But I'm pretty sure it was AFTER.

It also involved the most amazing chocolate oatmeal cookies which were Christine's Secret Weapon in snagging Stephen's attention. They were darn tasty. And if they're that effective, I think I may need the recipe. Ahhh, Christine???

As usual, the Giant Mouse, otherwise known as Dad, is pretending innocence. However, if you look closely at his hand, he is clutching the remains of one of the aforementioned cookies.

And here is the Happy Couple. Ain't they just cute as anything?