A Summer Nights in Corvallis

It is an understatement to admit that saying goodbye to loved ones has been difficult. With countless recent goodbye gatherings, I am more than grateful to be surrounded by so many that I love. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to say goodbye - or perhaps a cliché "see you later" here and there. Every party and dinner has been wonderful. Because it is fresh in my mind, and I want to post before I leave, I wanted to share with you the events of yesterday evening/this morning.


Last night was incredible. Several cherished friends came over to hang out one last time. I took in every moment I could. Truly. We drank strawberry daiquiris, and made our way through ridiculous amounts of junk food. Sitting on my porch, it was reminiscent of last summer when my roommates and I ate dinner outside on warm evenings. All I wanted before I left was a taste of Corvallis summer. Megan asked that we have a party on my porch before I left, but I didn't believe the weather would permit before I had to leave. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Christmas lights twirled around porch beams and tea lights shone through glass jars that hung from above. This was what I wanted, what I had been hoping for.

I asked simply to be surrounded by friends, but on top of this, I was brought handwritten notes and thoughtful gifts. Jenna and Holly drove up from Eugene to share in the evening. Even after longs days at work, no one missed out, and even beyond that, nobody wanted to leave, soaking in every last minute I was in town. I could not have asked for more. We played rage in the cage until about 2:30 in the morning. Just in time for me to finish any last minute packing before leaving at 3:30 AM for Portland. I could not have had a better last night in Oregon. Really.

So, here I am. It's all officially starting. Early this morning, on absolutely zero hours of sleep, Holly and Jenna drove me to Portland.

PC: Nakalan Buzza - Summer '09