The California Coast

In an effort to escape the rainy winter doldrums, Tom and I planned a short road trip at the beginning of March. The idea was to fly to LA and drive up the California coast, along Highways 1 and 101. Tom went to college in southern California and has driven up the coast several times, whereas I am less familiar with the state, especially south of San Fransisco. 

March 4 - 7

Day 1: Malibu

Tom and I grabbed our face masks and flew from PDX on Thursday, for a quick two-hour flight to Burbank (just north of LA). We landed around noon, and picked up our rental car--a Kia Forte with excellent gas mileage. 

Our first item on the agenda, which was the main inspiration behind the road trip, was to collect a large painting from Tom's grandma in Glendale. After packing it safely in the car, we headed to the coast, soaking in the Malibu sun and heat. I instantly fell in love with southern Californian weather at Malibu Lagoon State Beach. The Pacific Ocean was chilly, but the sea air was perfect. I felt jealous of the surfers and cyclists who enjoy this weather year-round... next home maybe? 

That evening, Tom and I treated ourselves (courtesy of my dad's hotel discount) to a night at the Ritz Carlton in Santa Barbara. The beautiful resort is tucked into a hillside overlooking the ocean. 

Day 2: Santa Barbara

Since we arrived late the night before, Tom and I took our time exploring the resort and beach Friday morning; another lovely weather forecast with few people around (likely related to the time of year and pandemic).

I would like to spend more time in Santa Barbara in the future, but because of our short timeline, we packed up the car and continued north. A few hours later, we stopped to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat in Pismo Beach--one of my many cute beach towns on our route.

We were unable to drive through Big Sur due to a recent mudslide, but I would like to visit on a future trip. Instead, we stopped for breaks in Monterrey and Santa Cruz.

We started feeling tired in central California, shortly after driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, so we found a place to stay just north of San Francisco in Bodega.

Day 3: Redwoods

Tom and I woke up on Saturday to a crisp morning in Bodega Bay. I missed the heat, but the sun felt good. We kicked off the day with an easy 3-mile hike to Stump Beach Cove in Salt Point State Park. The level trail crosses grassy bluffs along a jagged shoreline; a great way to get our energy up for a long drive day.

Afterwards, we continued up the coast to northern California, stopping for lunch in the small town of Mendocino. The landscape slowly began to feel more like Oregon as we entered the redwood forests. The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic highway that winds through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The trees that grow along the Redwood Highway are Coastal redwoods (sequoia sempervirens). They are the tallest living things on our planet, reaching up to 350' high and 18' across. These giants were big enough for us to literally drive through!

 

Exhausted after night fall, we crashed in Crescent City.

Day 4: Medford

It would have been fun to complete the road trip along the Oregon coastline, but we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to see Tom's good friends in southern Oregon. So we set off on Sunday morning, heading inland via Highway 199. This scenic drive is spectacular, winding through the enchanted forests on the Smith River before climbing in the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon.

Tom and I met Mike and Madison for lunch in Medford, happy to spend time together during such a difficult time in history. It was bittersweet to leave them as we finally headed home.

Tom and I enjoyed our short vacation, feeling grateful for the break from work and routine; the days seem much longer when everything is new and exciting. We were blessed with idyllic weather, pleased to get a splash of color on our PNW skin. We drove about 1,300 miles over four days (three nights), which averaged 6-8 hours of car time per day. Next time, I would take a few extra days, and maybe camp instead of stay at hotels. As usual after any trip, I am eager to spend more time in California!

Our New House

After a grueling house hunt, Tom and I moved into a townhome rental in early February. Only a mile and a half from my old apartment, we jumped one neighborhood east to Sunnyside. It would have been fun to explore a new area of town, but we were also content to stay in southeast Portland. Our new home is 1,200 square feet with two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, an office and a back yard; I am torn between feelings of comfort in spreading out vs. the simplicity that accompanies minimalism.

Living with a significant other is a new experience for both Tom and I, so we are navigating the ups and downs together. So far, it has been wonderful to come home to my love instead of an empty apartment.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Before we even unpacked all of the boxes, a winter storm dumped 6+ inches of snow and ice on Portland. Unlike where I grew up on the East Coast, the city is not equipped with the resources to manage inclement weather, so much of the area was essentially snowed in. Roads were unsafe to drive, sidewalks were too slick to walk and thousands lost power due to fallen trees on power lines, weighed down by the ice. It was not safe to commute to work for several days, so Tom and I spent the snow days settling into the new place and making wintry cocktails. The highlight was being able to snowshoe to Mt. Tabor from our house!

 

According to native Portlanders, snow storms happen, to some degree, roughly once every other year. Contrast to my frustration, everyone seems to simply accept it and enjoy a few days off. I personally felt relieved when the temperature began to rise, slowly melting the snow away. Bring on the spring! 

New Years Edition

At the end of December, my hospital began receiving the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine. Working first to vaccinate high-risk hospital staff, we subsequently began holding vaccine clinics across town to vaccinate the community. These clinics will continue to run for the next several months as OHSU and other local hospitals work to vaccinate everyone in priority of risk, as directed by the CDC. Currently, two pharmaceutical companies have formulated a two-dose series of the vaccine that has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA. I was hesitant to receive the vaccine so early in the process, but trusted my colleagues who have extensively researched the data. Ultimately, I view the decision as a sacrifice for the cause; a step forward in this health crisis that we have been navigating for the past year. 

Outside of work, I am continuing a variety of therapies to optimize my mental health. "Lost Connections" by Johann Hari has inspired me to reconnect with others and my values through socially distanced hikes, bike rides, and run challenges. On Monday, my friend Diana and I went cross-country skiing at Teacup Lake on Mt. Hood. It was both terrifying and exciting to face one of my greatest fears since my traumatic downhill ski accident almost four years ago. 

As for the future of our country, I am relieved that decency has been restored to the White House, and remain hopeful that new leadership can reunite our society.

This New Years, what if we flipped the focus from self-improvement to self-compassion?

Christmas Edition

As the pandemic dragged on through the end of year, I found myself increasingly more restless in being unable to travel or do much of anything. As a result, Tom and I treated ourselves to a weekend at one of the treasured McMenamins hotels. McMenamins is a family-owned company in the PNW serving handcrafted booze and coffee alongside good, honest pub fare since 1983. Steeped in art, history and a sense of place, locations range from neighborhood pubs to historic hotels where live music, soaking pools, movie theaters and other fun prevail. Our weekend retreat was the perfect reset before the holidays.

In deciding whether or not to go home for Christmas this year, I felt that the benefits outweighed the risks, so I traded the Portland rain for Pittsburgh snow.

 

My family quarantined in our own little bubble, so we missed seeing extended family and friends. However, I enjoyed the quality time spent cooking, baking, playing board games and watching our favorite holiday movies. My parents and sisters are the most important people in my life, and I am grateful for our sense of love and connection. 

 

 

While I did not enjoy the frigid northeast temperatures, at least we had a white Christmas!

Tom also came back with me, which was fun to introduce him to Pittsburgh.

A trip home would not have been complete without these little fur balls, Lucy and Phoebe.

 

My family recently lost my last remaining grandparent, Oma, whose life we celebrated at a beautiful memorial mass. My grandmother grew up in rural Germany before immigrating to Pittsburgh. Throughout my childhood, her stern yet caring nature helped shape my values of hard work and family. I am proud of my German heritage and our shared interest in gardening, and I look forward to seeing her again someday at the grand "family reunion."

Maria Schaller-Ammer

Feb 1, 1927 - Nov 27, 2020

America's Existential Crisis

After a big win for democracy, I can't help but feel as though America is facing an existential crisis. Before unpacking that, however, let's first consider the term "America" when used to define our nation. In truth, couldn't it mean anywhere in North or South America? Same goes for the colloquial phrase "the States." Many countries are divided into states; we are the United States of America. 

Anyway, my concern about the future of our great nation is related to the values that our society has adopted. As a population, we have embraced capitalism to such an extent that has ultimately led to a consumeristic approach to happiness and success. As a result, individualism has superseded community. Something as catastrophic as a global pandemic has the potential to unite us, yet it seems to only be dividing us further. This is but the humble opinion of a patriot that is eager to redefine our societal values.

 

In Portland, my life continues to move forward with work at the hospital, date nights with Tom and video chats with friends and family. The onset of winter has shelved much of my beloved outdoor activities, but I maintain my sanity by stretching out on my yoga mat each morning, getting fresh air each day and participating in multiple forms of therapy. I have also devoured countless books and podcasts in the downtime. The approaching holiday season has inspired me to reflect on the challenges that this year has brought, juxtaposed by the good fortunes that have come my direction. Ideally, we would not find ourselves locked down in a pandemic, but it is important to search for the silver linings and express gratitude for ourselves, each other and the planet.

Living Through a Pandemic

Given all of the challenges that 2020 continues to present, I often experience moments of heightened stress and anxiety. I am beginning to forget what life was like before lockdown, but in hindsight, it is clear that Portland is not the same city that I moved to only two years ago. Each of us have been forced outside of our comfort zones to reckon with the humility of how little is in our control. Now more than ever, it is easy to fall into despair about the outlook of our country and the world at large. 

 

Instead of succumbing to this mindset, I remind myself that this moment is temporary; nothing is permanent. During these trying times, I offer the following words of encouragement: strive for a healthy mind and body in order to stay grounded and optimistic about the future; lean on loved ones, and ask for help when needed; find something to be grateful for; be kind to yourself and others; take a deep breath; and remember to step back now and again to gain perspective.

Aside from practicing self care, it is equally important to seize this moment as an opportunity to fix broken societal systems. On that note, regardless of political beliefs, please get out and vote. We live in a democracy where every voice matters at both the local and federal level. As for the leader of our nation, my vote goes to a candidate that aims to unite rather than divide and isolate. I simply cannot vote for someone that does not care about humanity or the planet.