“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
– Anais Nin

I’ve only completed the first two weeks of classes this term and I’m fairly certain that this term is going to be a stressful one. Thankfully, I have some outstanding plans with a great group of friends this fall/winter holiday season to help keep me sane. The 10 of us met at my house on Friday night, (after a stressful week of classes) with plans to head into downtown Portland to eat at the awesome Japanese restaurant, Shigezo, together. Somehow, they always manage to make me feel so much more relaxed and stress-free whenever we’re all together. The hours seemed to fly by while we were there as we spent some time getting to know Michelle’s new boyfriend, Dan, and Megan’s new girlfriend, Erica.

Michelle and Dan had to leave early, but we had a group hug that suddenly turned into a group photo (thanks to Brittany) and Taran couldn’t turn his head in time because of Jomi’s arm. Hahah. Good times were had, none-the-less. Anyway, the night concluded at my house by watching “Fright Night” in commemoration of the Halloween season and drawing names for our 3rd annual Secret Santa/Christmas get-together.

It feels like a lot is coming up, as in a few weeks we’ll be getting together to celebrate the home-stretch of Brittany and Andrew’s engagement. Then we’ll all be heading to Montana for the wedding at the end of the month. After Thanksgiving, we’ve also decided to start a new tradition called “Friendsgiving” where we’ll be meeting up at my house to cook and spend an almost-traditional Thanksgiving together. Then a short while after that, we’ll get together again for our Christmas/Secret Santa get together.

Overall, I truly feel blessed to have met such a great and loving group of friends, and am looking forward to our many-more years together. I love you guys.