No sleep till Phoenix

My last week was full of get-togethers, laughs, crying, drinking, eating and photos. And very little sleep.

From what I can remember, the festivities started Sunday with a bbq at our house. Mary Rose and I went to the farmer’s market on Saturday and bought buffalo burgers, onions, mushrooms and peppers and we then had the idea that we should have a bbq and invite people over. Turns out about 15 or so people showed up to wish me well. Definitely more than I had thought so I was very pleasantly surprised.

The party eventually moved down to the park to partake in some four-square. After the lights turned off we decided that since we had a kickball, we should play kickball. In the dark. With people that have been drinking. Sweet! We decided to play in the grass since a lot of people were wearing sandals. So now add kicking and running in bare feet to the mix. Still not sure how no one got hurt. After a few innings of non-stop scoring, for it is hard to catch a ball that you cannot see, we stopped and switched to playing mafia. After a couple games that consisted of the same person getting killed to start both games, he was pissed, we called it a night.

I cannot remember anything on Monday so I think this was a recoup and relax night.

On Tuesday, Mary Rose, Steve and I went to the park to play tennis. The courts were filled, of course, so we went with plan b – horseshoes. Steve and I played while Mary Rose kept score – she was not all that interested in playing. Mary Rose soon left to join her bf and shortly afterwords a tennis court opened up. Soon Danielle graced us with her presence and we ended up sitting on the court and talking until well after the lights went off. And damn, was it cold! I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts and I was freezing my butt off! In August! What’s up with that?!?! Actually, I do enjoy it for as I write this I am in Tucson sweating while indoors!

Wednesday night was a VISTA shindig downtown. The new group of VISTAs were going through training this week and the alumni were invited to come over and share words of wisdom. Plus there was a free meal, and as a VISTA, you never pass up a free meal. I’m just saying. About 10 to 15 VISTA alumns, most from my year, showed up and it was nice to catch up with some that I have not seen in a long time. After eating, we talked to some of the VISTA rookies and I talked to them about Portland (for those stationed in Portland), food stamps and how to find and take advantage of all of the great resources over the year.

After the festivities were over, a group of us headed to Paddy’s to hang out and get a drink. Or several. Three of the new VISTAs joined us so we talked some more about VISTA but also ventured into drinks, movies and other bar topics. Danielle, Nancy and I lasted the longest and had some great conversations. During the night I was wondering why I did not hang out with the two of them more often – such a shame!

Thursday was my last day of work – hip hip hooray! That night Nick had a bbq at his house for a group of us that worked together. Toasts were given in my honor and I was very humbled. I was also getting tipsy between a couple glasses of champagne, a couple glasses of scotch and who knows how many beers. The night was filled with laughs, of which tickle torture was a big cause. No, I was not tickling Nick. Mostly his daughter and son. Mostly. The night ended with me reading Nick’s daughter a story in bed and then doing my best with holding it together while saying good-bye to everyone.

Jen dropped me off at home to find Steve and Dana, the new me in the house, talking on the steps. I gratefully sat down and hung out. Then I get calls from Mary Rose asking if I was coming out. I was worn-out so I said no. Then she pulled out the big guns and had our boss call me. Well, hard to refuse that one so I slap myself in the face a few times and walk down to the bar. Here I find more people from work, mostly VISTAs, and we hang out and talk for a while. After a few more beers, I had had enough, and luckily so had Mary Rose, so we headed home were I promptly fell asleep.

Friday night Mbaki and I played tennis and basketball. He is fairly new to these sports, but he is a natural athlete, so he quickly picked them up. I then headed home to make my last dinner – mexican tubes. This night consisted of a small group of Steve, Mary Rose, Carlos, Danielle and Dana. We played games, ate and had a good time. When Danielle left, I walked her out and we ended up talking outside in the street for quite a while. This by itself is not that interesting – well at least to you, it is to me – however, my house is right next to a roundabout and we had to constantly watch ourselves to make sure we were not going to get clipped by a car. In hindsight, standing on the sidewalk would have been a better idea.

After Danielle and I finally said our good-byes, I was a bit restless and decided to take a walk. I went down to the park and plopped down on a grass hill to watch the stars. I was listening to an audio book and was starting to calm myself down. Next thing I know I am waking up. Whoops. On the way home I figured out that I only missed about two chapters in the book. Not so bad. When I get home, I saw on the clock that it is 3am. Holy crap! It turns out that Danielle sent me a text at 2:45 and I am pretty sure that this woke me up. Thanks Danielle!

Saturday. Packing time. I shuffled out of bed around 8:30 and started the last laundry load. After a great french toast breakfast made by Mary Rose and Dana, I started packing. Attempting to get all of my stuff into 5 bags is quite a challenge. Jen and Mbaki come over and we chat for awhile. I have no idea how I stayed dried eyed when we said our final good-byes. Heck, I am watering up just writing about it right now. Jen was a great friend and took care of me a lot this year. I am very sad that I am going to miss the football experience at her house. Go Ducks!

After the packing is all done, Mary Rose, Steve and I get together for our first photo with all three of us in it. Yes, it took almost a full year for three people living together to all be in one photo. I wished Dana good luck. Steve and I embraced and said good-bye. Mary Rose and I then got in her car and take off.

On the way to the airport, the finality of everything was really sinking in and I was doing my best to keep it together. I was thinking of all the great friends I made and all of the experiences we had together. I had no idea what I was getting into a year ago when I came to Portland, but I would never have thought that I would have made such great friends as I did. I started having second thoughts of leaving. Mary Rose would turn the car around if I asked.

Mary Rose parked at the airport and helped me bring my 5 bags inside. I checked my luggage and then we made eye contact. Oh man, this is going to be harder than I imagined. We embraced and I didn’t want to let go. When we did let go, tears were flowing and after looking each other in the eyes, we embraced again. After one more great hug, we wished each other well and I watched her leave. I wanted to ask her not to go. But I don’t. While taking deep breaths, I watch her go up the escalator and out the door.

After getting through security, I send my last text message from Portland, for now, saying until we meet again. Mary Rose returns my message and calls me a jerk for slipping money into her purse for parking and gas.

Until we meet again.