22nd Jan - wed - woke up- booked appointment for a haircut- pinged Tvisha daycare teacher to take care of her for an hour or so- went for a haircut ! Meanwhile Tvisha told her teacher, mom’s gone to get a haircut! Haha.
24th Jan - Friday - woke up- pinged daycare teacher again to take care of take care of Tvisha for 1-2 hours- got manicure, pedicure and a nice foot massage done! So relaxing!
Packed bag for the trip with Tvisha. This was her first conscious trip. She actually understood everything that was happening around her. Or Atleast was trying to understand.
25th - Saturday- woke up- got ready morning started to Portland. Around 1 pm Balu said “ok look for restaurants around” and I was like “ I want this trip to be all food trucks” but lol we had crossed a kind of major city, leaving us with less options. Then I found cute little Thai place close to the border of Washington and a park right behind it. As the weather was getting better, it was a perfect time for a little photoshoot.
We had kinda filled ourselves with snacks on the drive, so weren’t too hungry- we ordered a pad Thai at this restaurant called “ the Thai dish” and shared it. The restaurant opens directly to the dining area with no reception. An old man said we can sit anywhere. He then brought us 3 cups of ice water with lemon slices in them. And also handed us the menu cards.
Then behind it, there was a greenery filled park. Had a mini photo shoot session there.
Then went to Portland downtown - pioneer place mall. Had Chinese food there.
Then the plan was to do food trucks .. but suddenly felt so tired, so headed the hotel. We checked in, the receptionist gave us cookies and water bottles, along with the keys to our room on the fourth floor. He also said breakfast was available from 6 to 10 am. After putting all our bags and stuff in the room, Balu said he will go get food from some indian. Meanwhile Tvisha opened up her gift which I got her from the mall- frozen tea cups set for her pretend tea party! And then after a long wait, Balu came back with food and a surprise cake.
After which I received a FaceTime call from my girls gang besties - jenn, Mary, moni, ramy, and Prathima !
I went to bed thinking of breakfast.
26th - Sunday - next morning I woke a bit early for breakfast, while the other two were still sleeping. I quickly had some breakfast. Breakfast was great- lots of options. The best thing was freshly pressed juice.
After breakfast, I was back with some for them. I sat around for an hour and then slipped back to sleep till he decided to finally wake up. We then all got up and ready and out for another park and another mini photo shoot session with another outfit.
Then from there, finally to the food truck pod in downtown Portland. Tasted a dish each from each foot truck. The pod named “Cartopia” was so good with a lot of picnic bench in the center and surrounded with food trucks on its periphery. And a few benches within a big tent. And fireplaces set up between every few benches. All the trucks gave us the vibrating devices to wait for our orders. We had a warm outdoor lunch experience. Loved that!
From there we headed home. Tired again. Throughout the last two days I left all my friends phones beeping with WhatsApp status and Instagram stories updates almost every hour of the weekend!
Memories of the last decade!!!
The last decade from 2010 to 2020
1. Called 6 states my home
2. Got married
3. Owned my first car
4. Had my child
5. Worked at 5 jobs/ companies
6. Owned my first business
7. Owned my first house
8. Visited or put foot on 25 stages of America
9. Visited 3 countries (India, US, Canada)
10. Enjoyed a bunch of extreme sports ( rafting, skiing, sky diving, zip lining)
Yearly birthday sweet memories
Till 2010- all my birthdays Ammama and Thatha brought a cake home
2011- celebrated in India at IIT-M with B.Tech college buddies
2012- celebrated in Kentucky by myself, made a sweets for self!
2013- Kentucky besties surprised me with a cake !
2014- celebrated in India, once again with mom, dad and Ammama & Thatha came over with a cake! (Last one before my marriage)
2015-celebrated in Indiana with Moni and friends.
2016- celebrated in Seattle- 26 gifts for 26 years on the 26th Jan (last Birthday before I got pregnant)
2017- celebrated in Seattle with mom and Tvisha! Balu was traveling for work, he came back the next day!
2018- celebrated in India with parents and cousins, Balu sent cake!
2019- celebrated in Seattle with Balu and friends.
2020- celebrated in Portland with Balu and Tvisha.
