I think I'm in love... with a coffee shop.

I don't know why this particular cafe tucked away in the unique Ladd's addition neighborhood of Portland is so special to me.  It just is.  I love the look of the space - the windows, the colors on the walls, the lighting, ceramic mugs; I love the location - it's on the outside edge of a big round about that spits off to about 5 different streets; I love the people - because it's in a residential area, there are tons of pedestrians, bicyclists, joggers, roller-bladers, and they're all very Portland.  I love that!

I guess I have a lot of memories associated with this place.  I have fond memories of meeting friends for coffee to catch up on life.  Also, it was a place I'd come alone to escape and just chill out - journal, read, think, people watch, etc.  Now that I live in Olympia, I find that I really miss Palio's.  Oh, I think this is the first time I mentioned the name of this great little Portland treasure as I see it.  Palio's Dessert & Espresso House.  I honestly don't even know how to pronounce "Palio."  Ha!  I've just had so many different people pronounce it differently, I'm not sure which one is right.  Oh well.  That doesn't matter to me.  I just love this place.  And their coffee it great!  Frothy-foamed lattes, strong yet tasty shots in the americanos, and an amazing selection of tea from what I understand.

If you ever need a place to hang out in Portland, let me know and I'll help you figure out how to get to Palio's.  It's tricky to find.  The Ladd's addition is a VERY unique neighborhood.  It's SO easy to get lost.  Anyway, posted are a few pics of me at my favorite coffee shop over the years.  Kind of a funny love affair.  Me + Palio's Dessert & Espresso House = Love

Shall We Dance?

One of my favorite movies is "Shall We Dance" with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.  I own it and from time to time, I pull it out to watch, just because.  First of all, I love it because it's a story line based around dancing.  But what I love even more about this charming tale is the parallels it makes between partner dancing and marriage.

My favorite lines in this movie are said by Susan Sarandon's character - the wife of John Clark (Richard Gere).  When asked why she thinks people get married, she answers,

"Because we need a witness to our lives.  ...In a marriage, you're promising to care about everything - the good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things - all of it, all the time, everyday.  You're saying, 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it.  Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will be your witness."

I love this speech!  I believe it speaks true of what a marriage should be about.  I believe this speaks true of the human experience in general.  Everyone desires to be noticed.  This makes me long for my life's witness in a husband someday, but it also makes me want to be a truly committed and intentional friend.  I want to have others witness my life just as much as the next gal or guy.  If I can be mindful of that need in others while building friendships, I think my relationships will be richer.

The BEST part of this movie is when Richard Gere's character rides up the escalator wearing a tuxedo and holding a single long-stemmed red rose.  He greets his wife and asks her to dance.  When she says, "But I don't know the steps," he replies, "Yes you do.  You've been dancing with my for 19 years."  What a beautiful comparison to marriage.  I don't know, maybe it doesn't make sense to everyone, but for me - as a dancer myself - I get it!

I highly recommend that you watch this movie.  It's a romantic comedy with a wonderful ending!