Tori's Excellent Adventure

Just got home from Portland. Took Tori to college. Left my baby alone in a really big city. To fend for herself. I have been formulating this blog on the 11 hour drive home today. Now, the words escape me.

Let's start with a short recap of the weekend. We left Pocatello at around 4 pm on Thursday. Tears and sniffling as she said goodbye to Kirk, her boyfriend. Started out, and drove. And drove. And drove. Stopped in Boise to have dinner with Tori's former youth leader, Jessa. Then we drove. And drove. And drove. Finally petered out around midnight in Baker City. Found out on Friday that Baker City was exactly halfway. Headed out Friday morning, after finding Tori the worst mocha of her life. And drove. And drove. And drove.Took a wrong turn in The Dalles for our lunch stop, and ended up in Washington for a minute. But, Tori got nice pics of the bridge we crossed. Got into Portland around 2 pm. Headed straight to Marylhurst for a look-see. Got a tour from a nice lady named Laura. She said at one point, "Going to Marylhurst is like getting a big hug." Tori loved that statement. Beautiful campus. Checked on her financial aid, registration, text books, and got her student ID. She has new student orientation next Thursday. Oh, yeah, checked out the bookstore too. She got a good mocha, and I got a hoodie for me, one for Sammee, and a water bottle for Kat. Luckily, I can log onto the website and order more merchandise. Plus, I have a close friend who can get more stuff too.
 :-)

Next stop was her apartment. Very small, but actually Tori sized. The largest room is the kitchen. She signed the lease and we unloaded the Jeep. Her landlord is a nice, single dad. He seems to work out of his home, and seemed like he would protect her. Then a quick tour of Oregon City, which is like Pocatello in the middle of the Portland metro area. Quaint shops, cute restaurants, old houses. Finally went to the hotel to collapse for the night.

Saturday we started the day by going to Washington (this time on purpose) to visit my friend Noel. She has a loveseat for Tori, gave her some dishes and stuff, sheets, and has a full bedroom set. She will be visiting Tori later this week to deliver and help her set stuff up. Tori even left with a jar of homemade salsa, raspberry jam, and blackberry jam. Then we ran around town. We found a Goodwill Superstore (no, really) in downtown Portland, but got distracted by a Flea Market a few blocks down. We browsed! for a few, but had to meet a "co-worker" Ann for lunch at the Clackamas Mall, and were late. The following is the exchange of all parties involved:

Kat:  C'mon, Tori!
Tori: I'm coming
Old Scottish vendor with heavy brogue: Take your time, lassie! That'll piss 'em off! You're your own person!

We laughed about that all the way to the car. Tori loves the variety of people in downtown.

So, after getting lost numerous times, got the the mall, and had a lovely lunch with Ann from the payroll department of JH Kelly. Did I ever mention that I love that woman? And to meet her in person was awesome!

After lunch we did some thrift store shopping, went to Costco to print pictures for Tori, and wandered aimlessly. Sometimes getting lost is the only way to really experience a city. Then back to the apartment, unpacked, and collapsed. She won't have much furniture for about a week, but then she may have too much stuff for that little, cute space.

Kat and I hit the road at around 5 am today. We kept our stops short but frequent (my back really hates me right now), and got home around 6:30 tonight. Meanwhile, Tori went to church, got mistaken for a 12 year old, and toured the town. She went to a coffee shop and met a barista who attends Marylhurst. She found a yarn shop (I know, it could be bad) and the ladies who own it live across the street from Marylhurst. She is joining a Thursday night knitting group there. And she even hung out with a friend from high school, who goes to University of Portland, today.

So, long story short (I know, too late), Tori is fending for herself, and, surprisingly (not really), making friends. And connections. Just talked to her on the phone, and she sounded good. She is grown up. And, with her personality, she won't know what to do with all of the friends she makes. Added bonus. The boyfriend, Kirk, will be moving to Eugene, OR this week to attend the University of Oregon. Eugene is only 2 hours away. That helps.

So, Mom's okay. Kat's okay. Not sure about Sammee. Haven't talked to her much this weekend. I think Tori will be okay. God has placed her in the perfect area of Portland to live, at the perfect school, and with some perfect people surrounding her. She has even found a coffee shop that is "almost" as good as Co Ho. Life is good. And life goes on. Looking forward to hearing about Tori's Excellent Adventure.