Scone nirvana

I don't know what a proper scone is supposed to be, but the ones I typically encounter are really dry, crumbly, and lack oomph. The best scones to me are dry on the outside, but softer with just the faintest hint of being moist on the inside. The last good scone I remember having was 5+years ago at Royal Blend in New Orleans.

On recommendation from my hairdresser, I stopped in Ristretto's coffee shop today, and found a great scone and a nice cappuccino. The scone had tiny crumbles of pecan, mixed with a few bits of orange zest and some gorgeous chunks of chocolate, wow, it actually all really worked well together.



An intriguing looking clothing store next to the coffee shop, I didn't stop in, but will do so another day...


Some neighborhood cats who were about to fight, but I interrupted them.

I really like being in PDX

It makes me bizarrely happy that I can walk out my front door and amble over to stores I like to browse -- and then, if I get tired, easily take a bus home. I love that I can also step out and within a few minutes be at innumerable different trail heads and jog to my hearts content, and when I get tired of that I can (albeit, sweaty and gross at that point), go have a delicious French pastry and cappuccino before heading home.

I'm down to using my car approximately once a week for work (if I have errands/appointments I need to accomplish during the work day) -- but otherwise, I find it really pleasant to take the MAX and preferable to driving.

In random academic updates, I've submitted my dissertation to a "best dissertation" contest sponsored by APA, and I just found one other similar venue to do the same. I have no expectation of winning since admittedly I didn't spend much time on the 5-page summaries these contest require.

Korean eats

I have to give credit to my Chicago-transplant-foodie-coworker for telling me about Spring Restaurant. It's hidden above and within a sketchy looking grocery store just off of Canyon and 217. It's pricey for the location and weird ambiance (you overlook people grocery shopping). But, overall, I thought it was decent and you get a lot for the $, I have enough leftovers for at least 2 additional lunches. My only disappointment was the Mandoo (fried dumplings) -- my mom's version just tastes better, at least in my memories.

I'll definitely be back here again -- I like finding places like this where it's comfortable and easy for me to dine alone and not feel self-conscious about it. Not that I freak out too much about dining alone, but at some restaurants I can sometimes feel strange about being on my own.

March Workouts

Su	M	T	W	Th	F	Sa
		(1) Nothing	(2) 2 mile fast treadmill run + 1 mile hilly slow run	(3) 30 minutes cardio aerobics	(4) Nothing	(5) Nothing
4 mile run (light hills)	3 mile flat run + 1.75 mile hill walk	Nothing	4.5 mile flat run	Nothing	Nothing	Nothing
5 mile flat run + 1 mile walk	2 mile flat walk (fast)	30 minutes aerobics/bodyweight	3.5 mile flat run	40 minutes aerobics/bodyweight	Nothing	Nothing
8 mile bike ride	Nothing	5 mile flat run	6 mile flat run	Nothing	Nothing	3.5 mile flat run
30 minutes bodyweight	Nothing	4.25 mile flat run	Nothing	4.5 mile flat run	Nothing