Someday, we'll find what we're looking for.

A typical Hallin occurrence:

After a stuggle to pack snow gear and secure all Hallin family members in the Mazda, we were off to the mountain for an afternoon of sledding. Of course as we pull into the gas station to fuel up and snag a Redbox for the voyage, Mom says, "how about we just go to the beach?"

So we popped a U-ie and were now coast-bound.

Since 1997, in spirit of the New Year, Lincoln City, OR hides 150 blown glass balls along 7.5 miles of shoreline for visitors to seek out among the rocks and logs. Our determination to find one of these wondrous art forms lasted for about a mile and a half of shoreline. Our attention span sort of redirected and led us to simply enjoying the unusually warm weather gracing the normally overcast Oregon Coast.

We didn't find what we were looking for. But rather than finding the tangible beauty we initially pursued, we experience something much greater in value. We were nowhere near upset to go home sans a New Year glass ball as we had indulged in a peaceful, hakunat-matata* kind of day that met us with a few steaming hot bread-bowls of clam chowder and some spontaneity. And we enjoyed it as a family.

*a wonderful phrase: it means no worries...for the rest of your days

Sometimes life doesn't hand you what you want it to, but rather delivers an unexpected beauty that holds so much more worth than the original pursuit you had for yourself. Unpredictability is a beautiful thing. I don't know what 2013 will bring. I do however, have a plan not to make plans. I am looking forward to being surprised at what God has in store for me this upcoming year.

Happy New Year, everyone!

~

P.S. WHAT NOW, MAYANS?!

Someday, I'll remember to pack my toothbrush.

It's the one thing I ALWAYS forget to pack. Just ask Natalie...in grade school, I just kept an extra at her house for sleepover purposes. Well a weekend trip to Sunriver, OR proved nothing had changed as I neglected to pack any agent of oral hygiene. It's okay. One gas station was fully stocked.

The trip was nothing short of entertaining. Between learning and rapping {almost} all the words to Hoodie Allen's "No Interruption," taking an accidental 13-mile hike {in full-on Bear Grylls mode}, getting eaten alive by bloodthirsty mosquitos, associating with tipsy Bend Brewfest goers, attending an  {to avoid the risk of sounding insulting} "alternative" music performance--we were only interested in the opening act--and many other accounts that delivered gut-busting laughter...I'd say it was a successful  trip.

So glad I could spend the weekend feasting my eyes on beautiful central Oregon.

*Oh and one final note: to the guys floating the river, awkwardly paddling over and asking if our inter tube device is actually a kiddy pool will not prove as a successful method of flirtation, nor will gushing about the flip flop you lost yesterday.
~That is all.~

"I be working like I'm Anders Holmvik."

Someday, I'll be graceful {part 3}.

First of all, the prodigal blogger returns! Summer hasn't exactly made me lazy, it's just changed my priorities I guess. Dog sitting, nannying, starting a new job, and breathing have kind of trumped blogging but I'm determined to get back at it...

In other news...yes, I have the ability to compose a third post on the subject of the clumsy accounts of Brittany Alexandra Hallin. This one's a doozy. It all started with an unfortunate spillage of au jus back in the kitchen of my workplace where I waitress. Upon getting slammed with more tables than my rookie, unexperienced waitress abilities could handle, fate graced me with an unfortunate step in this greasy puddle.

Well one thing led to another and before I knew it I was bum down and feet up with broken glass in my leg and a bruise on my tailbone. I am not sure what hurt more...my pride or my back. Well now, I'd say it's my back.

Someday, I'll reside seaside.

Something about the ocean is so alluring. Anyone who's every been to any coastal town {notice usage of word "coastal" not "beach"--we live in Oregon...not Cali} can identify that calm aura that seems to settle in along with the sea's mist. Hustling and bustling fail to disturb this signature tranquility of the Oregon coast. I've always thought that at some point in my life, it'd be nice to call a beach or coast home--even if it's not until retirement {yes, I'm thinking that far ahead}.

 Memorial day weekend getaway to Newport with some good ol' friends.

I'd say we came home with some priceless memories.

jetty~rooftops~clamming~taffy~cranky neighbors~spaghetti~"yolo"

Someday, we'll do our homework.

Me: Let's go do homework outside!

Sarah: Okay!

~

*Go outside.*

*Sit down.*

*Open books.*

*Stare at a page for two seconds.*

*Close books.*

*Tan & make flower chains instead.*

If only every weekend was like this...

{But next time with sunscreen!}