Awkward Neighbor Situation: Resolution

If you read this post, you know that I have been dealing with smelly, carcinogenic neighbor fumes. If you read this post, you know that smoker neighbor has been intermittently absent. If you did not read either of those posts, this is what the outside of my building looked like at the time of earlier postings.



However, this is what the outside of my building looks like as of today.



That's right, smoker neighbor has not only left his balcony, he has vacated the premises entirely.

I discovered the happy news two weeks ago. It was 7:25am on a Thursday and I was heading out to catch my ride to the train station to leave for Hillsboro. I was in a hurry, but I paused to investigate the packet of papers laying on smoker neighbor's doorstep. I stopped reading after "Thanks for choosing Apex! Please note your lease ends on August 10th at noon. All your belonging must be out of the apartment at that time." I didn't have time for shouting and dancing, but I smiled a toothy grin on my way out.

Even after reading it with my very own two eyes, I was hesitant to accept the move-out date as fact. But, when August 10th rolled around, the balcony was empty and on my way back in from the gym I caught a glimpse of who I can only assume was smoker neighbor heading to the elevator with a box. I can only assume it was smoker neighbor because he left from the apartment next to me and he had blondish-colored hair.

Truthfully, I would not recognize smoker neighbor if he passed me on the street. I only ever caught glimpses of his profile sneakily through my blinds way back when I was trying to figure out where the smoke was coming from. He could have a pink unicorn tattoo on his left cheek for all I know. It might even look like this one.



I digress.

Anyway, I am content to enjoy a secondhand-smoke-free existence in the comfort of my home. I plan on hanging onto the diplomatic solutions I cooked up for my new neighbor and whatever obnoxious vice he/she may have.

An Exceptional Individual

Alright, I am going to pick up where I left off, which was two Thursday’s ago. I already told you that I bailed on my summer graduate work two days early, but I didn’t tell you why, so here it is. I finished early so I could go to a party.

Not just any party, a princess party. Enter, the princess.



Nicole is my friend (and my best friend Stacey’s cousin.) She is 20 years old. She was first diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 12 years old. She fought it for two years, went into remission for 4 (ish) years, and found out it had returned just after graduating from high school. For the last 2 years, she has undergone numerous hospitalizations, surgeries, and experimental chemotherapy.

Recent complications have negatively influenced Nicole's prognosis. On July 14th, she was told that she would have somewhere between 4 weeks and 6 months left, depending on how fast the tumor continued to grow.

The thing about Nicole is that she is the strongest, bravest, most vivacious person I know. People cannot help but fall in love with her. Case in point, the princess party.

In light of the news from her doctors, Nicole has spent the last four weeks doing things she loves and hitting some milestones early that she is unlikely to get to on a more traditional timeline. For instance, a few weekends ago she had a 21st birthday party. [photos courtesy of Stacey, but probably taken by Karla]







The following week, Nicole went with Stacey to a bridal fitting (Stacey is getting married next summer) to see Stacey in her dress and to try on some dresses of her own (another early milestone.) Nicole found a dress that she loved, wore it around the store, smiled, laughed, and generally had a good time in it, and then went home.

The next day, Stacey got a phone call from the manager of the store. She and some of the girls who worked there wanted to buy Nicole her favorite dress. They also offered their talents to do Nicole’s hair and make-up if she wanted to have a party to show it off (which she did.) Thus, the idea of the princess party was born.

As word got out, the party evolved into an extravaganza. The bridal shop’s photographer offered to shoot the party, the bridal shop (Bridal Exclusives) offered to feature her on their website, a videographer volunteered to take footage, and three different bakeries donated sweet goodies. Nicole invited tons of friends and family (who also brought food and desserts) and a celebration of epic proportions was created. On the day of the event, channel 12 caught wind of the party and sent a reporter out to cover it. Here are some of my favorite photos from the night.

The princess and her family



Her adoring fans (over 150 people came!)



The cupcakes



The Princess and her mom (Karla)



The Princess and I [Courtesy of Ali]



It was an amazing night and everyone had a great time. Stacey, Karla and I finally helped Nicole out of her dress just after midnight.

If you want to see images and video from the party, check out the channel 12 story on Nicole, the photographer, Rebecca Dryer's slideshow, or her blog post about the event. If you want to read more about Nicole's fight with cancer, check out her blog. If you want to see Nicole in that beautiful dress one more time, check out Bridal Exclusive's featured bride page.

Seriously, I dare you not to fall in love with this girl.

On a side note, August 28th, Nicole and her posse of family and friends are participating in Portland’s annual Brain Tumor Walk. Nicole’s team is called the Midnight Angels. If you want to help out a great cause, sign up and walk with us, or make a donation to Nicole Callaghan (as an individual.)

Here are some pictures from last year’s Brain Tumor Walk [courtesy of Stacey]. So fun!

Treasure Hunting

Alright, I have been all over the place in the last week and I have tons of stories to tell. Even though some are more significant than others, I am going to proceed chronologically.

Last Thursday, I bailed on my last two days of summer school and took the morning train down to Portland. The reason for doing so is central to the next story, so I am going to leave that part out for now. By the way, taking the train is way better than driving. I read the last 600 pages of The Girl Who Played with Fire and watched The Lives of Others on my laptop. Much more entertaining than sitting in traffic juggling NPR stations trying to avoid repeat programs. I digress.

Anyway, my mom picked me up at the train station around four. We had been in the car not more than five minutes when she informed me that we were “going on an adventure.” As it turns out, my brother had lost his wedding ring and we were supposed to look for it. Our conversation went a little like this.

Me: Does he know where he lost it?

Mom: Well, he was working for Dad.

Me: He lost it in the field?(!) Does he know when he lost it?

Mom: On Tuesday.

Me: Can he narrow it down a little?

Mom: Your dad thinks he saw it on his finger at lunch.

Me: Where exactly was he working?

Mom: Well, he ran the combine in three different fields.

Me: Three? (!)

Mom: If your dad is right, we only need to look in one field.

Me: Great.

As it turns out, he could have lost it anywhere, at any point during his 12-hour work day. Let me summarize the situation for you.

The Needle.

The Haystack.

Excuse me, one of three possible haystacks. Mom, Willow and I combed this particular haystack (the last one he worked in) for roughly an hour and a half with rakes and a borrowed metal detector. No dice.

I know what you’re thinking. This is going to be like The Mango Incident all over again. How could a girl who loses a mango in laundry basket, find a wedding ring in a field (or three for that matter?)

What you don’t know about me, is that I am generally good at finding things. Not my things (case in point, the mango,) but other people’s things. What you don't know about my brother, is that he is generally lucky.

Fast forward to Saturday morning. We have looked for the ring a bunch, but have pretty much resigned ourselves to the fact we will have to wait for the hay to be baled before we can continue searching. Mom and I cut hydrangeas to take to a friend. I am wrapping the ends of the flowers and walking toward the truck, when I happen to glance down.

That’s right, I found it. It was sitting right about here in the driveway.

Shouting and dancing ensued.

Sister of the year? Yeah, I think so.