Cat Cape

So when you're done studying for the bar exam and don't have a job, what do you do? You think of projects that you can do... Such as sewing a cat cape for your shivering cat. Then you think of ways you can fine-tune the cape... Such as making a hood and making it longer. But that's for later on this week.
So what have we been up to? The bar exam was last Tuesday and Wednesday. Since then, we have applied for a few more jobs, and have taken steps to establish our domicile as Oregon. Since Karen's a glutton for punishment, she studied for the driving test (written portion only) on Thursday with Todd. We went to the DMV on Friday to take the test. Yes... The DMV. It's maddening how bureaucracy works and how it takes so long to do things. That was our Friday, getting our Oregon driver licenses. The ordeal took us hours. Karen was lucky enough to have the Hispanic guy (apparently, they only give the Spanish version on paper) reading out his questions behind her while taking the exam although you're not supposed to do that (but then again, the sign saying so is in English). Good thing she just took another, more serious test. Todd was only too happy to relinquish his Hawaii one since he looks like an ax murderer in it (ok, maybe a bit harsh, but think sleepy Todd + unshaven + grouchy). His Oregon picture looks a lot better. We just have paper versions now in the interim with the real plastic one to arrive in a month.

We planned to get our Oregon plates at the same time. However, there's an emissions test we needed to pass even though we drive a Pious. Seriously. So we had to schlep to another city and wait over 45 minutes to take a test which we passed since we're smuggy Pious owners. By that time, we didn't want to go all the way back to the first DMV site to get our plates (The original place said there was a DMV express we could go to near the testing facility but hey, guess what, they don't do out-of-state title transfers. Good advice.). So that was our big accomplishment on Monday. So we can almost appear to be Oregonians. Yay.

On Saturday, we had friends from our small group over to celebrate Todd's birthday. Yay! Of course, Mr. Chang was a photographer and took pictures and we'll get those from him so we can post them (eventually). Todd even deigned to wear a cheery birthday hat. It was nice and fun to celebrate in a low key, very Todd-friendly way. Karen made chili, cornbread, asparagus, and mini cheesecakes and had oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in people's goodie bags. Yes, we made a dollar store run and picked up the festive decorations. haha :) It was a good Todd birthday. He got coffee, cheese, and gum from people (three guaranteed mood elevators) and got to play Halo with the guys.

Sunday was another potluck day with our small group after church. Food was good and two super nice couples made summer rolls and lumpia. Which we love because they're yummy and time-consuming (so better if someone makes them since we're usually too lazy to).

Monday was Oregon plates day. We also got some thread and stuff from Joann's so Karen can do some sewing. She was very please that she finally figured out how to use her sewing machine on Saturday night to make the above posted cat cape. The bobbin loading part was different than that on the machine she learned on. Hooray for the internet & its many instructional videos. So the cape has velcro on it although the cat always takes it off over his head. We also got some groceries at Costco and this Korean market we found in Beaverton. Cheaper than Uwajimaya but of course, not all pretty looking with super pretty vegetables. But the prices were much, much better. For some reason, brown rice and baby bok choy were kind of expensive here, considerably more than in Hawaii and at least at the Korean market, the prices were more what we're used to. So yay, we finally have rice too. We can be real Asian people.

We got our library cards today. Yay. So we immediately requested a whole bunch of books (well, Karen requested a ton, Todd a more modest amount). :) We are definite fans of libraries. We also looked at pots at the nursery right next to our apartment complex but they were too big and expensive. So our tulip bulbs from our nice new friends will have to wait to be planted. Apparently, since the soil here is so good, though, it's foolproof to grow things. We hope so since we're going to try to grow wheatgrass for the cat, too.

Ok, that's our update for our semi-(but not really)adventurous life.