Unforgettables

There are some things in life that you just can't get away from. I, for one, used to have a vicious habit of writing faithfully in this blog. Now, I don't take the time, because my time is eaten up by other things away from the computer, namely- doing dishes at nearly all ours of the day. Today I visited a few blogs just for "old times sake". The Griffin's blog took me back to Europe for a moment. Seeing San Sebastien Spain painted behind Gerald and Jenni spoke to me. The blue in the sky, the delicate bridge architecture and trees... it all took me back to the Basque Country where I've fallen in so many loves: in love with Jason, in love with a culture, in love with some families, in love with nature. And I miss it.

I visited Bethany's adventure. She's hopping around in the UK. She's probably one of the most faithful children of God I've met- faithful to her relationship with Christ and her friends.

All this to say, I remember. I haven't forgotten the passions placed in my heart for certain things: Christ and the incredible mission of the Cross; foreign lands, particularly France; nature; and music.

wedding2

wedding2
Originally uploaded by Mme Menke.

MRS. MENKE

Hi, my name is Liz Menke. I live in Lincoln City Oregon with my new husband Jason Menke. We live in the top level of the "leaning tower of Nelscott" where, from our bedroom, Jason can check the surf every morning and I can enjoy the beautiful sunsets out across the Pacific Ocean.

I work for Starbucks here in town and Jason works for Christian Surfers of Oregon. We are headed on our honeymoon very soon. We are going to test out the waters in Costa Rica for 10 days. I'll try to get some photos of the happy couple up as soon as I can. See ya,
LM

Luau Dancers

Luau Dancers
Originally uploaded by spigs.

Time Flies

Just had a little reunion with my dorm section from 1996. Wow time has flown- babies, marriages and other fun! Char and I are both getting married next month, and two little girls are on their way for Carmen and Liz "Bugs".

Jason and I arrived home from Hawaii yesterday morning and we've been going like mad since. Yesterday seemed like the longest day. Sunday afternoon, a group of us from Oregon and Santa Cruz were basking in the sun at Pipeline on the North Shore. Then sun and waves melded into an agonizing red-eye to Portland where we took a nap, cleaned up, ran errands, had coffee with our pre-marriage counselor and ran off to the reunion.

CSUS Conference

So we are off to Hawaii for the CSUS national Conference. Our flight will be boarding shortly, and we're traveling in style- good friends, direct flight, and warm weather. Apparently the swell is small in Waikiki which is in my favor. We'll have a good 36 hours to relax before the sessions start, and a day at the end to unwind before the craziness of the last 4 weeks before the wedding.

I was showered yesterday by my friends and families in Portland. It was a sure blessing to see friends and be reacquainted with new ones. Thanks everybody who came, served, and gave!

csoopen_4

csoopen_4
Originally uploaded by spigs.

CSO Open 2005

Some of my photography got to the local surf page. I'm pretty stoked to have been a part of such a cool event! The CSO Open rocked with decent conditions, and great surfers. I was working full days for the Bux but also hanging and shooting as much as I could get in all weekend.

Honeymoon Fundraiser Photo

Honeymoon Fundraiser Photo
Originally uploaded by spigs.

Planning a wedding can be a challange. Jason and I took a minute last night to look over the cliff at the ocean as we waited and watched for a possible tsunami to hit the Oregon coast. A 7.4 quake off the CA coast at Eureka led to tsunami alerts all along the west coast.

I'm gearing up to sell my photography. Some of you will just steal it, but I'd love to matte it and mail it to you for a price- what's your bid on this first photo?

Jason's side of our story

Here's an Ice-Breaker... I'm getting married!!! As some of you may know, I met Liz at the Christian Surfer's International Conference last September in France. The first morning I got up for the dawn patrol and was supposed to wake up my buddy Casey (from Virginia Beach). Casey had relayed his room number the night before, but my mind was drawing a blank. And, the room numbers were hiding in the dark to make matters more difficult. I knocked on a likely door (praying to have Casey answer), but Liz pops her head out. From outside, I ask if Casey is there? She says one second, and comes back with Katie from England, who is definitely not Casey! Embarrassed, I quickly slip into the dark. I remember thinking: wow, she'?s even beautiful in the morning!

My buddy Dave took the beating for my next opportunity to meet Liz. A couple UK surfers, an Aussie, Dave, and myself had a memorable surf session the next day. Needing to get back to the conference, we were changing into civilian attire swiftly. Dave was attempting to get water out of his head, but instead nailed the edge of the car door with the back corner of his head. Blood squirted out immediately and he was about to pass out! We wrapped a towel around his head and he recovered like a champ.

Once we arrived back at the conference, we were looking for the doc. Instead we found Liz, and since she was helping with administration of the conference, this was a good thing. Since Dave was looking fine, Liz and I began to chat. We found out we were both from the same neck of the woods, which was a bit strange since we were in France. We were just beginning to see how aligned our dreams were as well. And as they say, the rest is history! So thanks Dave!

Liz grew up on a farm SE of Tacoma, WA. She spent quite a bit of time in Portland, OR where she went to Multnomah Bible College. When I met her in France, she was a finishing up a missionary internship in Paris. Oh yeah, she speaks French fluently. Ending her internship early, Liz arrived back in the NW in October, and we began dating shortly thereafter. It quickly became obvious that she was the one. If I was given the opportunity to pick out my future wife, I would have ended up with Liz. She's everything I ever dreamed of.

Be sure to download our journal of a recent trip to France at my website.

It looks like we're going to be having a small wedding ceremony on the beach in Oregon, August 25th. Then we'll party with all our friends!

back in the saddle

So I'm back to life in Lincoln City. I've survived a week at the bux, an interview for a promotion, and have been hired. Training starts next week as I plunge into my second week. Feeling pretty stoked about it all.

inf mono

I finally can say I live in Lincoln City, OR. I work at the LC Starbucks and survived my first 2 days learning new faces and how to find things in my new store. So far, the people I work with are very nice and I'm excited about being here. I do however miss my old friends up at the Puyallup store.

One funny story came about on my second day as I worked the front bar. A man and his son came through the lineup and I recognized the father from somewhere but couldn't place him. As I handed him his drink I asked where he was from. "Seattle." Oh, "I'm from Puyallup." NO!!! Then I realized it was one of our regulars up at 176th! We chatted about my transfer and how the store was changed up there since the recent transfer of several partners. Small world.

Heading back to Portland for the weekend, Jason and I decided that I should see a doctor for my sore throat and fatigue. So Sunday morning we spent 4 hours waiting around at the urgent care. After a throat culture and blood test (I was a brave girl and didn't faint), and more waiting, the doctor came in and said I had mono. I've been condemned to the bed and couch for a week.

I must say this was probably the most frustrating news I could have received at this time. I am adapting to a new place, new store, and planning a wedding. You have got to be kidding!!! So Jason brought me home to his parents house with a paper from the dr saying "acute tonsillitis/ inf mono".

the pack

So I'm rounding out the job of packing up my life belongings and shortly, we'll be loading them into the cars and taking off for Portland. We have to spend a day there and go to a few meetings before continuing on to Lincoln City. I'll start calling drinks again on Friday at the Starbucks in LC.

Menke/Hernandez family + Kyle

Menke/Hernandez family + Kyle
Originally uploaded by spigs.

I said "yes"

I had a busy "weekend" last week. I had a chance to squeeze in a couple days between Starbucks shifts for a trip to Portland. Jason and I had a couple meetings with friends on the schedule and I, a photo shoot. Friday the 29th happened to be the busiest day of all. After endless errands, a lovely lunch and coffee with friends, Jason and I finally sat down to watch the footage from our recent trip to France. It was a long show but full of fun memories and precious people. As the movie closed out, the scrolling text thanked God for the exceptional trip and me for making it so special. Then it said Jason had something to tell me and ask me. I couldn't believe it- I wasn't expecting a proposal at that time! Jason told me how he felt about me and then from one knee, asked in french if I would be his wife. I said yes and we went to tell his family who had been 'oh-so-carefully' spying on us. That evening was a flurry of family and smiles as we celebrated.

Now, I'm busy again with Starbucks, emailing, and dress shopping. I'll try to keep everyone up to speed but don't be surprised if the emails start coming from Jason and I, or if you start hearing a ton about Christian Surfers with whom Jason and I hope to serve.

moving

I'm moving. I'm moving to Lincoln City. I'll work at Starbucks. I'm invited to live with the Barrett Family. You can familiarize yourself with Michael Barrett the father, pastor, surfer here. Its coming up so fast and I have so much to do to prepare myself.

After about a week of the "yucks", I'm back in the land of the living and calling out drinks and ringing up everyone's Ichiro cards. I've begun the countdown til "move day": the 10th or 11th. And I debut at the LC Starbucks on Friday the 13th. Fortunately, I'm scheduled for a midday shift so I can get familiarized with the store, learn how the wear the funny headset and hand coffee through a window instead of over a countertop. I am staring down a steep learning curve and exciting transition.

Le Rozel

Le Rozel
Originally uploaded by spigs.

A fickle surfspot up in Normandie France and my creative perspective.

the news

After 2 tries, our AA flight into Portland finally landed last night around 10pm. We were greated by emergency vehicles and flashing lights. I thought I might get to try my hand at opening the emergency door where we were seated but fortunately the brake temperature came out normal and the plane didn't burst into flames.

All our gifts arrived safely as well as Jason's boards and we slept pretty well, until 6:15am. Its now 10:15am and I'm ready for dinner... well, dinner in France. I'm going to try to hold out til lunch at noon.

Tomorrow I crash back into reality: Grandé nonfat, no-foam, latté!! Triple-venti sugar-free vanilla brevé light-foam latté!!

I also have more plans. I'll be packing up and looking for an apartment in Lincoln City Oregon. Starbucks is transfering me to be closer to the ocean and Jason. Isn't that nice?

Back in the Basque Country! It looks wonderful, I feel right at home. As Brigitte and Jean-Marc drove us home from the train station I felt like I had never left. Every thing is so familiar. Even the notes left by the door asking me to pick up bread for the déjeuner.

The flat Atlantic changed its face and brought in some nice swell today. By sunset the waves were clean and fun, ensuring a few nice rides for Jason on this, our first whole day in Biarritz. We went and saw Guéthary working and Jason finally suited up at Lafiténia. We'll try to get a photo up soon.

Ciao for now.