yes! i just scored amazingly low price tickets back to portland (one way) for december 19th from chicago. of course, it means a 10 hour trip (not including drive time or waiting at the airport beforehand), but only one stop: orange county, ca. we'd better hit the library for books to keep us entertained before we go.

the other excitement is coming up this wednesday, where i will be heading to chicago and spending a day at work with erin, who is a environmental geologist. a job-shadow, but also a time to say hi, since i haven't seen her in a couple of years now. i'm really looking forward to it. then thursday will be thanksgiving spent in wheaton (west suburb of chicago) with paul's grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. :o)