The search for the best Mexican restaurant in Portland.

I never thought about how much I miss having good mexican food until I moved to Portland. There are an abundant amounts of great places to eat here, but I have yet to find a great Mexican place. Already, I've been given some recommendations of places to hit up. But quite honestly, I think they are all going to be the same and not what I'm looking for. For those of you that have had good mexican will know what I'm talking about.
I'm not going to claim to be an expert on Mexican food, (I just call it food)...ok well maybe I am. I think I'm more qualified than you.
Today at work, I was given the responsibility of finding the best mexican food place in Portland. To most people the criteria wont matter and as long as its good service, and the food is ok, its fine. If that's the case, then 90% of all mexican food places will do just fine.
My first spot to check out was Mazatlan, on Burnside and 21st.
This had been a place that a few people had recommended and because of its proximity and my appetite, it seemed like a good choice. The chips and salsa were just ok. the salsa was a bit weak and the chips were nothing special. I figured because the waiter greeted me in spanish, he'd know better than to bring me the mild stuff.
I was really hungry so I didnt want to just go with a burrito, (which is not the way to go). I ordered the #15 which is a taco (beef), enchilada (check) tostada (plain) and chile reneno. (beans and rice of course). taco was not great, enchilada was good and chile reneno was good (my dad would approve). This would be a place I would recommend as a good places but it still isnt what I'm looking for.
Overall, the food was good. Better than Santa Fe Taqueria on 23rd, and that other place by Loyd center. Nothing special or spectacular about it. I'm sure this is going to be like most places I try. The search continues....

the move...

530am my alarm goes off, all but my overnight bag is loaded up. The house is significantly empty, to the point where I wonder if my former roommates will notice. I walk through the house to see I've left anything important behind. Cleaning countertops and throwing some trash out I make my way onto The Little Giant. (the uhaul and mini) After a quick stop at Starbucks for a muffin and coffee, I was on my way to pick Tina up (my co-pilot). By 745a, we were on our way. By 830a, I wanted another coffee to keep me from yawning.

As we headed into of the city, I was not used to driving the Little Giant. I was nervous for the first 100 miles, and even more so when going through the Grapevine, thinking, that is going to take us FOREVER to get to Portland. In trying to calculate the time of arrival, I had us getting into Portland sometime around dinner time the next day. After miles of static radio, country stations, climate changes and cow smells, we finally arrived in Redding, much earlier then expecting. (The thought of continueing crossed my mind, but I didnt want to drive through the next stretch of the trip in the dark) It had been years since I'd been up there and I was really looking forward to seeing snow capped mountains and the next leg of the trip in daylight.

Day 2 started off great, especially after finding out that my Little Giant and the Mini were not vandalized. (Someone told me things disappear up there). The scenery was breathtaking...we were on the road just as the sun was coming up over the mountains. For the next 2 hours Tina turned into the Papparazzi and snapped picture after, picture of the things all around us. She was particularly excited about a Northern California town called Weed, CA. Everytime we'd see a highway sign, she'd snap a picture. Once we got into the Oregon border I was then thinking, we'd get in before sundown and maybe get a chance to unload a few things. When we rolled into town it was such a nice day. I was now realizing that this is my new home town and couldnt help by get excited about everything I saw. But the apartment wasnt ready therefore unable to unload the stuff. We hit up a pizza place down the street from the apartment where we decided to visit the wonderful world of Target.

I was starting to stress out about how I was going to do all that I needed to do, unload, return the uhaul, move in, buy bed, and take Tina to the airpor- in a timely manner. We would come up with a game plan, but it seemed that everytime I'd plan something, things would always work themselves out better then expected. My biggest concern was getting my 2 biggest items up 3 flights of stairs. Tina, as rough and tough as she is, wouldnt be able to help (I really thought about just strapping the 3oolbs TV onto her back at one point). Jason, a coworker, was fortunate enough to be available to help out (only because his battery died and wasnt able to make his morning appointments. Thanks Jason). I double parked the uhaul, Tina unloaded, Jason and I make several trips to the 3rd floor. By 12p we had had breakfast, unloaded uhaul, returned uhaul, starbucks, bought a mattress, hit up home depot, and now back to apt to unpack boxes. As we were were working, it started to snow outside. Admirering every flake, we were even more thankful it started to snow when it did. But Tina still had to make her flight. Not knowing how much time it would take to get to the airport, traffic to PDX was like 5p on a friday before a holiday on the 405. About half way from stop and go traffic, I asked her if she was nervous about missing her flight..."yup!". I told her that God hasnt let us down yet. I was trying to enstill confidence in her to trust that it would all work out. Although she had missed her connecting flight in Seattle, she got on a direct flight back home. And arrived sooner then expected.

The trip went better then I could have planned it. I was thankful to have had Tina along with me to help and keep me company. It was such a blessing to have shaired this experience with someone. I wish all of you could have been there as well.

Thank you all for the prays and encouraging words over the last few days. I was blessed to have made it here safe and sound. All my worries and concern were put to rest. About half way on the trip, I was flipping through the radio stations (as we would do about every 30 min). I came across this one sermon by Charles Swindall. He was describing someone with an A personality (sounded like he was describing me the last few weeks). What stood out the most was how he was describing how we stress out about things in our lives and how God always works things out. I know we all believe that but sometimes we cant see the light behind our own shadow. Not only did things work out, but they worked out better then I could have ever planned.

Happy New Year

Dear 30s....

Dear 30s,

Hi, my name is Bobby. You don't know me, but you will short. I look forward to meeting you, even though my friends seem to tease you and make fun of you, but that's only because they aren't going to meet you yet. But truth be told, my 20s were an exciting time. The usual ups and downs; along with the whole "soul searching" thing...But 29 was my best year so far! So you have a lot to live up to...
We've got some good momentum, so lets keep it going, ya?! I have a few requests though....I don't think I'm asking for too much. I really want to bring some things with me.....and in the past I know you don't like it when people bring their 20s with them....But I promise to be good. Well, last year I was in the best shape of my life and I really want to keep that. Along with my metabolism and my sense of humor. Lots of people like my humor, so I don't want to give that up. I promise to make it up to you and make you look good by getting carded and being asked, "what's your major?". I know you probably have expectations for me like building up my portfolio, reading more books, 401k stuff and buying a house. That's all great and all, but no pressure, ya?
So, I hope we can start off on the right foot. I'll see you tomorrow.
Best regards,
Bobby

"Race" life

Over the last several weeks, I've been extremely frustrated with my running performances. My training has been going great, I've done all the workouts, the extra, the two-a-days, and not once cut a corner. But my times were not reflecting my shape nor my work. It was as though I was a completely different running in a race then I was at practice.
"It's all mental", they would say. Of course, everything is mental, even the physical part is mental.
What's going on!?
How is it that I can do all this work at practice but when it comes to applying it, it just doesn't happen? If I had the answer to this problem, I'd bottle it up and sell it.
My running experiment is more than just about the "race". Its about the life lessons and the journey, which I had forgotten about. I started to make it all about me, as we often do with our lives.
How often, as Christians, do we act, say and preach one message but when its time to "race" we do something completely out of character? We go to church, Bible study, hang out with other Christians but when life takes a sharp turn or faced with a challenge or temptation, we become a different person.
For me personally, this has been a struggle. The challenge now is, how can my practical life and "race" life be the same? How can I be consistent with my spiritual life and training. Again, resorting back to my previous comment, if I had the answer to this problem, I'd bottle it up and sell it. Of course, many will give you a cliche answer that is always easier said then done. The good news is, there's a solution. The real beauty of it all, is that this life is a journey. As frustrating as this maybe as a runner and a Christian, the things I've learned about myself are priceless. The challenges have been hard, the workouts have been tough, but the reward is well worth the sacrifice. The journey continues and my search for that bridge that comes between my practical life and "race" life shall go on.