I'm living in a place where you might read the oregonian over morning coffee, or run a few laps around Lake Sacajawea, fondly called "lake sack of weeds" by my uncle Daniel. In a little blue house on 30th Ave, the Hakso/Huhta girls, known as the "fearsome foursome" since childhood, form a distinctive quartet of cousins. Distinctive because, well, there's a lot of truth in what we have been termed.

Though this place I find myself in is a far far cry from gap, france or beautiful bellingham, it suits me fine for the moment. I'm still afraid to sign any leases or bind myself to any cell phone contracts for fear that past homes such as france will call me back to live a while longer. But, when little cousins, fresh from Finland, are close enough to give me a bite of their apple, or when my Mummu (Grandma)can invite me over for a cup of coffee and a slice of pulla (bread), I find that I am quite content to stay here for longer yet. So, stay I shall. Living among people I hold dear.