Fall on the West Coast
The other day, as I was taking an exit off the freeway in Portland, Oregon, I was almost surprised to see a set of small trees with golden leaves roll by my window. Normally during this time of year I am scouting for leaves, taking photos as I spot color changes happening, and feeling a sort of urgency to capture it all before the season ends. But this year I am finding myself among a completely new landscape, with new people and new responsibilities. My focus the last couple weeks has been regulating my nervous system and feeling grounded among this ever changing season I am finding myself in. Last weekend I wanted to check out Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, but did not realize until I was practically there that it was in the heart of downtown. I broke down while driving through the busy street because I didn’t know where to park and suddenly all the unfamiliarity was just too overwhelming. During my second day of fieldwork in outpatient pediatrics, I observed a six ye...