PDX: blue girls.

This was my absolute favorite part of the summer: leading 10 5th grade girls in a reading group for three days a week. We studied poetry using Sharon Creech's Love That Dog, and also incorporated some hip-hop, slam poetry, pop music and social theory along the way. And they taught me some killer dance moves. I still remember and pray for them one year later, and imagine doing so for some time to come. They are beautiful, strong women. My love for them is vast.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: going around, merrily.

Our first full day together in Portland was spent on a "city search," guided by our mentors and program directors at PSP. We traversed the city in an attempt to familiarize ourselves with our new home, and ended up near the state line of Oregon/Washington, at this old spot whose name I can't recall.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: Interns at work.

The crux of the summer: working and learning and sharing and playing with kids. These are the memories that still grip my heart.


Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: Food, coffee, life.

Portland, Oregon. Summer, 2009.

PSP kids.

The reason I lived in Portland for 2 months.
Summer 2009.

PDX: Los Taquitos

There was this group of 4 Hispanic kids who were inseparable. They always gave me a good run when we played soccer at rec time. Esteban, Brian, Sebastian, y Jonathan.
Summer 2009.

PDX: Concordia.

Concordia University of Portland. Home for two months.
Summer 2009.