Meet Marcia Randall Day

KPTV - FOX 12

Thursday, May 28, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:30am	8:30am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
9:00am	10:45am	Shriner's Hospital for Children	Visit Patients
11:15am	12:00pm	Elmer's Restaurant in Tigard	Rose Meal Fundraiser Program and Lunch
12:00pm	1:30pm	Elmer's Restaurant in Tigard	Serve/Greet/Seat guests during lunch
1:30pm	2:00pm	Elmer's Restaurant in Tigard	Court Photos
2:15pm	3:00pm	Randall Children's Hospital	Tour
3:30pm	5:00pm	Randall Group	Meet Marcia Randall, scholarship donor
5:30pm	6:00pm	Headquarters	Dinner with the Court Committee
6:00pm	7:30pm	Headquarters	Breast Friends "Girls Love Mail" project
7:30pm	8:00pm	Headquarters	Debrief

Story of the Day

The now familiar faces of KPTV followed us to Shriner's Hospital for Children today.  I was out visiting patients room to room with Amber Shackleford and Sierra Hosea.  I enjoy being able to brighten someone's day, and these kids are brave and full of hope.

At Elmer's we had to work as waitresses.  We had a super fan try to talk to us at Elmer's.  According to the handlers, he shows up at Elmers every year to try to talk to the court.  In anticipation, Frank Chinn was on hand to keep him away from us altogether.  We all felt extremely sorry for this mentally challenged man who wasn't even allowed to say hello to us.  Princesses were crying on the bus as we watched him being manhandled by the staff.  When asked if he had ever been inappropriate in the past, we were told "no, but he might."  

Next we went to Randall Children's Hospital and mistakenly went on the tour without Marcia Randall.  

Apparently, every year the court meets Marcia and then tour her hospital together.  Every year Marcia tours her hospital with us. This year, we just started touring without her. 

Back at headquarters I was assigned to dish duty during clean-up.  

A Day at the State Capitol

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:45am	8:40am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
9:00am	11:00am	First Baptist Church	Breakfast
11:30am	1:30pm	Lloyd Center Doubletree	Lions Club Luncheon and Final Judging
2:45pm	4:00pm	State Capitol Building Rotunda in Salem	Court invited on the Senate Floor by State Senator Bill Hansell, (Princess Naomi's Uncle) representing Oregon District 29   Visit Governor and Capitol Tour
5:00pm	6:30pm	Headquarters	Curriculum
6:30pm	7:00pm	Headquarters	Debrief

Story of the Day

Princesses at the final judging Lion's Club luncheon

Day of the final round of judging!  We had a delightful lunch with the Lion's Club.  Women are allowed to join now and they do a lot of good work.  I might look into this later!  For my final question I was asked about my fundraisers, and that is fun to talk about!  Also, we all got a second "easy" question, and I truly feel sorry for the princess who had to tell us all what vegetable she would be if she was suddenly produce.  Props to Elli!

Next, we drove the Royal Bus to Salem and visited the Capitol Rotunda.  Governor Kate Brown was unavailable to meet with us.  So, we hung out like lobbyists pushing Rose Festival.

Judging is over now, and the new Queen has been chosen.  We'll find out who she is on June 6th.  

At 108 Years Old, Portland's Rose Festival Balances Tradition with Evolution

A view of City Fair from brewcaster

Check out the latest news about the Festival from Oregon Live!

This is an awesome time lapse video of Fleet Week over a 2 day span in 2012!!!

Portland Airport Day

This is your Captain, Elli Simotas and deadhead Tabitha Ivan speaking.  Please remain in your seats and stay calm while we conduct an strictly hypothetical poll.  Does anyone know how to fly this plane?  Please come to the cockpit immediately.

Thursday, May 21, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:45am	8:15am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:15am	11:00am	Headquarters	Group Interviews, Second Judging, Curriculum
11:30am	5:30pm	Portland Airport	Tour and Lunch
6:00pm	6:10pm	Headquarters	Get yelled at
6:15pm	8:30pm	Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel	Third Judging for Queen and Royal Rosarian Dinner Meeting
9:15pm	9:30pm	Headquarters	Debrief

Story of the Day

In case you are wondering if we really spent 6 hours at the Airport, we did.  But first, we participated in our second round of judging to see who will wear the crown of Rosaria on June 6th.  Similar to last night, we were interviewed in groups.

I can't decide if I am here to enter into a lifelong sorority with the other princesses, or to be Queen.  It may be we all need to pick one direction or the other.  On one hand, I don't want to disappoint the people who helped me get here and afforded me this opportunity, so I want to try my best.  On the other hand, it's hard to get really competitive because no one knows what it takes to win the title.  Queen.  Hmmm.  Part of me feels we are all competing with each other to win an abusive husband.  I know, right?  Answering a group question too long gets you evil stares, and not answering is not impressive.  What.  Ever.  Just shoot me.

At PDX we checked in at Alaska Airlines for our boarding passes and began our tour!  We were boarded on a plane, checked into baggage claim, served a first class lunch, and cruised around with the high altitude of being Royals of the Rose City.

Then, back at headquarters, we all got in trouble this time.  It's nice to share the attention with others....

With the increased negativity within our group, the chaperones are also on edge.  Supervising is not for everyone.  The "higher ups" had everyone in tears.  And that's saying something.  Most of these girls are not emotional types and have probably never cried, even as infants.  

One of the princesses has calculated that we are being paid (with the scholarship) less than $2.50 per hour and we are working over 60 hours each week.  A few princesses wonder if the experience is worth the expense.  We are missing the best part of our senior year. The Court handlers are very stingy with letting us go to Senior Awards and Proms and even graduation ceremonies.  Want to go to your yearbook release and signing lunch?  Forget about it!!!!   It is implied that we do as we're told or the scholarship is in jeopardy.  We are never home and our friends are distant memories.  

Another laments that we are treated like 5-year-olds on a field trip, not as adult women.  (Princesses need a bathroom buddy, need permission to speak to people outside the group, need to behave in a "princess-like" manner, etc.)  And the funny part is, they revamped the entire program in the 1990's for the women's equality movement.  I wasn't around much in the 1990's, but I'm guessing they were grateful for what they got.  Sigh.

First Judging Day for Queen of Rosaria

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:30am		Wildhorse Resort, Pendleton	Start the Day Meeting
8:00am	9:15am	Wildhorse Resort, Pendleton	Breakfast and Photos
9:15am	9:30am	Wildhorse Resort, Pendleton	Pack and Board the Royal Coach
9:45am	10:15am	Hamley's Western Store in Pendleton
1:45pm	3:00pm	Headquarters in Portland	Write Pendleton Thank-you notes
3:00pm	4:30pm	Headquarters	Mary Kay consultation
5:30pm	7:30pm	Queen Emma Waibel's house	First Judging for Queen and Dinner
8:15pm	8:45pm	Headquarters	Debrief

Story of the Day

Woke up in Eastern Oregon.  We were already on our way back to Portland before the morning was complete.  We stopped at Hamley's Western Store before we left town for good.  This store is everything cowboy.  

I have decided I want to own horses one day.  This is a huge step forward for me, since I was kicked by a horse at a riding stable when I was 3.  The accident split my tongue open and gave me my 4th or 5th concussion...Can't remember.  At the hospital, as the drugs for the stitches kicked in, I told my Mom that there were 86 of her in the room.  Good times, gooooood tiiiiiimes.

The rest of the day was dedicated to judging or preparing to be judged.  We went to Queen Emma's house for the dinner and to meet the judges.  Queen Emma Waibel was not allowed to attend the dinner at her own house due to a conflict of interest.  Her parents are very connected to the Rose Festival, and we see them at a lot of events.  Dinner was really good and her mom made this purple dessert with oats on it.  It was dope.

With the first round of judging for Queen came the first rumblings of discontent within the court. We are being interviewed in groups of five and some girls are monopolizing the answers.  Group Interviews are a difficult way to be interviewed, and if this is a test to see if we will claw at each other in order to survive and dominate, it's working.  It's like a warm-up for the Jerry Springer Show...After each round, the princesses have begun to criticize each other over what was said and by whom.  Sigh.  My theory is this is actually a test of psychological  fitness in which I am failing....

Have you ever held your breath and stood still long enough to calibrate your position in the universe, so that you might ask yourself what in the freak you are doing with this precious second of your existence?  Yeah, me neither.  Obviously.

A Day in Pendleton

Rose Court, Happy Canyon Court and Pendleton Round-Up Court at Pendleton Museum

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
6:30am	7:30am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:00am		Portland Marriott Hotel	Pick up Pendleton Court and drive to Pendleton
11:30am	1:45pm	Tamastslikt Cultural Institute at Wildhorse Casino, Pendleton	Hosted Lunch and Tour
2:15pm	2:45pm	Wildhorse Resort in Pendleton	Check-in
3:00pm	3:45pm	Pendleton Underground	Tour
4:15pm	7:00pm	Pendleton Round-Up Pavilion	Museum, Horseback Riding, Roping, Wagon rides
7:00pm	9:30pm	Let'er Buck Room, Pendleton	Dinner/Music/Western Dancing
10:30pm		Wildhorse Resort, Pendleton	Sleep Over

Tabitha Ivan visits Tamastslikt Museum with the 3 Courts

Story of the Day

We picked up the Pendleton Courts early and took the Royal Coach out the I-84, through the awesome Columbia River Gorge, and up to Pendleton at the foot of the incredible Blue Mountains.  Nestled in ranch country, this western town has an almost spiritual energy that welcomes us with a sense of comfort and home.  It is a small town with simple wholesome philosophies, permeated with the wisdom and common sense of good, hard working people.

At the Tamastslikt Museum we furthered our curriculum on the Native Nations of the region.  I am surprised by the rich cultural heritage of our state, and I wish every Oregonian would learn about these things before leaving school.  Although they did not choose to become part of our great melting pot, the Native American contribution to our country is brilliant and should be a proud part of our story.

Pendleton Round-Up President Bill Quesenberry pets a Belgian draft horse named K.C. with Portland Rose Festival Court Princess Tabitha Ivan from Lincoln High School on Tuesday during a social event at the Round-Up Pavilion in Pendleton. The Pendleton Round-Up Court and the Rose Festival Court have spent the last two days together hosting tours of their respective cities.

We are staying at the Wildhorse Resort, which is also a Spa, Casino, and Nightclub.  Whatever you want to do, you can do it here.  So we checked in and changed into our cowgirl duds.  10 gallon Hat, Stuff Kicker Boots, Belt Buckle the size of Texas?  Check,check, check.  This gear gives me serious country attitude!

Off to the Pendleton Underground for a tour of the 1890's in the wild, wild West.  I love city tours.  My all time favorites include Pendleton, Philadelphia bus tour, Paris Seine boat tour, and the Portland Walking Tour. 

In the afternoon, we headed over to the Pendleton Round-Up Pavilion and Hall of Fame.  I had ridden out to Pendleton next to chaperone Bill Quesenberry, but was surprised to see him in the showcases!  This quiet, unassuming man was a freaking cowboy rock star and is now in charge of the entire Round-Up.  We hung out most of the day while the courts went horseback riding, wagon riding, and learned some roping techniques.

Bill Quesenberry and I made the front page of the local paper, the Eastern Oregonian!!!

At the Let 'er Buck Room, we had dinner and danced into the evening.  Of course, being official cowgirls now, it was Swing dancing and Line dancing for us!!!!

Lights out at 10:30.  Another 16 hour day goes into the blog...

Pendleton Wagon Ride in Reality

Pendleton Wagon Ride I was expecting in my head

...seconds later

Our Room at Check-In

Touring with the Pendleton Court Day

Monday, May 18, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
8:00am	8:45am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:15am	6:00pm		Police Escort
8:45am	9:00am	Portland Marriott	Meet the Pendleton Court
9:15am	12:15pm	Oregon Zoo	Personal Tour
12:30pm	2:00pm	Old Spaghetti Factory	Lunch
2:30pm	3:30pm	Lan Su Chinese Garden	Tour
4:00pm	5:15pm	Portland Aerial Tram	Ride Tram to OHSU Observation Deck
6:00pm	8:30pm	The Lundberg/Reed Private Residence	Royal Rosarian Dinner with Pendleton Court
8:45pm		Portland Marriott	Return Pendleton Court
9:00pm	9:30pm	Headquarters	Debrief and Thank-you notes

Story of the Day

Rose and Pendleton Courts in Washington Park

 

Another 14 hour day as a Princess comes to a close!!  We met the court of the Pendleton Round-Up this morning and we all went on a personal tour of the Zoo in Washington Park.  Their court are all about 25 years old.  And tall!

Last month we were regaled with tales of last year's court petting the penguins.  We did not get to pet anything!  Sad Face.  

Lundberg/Reed Home sports an unusual architecture

On to lunch at the Spaghetti Factory.

Then we enjoyed the zen of our local Chinese Garden on Everett Street.

Once we were up in the air we had a fabulous view of Portland and our newest bridge, Tilikum Crossing, from the Aerial Tram.

The Rosarians treated us to a private dinner at the Lundberg/Reed home.  I saw my escort from the Blessing of the Festival again, Denny Baker.  He's a good guy.

We dropped off a very tired Pendleton court back at the Portland Marriott and then continued to headquarters to finish our tasks and go home.  I know why they suggest we bring pictures of our families into our cubicles at headquarters; because that's the only place we see them.  

Fleet Week Coming June 3rd, 2015

Since the very beginning of the Rose Festival back in 1907, visiting ships and other fleet-related elements (like submarines) have been making their way to Portland’s waterfront. The City of Portland is known to be a favorite port of call for military (and non-military) visitors — and citizens enjoy making these visitors welcome! One of the purposes of Fleet Week has always been to celebrate and thank the active and reserve military personnel and all veterans.

The Portland Rose Festival is extremely fortunate to be one of a few U.S. ports of call for a courtesy visit from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Maritime Forces. Their arrival commemorates a relationship with the Navy that has lasted more than 100 years, and over 80 years of visiting Portland during the Rose Festival. It is a significant commitment by the Navy to make the Rose Festival Fleet Week one of the premier Fleet Week events in the country.

Day in Pioneer Courthouse Square

2015 Rose Court greet shoppers at Fred Meyer.  Tabitha Ivan (back, right)

Saturday, May 16, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:15am	8:15am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:45am	10:30am	Dahl Park in Gladstone	SOLVE Remove invasive species
11:00am	12:00pm	Fred Meyer in Hollywood	Greet Shoppers
12:30pm	2:30pm	Calaroga Terrace Senior Living	Retirement Community Visit and Lunch
3:00pm	4:00pm	Pioneer Courthouse Square	One More Time Around Again Marching Band Performance
4:30pm	6:30pm	Headquarters	Curriculum on Pendleton
6:30pm	7:00pm	Headquarters	Debrief and Thank you notes

Story of the Day

It was easy to get enthused about removing invasive species at Dahl Park in Gladstone.  There is something intangible yet satisfying about working with plants.  So, I may be a nature girl afterall.

Greeting royal customers at Fred Meyers was quite humbling.  Devon Thompson, Amber Shackleford and I crowned, knighted and kinged shoppers, by the authority given to us by the Realm of Rosaria, as Royal Shoppers of the land of Hollywood Freddies.  Check out the cool free crowns we handed out!

After an exhausting morning spent weeding and greeting, we were expecting lunch at Calaroga Terrace.  However, someone forgot to tell them that!  The residents were happy to see us, especially one Lincoln Alumnus.  He brightly smiled at beautiful Princess Amber Shackleford from Madison and eagerly spoke to pretty Princess Sierra Hosea from Franklin.  "Are you from Lincoln?" He sweetly asked everyone.  "I am!"  I said with sparkles in my voice.  "oh."  He looked me up and down and then stopped smiling and sat down in a corner.  Niiiiice.

Tabitha Ivan uses her words.

So hungry and grumpy we trekked to Pioneer Square to watch PRFF President Frank Chinn lead the One More Time Around Again Marching Band.  I love this band and I think most people appreciate those special people among us with music in their blood who can't put their instruments down after college.

Before we returned to Headquarters to watch a film on the Pendleton Round-Up, we cruised the Royal Bus through Wendy's for a very late lunch.  Fast food should never be taken on an empty stomach.  I think it makes me grumpier.

Dozer Day

Friday, May 15, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
8:00am	8:45am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
9:30am	11:20am	Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield, WA	Dozer Day
9:30am	10:45am	Skate World in Gresham	Special Needs Prom
1:30pm	3:00pm	Courtyard Fountains in Gresham	Pack Boxes for the Military
3:30pm	5:30pm	Phagans School of Hair Design	Hair and Make-up Consultation
5:45pm	6:15pm	Headquarters	Debrief and Thank you notes

Story of the Day

Rose Court supports our troops at Courtyard Fountains

Dozer Day is a fun event in Ridgefield, Washington, where kids can operate bulldozers and heavy equipment, despite their mother's better judgement.  We all got cool pink hard hats and herded children for the morning.  I got in trouble for playing hacky sack with another princess..."not princess-like behavior!"  Hmm. Playing ball in a field....what was I thinking?

After a quick change, we got on the Royal Bus and headed out to Gresham to the Special Needs Prom.  I had a blast dancing!  The other princesses are probably jealous of my sweet gangnam style moves, or they think I am a dork, (because I am) but I love special needs kids and I love dancing, so it was a grand time for me.

The day got even better when we were able to pack care packages for our military at Courtyard Fountains.  It's truly a privilege to support our troops, and this retirement community is all about that!

In a continuing effort to prepare all of us to be the Queen of Rosaria, we were introduced to our own team of beauty professionals at Phagans School of Hair Design.  My team will design, plan and execute my hair, nails, make-up and all details of my appearance for the coronation.  Way to put the pressure on!  I wish they would just pick one of us and get it over with so we can relax and enjoy the ride.  I feel like I'm on a 5 week long job interview!!!!

When I got home, there was a sea lion waiting to talk to me...
KPTV - FOX 12 http://www.kptv.com/clip/11503900/sea-lion-spotted-at-portlands-waterfront

Flowers and Baguettes and Mansions! Oh my!

Thursday, May 14, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:15am	8:30am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:30am	9:00am	Headquarters	Curriculum
9:30am	10:45am	Pittock Mansion	Society and Tour
11:00am	12:30pm	Franz Bakery	Tour and Lunch
1:00pm	3:15pm	Floral Design Institute	Floral Arrangement Workshop
3:30pm	6:00pm	Swank and Swine	Travel Portland Reception and Introduction
6:15pm	6:45pm	Headquarters	Debrief and Thank you notes

Story of the Day

We started the day with more curriculum.  We are learning all about the places we visit and things we need to know about Portland.  Before we went to Astoria, we learned what their county was known for, a history of the movers and shakers, and what crops they grow and harvest.  As ambassadors, we like to know more than the average citizen!

Tabitha Ivan speaks at the Travel Portland Reception

We had a nice tour of the Pittock Mansion and a catered breakfast in the basement.  And then we had a tour of the bread kitchens at Franz and a pizza lunch...  You can make any pizza a personal pizza if you believe in yourself...  The smell and the temperature inside Franz is scrumptious.  I don't know how people work there; I would just set out a lawn chair at the end of the conveyor belt, eating like pacman all the soft warm bread straight out of the oven.  Before we left, they loaded us up with a bag of stuff.  They gave us each a loaf of Franz bread, Franz hamburger buns, Franz Cinnamon Bread, Franz Raisin Bread, Franz chocolate doughnuts, Franz powdered doughnuts, Garlic Bread, Animal Crackers, Franz 9 Grain Bread, in a bread bag.  Let me know if you want any bread...

At the Floral Design Institute we spent 2 hours creating a very small corsage.  It was a formidable amount of work and I have new respect for florists.  The corsages were for our mentors, who graciously pretended to be impressed with them, when they met us at the Swank and Swine for a Travel Portland Reception.

Grand Ronde Tribal Day

Princesses enjoy Grand Ronde Native American music

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
6:45am	7:45am	Inn at Cannon Beach	Start the Day Meeting
9:15am	10:00am	KTIL "Tillamook Today" in Tillamook	Tillamook Radio Interview
11:30am	2:00pm	Meet Grand Ronde Tribal Elders in Grand Ronde	Tour and Lunch
2:45pm	3:30pm	Parkland Retirement Community in McMinnville	Retirement Community Visit
3:45pm	5:15pm	Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville	Tour by Curator Stewart Bailey
6:30pm	7:00pm	Headquarters	Unpack, Debrief and Thank you notes

Story of the Day

Woke up at the beach.  'Nough said.

We had a radio interview first thing this morning.  The Interviewer asked us all the same question, making for fascinating conversation:  "Where is your school located?"  I used the township and range description.  I find using lattitude and longitude is usually helpful too.

We stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory!  It is located in Tillamook.

At the Chachalu Museum, we met with leaders of the 27 tribes that are known as Grand Ronde.  They each have their own language.  It's like they have 27 different words for everything.  We enjoyed music and dancing in one of the long houses near the museum.

At the Evergreen Air Museum we toured the Spruce Goose.  In order to protect potential passengers, the goose was once filled with beach balls and air bladders.  The idea was people would just bounce around in there in case of a crash.  But that's not the funny part.  Some of those beach balls are still inflated with air from the 1950's.  So how come my beach balls are all flat within 2 hours?  

Good Morning Haystack Rock

Something fascinating about the Cheese car

Rose Court visits the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville

Tabitha Ivan likes Cheese

A Day at the Beach!

Posing at High Life Adventures with the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Court

The Rose Court appears on AM Northwest

Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:00am	7:30am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:00am	10:00am	AM Northwest	KATU Channel 2 Tour of the Studio before the Show
12:30pm	1:30pm	Fulio's Restaurant in Astoria	Lunch
1:40pm	2:05pm	Oregon Film Museum in Astoria	Tour
2:15pm	2:45pm	Goonie house in Astoria	Tour and Picture
3:00pm	3:45pm	Clatsop Retirement Center in Astoria	Retirement Community Visit
3:55pm	4:30pm	Light Ship in Astoria	Tour
4:30pm	5:00pm	Astoria Riverfront Trolley
5:15pm	7:30pm	High Life Adventures in Warrenton	Zip line and Dinner
8:00pm		Inn at Cannon Beach	Sleepover and Pajama Party

The Story of the Day

Tabitha Ivan gets instructions for defying death on a zip line

 

First thing this morning we toured the KATU Channel 2 studios and appeared on AM Northwest.  I learned that checking yourself out in the monitor makes you look weird on screen.  What can I say?  I'm mesmerizing. (cough cough)

Then, the Royal Bus swept us away to Astoria.  Astoria is famous for being the name of the Jetson's dog on TV.  Ok, not really.

The court is incarcerated at the Oregon Film Museum

We planned to watch the movie Goonies on the way out, but there was a gremlin in the DVD system.  Strangely, we did get to watch a 40 minute video about the Goonie House, which is supposed to be haunted. Then, dramatically, we were unable to visit the Goonie house, (bahm bahm bahm) allegedly due to a scheduling error.  Or was it? (repeat bahm, bahm, bahm).

After touring the Columbia Light Ship, The Clatsop Retirement Village and the Oregon Film Museum, the weirdness returned...the Astoria Riverfront Trolley was broken down.  Mysteriously due to a supernatural mechanical issue that had nothing to do with the supernatural.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Nerves still on edge, we traveled to Warrenton to face the zip line of death at High Life Adventures.  I am afraid of heights because, well, because I have a survival instinct.  Not sure why I feel like I need to explain that.  It was crazy to strap myself into a harness that would propel me over/into an abyss.  It was madness to walk to the edge of the platform.  It was inhuman to step off trusting not to plummet to my ending.  It was sheer adrenaline crazy madness exhilarating joy flying through the air!!!!  I loved it!  If you are ever in Warrenton, do this!  Face death and laugh at it all the way to the bottom!!

Fire in the Works

Skycam Fireworks coming May 22, 2015.

Because nothing says “celebration” quite like fireworks, the Portland Rose Festival gets the festivities started off on an awe-inspiring note. This year you’re invited to join us for an amazing night of fireworks!
Be there on Friday, May 22 for the Opening Night Fireworks, the Portland Rose Festival’s kick-off event. The fireworks will be choreographed to music provided by 101.9 KINK FM.

St. John's Parade Day

Queen Emma (2014) rides on the float on Saturday May 9, 2015

Saturday, May 9, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
8:00am	8:30am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:30am	10:15am	Headquarters	Curriculum
10:00am	1:30pm	Headquarters	Police Escort Arrives
10:45am	12:30pm	N. Leonard in St. Johns	St. John's Parade
12:30pm	1:30pm	Church	Lunch
2:00pm	3:00pm	Town Center Village in Happy Valley	Retirement Community Visit
3:30pm	4:30pm	Headquarters	Pack for Beach Trip
4:30pm	6:00pm	Headquarters	Court Headquarters Open House
6:00pm	6:45pm	Headquarters	Clean up, Change and Debrief

Rose Court meets Weinermobile

Tabitha Ivan and her sweet parade ride

Story of the Day

If you ever wondered what it would be like to have a police escort to a parade, here's the sitch: No lights, no sirens, and no talking.  Apparently security people don't like to chat while they're scanning the crowds for perps.

We got to the parade about 2 hours early, so the princesses formed a gang and we walked along the entrants. We found the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.  Why can't you say weinermobile without smiling? We met girl scouts and bands and classic car enthusiasts.  I want to be called an enthusiast when I'm older.  Haven't decided what I'll be enthusiastic about, but I like that identifier.  

We rode in midget classic cars very, very slowly through the small, small town of St. Johns.  So slowly that I ended up chatting with the spectators.  Not sure they appreciated that....I might have thrown off a few by complimenting their easy-ups.

Frank Chin, leader of the Rose Fest Foundation, was in the front car, and it broke down half way along.  I offered him a spot on my car as we passed him along the parade route.  It was sad, but he laughed but kept walking.

After the parade we had lasagna and 500 desserts for lunch. All our hosts like to keep us high on sugar, and I appreciate that.  We were then treated to more desserts at a mother/daughter tea at the Town Center Village Retirement home.  I am still having a hard time telling ages, but I'm learning not to ask.  I call it the "Can't tell, don't ask" policy.  I ordered a cup of mint tea, but it tasted like mint.  I'm not sure what I was expecting.  So I just had more dessert.

By the time we had our Open House back at headquarters, the princesses were tired and getting silly.  We ended up laying around our cubicles.  It looked like a die-in for bicycle awareness or something.  It was nice to share our offices with parents and friends.  And have, you guessed it, more dessert.

The Unitus Mentor Workshop Day

Princesses at The Bloom Project Friday, May 8, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:45am	8:30am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
9:00am	11:00am	The Bloom Project	Flower Arranging
11:30am	3:30pm	Unitus Community Credit Union	Mentor Luncheon and Life Skills Workshop
3:45pm	4:15pm	Headquarters	Mid-Day Meeting
4:30pm	6:00pm	Holiday Park Plaza	Retirement Community Visit and Dinner
6:30pm	7:30pm	Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children	Visit Patients
8:00pm	8:30pm	Headquarters	Debrief and write Thank You  Notes

The Story of the Day

Tabitha Ivan (center right)

Today we sandwiched a life skills workshop around a prep and visit to a special hospital center.  The life skills workshop was hosted by Unitus.  My mentor, Amanda Otto, joined me in classes on nutrition and well-being, money management and credit protection, financial responsibility and job seeking skills.  

We also arranged flowers at a center that takes donated flowers and delivers them to hospices.  Later in the day, we took these bouquets to Providence.  The children there were not able to interact with us; most were severely disabled and no older mentally than infants.  It makes me profoundly sad when I meet people who cannot interact with others.

Tabitha Ivan speaks at Holiday Park

Tabitha Ivan (left) delivers flowers to children at Providence Health

The Rose Court meets with mentors at Unitus Plaza

Store to Door Grocery Shopping Day

KPTV - FOX 12

Thursday, May 7, 2015 Rose Court Schedule
ARRIVE	DEPART	LOCATION	EVENT
7:15am	8:15am	Headquarters	Start the Day Meeting
8:30am	11:30am	Fred Meyers Hollywood	Store to Door Grocery Shopping for Seniors
11:45am	1:15pm	Rose Garden Arena / Moda Center	East Portland Rotary Luncheon
1:45pm	2:40pm	Miramonte Pointe in Clackamas	Retirement Community Visit
3:00pm	4:30pm	Elite Care - Oatfield Estates in Milwaukie	Retirement Community Visit
5:30pm	6:15pm	Law Library in the Standard Bldg	Portland Rose Festival Foundation Board Meeting
6:30pm	7:00pm	Headquarters	Debrief and write Thank You  Notes

Tabitha Ivan moments before she crowd surfs unsuspecting Princesses at PRFF

Story of the Day

We had Philly Cheese Steaks with the East Rotary today near the Moda Center.  They were good; my favorite place for them is at Ben's food trolley in Pioneer Square.  We didn't have a lot of time with the Rotarians today, and someone had told them that I like to garden.  I don't know how this rumor got started.  Just because I created a community garden at my school doesn't mean I like dirt.  No, seriously.  I love to create things, and we needed a garden.  The students at Lincoln needed a great hang out spot and a place to learn about sustainability.  And Wilson had one.  Wilson, people!  I love having a project to tackle.  Weeds, not so much.

The Lincoln Community Garden created under the leadership of Tabitha Ivan 

We visited two retirement communities today.  We met Ray, who is this older gentleman who can't stop chasing girls.  He offered his lap in case we needed more seating.  He tried to look up an older ladies skirt, but she said she was going to slap him.  They had to warn him specifically not to kiss #3 Amber Shackelford.  Eventually, Ray was thrown out by the geriatric bouncers.  That seemed to satisfy everyone, including Ray.