To be 21

I can sum up what it's like to be 21 in one picture. What? How could a person do that? How could they convey the unfettered excitement of becoming an adult and moving into a new phase of life in just a single picture? Surely two must be used! Or several more! Nope, I have exactly one picture that tells the story of my coming of age. So...what could this picture possibly be? What could so exactly portray my every inner thought and feeling about what it's like to now be 21 years of age? Well...

Leaving the Nest

It's something that happens to everyone, when I think about it. You grow-up, move out of your parent's house and start living your own life. For me, it happened rather quickly, but I'm glad it did. Having to take care of yourself, pay bills, buy groceries (which is rather optional, it seems, in my apartment), and basically being your own man...it's a strange, new feeling. Just knowing that I have to depend on myself and work for everything I have gives me a greater pride in life, a greater sense of purpose and duty.

So how's life away from mom and dad's house? Well...

It's awesome.

I am the proud co-renter of an apartment in Salem, Oregon. Cascade View Apartments, to be specific. It's a place I can call my own, and I really like to have that sense. This is mine, no one elses. Sure, there are other things I can say that about as well, like my laptop, TV, Xbox, movies...or other stuff like that, but this is a roof over my head. The place that marks the start of my life as my own person. Nothing I own has that kind of weight, that kind of importance. Now that I've been experiencing this feeling for the past few months, I'm can't help but give God thanks for allowing me to have this kind of opportunity...this new life, really. I'm also really greatful that I get to share that with a really great guy...

This is my roommate, Jeremy. We get along pretty flippin' well, I have to say. We tend to be very opposite people at times. I tend to be the more calm and composed, while he's definately a straight nut job. It's tough to sleep at night when you have a guy jumping on your bed and making you watch YouTube video's until your eyes bleed. However, I did get slight revenge when I told my dad that he likes to watch shows about ghosts (which he does), leading my dad to think he was, "some kind of freak." (A real quote from my dad.) Besides that, he's a cool guy to share an apartment with. Lately we've been going out and practicing golf when we have nothing going on. For a guy that's only just started golfing, he's impressed me so far...

This is also something we did when we were bored. It's a little video portraying daily life in the apartment...while juggling a golf ball.

That's about all I'm going to share for right now. Life's going good, and it feels great to be out on my own. Leaving the nest is better than I thought it would be...

Otis Cafe: Oregon Coast's Hidden Treasure

If you've driven to the Oregon Coast out of Downtown Salem, then chances are, you've passed by this place without even giving it a second glance. Fair enough, it is quite a small building, just like any of the other quaint shops and houses you pass during that drive. However, the establishment's size and condition greatly betrays what lies within. That is, you'll be missing out on some of the best food and service that you'll find anywhere near the coast if you pass it by.

Otis Cafe is a cute little restaurant that sits a few miles out of Lincoln City. I myself was slightly hesitant to go in, as this building has, indeed, seen better days. You walk through a simple screen door that you must close behind you, and then the Cafe's entire four booths, one table, and a short counter with a handful of stools open up to you. Finding a seat generally is not a problem, and once seated, you find yourself furnished with menu's and water provided by the one and only waitress that's on the clock. The menu is pretty extensive, considering the size of the place, with about four full pages of options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and deserts. I've only managed to come around to the Cafe for breakfast, but how great that breakfast is. Everything is homemade and tastes wonderful. I generally favor the buttermilk pancakes, which are the best tasting (and probably largest) I've ever had. I've tried the ham and cheese omlete as well, and it's amazing as well. If you can manage at least look up from you're food, which is indeed difficult, you'll notice the attentive waitress making sure you're doing alright, and is always there with a refill of whatever you ordered. You get all this great food and wonderful service at a very reasonable price as well, so make sure you leave a nice tip. ...She did have to watch you scarf down that food like a pig afterall, right? I think that merits a nice tip.

Once you've eaten and are walking out that door, you'll look back and see a completely different picture. That's really how it was for me. I came into the restaurant thinking it was a complete waste of my time to even stop here, and yet, I've just experienced one of the greatest meals that I've ever had. Otis Cafe didn't just feed me, it taught me a life lesson: Never judge a book by it's cover. Show me another restaurant that can do that!

So next time you think about passing by this hole-in-the-wall for the Denny's a few miles down the road, don't. Trust me, you'll be happy you didn't.


Just a cool fact to add about this place: each table has a small book with blank pages that you allowed to write in. Looking thorugh you can see entries by people from different states, countries, continents, and generations! It's extremely interesting, and just one more reason you should stop in.