In plain English: Sunday Funday! Last week provided a bevy of memorable moments, punctuated by a Sunday celebration of my heritage 🙂 at the 18th Annual Portland Polish Fest. More to come on that later.

Today: After a full day of writing at work, here I am, writing again – how do I have any words left in me? I’m waiting for Jeff to finish a conference call with some China telecom guys, so I headed to Starbucks to write and sneak some pre-dinner cake pops. (Which are a.maz.ing. All three flavors.)

One man band at the Farmer’s Market

Last week, I had a very cool work moment. I got to interview soccer superstar Abby Wambach, better known as the girl who scored on a header in the amazing U.S./Brazil World Cup quarterfinal match. The ESPN Espy-winning “Best Play” of the year. Super cool girl, great interviewee. She and the rest of the U.S. Women’s National Team were on campus to practice before they squared off in a local friendly against Canada. Awesome interview and event! It was great seeing the hundreds of little girls in soccer uniforms who showed up to watch the team and snag autographs.

When the weekend came, all Jeff and I wanted to do was chill. After four straight weekends of travel and visitors, we needed a break. On Saturday, we hit the Portland Farmer’s Market, which was in full swing: tons of produce, flowers, and crazy music acts. After catching “The Help” (good movie, great book), we retired for the night because we knew what was coming the next day: Sunday Funday.

Football! With bloody mary’s! And we even caught the spectacular finish to the Lions/Vikings game! And the pinnacle of the day: the Portland Polish Fest, the largest Polish festival on the West Coast. Randomly, my dentist had mentioned the festival as I left my Friday appointment (she was planning to enter the polka-dancing contest). Yay! Lindsay, Daniel, Jeff and I headed across the river to the fest, which drew 10,000 local residents. The rain sidelined us for a bit, but we quickly took advantage of the pierogi, golabki and paczki; checked out some polka dancing; and perused the vendor tents. After we had our fill, it was on to trendy ice cream parlor Salt & Straw and Lompoc Sidebar for some Scrabble and darts. Hooray for Sundays!

The crowds came out to watch the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team practice

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team at the Nike campus! (Abby Wambach heading over to sign autographs)

The “main stage” at the Portland Farmer’s Market

Interesting little band at the Farmer’s Market

Big ol’ crowd at the Portland Polish Fest

Lindsay and Daniel hiding from the rain

Sudden downpour at the Polish Fest

Jeff downing a zestaw (combo plate of pierogi, golabki, kielbasa and bigos)

Dressing the part at the Polish Fest

My trip No. 2 to Salt & Straw (Check out the crazy ice cream flavors on the board)

Jeff and Daniel hamming it up outside Lompoc Sidebar

Taste-testing a brew at Lompoc Sidebar

Funkalicious wall art in Northeast Portland