So for heaven's sake, it's been something along the lines of three YEARS since I did anything at all with this site! I figure I've been a total knucklehead for long enough, and there's no time like the present to take care of it.
What, you may ask, has been going on? For lack of a better answer, I'll just say everything. Peter and I got married in August 2005, I graduated with top honors from culinary school in May 2006, and one week later I found out I was pregnant. And now... My name is Leslie and I live in Oregon City, Oregon, with four
kids, one cat, and the most wonderful husband in the world (yes, that's Peter).
My Profile
Gender: Female
Age: 37
Email: petersgirlfriend@petertvan.com
Yahoo Instant Messenger: luv2travelalot2001
Occupation: Full Time mom to Calvin, 11, Wyatt, 9, Sofia, 7 and Lily, 9 months.
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Interests: cooking, music, reading, cookbooks, movies, poetry, cooking, hiking, writing, cooking, wine,
laughter, road trips, cooking, joy, adventure, travel, passion, cooking, being a smart ass,
beaches, love, conversation, cooking, wit, charm, making love, dancin' my ass off,
learning, kissing, and cooking. (Are you sensing a theme?)
Affiliations: American Culinary Federation, Society of Defamed Military Journalists
Schools: Benson HS (Portland), The Defense Information School (DINFOS), University of Maryland European Division, Western Culinary Institute
Favorite Music: Gipsy Kings, Bowie, Neil Diamond, (yes, I did say Neil Diamond!) Dandy Warhols, Belle & Sebastian, The Cure, Promise Ring, Puccini, The Thrills, Jonny Lang, Indigo Girls, XTC, REM, Decemberists,
Beethoven, Crazy 8s, The Thorns, David Sylvian, Japan, Echo and the Bunnymen,
Elvis Costello
Favorite Books: everything James Joyce wrote, Jane Eyre, Snow Falling on Cedars, Cold Mountain, everything by Pratchett, Raw Spirit: The Search for the Perfect Dram, The
Cooking of Southwest France, The Professor and the Madman, Beloved, The Color
Purple, Angle of Repose, Silent Spring, The Map of Love
Favorite TV Shows: Law & Order, Sex and the City, The Office, Biography,
Spongebob Squarepants (with my kids).
Favorite Movies: LOTR, Anna & The King, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The
Red Lantern, Wit, From Here to Eternity, Gone With The Wind, The Philadelphia
Story, Run Lola Run, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Say Anything, The Big Lebowski,
Far From Heaven, When We Were Kings
Favorite things: Salt and Vinegar potato chips (although I rarely give in
to the temptation). Peter Thomas Van (and I give in to the
temptation of him as often as possible). Baskin and
Robbins Jamocha Almond Fudge ice cream (the original and
best - accept no substitutes). The smell of a campfire as
I fall asleep. Fall. My family. Cooking. Indian food.
Fresh tomatoes right off the vine. Dry red wine. Really
good beer. Scotch with unpronouncable names.
Other random disclosures: I have never been to NYC except to the
international departure terminal at JFK. I have a bright
red raincoat. I believe in everything and nothing. I will
rant about James Joyce after 3 or 4 glasses of red wine. I
have an enormous vocabulary. Sesquipedalianism is my
favorite word. I get annoyed when people use the English
language carelessly. My favorite sound is my kids' laughter. I have
a weakness for parenthetical asides (had you
noticed yet?). I really do enjoy being me. I don't make
excuses.
About Me: I was born in Maryland, have lived in New Jersey,
California, Spain, and Turkey, but I keep returning to
Oregon because I just love it. I'm a mixture of many
ethnicities and love to experience others through food,
music, friendship, and travel. I'm addicted to everything the
Portland area has to offer - I love to hike, go to concerts, go
to offbeat restaurants, camp, fish, you name it. I'm game
for pretty much anything... I'm married to the love of my life, and he's made my life fuller, happier, and more rewarding than I ever thought it could be. He's not only wonderful... he took me to
Paris for Easter! And yes, that is a picture of us kissing under the Eiffel Tower.
Who I Want to Meet: Uninhibited and gifted conversationalists, unafraid of who
they are and what they want. People who enjoy their lives,
and who take pleasure in letting others live theirs. Music
lovers, adventurous eaters, explorers of the arts. Party
animals. People who make me laugh until I snort. Cross-dressing,
sexually ambiguous nut jobs who love to dance.
Transgender glam rock idols. Hedwig, are you out there?
Peter and I and the kids are stumbling our way through life, and it's an adventure we're all enjoying to the fullest. I'll try to keep you all up-to-date on whatever works
for us. Keep an eye on the site for random observations on life, links to
interesting tidbits of information on the Portland metro area, music, concerts, events in general, and the miscellany of fun things to see and do in the Pacific Northwest. There will be a bit of everything, from literature to hiking, deep sea fishing to chamber music.
I'm glad you've tuned in - and hope you enjoy a peek into our
world... Be sure to comment away - and sign my guest book.
