Finally! I got part 8 here! Isn't it about time? Well ... anyways ... after this, there's only going to be one more part, which is really too bad because I've really enjoyed writing this.


I've got myself all setup on my motorcycle again. Gabriel's tied in the trailer. It's a good thing that I have the kind without the cover on top ... and that I haven't met any police officers yet because I'm pretty sure this is illegal.

So here I am ... on my motorcycle, doing what I always do whenever I have this much time on my hands ... think.

Romance was the last thing I was expecting when I left Portland, but then again, the last thing I expect is always what seems to happen to me. That's not such a bad thing, is it?

Jackson and I had a big talk this morning, and we finally came to a conclusion. We're going to try out the long distance thing. You know, it's kinda funny ... I think I'm actually kind of excited. Me. Miranda. This is weird.

Well, this trip has definitely changed me. I got over Declan. Declan is now engaged. I moved on and now I have a new boyfriend. Of all the things that I had expected to happen to me in Portland ... but I've already been over this. I guess I'm still not quite over the shock of what happened.

Now that I think of it, Jackson is actually quite a bit like Declan. I mean, he's younger, he doesn't have glasses, and he's got a different haircut, but ... he's got the same kind of personality. Why am I always attracted to guys who are happy, cute, and boyishly charming? I'm so totally the opposite. I guess the saying, "opposites attract" really is true.

So I'm back on the road ... going home. Funny. After three years, it *still* doesn't seem like home. Sometimes I wonder ... do I really belong there? Is this really where I want to live? If I've been miserable there for the past three years ... what makes me think it will get better? I mean, it's not like I'd be in financial peril if I decided to quit my job and move back to Portland. What's keeping me in Texas?

The answer? Nothing. Nothing's keeping me there. I have no reason to stay there. I could argue that I have this great job ... and I really do like my job, but what good is a good job if I don't have friends?

Wow. This trip has *really* changed me. Now I'm actually considering moving back to Portland? But why not? When I was there, I felt so much happier than I do now, with the prospect of going back to work.

Kinda makes me wish I had Dorothy's ruby slippers so I could say "There's no place like home" and click my heels and I'd be back in Kansas ... errr Oregon. Goodness. That's a whole new level of cheesiness for me.

So I guess I'll pack up my things and go back to Portland ... again. This time, for good.


Yay! Aren't y'all so happy now? Miranda's coming home! Maybe I'll have to write another fic about that :)