The Waffle Window

by Matt Dela Peña

Portland has a treasure trove's worth of shimmering gems hidden within its ninety-five neighborhoods that even some of its own residents don’t quite know about. Because that’s just the thing about this hipster-run metropolis: the locals don’t really want you to know about them.

Let's start with Crater Lake

by Matt Dela Peña

Hike up Garfield Peak. You'll be glad you did ;)

I have a belief that we, regardless of where we're from, tend to take for granted the beauty that is in our very own backyard. Well, that's the case for me anyway.

You see, I've spent the majority of my life thus far as a resident of the state of Oregon, despite at first being a Filipino immigrant to California, and this September marks my 9th year living here—roughly half my current lifetime. So, I truly consider myself an Oregonian despite what anyone else might say.

When I root, I root for the Timbers!

by Matt Dela Peña

Everyone, minus Devan :[

The world gives us a ton of crap for being the only country in the world that doesn't embrace soccer. However, it's pretty likely that these, for the lack of a better word, arrogant European soccer fans haven't been to Portland, Oregon. Well, Portland is home to the MLS team Portland Timbers, whose fan base, the so-called Timbers Army, can rival that of any team in the Champions League.

Honey Toast Cafe

by Matt Dela Peña

If you're looking to settle a sweet tooth craving and experience one of the more hip, metropolitan-Euro-Asian fusion parts of Portland at the same time, then look no further than in Beaverton, a town just west of downtown.

Voodoo and Phở

by Matt Dela Peña

Ever since Spring semester started, I've been stuck in the metro area with pretty much nothing to do. During such occasions, I always go to Portland with some friends just to walk around and find new places to eat. In a tradition that dates back to high school, I now pretty much know most of the downtown area like the back of my hand.

My first snowboarding experience

by Matt Dela Peña

Blurry iPhone pic. Because iPhone.

Since moving to Oregon nearly eight years ago, I have never been to the Cascades. My family has a chronic fear of driving in snow. Thus, it has been quite embarrassing to know that so many of my friends from places like Hawaii have already managed to visit that part of my own state. So yesterday, I went snowboarding for the first time.