Friday, October 30, 2009

skipping ahead

In response to Jay's comment on my last post, I am skipping ahead a bit to number 16 on the list.


16. The Northern Lights 


These would have likely scored a higher place on the list but I had not seen them yet when I made the list. And for that reason, I couldn't list them until last week. 

Around 1:30am last Friday morning, my roommate came into my room and woke me up. She said that I had to come outside and see the northern lights. I put on my slippers and a sweatshirt and went out the driveway. I looked up and the sky looked like this ->

I think that the northern lights may be one of the coolest things about Alaska - they surpass likability and are down right lovable. There you have it, something I LOVE about Alaska.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

it's begining to look a lot like Christmas

The snow came yesterday. While we had a few flurries back in September, but nothing substantial. All October, I have been hearing about how odd it was that he didn't have snow yet. Well it is here now and it's here to stay.  I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. Sure I have my michelin man coat to keep me warm and I invested into some burly snow tires but I am not ready to say good by to the sun and greet the bitter cold of the loooooooonnngg winter that lies ahead.

Time to pull out the list.  A few weeks ago, I was hate hate hating Alaska, I decided to be proactive and make a list. A list of things that I like about Alaska.  I've noticed that people really do love it here and while I have yet to fall in love with Fairbanks, Ak, there are surely things to like about it.  Now, when I find myself hating my life here in Alaska, I pull out the list and remind myself that there are plenty of things to like about this place - even if I don't love it, I can like it.

1.  I have a job here.  It feels pretty good to be employed and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have this job.

[more from my list to come.................]

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Frrrosssty

Today my friend Kris and I took a little day trip down to Denali.  It was an absolutely beautiful day - clear and sunny but oh sooooo chilly.  We had an awesome view of Mount McKinley - all white and snowy and glacier covered.  I was reminded of how much I love mountains and glacial landscapes.  
    


Awesome braided river - we climbed down there and threw rocks into the river. ahh, simple pleasures.

Mount McKinley - Alaskans call it Denali, but I think that's kinda confusing being that the national park is called Denali. We were super lucky to see it today because it is often hidden up in the clouds.



Thursday, October 8, 2009

blehhh

The days are getting shorter and coupled with grey dreary clouds. It's depressing. I've come to resent my lovely windows because the view is so bleak. Occasionally there is a break in the clouds and the sun light spills through. Everything is so beautiful in the sunlight but these moments are fleating and rarely occur on my lunch hour or after 4:30. 

They say that this is the darkest part of the year. As soon as the snow sticks it will reflect the light. It still sounds bleak. 


Did I mention that it's cold.