Goodbye Cabin Fever!!!

I am mobile!  I bought a bus pass today and went on my maiden voyage to Anchorage via public transit.  I am so excited!  It was half price because the month is halfway through, so that was nice.  I learned a lot today, and the bus system is fairly easy downtown.  That is a benefit of having a city that is relatively small - less chance of you getting completely lost downtown.  Just jump on a bus, and you will at least get to the transit center and you will be able to figure out from there.

I started off at the Eagle River transit center when my cousin Barbara dropped me off.  I spoke to a lady on the phone yesterday that told me the bus only came to the Eagle River Transit Center, even though there is a bus stop right outside our housing area.  After talking with people at the bus stop, and later the bus driver, it was confirmed that the bus does move along Eagle River, although it is limited service.

I went into town for an interview at a staffing agency.  It went well.  I got there an hour and a half early so I hung out in the downstairs lobby.  I walked to the bus stop and jumped on the first bus that rolled through.  Wouldn't you know it?  It went right where I wanted it to go! :)  I found a big Starbucks to work on my homework and take some tests for the staffing agency.

A pleasant surprise, was Barbara came and had her lunch break there with me and helped me apply for some military base jobs.  I know she laughs at me and thinks I'm a dork, but that's okay.  I spent most of my day in that Starbucks, then went on foot to try and find that transit center!  I totally passed my street and ended up on a fun trek through Anchorage.  I finally found my way and the need for gloves was apparent.  I left them in my jacket I use when I take the dogs out, so I was missing the gloves today. It was negative three when I left home, and it was nineteen degrees when I finally made it home.

I missed my bus to Eagle River, because I was waiting in the wrong place.  Another thing learned today.  Oh, and I also learned that I have to take pay more attention to the street and bus signs.

So, when I got to Eagle River, I pulled the chain too early!  LOL!  So, it was a nice trek on foot to make it home, and without gloves!  So, needless to say, I was a little cold when I got home!  But, I love the briskness of the weather, providing I am wearing appropriate clothing.  Sheesh!  it is all about the gloves.  Have I already mentioned that? =)

ej

Cabin Fever

Here I am...just a few days into a  new chapter in my life and I am already getting cabin fever.  Not that I have been cooped up the whole time, but as active as many know I am, it is hard for me to sit around this much.  I have managed to do a good deal of homework though.  I have been here since late Saturday night and here is what I have managed to get accomplished:
Sunday:
I went to the YSA ward in Anchorage and met a few new people.  One girl, Kirsten, was especially helpful when she pulled the price tag off my cute coat I bought just for Alaska.  I got it on clearance just for Alaska while on vacation in San Diego.  Sheesh!  Sure glad she caught that before I met too many people.  LOL!  Church was fairly uneventful, mostly because my head was pounding!  Lack of sleep will do that to you!!!   It was a beautiful drive to church.  Snow sparkling on the side of the road, pulling up to the church building and seeing snow all over the place.  As I walked into the building there was a seperate area before going into the building where there was an empty trash can and two snow shovels.  It made me grin to see that.  We don't see those in the Bay Area.
The rest of the day was spent putting up some clothes in the closet and an early bedtime.  I was so tired and had to be ready to roll by 445 the next morning to catch a spin class at EAF with Barbara.  It was a fun class!  I have only taken one spin class before over ten years ago and was confused when I walked out.  At any rate, it is a nice facility and their pool was beautiful!  I hope to try it out sometime soon!


Monday:
I was on a mission to pass my DMV test!  I read quickly through the manual for Alaska when I woke up and then Barbara and I headed into town to print out a bill and then head out to the DMV.  We didn't have to wait long and sooner than you can say "Bob's your Uncle" I was taking my test.  I passed with flying colors and only missed one!  I surrendered my CA license happily and in a few minutes had taken my picture and it was in my hands!  I only had to wait 90 seconds!  Whoo hoo!!!  Now I can try and get a job!
I spent the rest of the day at the house looking online for jobs and such.  Got a callback and set up an interview for the next day.  Early to bed.


Tuesday:
Got dressed and ready to roll out for my interview.  Got there early so I did some things on my computer while chilling with the nice ladies in Cafe Ristretto on the 5th floor before going up to the 7th floor.  It went well, and they are confident that I can get a placement with my resume, so let's cross those fingers!!!

Then it was back to the house.  Sheesh!  A lot of sitting around huh?  Yeah, as soon as I move into actual Anchorage, I will be more mobile having access to the bus and such.  For now, I depend on Jimi and Barbara, unless I decide to try and buy a car.  We'll see though...

Wednesday:

Spent the day at the house, although I got to go outside to let the dogs out a few times.  LOL!  Jimi showed me how to use their gun in case I had need of it while they were gone during the day and I was home alone.  I am gonna have to save for a gun of my own!  
Got a lot of homework done, and did some more job hunting.  Hopefully, I will get a call back soon for another interview.  Never been unemployed before, so this is strange for me.  Talked to my Twinners for awhile and she made fun of me!  Hahaha!  She said she could hear "cabin fever" in my voice!  I am happy, but not being able to go out and do things is definitely a challenge for me.  I don't do "cooped up" very well, but I believe I am doing a good job so far!  Good thing I like to do my own thing!  I even got a chance to cook a yummy lunch for myself of a piece of chicken breast and sauteed red bell pepper in sesame oil.  It was yummy!

Today:
It is "Stay Sexy Thursday" and I have to go shopping for a suit.  Can't go to interviews without one.  There are lots of sales going right now, so I hope to find something good.  I also will have a chance to move around downtown on my own and go on an adventure.  I can't forget to get some cleats!


ej

Touchdown, Anchorage!

I arrived at the Anchorage airport at 904pm local time.  A little later than scheduled, so Barbara and Jimi were already waiting for me.  It had been a long wonderful day, but I was ready to start my  new adventure.  After getting my luggage, we went on a bit of an adventure in the airport.  In other words, we got lost.

Yes, we got lost.  It wasn't a waste of time though.  We walked down a hall where hanging on the walls were pictures of Anchorage throughout the years.  On the opposing wall were displays of different native clothing and pottery of sorts.  All along the ceiling of the walkway were clouds that changed color as you walked as to simulate the northern lights.  Since we got lost, we got to see them twice.  =)

Eight o'clock in the morning looking at the backtard with the light on so I could take the pic.

There were other animals on display and we walked passed them as we searched for the exit Barbara swore she knew existed.  Eventually, we did find the parking garage and the car.  I was very tired, after only having a few hours sleep the night before, but still I wanted to stop at Starbucks for my favorite drink-hot chocolate soy, no whip, 170 degrees. =)  yeah, I am one of those...


I was on two hours sleep, and had spent the day traveling, so I went to bed after unpacking some pajamas aka basketball shorts and a t-shirt, and setting up my guitar corner and making sure it was tuned and played a little Pearl Jam to break it in.

The Backyard

Me in the backyard

The Sun sits kind of low in the horizon.  This is afternoon sometime.

driving to church.  those are big mountains!

Never seen snow shovels at the church entrance before.

made it to church!

That is the "beach" and the ice and snow moving in the water.

Downtown Anchorage with the water in the background.

the backyard during the light hours

I slept a few hours before rising early to begin the unpacking process and just soaking in my surroundings.  It was dark until 830am before the "dawn light" started to break through.  So different than what I am used to.  My morning was half over and the light was just starting to come.  I went through my suitcases to try and find some church clothes.  I found a pair of slacks and a sweater and called it good.  Just getting my feet wet, as they say, so there will be more to come on my experiences here.  Right now, I am focusing on getting a job and getting settled!

T-Minus 4 Days

This has been a busy two weeks.  I am almost off on my Alaska adventure!  Friday is my birthday/going away party.  I don't know who will be there, but I hope to see my friends!  More to follow!  It is too busy to write a long entry today!

Vacation in Oceanside

I am finally getting a hang out this whole vacation bit!  A quick synopsis on what I have done over the last, nearly two weeks:  arrived in San Diego, spent a few days studying, passed my final on Monday, spent time with my Twinners, my Ninja, and their respective kids and spouses, watched three movies at the theater, kissed baby Twinner's chicks on more than one occasion, drawn and colored a fair amount of pictures with crayons, markers, and what I think was blood at one point (either that it was red bell pepper juice).  It's been great.  Oh, and did I mention I was able to see a friend of mine that I haven't seen in ten years???  So amazing!

I'M MOVING TO.....ANCHORAGE!!! (Well, Eagle River to start)

Yes, I am moving to Alaska.  It's been a long road getting here.  An unexpected path, but now that I am on it the excitement is beginning to bubble over.  I have spent months trying to decide on exactly what course of action to take and here I am.

It all began with my research on rural America.  I am studying to become a teacher and want my focus to be rural education.  Alaska was on the list by default, but it wasn't on my list.  Initially, despite the low pay, I had planned on moving to Montana after graduation.  I guess Heavenly Father had different plans in mind.  I researched, I questioned, I prayed, and I pondered.  I started feeling the draw of Alaska, and somehow it landed on my list too.  This was all supposed to in the future, but the revelations and kept pushing the move up.  So here I am.  It's six in the morning and I've got my flight confirmation, and one phone call in to Alaska Air (I somehow clicked on the wrong flight, so I had to fix it), and hopes and dreams in my front pocket.

Am I scared?  A bit.  But not afraid of the move.  No, that doesn't scare me.  Will I miss my friends?  Sure, but they'll always be there.  Isn't that what Facebook is for? =)  I'm scared, but for reasons I cannot share here.  It's deep within me stirring.  I'm not a very emotional being, as far as the shedding of tears is concerned.  I have a very limited number of "soft spots" in my heart.  This move affects one.  That is all I am gonna say about that.

I'm leaving my job behind, with hopes to find a new one in Anchorage.  I've had the same job for over ten years.  I've been happy there.  I love the people I work with.  They have inspired me both in and out of the workplace.  A company that I have been loyal to.  I will miss the people there.  I will have to un-memorize all the numbers I have come to store in my noggin over the years.  The rapport I have with some of the "people in my life" that I only know over the phone, is something I am going to miss.

I will be staying in Eagle River to start, which is just outside of Anchorage.  My cousin and her husband live there, so it will be nice to be with family.  I will go more into detail as things move forward.  I fly out on February 5th.  I am so excited but I have a lot to get done by then!  I am spending two weeks in San Diego in the beginning of January, so that doesn't leave a lot of time.

I feel so blessed to be able to take this step!

ej

Following up on June 29th Post "Taking a Risk"

I know it has been some months now, but the time has finally come to shed some light on that somewhat cryptic post.  It started with some research.  It started with just an idea.  All I wanted to do was see what the options would be after graduation.  Now it's come to this...

The official news and announcement to follow very, very, very, very soon...

ej

NyQuil Gone Bad #0328

I had been feeling under the weather for about four days.  I had friends bring me nyquil gel tabs two evenings in a row to help me feel better.  I slept soundly for two straight nights and was thinking I was on the mend.  I tried to pretend I was going to go on a run on a Monday, but I just couldn't do it.  On a Tuesday, a dear friend of mine purchased for "Christmas" a bottle of green NyQuil (I like Green) and I was elated!  Another night of splendid sleep!

I came home from my meeting at church and prepared for bed by taking a dose of nyquil.  Oh, the warm, burning sensation as I feel the liquid go down through my body.  Reminds me of a nice tumbler of Johnnie Walker Black, but any hoo...back to the story.  I sat down in my recliner and put on a movie to wait for the effects to kick in and chatted with some peeps on Facebook and Gchat.  I knew it was working when I couldn't type coherently any more and said my goodbyes...sorta.

I woke up around 11pm to say goodbye to a person I had apparently been saying goodbye to since two hours prior, so I hit the "enter" key.  The next thing I remember I am roused awake by a loud "THUNK!!!"  as I watched in slow motion my laptop finish it's fall with a second "thunk" onto the ground at my feet.

"HOLY COW!" I shriek!  "MY LAPTOP!!!!"  I quickly pick up "my baby" and make sure he's still in good working order and notice I am still "talking" to someone on Gchat, still logged in to Facebook, and apparently I was in the middle of typing something in excel (though I am not sure why I had excel open in the first place).  The movie I was watching was happily looping the song on the start menu, and that is when I finally look at the time.  It's 2 a.m. I'm still in my clothes, so I feel like Marty McFly, and I am still groggy from the effects of the NyQuil.  I debate climbing into bed or just sleeping the rest of the night in the recliner.  This is a real pickle for me, because, in case you don't know, I have a loft bed and I really do have to climb into bed.  I quickly assess how "drunk" I still am from the NyQuil and finally decide to climb into bed under my nice and warm blankets, but not before I give a little "Sana sana colita de rana si no sanas hoy sanaras mañana" to my baby....errrr....my laptop.

Of course, this didn't happen to me.  This is just what I heard. =)

25 Random and Not So Random (FB post repeat)

in no particular order fyi

1. i greatly dislike a cold toilet seat
2. i recently decided i enjoy a properly prepared pound cake
3. i am not afraid to try something new, especially if it involves something physical (ie. hunting like katniss everdeen, ballet, wood chopping, etc.)
4. blueberries are my favorite fruit
5. i own three costume wigs (Afro wig, bad hair plugs wig, Roy Orbison wig) and i wear them whenever i feel like it, usually in public while skating or riding a trail
6. i spent four months trying out demo racquets before choosing to buy my Wilson K.Six.One.95 and have never regretted it since
7. i have a strong belief system based upon my life experiences, gospel principles, and look to God for guidance daily
8. i have a fear of fireworks as they can make me cry (i rarely cry)
9. i always name my primary use basketball
10. i name my printers (my home printers:  manchesca and horus, work: pawandeep)
11. i'm not afraid to go against the grain, but i don't make a forced effort to be different i just go with what feels right.
12. sometimes i have to sleep with the light on, because i am afraid of the dark
13. i am ambidextrous in most things, but tend to be more left than right in sports (i am an ambi turner though)
14. i hate shaving my legs, so i use an epilator (side note:  spell check options for epilator - mutilator LOL)
15. i want to believe in Santa Claus
16. one of my biggest fears is leaving this world and not having made a difference in helping others believe in and do good by serving them
17. i write poetry, but i think it's sappy and lame so i rarely share it with others, but things just go onto a page so I save it just in case i choose to share someday
18. wilbur smith is my favorite writer and i have read and own nearly all of his books
19. i love New Kids on the Block and Justin Bieber and I don't care what anyone thinks!
20. i am terrible at remembering birthdays, but not because i don't care about people, but because i like to let my birthday pass quietly and without a lot of fuss, so i forget that most people want to be called or messaged about their "special" day (it is a work in progress)
21. i liked Garth Brooks before he got Trisha Yearwood-ed
22. i still bump Tommy Page, PC Quest, Perfect Gentlemen, and The Boys in the summertime
23. i can remember things from when i was four years old, and some of those things scare me, some do not
24. i love that i have a good jump shot, in fact, it is on my dating resume LOL
25. i know how to cook now!!!

Happy Holidays!