When I first started this I told myself I would write on a weekly basis. Well, one week turned into one month, and then one month turned into five .... YIKES! Well, now I'm back to rectify this. I want to be better about documenting my time in Alaska and the things that are going on in my life. SPOILER ALERT: I'm boring. But, I'm okay with that. In 2015 the one resolution that has resonated the loudest with me is my desire and yearning to read and write more. If you know me, you know that I've always been an avid reader, and an occasional writer, but this year I want to push myself further in these two areas. This is my way of documenting my progress. My writing will consist of everything from book reviews, my reading challenges (goals, not struggles), work updates, life updates, my cooking challenge (another goal, not struggle, though it may turn into a disaster), and basically anything else that tickles my fancy.
Before I jump straight into my third post discussing the reading challenges I have embarked on, I want to give you a quick life and Alaska update. So, long story short, I have been in Anchorage for 5 months now, an I'm still loving it. Work has provided me with several positive challenges and new ways to grew in Student Affairs, and I am very thankful for these opportunities, as well as having a boss and peers who are always there to challenge and support me. I could never have anticipated such a great work environment and could not ask for anything better than this. I have also had the opportunity to experience things that I wouldn't have if I had stayed in Alabama. I've seen a moose up close (the only thing that separated us was a glass door), petted reindeer, stood on a glacier, and enjoyed local events. Without a doubt I miss home and all the many friends I have left behind. However, I do not find sadness in this because I know I am enriching my life and making a difference by begin here. In late November I was lucky to have my sister Meghan move to Fairbanks, about 300 miles north of me (8 hour drive or 1 hour flight) with her husband and their 6 dogs. Meghan is not my sister by traditional standards; there is no blood that connects us. We met our freshman year at Graceland, and even though we were sisters in our dorm house either, our friendship, along with Bri's, became so strong that friendship was no longer appropriate for the three us, and thus we decided that we were, and forever would be sisters. We adopted each other, and it is the best family that I could choose. You're probably wondering why I am telling you this long story. Well, I am really excited because this week (in 2 days) I will be flying to Fairbanks to see Meggers for the first time in 5 years, and to finally meet my new brother-in-law. I am beyond excited to see them and to catch up. We have spent far too much time apart and I am overjoyed for our little family reunion. I'll let you know about my fantastic weekend in Fairbanks with my family when I get back. One day (and hopefully soon) there will be a reunion with Bri and her husband Alex. We got our first snow in early October, but it was not much and quickly melted away. We got another dusting (a bit more than that) in December, as evidence by the picture below. In mid December I was fortunate enough to be able to go home for a week and spend the time with my parents and brother. I spent Christmas and New Years alone (I was on-call for New Years), seeing movies at the theater. I have grown to love and appreciate solitary holidays as it gives me a lot of time to think and reflect on life and what matters. It has become a peaceful day that I look forward to. Now I have welcomed in 2015, and will try my best to be back here at least once a week to bombard you with my thoughts and opinions of my life. Get ready and be excited! (This is the view from outside my office in the Campus Life hallway in the Atwood Center at Alaska Pacific University)
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