sitkakoala

Adventures in housesitting 104: Quad dog

2012-01-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

Maybe this isn't a whole post in itself but..... Same housesitting job as the last episode; different dog.

I let them out the door to go potty around 3:15pm this afternoon, just before it gets dark outside, and what happens? Only 2 of the 3 dogs come back 2 minutes later when I call for them. Okay no biggie, I wait another 60 seconds. Then I step outside And call again. Nothing. This dog happens to be hard of hearing and I know that higher pitches work better for this guy. So I whistle. Still nothing, hmm...okay this is not the first time he has wandered away from this hearing issue but he always comes back after 10 minutes.

Ten minutes later. No trace. I'm still not too worried but the neighbors down the hill are plowing and don't want him to get in their way so I slip my boots on to go look for him, wait though, the phone is ringing! Caller ID says it is my coworker? Who lives a few blocks away (but ACROSS the street) my gut is already telling me....... The collar has his name and number to the cell phone of the owner(gulp) and the house phone number.

Which I answer, it's my coworkers wife, and speak with her briefly. Sure enough he has walked himself down the 400 yard steep hill, across the icy road to visit(and get a rewardable dog cookie) at a pooch doting coworkers house.

As icy as the hill is at the moment, and so I can get down there quicker as she is waiting for me, I jump onto the 4 wheeler and boogie down to retrieve him. I look both ways, and scoot across the highway to the road where they live. He sees me and hangs his head, I reach down and pat him on the head and tell him (he cant hear of course) that is is a very naughty boy! All the while thinking, oh no, how am I going to get him back safely across the road!?!

I could get off the 4 wheeler and walk him across, only I do not have a leash to secure him on the other side and he would of course, follow me back across. I could have her hold him for a minute so I can bring the quad over and walk back to get him! Aha, oh wait though! As I am thinking this he is already solving the issue at hand by climbing up behind me on the bike: "okay captian, ready when you are!!" He signals.

Nice, the dog not only knows how to walk himself and ride a quad(he may be better than myself at this) can he cook too?

Okay, maybe this was a longer post than I first let on. Not that I condone dogs running off in the first place(but it does happen) I am happy to have him back.

ZZZZZOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!! Happy New Year everybody!!!!!

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Adventures in housesitting, Episode: 103

2011-12-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

Dont you hate it when you plan on a nice leisurely lunch break and you get to the house, let the dogs out to potty, and realize a few minutes later that the young black labrador you are watching has inadvertantly been chewing on a deer bone, which has splintered, lodged itself inside the dogs mouth on the upper part of the palette. The dog is frantic, which in turn is causing me to become frantic.

Deep breath. This is not an emergency. This is also not my dog. What are my current options?

1. Take to vet. Give owners vet bill which could possibly be avoided.
2. Try to remove bone splinter myself and get arm bitten off.
3. Call for a friend.

Bingo, placed call to said friend, she is on her way. The dog is now calm, with sporatic pawings at his muzzle. I get him to sit down which he responds to extremely well. The gaze in his chocolatey brown eyes seem to plead to me to get it out pleeeeeeeaaaseeee!!

He opens his mouth wide and I can see the bone crossing the span of the roof of his mouth but I cannot tell if it has punctured the gums or not. I tremble at the thought of not being able to remove it myself. This is my job though, to make sure these dogs stay out of harm and are well taken care of. What are you supposed to do with knuckle head labs though?!

I take a few deep breaths to steady myself, then brace him between my knees and tell him to open up. I gently pry my fingers between his teeth, if I get bitten at least I know I am trying to best that I can. I feel for the protrudence, I find it and play with the tension to see if I can get it to move- if even a little. The dog of course can only take so much of this at one time, so I reassure him between probings. He wags his tail and tells me its alright, just get it outta there!

So I bend forward once again, open the jaw and AHA! Got it!!! Wow, this shard looks so much smaller now that it is between my fingers and not wedged in the roof of his mouth. Emergency diverted. Will be looking for soreness and lacerations later. Was I a veternarian in another life?

I hear a car revving up the driveway. Yay, friend has arrived!! I release the dog, who goes over to greet her. Yep, everything is alright now. Time for some well deserved lunch!!!!!

nano what?

2011-12-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

nanowrimo = national november write more month (or something along these lines)

I have not written in my blog for a bit and this is why: Here I sit. I sit here to challenge myself based on an event that occurs every November. An annual event designed to help writers on their agenda to, well- do what they love. And that is to write!

The challenge is to: in a one month period, write 50,000 words. A novel to be precise. The goal is not about the quality of the output. The goal, is quantity. But that is not precisely what I have done. Nope, altogether I have only written a smidge over: 9,200 words. But it IS a beginning!!

Realiostically I knew I would most likely not make the 50,000 words in a 30 day period.

In reality for someone to meet this outline that this website has put out, a person would need to write 1,666.667 words per day to make 50,000 by December 1. Tell me, who has this kind of time? Insane writers- thats who. I work a 40 hour work week, and have a family night once a week that will not stop just for my one of many anti social passion. I don't plan to cut my friends out as they deliver small doses of comedic sanity either... Am I supposed to forgo my minimal (as it currently is) exercise plan? And sleep, who needs it!? Um, this lady needs her sleep....All these reasonings are of course the primary reason(s) I have not yet sat down to write my story which is precariously lodged within my gray matter.

But, I have mapped out a tentative calendar with what I think I can do. This little "journal type entry" is more to draw out what I want to write, because the subject is already in my brain. This is the story of my child hood of living with Diabetes. I just need to force myself to sit. Then write. Then make it into a story I believe others will benefit from, and enjoy during reading.

So while I may not be able to write everyday, I am willing to make a goal:

1. Plan a week ahead of time, of trying to write an average 3 days a week, with about 5,000 words a week. I am not going to punish myself if I do not meet this goal! However, I DO plan on setting up a reward for writing my daily goal (a sauna is a GREAT motivational tool!) as is reading time. Books are my vice, and consume a good deal of my spare time!

2. Set up times that work for me. A Sunday morning I am not going to schedule myself to write at 6am. I will be reasonable, first walk the dog, with plan on writing later (but longer) Or if I feel the need to write more, to plan on getting up that hour earlier before work and just flat out write!

3. Write uninhibited. Write it how I remember it. Just write! Like the website says, its about the quantity- not quality, fine tuning comes later. It has to be typed/written out before your put in all those fancy schmancy words.

4. Look to the great website resource for pep talks. Or if you cannot think of the story at hand do a journal type entry, at least you are writing something!! (specifically like this one).....read through the journal and notes you have that you have already written, it really does work to get inspired about the subject matter!!

5. Do not procrastinate. Do it now. November is coming (quite literally the day after tomorrow.) Do it now, what am I waiting for?

6. Back the work up! Really, you know how upset you get after writing a 100 word email and you accidentally hit delete. Save it on the ipad, save it on blogger, save it in google documents, save it on a flash drive. Save it! Then use the handy word counter they smartly have on the website to see how many words have flowed out of those fingertips! Or, download an application for a word counting and make it EVEN EASIER! Wow, I just sat down and typed 737 words in a little under an hour!

See, thats all it takes, is the goal to sit down and DO IT! So, until tomorrow (or what has turned into the entire December hehehehehee) I plan to write, goodnight!

Recipe for a Halloween tricky treat

2011-10-27T22:10:00.001-07:00

Step 1:

Wash thoroughly. If you bought this at the local party store and don't know how many grimy hands haven been on this....on that note, you don't know how many faces have tried this on. Wash the inside for good measure too!!!!

Step 2:

Cover with cream cheese (or BBQ sauce if that's more your taste) it gives it a nice slimy effect! You can make and shape a cheese ball if you want to make it completely edible (but I was short on time so I opted for the mask!)

Step 3:

I hope you bought LOTS of lunchmeat!!!!! Cut into strips, cover and layer it on! I used brown sugar ham, but of course turkey or roast beef works too! Yum.

Step 4:

BE CREATIVE!! If you can imagine it you can do it!!!
So I also took it upon myself to start a small worm factory.....

But don't worry its only jello!

Sugar free too!!

Perfect for a Halloween potluck! If you can get your friends/coworkers to eat it!!

Bon appetite!!

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The nightmare before housesitting

2011-10-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

I call myself a housesitter. I have been housesitting for over 10 years. I have and am willing to take care of sick cats, stubborn dogs, lizards that eat crispy dried pieces of crickets, goldfish who attempt to intimidate you into feeding them more with a dubious stare, and numerous personable rodents. I have only 2 rules before accepting a "job" to housesit your abode:

#1. Dont ask to leave your kids with me.

#2. Dont ask to leave your parents with me.

Except I only made up rule #2 after one of my last jobs after I had not near enough fun (and a few minor head scratches) with a little lady we are going to dub "Francine"

Francine is 73 years old. You have to expect a few senior moments, right?

A few days before the big job I go to the house to interact a bit with Francine, talk a bit about the things I needed to tend to while staying at the house. I have watched this dog in the past, so I kind of knew what to expect from him. But, this was before Francine arrived on the scene.....

The daughter told me how I just needed to stay over night there, take care of the dog(who is a bit stubborn so I would be relieving the responsibility of the mom), I was told that she was independent and would have premade meals in the fridge and freezer. Sounds well planned hey? Sigh.

The job started the day the town was experiencing rolling blackouts; power outages every other hour for about an hour at a time. Not to worry, except where Francine is concerned, every time the power went out, she could not recall why it had gone out!! Needless to say she was a little bit frazzled and was more worried about resetting the digital clock in the kitchen than thinking about it going out again the next hour.

These power outages also reset the cordless phone; every other hour. And numerous times I tried to explain to her not to worry, it would come back in an hour(She seemed to understand why the lights were out at least). But then, when the handset had battery power, she could not remember how to dial out (she was adding the area code 907 while trying to call a local number to her daughter that was "not in Alaska" currently). So I would dutifully dial, update the daughter as best I could on our current situation as Francine stood nearby awaiting her turn.

The next day she rings me up to ask me if I had fed the dogs? Yes, I fed the dogs(which I find out later she ALSO has fed the dogs) She then calls me to ask if her daughter had called me, because she had called the house to check in with her(Ok, being on the same page is not a bad thing- right?). She would call me to tell me she was locking the door now. Ok, I tell her, go ahead and lock the door I have a key.... I admit I was busier than usual this Alaska holiday weekend so im going to attempt to communicate with her better. This week should go by smoother....right? Im beginning to question whether this job is too much for me. Give me animals any day, give me people....NEWSFLASH! I am NOT a people person.

Yes, I could have communicated with her at more regular intervals, but I had family in town that I wanted to spend at least some time with. So yes I was gone for some extended periods of time (not to mention most of the night of the Alaska day ball and another unpredictable night where my relatives had a few too many smoked salmon bloody marys and a few too many bits of fun ;)

At one point I walk in and she had taken everything from the fridge and was piling it into the already too full freezer in the entry way room. "Um, Francine, what seems to be the issue?" I ask her. She calmly replies. "Oh, it seems as though the refrigerator is not working. I didnt want to bother you." I place some of the perishables outside on the porch where the temperature is about 34 degrees. "Do you think we will attract bears?" Francine asks me. "Maybe." I tell her. Though it IS October- so Im not extremely worried. The breaker box looks alright but I call the neighbors and they are able to find the problem and fix it quickly(a outlet switch just needed to be changed out in the kitchen most likely caused by the frequent blackouts)

One unforgettable night includes a panic stricken phone call where Francine breathlessly tells me that she has locked herself out of her room!! I am currently at my grandmothers house for dinner so I tell her I will be there as soon as dinner is done. She then tells me her medication is locked in the room. FRICK!! Really? How did the door get locked!!! So I rush out of dinner, all the way out the road, down the steep hill and up their winding gravel driveway. Where I fling myself out of my truck and race into the house as fast as I can. Francine is standing at the bottom of the staircase with a screwdriver and a nail in her hand. "Oh, I got it honey."

The dog water bowl goes completely missing, and so does the garbage can outside, which I had been asked to take down to the street to be collected on trash day (where can a little old lady hide such a thing?!) It was there just 2 days ago! I get a few quick little sporadic rants on religion, and why my not having any type of religion is not a good thing. Which is never a topic I ever choose to initiate into with others.

And the ever present "I cant get the phone to work" rears its head at least once per day. Including an incident on Sunday morning (of course the night of being out super late at the ball) when she could not call a friend (because, alas, she still could not get the phone to work) that was supposed to pick her up to go to church. She waits til 20 minutes before she needs to be there to ask me for a ride. So me, *cranky, sleep deprived, sarcastic, and needing some serious alone time* ask her what her friends phone number is. I call. I get her husband that does not know where this woman is. I go into the mudroom where Francine is waiting, dressed in her Sunday best. I pull on my grubby extra tuffs. As I shrug one arm into my jacket she opens the door and says "Oh, heres my ride!" And walks out, pulling the door shut gently behind her. I slump down onto the bench with a huge sigh, and clumsily kick the boots off. Where the dogs eye me wearily, "I thought we were going somewhere?"

Second to the last day of this endeavor Francine asks me if I can get her an envelope so she can mail a letter off to her friend. I dig around my house (instead of theirs) and come up with a business class envelope and deliver it to her. She then asks me why I did not bring her a different size, as the letter is in fact a card.... I start to bristle. So I tromp back to my house, dig through more envelopes and find one that I think will work for her. Back at her house she smiles angelically and takes the envelope.

The next morning (and finally the last day) she calls me while I am at work and says she needs another envelope, as the one I gave her has been written with the wrong address(in her handwriting must I point out!!!) My patience has hit its limit. At this trivial point I dont even want to go back to the house. I call a friend, and ask her if she has any card envelopes she would be willing to part with and can she please please please PLEASE drop it off for me at the house? Which this wonderful friend did for me without hesitation on her lunch break!

The count is 38. Thats right, 38 phone calls in a 5 day period. I almost did not survive I tell you!!!! Really it was not that bad (unless you start me raving about it) But this story must be told for its entertaining values (and maybe others have pulled the same amount of hair out in situations like these as well?!?!?!)

A year has gone by since this episode in my life. After 10+ years of housesitting I have established these important certain rules:

#1. Dont ask to leave your kids with me.

#2. Dont ask to leave your parents with me.

Except....by the way, apparently I cant say no.....I am housesitting here again for 3 days next month. Its only 3 days....right? We shall see how this chapter turns out.

..........

Buri

2011-08-31T22:09:00.001-07:00

I'm ready, are YOU ready?!?

This lava caving tour starts about one hour drive from Reykjavik. Its name is Buri, and it lays in Leita hraun on the Reykjanes peninsula. With a little hike over the lava field to where the hidden cave entrance lies....

Below, a group member looking at the tiny little hole we have to squeeze our bodies through.....claustrophobic? Don't worry, I'm not!!!!

The cave goes more than 1 kilometer in, and has great diversity in the height and width. The crude path ends abruptly in a large gaping hole that our guide says can be rappelled down about 60 feet to the uneven bottom. It is VERY uneven and NOT for beginning spelunkers! Though the pamphlet states: fit for everyone with good health. Oh and good hiking shoes are essential! The company needs to reiterate this, as a lot of us(including myself) just had tennis shoes.

Time for a head count, did we all make it out alive? We all came out with a few bumps and uffdas! I fell once, but others fell more. But despite the scrapes and bruises, nothing beats the raw realness of caving in a country at a particular cave that not many have been before(the cave was opened only 2 years ago)

That was so fun I want to go again!!!!!

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Location:Reykjavik Iceland

Madonna

2011-08-29T07:43:00.001-07:00

The Icelanic horse is special for many reasons, one being that for over a thousand years they have not changed their genetic line. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported and exported animals are not allowed back into the country.

Icelandic horses are smaller than other breeds of horses, although usually larger than ponies. The Icelandic displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. Yes, they have 5 different gaits!!!!

Some horses are also raised here for slaughter.....with most of the meat being sent off to Japan, but surprisingly widely consumed here as well.

After my ride I don't think I can try this local specialty today.......My Icelandic horses name is Madonna. Though I haven't had a ton of experience on horses, Madonna was VERY responsive and I had a fantastic time, I even chose to ride back to the farm with the fast group where we got to try the special "tölt" gait(a few people decided to walk back)

My cold is doing better and only a couple of days until I head to Seattle. I hope my brain is ready for meter school.....oops I think it just went galloping off with that Icelandic horse!!!!

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Location:Laxnes, Iceland

The golden circle

2011-08-28T18:25:00.001-07:00

I have caught a touch of a Norwegian cold so I'm taking it easy today and doing a popular tour of 3 must sees while in Iceland. Rest and water should make things better :)

First stop: Pingvellir national park. This is the volcano and fissure laden junction where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart, about 3 mm each year(about as fast as your finger nails grow every year) Which means that in about 10,000 years, there will be a gap of about 70 meters. Another grand canyon in the making!!

Next stop: Gullfoss waterfall. In Icelandic this name means the golden waterfall. By far the most popular waterfall in Iceland, thousands of people trek to see it annually. Do you see how little the people are standing on the rock to the left? I'm going down there!!

Lots of spray this close!!

Last stop on this tour: Geysir. The one and only Geysir where all others hereafter get their common name from! I did not know that this was an Icelandic word!!

The water is about 200 degrees farenheit, a little below boiling but still HOT! This run off is a tad cooler to the touch....

But still you do not want to be standing directly underneath when it blows!!!!! I have some videos that are sideways that once i figure out how to rotate them, will try to post!

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Location:Iceland

Day 27 at the Blue lagoon

2011-08-26T20:11:00.001-07:00

Hello Iceland!!

Apparently you cannot go to Iceland and not stop for a visit to the blue lagoon! Luckily I went early in the morning before all the crowds.....

The water’s milky temperature is 37-39°C / 98-102°F. Also they do not add chemicals to "treat" this lagoon, as the water recirculates itself every 40 hours or so. And regular testing shows that common bacteria has a difficult time sticking around.

The geothermal hot seawater springs draw thousands of people annually. The blue-white salty water is a combination of minerals and has a high level of silica. And naturally has pumice on the bottom to smooth out those travel worn feet! Also scattered around the edges of the pool are wooden boxes supplying a mud mask(supposedly to take the stress and wrinkles away)

I could only stay in for about 40 minutes before I hauled myself out so I could "unprune" myself after utilizing their state of the art shower facilities, where they supply the blue lagoon shampoo and conditioner for guests(which they also highly encourage you to purchase)

The local water has a lot of sulphur in it (and drys the hair out quite a lot) Iceland is one of few countries that because of it's geothermal power, electricity and hot water is cheap and almost unlimited. Those that live in Iceland have the luxury of taking hour long hot showers every day(and it sounds like they do too)

But this also means that they always must be ready for the next earthquake or eruption that mother nature may have up her sleeve.

Ah so relaxing, so now I think now I need a fruit smoothie, yummy! And then a nap....

Zzzzzzzzz.........

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Location:Rekjanes, Iceland

It's a coffee day, day 26

2011-08-25T16:28:00.001-07:00

Do I look tired?

Today I had lots of free coffee! The first was this morning when I went out looking for a narvesen(local mini market) which are on every corner unless you are specifically looking for one, then they do not seem to be anywhere!

I must have looked a bit exasperated because a woman walks up to me and asks: Ønsker du gratis kaffe? (or something along these lines)

I ask her: du snakker engelsk? Do you speak English? I AM getting better at pronouncing my Norwegian ;) she replies: do you want some coffee for free? Of course I DO!!! Takk!!!!!!! (thanks) then she gives me another card for another free coffee......except I am heading to the airport(after my coffee) so I had better find someone to give this free coffee to!

Then once at the airport I have some time, so I get some coffee, and it just some happens that we started a punch card that every 5 coffees that you buy, you get the 6th one free! And I was on my free one(which was why I was looking for a narvesen prior)

It's a coffee day.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

Saying goodbye to Oslo on the Aker Brygge at the eternal peace flame.
Heading to Reykjavik next. The land of fire and ice!

Stay tuned.

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Location:Oslo

Insta-friend

2011-08-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

Today on the couchsurfing website there is a local party/meet up. The directions were to meet at 16:00 in Viggeland park (yay i get to go to Viggeland again!!!!!!!)at the "ugly" statue. Um.....what is classified as the ugly statue?! And do you know just how many statues there are in that particular park?!?!?!? And I personally think they are all extremely beautiful.... But maybe because our only statue in my home town is a seagull poo and algae covered gold miner in front of the old folks home(okay I really like our dear one and only statue, I cant lie)

I really really cant get enough of this park!!!!!

And after spending a good deal of time wearing out the battery on my camera.....by the time I actually located the right piece of art(I had to call on another local cser to give me better directions) I didnt even actually get a picture of this so called "ugly" statue! (it was just a local being sarcastic) it was a perfectly normal artistic sculpture!

And so I found myself at an impromptu BBQ/beer drinking/music crashing/party! Really, there were all sorts of fellow csers there and once again this website is amazing at bringing people together! Insta-friends(just add beer)!!!

After taking pictures and lounging in the gorgeous sunshine and telling travel stories we jumped on a trolley and headed to a place were there was music with the intentions of sneaking in for free....turns out it WAS for free, as part of the Oslo jazz festival, that just happens to be going on right NOW!!

A very full day, I think I will sleep in tomorrow, I am on vacation after all ;)

Sorry I STILL can't get my picasa uploader to put any pics up on the Internet, I'll keep taking em though, so keep checking that picasa link ;)

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Location:Oslo, Norway

Day 22 the national gallery

2011-08-22T10:56:00.001-07:00

Today we went to the national gallery, and boy was there a lot of art there!!! Claude Monet, Christian Krohg, Pablo Picaso, Johan Christian Dahl. It was mind blowing, or maybe it was just the fact that they don't have any fresh air in there so the air circulation does not hurt the ancient paintings.

At one point I thought I was going to pass out if I didn't get any fresh air!

And they don't allow you to bring bags/backpacks in(really has anyone tried fitting a painting into their pack in the past?) I forgot my camera in my bag that I had just put into a locker, which once you pay the 10 kroner fee I thought would only open once...... And I didn't want to pay 10 kroner just to get the Darn thing. So sadly, no pictures from my camera today. And it turns out, I got my 10 kroner back after all.......sigh. At least aunt Kat got some photos today.

Even if I had the camera, the only piece that I wanted my picture taken in front of was The Scream, by Edvard Munch. I have been practicing my "scream" face for weeks! Turns out, that is the only room you are NOT allowed to take pics in...... Don't worry this was taken in the souvenirs shop haha! Hmm....photoshop when I get home....

Raining hard here in Oslo today, so off to do some last minute souvenir shopping and dashing through the big juicy raindrops!!

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Location:Oslo, Norway

Picture upload error

2011-08-21T23:19:00.001-07:00

sorry folks I can't seem to upload any pictures at the moment, but I'll get em up as soon as I'm able!!!

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Trollstigen! Day 21

2011-08-21T05:00:00.001-07:00

The mountain Trollveggen is the tallest, vertical rock face in Europe! At it's highest point it reaches 5950 feet from the valley floor to the tip top. 3300 of those feet are vertical, making it a stellar spot if you are an avid rock climber!

Don't worry, im just up here hiking around a bit ;)

This SO makes up for yesterday being a bust on the bus! I wandered around up here for 3 hours. Then, it began raining while I waited for the bus, but not to worry, the bus driver gave me a free ride fare back down!!!

Can I go again!!?!!

Don't forget to check out the picasa link(upper right hand corner) for the rest of the pictures! Enjoy, (I sure did!!!)

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Location:Andalsnes, Norway

Day 20 the Atlantic road

2011-08-20T05:21:00.001-07:00

Today we set off to see the Atlantic road.

The Atlanternshaven highway is only 8.3 kilometers long(5.2 miles) there are 8 bridges that span it between small towns and skerries and local fisherman fish directly from the road in some places. We were about 43 miles from it so I knew today would be a lot of bus riding.....however, with where we needed to end up for the night (Andalsnes) we just did not figure "how much" back to back bus riding this day was going to be.

The weather is drizzly, so that's okay about being stuck on a bus......but after 8 hours and many stops along the way that we couldnt get off at, both aunt Kat and I were getting a bit restless, a bit frustrated and really grumpy!!!!

For how long it took to get to where the road started....we were sadly not so excited to see it once we were there....sigh....and do you know how tough it is to take pictures on a moving, rain battered window of a bus? (The top image is not one that we took)

Today was mostly a flop. Dont get me wrong, it was beautiful and a highly visited destination here in Norway, but I would recommend(even though it is extremely expensive) to rent a car if you ever come here and want to see it for yourself. That's what I would do if I could do it over.

Onward to the next adventure!

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Location:On a bus :(

Fretex, day 17-19

2011-08-19T11:14:00.001-07:00

We spent a lot of time in the Norwegian version of the salvation army today, and we found some thrifty deals!!!

Then we needed a walk so we decided to go for a hike! Only somehow we started walking "around" the mountain a few kilometers and saw a sign for a viewpoint, so up we went.

Apparently we walked around to the back side of the mountain and went up an alternate way and found a really cool lookout and compass thing on top of a miniature stone castle. It was a beautiful day but the forecast is definitely calling for rain....should we pack around our coats just in case?!

After we are done exploring this little find (oh and there's wild raspberries up here as well!) we decide to go find the real lookout, where the tourists go.... But for some reason we could not locate it?! Hmm okay well we will do that hike tomorrow. We start hiking down, only we pop out somewhere south of town!

The next day we find the viewpoint, 419 steps up to the top! Phew, really getting our hiking in these last couple of days, jeg elsker!

Then the next day it actually rained enough to make us bring/wear our raincoats (then we proceeded to hang dry on any available surface our damp clothing and items, hooks were pretty scarce as we are in a 12 bed womens dorm and they are doing the same as we are...) I had time to catch up on the last few blogs tho! (but this one is a few days late as we have been traveling/minimal Internet)

Time is going by fast!

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Location:Alesund, Norway

Day 16 Bergen aquarium

2011-08-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

The coastline of Norway is amazingly similar to southeast Alaska! But it's also VERY different too! The Bergen aquarium was a nice look at under the sea (without having to get my feet wet!) and they had a shark tunnel! Woot! Woot! we don't get this everyday in Sitka!

Atlantic salmon, they don't get as big as our lovely pacific salmon, but in the fish market I can assure you they are just as pricey!!

I especially had a good time with these "pingvinene" (penguins) They were a bunch of show offs who really liked cameras, and plastic water bottles and would pose for either :)

Goodbye Bergen, we will miss you.

Getting on the famous ferry, the Hurtigruten overnight to arrive in a town by the name of Alesund early tomorrow morning!

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Location:Bergen, Norway

Day 16 Bergen aquarium

2011-08-15T22:10:00.001-07:00

Location:Bergen, Norway

Mount Ulriken day 15

2011-08-15T00:37:00.001-07:00

Whoa! 2 mountains in 2 days say you? YES! This one is called mount Ulriken. And it's about 642 meters to the top. We did cheat and take the cable car up.....

But boy, the "hike" down was t.o.u.g.h. In fact I am writing this blog a few days later and my muscles are still screaming in agony when we particularly go downhill (these muscles must need some work as I have no problem to walk and walk and walk and walkandwalkand, okay and you get the point!) it was like mount Edgecumbe coming down the scree, but it seemed to last for ever! (642 meters) Steep has an all new meaning!

But the view from the top of here was a breathtaking, we could have stayed up here all day, well at least til the sun went down and it started to get chilly.

Hello down there! How is the hike aunt kat? (above picture)

Ugh, these pictures are really bringing back some sore memories lol. What can be next?! You will just have to wait and see!

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Location:Bergen, Norway

Day 14 Floyen

2011-08-14T00:35:00.001-07:00

We saw TROLLS today!!!!!

And we went hiking, but more importantly- we saw trolls today!!!!!!!

Norwegian style troll totem pole?!

Yes I am sitting on a trolls head, only in Norway :)

One viewpoint over the city of beautiful Bergen.

You will have to settle for pictures more than words today, it's beautiful weather again out here so I cannot catch up til later.....Ta ta!

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Location:Bergen, Norway

Day 13

2011-08-13T01:06:00.001-07:00

Bergen, the city of waterfront wooden houses!

Doesn't this look a lot like southeast Alaska? *smile* I really REALLY like it here!

And something else I really like about Norway as well, is the amount of art (or aka statues that you are allowed to climb on) around nearly every town that we have visited!

By climbing on I mean like this:

We went to the fish market today and sampled smoked whale! At the next booth I asked the woman what kind of salmon she was selling....."it's salmon!" she tells me.

I should have smiled at her and walked away, but what can I say, I like to brag about my home state, I hope she learned her lesson well today that there is more than 1 type of salmon in this world!

Sadly I forgot to take any pictures of the Fisk market so I will try to get some tomorrow. But here is a sign for a hairdresser that we walk by every day. Love the philosophy!

Still relatively nice weather for us, though we are finding we are wearing more of our clothing. Phew, so glad we didn't ditch it on Oslo when it was so hot!

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Location:Bergen, Norway

Have you driven a fjord lately? Day 12

2011-08-12T21:43:00.000-07:00

And no, I dont mean a ford truck! ;)

Today in Flam we woke up and decided it would be a fine day for a bicycle ride! But, when we got to the place we had seen the day before that was renting out bikes, it turns out they were already ALL rented out for the day!! Figures that on our last day, everyone else wanted to rent a bike too.....

So instead we decided on a shorter distance a walked a little way up into the Flam valley.

To the old town of Flam to be exact, we visited the old stave church and got honked at by the train and we stopped to "baa" at some critters along our trek. They even "talked" back! Sheep!

Then we went back to the small little town, claimed our luggage and hopped on the ferry to Bergen. The fjords are beautiful and thou similar to southeast Alaska, they are in their own right majestic and so natural!

See the kayakers in the photo above?

Lots of small towns scattered along the fjord, some only accessible by boat. Where the people living there have longer life spans than the norm from the low pollution and the pure drinking water they have available.

I think I could take even more pictures of the fjords! But there are more in the picasa web album link in the upper right hand corner of this blog, check them out!

Location:Flam and Bergen, Norway

Day 11 the white magic caves

2011-08-11T00:19:00.001-07:00

Gudvangen and the Viking camp

Below is a camp site of a wealthy Viking, less wealth would theoretically be a tarp with sleeping skins, minimal cookware and the bare minimum.

A strategic Viking game below (not to be mistaken with chinese checkers, aaarrrggghhh!)

Entrance to the magic white caves.

Open sesame!!!!! "What it's not open yet?!"

Okay now it's open!!!!!! They gave us gigantic fluffy warm jackets as part of the tour! Good thing cuz BBBRRRR its a COLD in here!

Special light and sound effects and..... TROLLS!!! lots of them! Though because of the lighting my camera failed to take great pics...

Could they be our relatives? Teeheehee!

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Location:Flam and Gudvangen Norway

Day 10 Flamsbanen

2011-08-10T02:43:00.001-07:00

MY FIRST TIME ON A TRAIN!!!! WWHHEEEEEE!!!!

That's right, I have never taken a train ride (subways and airport connections do not count)

The Flamsbanen train ride is one of the most magnificent in the world! I would agree, except it was built and opened in the 1940's and I would dare to say that the brakes are darn near as old as it has been open; it was SO squeaky and uncomfortably high pitched that after a while it hurts your brain.

My brain hurts just thinking about it.

We were warned ahead of time of the "huldra" a mythological creature that lures men to her and the only way they can break free is to make her fall in love with them.

We got lost in Flam. This town is smaller than downtown Sitka, how in the heck did we get lost in Flam!!! Well for one thing, it does not help that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING has the same address! And map quest has for the first time let me down, it said to go one way(out of 2 frickin options) and it gave me the wrong one!

But eventually found our way(the scenic route) but missed out on the grocery store as it had shorter hours and closed at 5pm on Sunday! So no breakfast for us?!

Silly enough the souvenir shops were open until well after 9pm though, perhaps we were bored(or maybe hungry?) as we found ourselves buying a few little items. Ahem, I fell in love with a book called trolls and their relatives... And now must carry it in my already heavy enough bag....

But we found a few little snacks to tide us over at least til the store opens at 8am.

Good night!

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Location:Flam, Norway

Day 9 Fossesholm

2011-08-09T09:24:00.001-07:00

Fossesholm, Norway

Fossesholm is the wealthy farm and homestead where Petranella and her sister originated. This farm has been through many many owners but it began primarily as a timber and lumber mill, next to the Drammenselva river itself!

We took a tour through this beautiful farm but were unable to take any pictures as the wallpaper and furniture are SO old that light could potentially destroy what is remaining today. The art on the inside walls was so unusual and outrageous when it was painted in the 1400s. And though it was faded, we could only imagine just how vivid it once was.

Scenes from everything from hunting English style, to floating goods and lumber down the river, to proposing to a woman via a birds nest (to say yes all she must do is open her apron and accept it, then the man may go ask her parents for her hand) and many many other images depicting outdoor scenes that in the winter the people living in the house (for the wealthy rarely went outdoors in bad weather) could see all the time. How I wish we could have taken photographs!! The interior floors also are painted to resemble Italian marble and are still in great condition as of today.

Komgsberg, Norway
Then cousin Rune took us to Kongsberg and the silver mining museum,

Where I really really wanted to climb some ladders!!!! Very interesting museum where they mined silver, gold and gems and for a long time made the bulk of money used while the king of Norway and Denmark Christian IV, reigned(the silver here was especially valuable and some very large pieces have been found to date)

Here also were mineral deposits and stones that would be a geologists dream.....

Then off to more family activities, attempting to speak Norsk(I think it's getting easier, at least to understand though I still cannot pronounce...) and attempting to tell them that I am diabetic, which another member of the family has type 2 so they had a "special" sugar free cake available!!!

Heading to Flam on the railroad tomorrow!

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Location:Fossesholm, Norway

Day 8

2011-08-08T01:58:00.001-07:00

To the Petraborgs we were unable to meet in person, we took a side trip to the graveyard to solemnly pay our respects.

But all was not solemn, these kids are a bundle of energy! Just ask Aunt Kat!!! (she slept well this night!)

Dinner with family and a friendly game of arm wrestling, Norwegian style. This kid is 9 and he is STRONG!

Aunt Kat and I both lost.

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Location:Krokstadelva and Vestfossen, Norway

Day 7 the Petraborg farm

2011-08-07T09:42:00.001-07:00

We picked sun kissed raspberries today!!!!

Amazingly we picked these delicious berries on a track of land that goes by the name of: Petraborg farm in Vestfossen, Norway.

Wow, where to start with this day....the raspberries are a start, but the story goes that there were 2 brothers who married 2 sisters from a nearby farm by the name of Fossesholm and they lived on this land and split it between them. The house, the fields, everything.

One of the sisters name was Petranella. In Norway, Borg is a castle or more similar to a type of fortress. From this place, the rest of the Petraborgs were born.

I cannot put into words on a blog exactly how amazing it was to physically "see" the beginnings of the Petraborg name! Especially when you see raspberry and strawberry fields galore! Wow!!

Can you see Aunt Kat picking(eating) raspberries!?

We met family today!!!!! I cannot believe how many Petraborgs are currently living in Norway at this time! We had a small reunion where they took us around, fed us and joked with us- it definitely felt like family!!!

Then they tried a little matchmaking, in setting me up with a man who was born the same year as I, except, he is a relation to me!!!! 4th or 8th cousin, people, I don't care it's still a COUSIN!!!!! Aunt Kat has a blackmail photo that I'm sure will crop up any day here.......

They spoiled us here in Vestfossen, so much that I know for sure that someday I wish to come back!

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Location:Vestfossen

Day 6

2011-08-07T09:29:00.001-07:00

Drammen

Song of the river.

The river Drammenselva is one of the largest rivers in Norway, with a drainage basin of about 17,000 square kilometers and a flow rate of 300 cubic meters per second. The river has an average discharge of about 300 m3 / s. Drammen River's total length is 308 km making it the 5th longest river in Norway. It is a staple of life and transportation in central Norway.

Along the river there are these huge metallic orbs called river harps. These cool sound sculptures are set into the pedestrian Ypsilon bridge with two large silver balls, one on either side of the river. The music is created by variations in water flow and bridge oscillations.

Be careful though, the Drammen River is home to Nøkken, a water spirit in Norwegian folklore who lures people into the water with his beautiful music!!

Spiralen

This tunnel is the start of 8 tight spirals that take you up to the top of the mountain! It is all completely enclosed and completely dizzying!!!!!!

We also met a few locals at the top(a father and his son) where aunt Kat proceeded to tell them that I am single?! Unfortunately for the son, his father would not allow him to go to Alaska, even for a visit, as he was needed to stay in Norway to run the family business. Darn, he was cute too ;)

Then we went to a family house and Aunt Kat found something a bit more appealing than that kitty cat to bring back to Alaska as a souvenir. Though the mother of the baby made it quite clear (even though she also said she knew minimal English) that Aunt Kat should "go ahead and just try." Then Aunt Kat understood that you don't always need English to convey a protective maternal "look".

Once again the weather has been marvelous and hot.

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Location:Drammen and Krokstadelva

Day 4

2011-08-04T03:54:00.001-07:00

Today we ventured to the opera house!

The roof of the building is built out of granite and marble and designed to make it seem like the opera house is rising out of the water like a song!

This house was designed and completed in 2008. Very trendy and very modern and you can walk on the roof!

Unfortunately everything playing here is strictly outside of our current budget, so walking around the lobby, gazing at the art, and using the ultra modern bathrooms was well worth the visit!!!!!

In fact, a bit later we were in sentral station and needed to use the ladies room again- but when we realized at the station that they were going to charge us 10 kroner, we decide to scamper back over to the opera house, where the toalettes were clean and most importantly- FREE!!

Here we be, walking down a street that is beginning to seem familiar, only to leave the sentral station in a direction we hope leads North to the botanical gardens only to find ourselves back on the street called Storgata that our hostel we are staying in is on!? Yep, 2 Alaskans in a big city is still who we are!

But finally we made our way to the botanical gardens. Refreshing!

And even did our good deed of this day: as we were walking here we see a poster...... Of a missing CAT! And can you believe it, we see a cat just like the one that is in the poster getting a drink of water!?

Turns out this cat is super friendly!

So friendly that I think aunt Kat may have wanted to bring it back to the hostel with us. Or perhaps even back to Alaska?

Turns out it is not the same kitty, though markings are very similar!!
And so we left it there to enjoy the lovely botanical gardens on it's own....for now....

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Location:Oslo

Day 3

2011-08-02T10:57:00.001-07:00

Wow, you thought yesterday was a big day? Well get ready for this one!

First we took the 10 minute public ferry ride over to Bygdoy peninsula (please don't make me try to pronounce this one again, it sounds nothing like it's spelled, and I completely slaughtered it *grimace*) and here we found the: VIKING SHIP MUSEUM!!!!! I was excited for this one if you cannot tell!

These are the 3 best preserved Viking ships discovered in burial mounds where they had been buried to serve as vessels for their wealthy owners final journey into the realm of the dead.

The ships were laid with food, jewels, and (supposedly live)servants and horses to aid in the passage of the journey.

Look at the detail work! Research shows that this was all carved between 820-900 AD!

There are about 5 animal head posts displayed here that were found on one of the ships of a very powerful woman.

What a shot without a body in it?! Well, the body of the man that was found in this ship has long since been removed, I meant no "tourists" in this shot! This was one of the first vessels to be discovered in the Oslo area!

The only thing that was terrible about this museum, were the hoards of people who were also excited to see it just as much as we were.

Since we were already over here and wanted to make the most out of our ferry ticket (as there are 4 really good museums on the peninsula) but not as excited about another tourist trap, we trudged our way over to:

The Norsk Folk Museum. And am I so glad we did!

Authentic Gol stave church from 1200 AD.

Look! Kathy is in fengsel- AGAIN!!!!

The open air museum was well worth it and spread out enough that we didnt feel rushed or crowded! On our exploration we even did our good deed of the day (we have a limit on our doings of good deeds you know) by finding and turning in a cell phone we found laying on the path. It started ringing and we were too chicken to answer it thinking we would not understand the Norsk on the other end so we turned it in as quickly as we could!

Farmsteads, shops and buildings shown through the years of Norway throughout it's development. Hundreds of years all within walking distance!! What a great beginning to our trip of this country!

Even our feet got thirsty! We could have spent 8 hours here alone, but as we were exhausted we decided to only visit a select few of the indoor exhibits. I still cannot believe how beautiful the weather has been for us!

Sun every day so far, we are going to come home tanned and nobody will believe us when we say it happened while in Norway!! We walked nearly 12 miles today, its now time for a well earned rest!

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Location:Oslo

Day 2 (yes again, this was a BIG day)

2011-08-01T01:24:00.001-07:00

My first glimpse of Vigeland Park. Amazing.

And what's more amazing, it was raining when we arrived so I was able to take many photos of the first statues with not too many people around!

This statue has been stolen a number of times (sawed off at the foot nonetheless) really? Who would do this to a baby statue? Now everyone rubs his hand, which is why it is shiny, most likely it is made of copper and so it naturally tarnishes over time.

But then (really how unfortunate) the sun came out again, and so did the people....

We will be spending more time here. Love it!

Prepare yourselves for a spew of words as I could not force myself to sleep last night, so I played catch up on blogs. Yet I need to space them out as I need to fine tune them (as I find while traveling I leave SO much out!)

Don't miss the previous post (below) of day 2!!

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Location:Vigeland park, Oslo

Day 2

2011-08-01T01:19:00.001-07:00

We are getting to know this city. Its large but user friendly!

Where to find coffee(unfortunatly there is NO caffeine free for Kathy!) but you do get to play with espresso/kaffe/latte/chocolate machine so you can make it different each and every day!!! And we are coming up with some happy concoctions that are decent and always cost the same based on the size of cup you grab (around $4.47 for the large but we just figured out the punch card system for a free one after buying 5!)

Coffee!

The Mela festivalen was going to be a 4 day music and dancing festival but because of the events of last week, it was reduced to just one night. Sad face, but....

After the attacks in Oslo I was told that there were over 200,000 people that each brought in 1 rose to the center to commemorate the lives that were lost.There are even more types of flowers throughout the city. It is for sure a difficult time to be here. The energy is heavy yet completely solid.

These people are so compassionate and definately know how to stand united.

More soon!

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Location:Oslo

Day 1 Oslo

2011-07-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

I still don't know if I've beaten jet leg......again, I did not sleep even a wink on our +10 hour total flight. I fell asleep last night at around let's say: 19:30 Norway time and was awake by the time Aunt Kat was up getting ready for the day and going down to breakfast which is served from 7:30-9:30. I tell her I will go too (I don't wanna miss breakfast!!!!) but have to take my insulin etc. Only I stumble downstairs of the hostel and she is stumbling back upstairs to tell me its only 5am and breakfast is not ready! WHAT?! Time to change our clocks to the current local time.......

So I guess my first day in a foreign country and I've managed to take my medication early, better than taking it late I suppose. And I've managed to wake up early, this people, is probably a first for me as I love to sleep in! I feel good though! So maybe those crazy few days of getting up at midnight are actually paying off.

Too much walking already, 7 miles yesterday, and my pedometer that I am wearing for a work exercise will not roll over for another 4 hours because it is(and will stay) on Alaska time. It'll average out...

Was HOT (well 70 degrees) when we deplaned, and clear and sunny. Within 5 hours of getting here and we were picking up a few groceries in a busy little oriental feeling market and it began raining! Not just raining, I swear it was like October in Alaska, pouring buckets!!!! I am reading a book called the art of racing in the rain, well we can surely relate today. And our coats were, of course at the hostel.

Statues everywhere..... Off on another day to go take more photos!!!!

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Staying awake about jet lag

2011-07-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Its that time again for me to warm up my writing pencil and get into a good habit to blog about my and Aunt Kats upcoming trip to.....(if you dont already know since I have been talking of nothing else)....NORWAY!!!!

Once again I will not be sending out individual emails. (Of course I will respond if you just want to say hello!) But if you want to keep track of where we are and how we are doing I recommend checking out: http://sitkakoala.blogspot.com/ every couple of days, as I will be blogging regularly and posting when I can find internet connection and using my fabulous new ipad! Or at least posting some pictures as we go....

This year I have come to the conclusion that I need need NEED to beat jet lag!!!! Last year when I flew to Greece I had jet lag baaaaadddd.....I swear the locals thought I was a zombie from the last frontier! Does anyone know why jet lag is worse when you fly West to East vs the return trip? And what are some things that you have tried to beat your own jet lag?!

The time adjustment from Alaska to Norway is +10 hours. Today it is tomorrow in Norway(or at least dinner time if you are reading this in the morning ;)

4pm Alaska= 2am in Norway
7am Alaska= 5pm in Norway
7am Norway= 9pm in Alaska

So I will be taking my insulin at 12am beginning Friday the 22, and none that morning. This will be easier to control and fix on my home turf versus in a foreign country where there too many distractions! So that when arrive at my +10 hour destination I can set my alarm and take my insulin at 8am "Norway time" for the remainder of the trip.

Dont worry folks, I will be testing my blood glucose and taking fast acting insulin humalog on Friday to compensate as needed throughout the day. I will also be sleeping a bit during normal waking hours and not eating so much so I can confuse my sleep/food schedule before hand, maybe it will then be less of a shock to my system once we arrive in Norway. (nothing is to be missed on this adventure!!!!!)

To Do List 1 week before trip:

Adjust insulin so body is not going through blood sugar changes AND city disorientation!
Stay up ALL night 5 nights in a row before flight (sleep right after work 4pm-12am-sorry social life I will be back in September) this will also help me sleep ON the plane (at least I hope)
Eat ALL meals during the night: breakfast @12am, lunch @7am and dinner @around 12pm.
Eat less (or nothing) during the day to trick my body into changing its meal time pattern.
Pack light!

Except this packing light technique is unavoidable when you have to pack water resistant items + a jacket!! Why did I pick a place so similar to where I live year round?!

And oh boy, Monday and Tuesday at work should be tricky...... when you read the next post it will be coming from Oslo!

Skoal!!

Aerophobia..... or is it?

2011-07-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

Aerophobia: a fear of flying.

But research is proving that there are many "phobias" that fit into this category and I am learning about myself that I am totally a combo! (For those of you who dont know me really well I tend to get some anxiety before *and embarrassingly at times* during flights) There is such a thing as aeronausiphobia: fear of embarrassing onself via vomiting/panic attacks. Sigh. So many phobias, so little time......

Im not entirely scared of flying/planes. It surely has something to do with being a bit claustrophobic; but only where other people are involved!

For example: I am not claustrophobic in elevators, tiny rooms, confined boat cabins....unless these places happen to be occupied by many people...and I mean a lot of other people. 3 other people in an elevator is not going to stress me out, well, actually I take the stairs ALL the time so maybe this is not a very good example(maybe I better test that out)!!!! Long story short I suppose I sort of have a small side of anthrophobia in social situations too, which does not help flying anxieties any.

*acrophobia- fear of heights
*agoraphobia- fear of open spaces
*anthropophobia- fear of people
*claustrophobia - fear of enclosed spaces

Good thing I do not have enetophobia: fear of needles!

As for the update for the high school reunion, which ALSO fits into the social phobia category, I chose not to attend. For many reasons. And I do not regret that I didnt go. The end. (haha still analyzing this one....)

As for Norway....16 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I mention to Aunt Kat about my flying anxiety?!

Window wash for the soul

2011-06-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Window Through Which We Look

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.

The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

We all do it. Even I get judgmental at times. My window is not always squeaky clean...

But I hate to see people when they take it out on others. Example: Being critical behind someones back or try to get others in a group social situation to take a side even if just for a laugh.

I was at a get together recently, where one guy in particular was "picking" on another. I understand that guys have to do this for whatever reason, but can they not tell when it leaves the boundary of slightly funny and creeps into the really uncomfortable stage? Perhaps its just me that feels uncomfortable.... but somehow I doubt that.

I was not a bully in school, and I dont take to them well now either. But when do you reach the point where you cannot just sit and watch it any longer, where you just just JUST have to say something, anything, without putting that negative attention onto yourself?!

Sadly I now have been avoiding this circle of acquaintances, call me anti social, but I prefer to surround myself with people I enjoy. Who can take my minor judgments and in return I can take theirs.

On another note, my high school reunion is coming up.... over the 4th of July weekend. Im not so sure how I feel about attending, remember how I said I was not a bully in school? Well truth be told I really wasnt much of anything in school. Period. I did what I could to squeak by, not develop any extra unwanted attentions so I could slink home at the end of the excruciating day and wander to the beach or the woods and let my imagination out of its tight little box.

I have definatley gotten out of my "box" since school, but its bringing up some strange emotions. Sigh, I will let you know how it goes.

Signing off (to continue my trip planning to Norway YAY 34 days, the count down is ON!!!!!!!!!)

The Petersburg club

2011-05-27T21:46:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was the much heard about, much anticipated little Norway festival! This festival is held on or nearest to the closest weekend of May 17th, which is Norway's national constitution day when they became independent from Sweden in the year 1814. The constitution declared Norway to become an independent nation, a time for much celebration, dancing and plenty of traditional food!!

This was my first trip ever to the little town of Petersburg, and the name of the post comes mostly from things I had heard about the town before visiting, for example "the town can be a little clickesh," "the town can be very snobby," "the town gets tons of RAIN!"

All of the above we experienced on our 3 day visit, all except the rain that is.....the weather was more than wonderful, I even got a slight sunburn on the first day.

And really it reminded me of home, a fishing village filled with some extremely nice people, some partiers, and some people who like to dress up (This weekend just so happened to be the time to dress up as vikings!!!) and the only catch; you can only dress up as a Viking If you happen to live there. If you are outside of this little exclusion be prepared to get threats to get your ass kicked!!
Sadly, we were considered tourists, even though our genealogy (and the fact that we also reside in this great state of Alaska) IS Norwegian...... But alas we were not inducted into the Petersburg club on this particular trip.

We did however consume our fair share of fish and chips, pasta salad, crab cakes, meatballs, coleslaw, beets, lefse(flat bread), grog(beer), and finally at an all you can eat feed: SHRIMP!!!! (this trip I did not encounter lutefisk, but I assure you that adventure is on its way.....) A few of us experienced the fengsel (jail) and some broke out sooner than others (who happened to be waiting for her husband to finish his beer down the street and realize his damsel was definitely in distress ;)

All and all I have been giving some mixed reviews on how the festival went, on one hand there were some stubborn Vikings, but on the other with our own family dynamic, fun in the sun and many great activities happening all weekend on, it was a very fun trip! Don't forget to click on the photo link below- happy Syttende Mai!!!!

Photo album link: (click ON the vikings, I promise they wont hurt you!)

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Assassination attempt by sugar:

2011-05-09T11:46:00.001-07:00

Yes, you read correctly, this weekend there was an attempt on my life via a flying flaming marshmallow. Strange, you think? Yes, but only if you have never been to an Alaskan bonfire where s'mores are part of our 7 course Alaskan style BBQ menu (eat your heart out stereotypical etiquette buffs) well, I was not eating the s'mores as they don't go so well with the whole- "I don't eat sugar thing....."

So there I sit soaking of up the rays of our proverbial sea of flame when another of the party goer decides he is going to reenact a play from, I dunno like somewhere in Babe Ruth's history, heck I don't know anything about baseball, what am I trying to get at is that he then decides he is going to pretend to hit a home run, only he happens to have a ember-like marshmallow on the end of his "bat" This hot marshmallow somehow grows some wings and hones in on me, about 10 feet away, and splats onto the side of my purple zip up. Where it then proceeds to combust into sugary luminosity. Yes, it then caught on fire. On me. I was not too happy a camper, especially as my purple zip up IS one of my absolute favorites!

It just so happens I recently purchased a Norse amulet on eBay. I'm not so sure this pendant is supposed to bring "luck," but, luckily someone else jumped up at the same time I did......and swatted it out.

This "amulet" is supposed to protect me from evil; but I suppose if my evil comes through the form of a flying sugary ball of fire, I can find a way to deal with it. I know there could be worse. Be safe and please think twice before throwing a flaming marshmallow at a diabetic ;)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Problemer med passord

2011-05-06T11:57:00.001-07:00

Does anyone else have an issue with their passwords for online sites?

It just irks me when I attempt to log into a site and it says the password does not match the login name....... Then you ask for password help, enter in your secret question and it will then "allow" you to create a "new" password. Only, the usual password you enter in is not allowed because it must be between 6 and 12 characters with at least 1 letter and 1 number. And they also tell you when it's not "strong" enough. UM, HELLO!? Why is it so difficult for a site to realize that because they have these rules in place is specifically why I cannot remember my last password???! Then they lock you out of your own account for too many attempts trying to access your username/password. Sigh.

Then I have numerous sites I log onto on a semi regular basis that all have separate rules for what is appropriate for each and every password. Can I not just pick one password and make it easy? Nope. Not a chance, and they want you to change said password every 6 months so there is less chance for hackers to access your stuff.

I think I will start to use Norwegian words as my passwords, then only Norwegian hackers can access my stuff. Language learning is going okay, need some conversation to practice what I'm learning and I've memorized a few sentences to which I have no clue to what they mean (hope they are not offensive) the really exciting thing I learned this week is how to say "jeg er diabetiker" which of course means I am diabetic in Norsk! (tho this is pronounced a bit differently than it is spelled....) so in my opinion I seem to be making some kind of progress!

Ha det bra!!
(goodbye or have a good time)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Blog

2011-04-08T21:06:00.001-07:00

BLOG!!!

This is a test for my blog; I am unsure how to get a keyboard on screen for creating a blog on the blogspot site so I am testing this out. I repeat, this is only a test!

haha I am using my 'notes' on my iPad and going to attempt to copy and paste. I already like this onsite dictionary as it tells me right away when my words are misspelled (while the blog chuckles under it's breathe and waits until after I post to tell me of my numerous errors) and lookey at that.... It even hyphenates my words for me, I never use apostrophes in my words!! I wouldn't want peeps to think I have good grammar or anything!

I do take pride in having a good sense of spelling though....and am kinda liking this...haha even when I mean to use words like kinda (it doesn't quite like that)

Am sitting in westmark restaurant with my dad listening to Bellymeat and enjoying a beer! Happy Friday!!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Westmark ,Sitka,United States

Skip a shot, not so fun

2011-04-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

Skip a shot, not so fun, and Im not talking about a shot at the bar.

I had a tough day on Friday. It actually turned tough the night before when I realized I had forgotten to take my dose of long acting insulin the morning before. My sugars were running a bit high, and some shots of short acting insulin just didn't seem to be working..... That was the moment I realized exactly what my body was missing. Sigh. It is never a good idea to skip a medication, but the medication that is used to lower your sugar level and keep your body running is forgotten; it can have some serious consequences.

so Friday morning I take some insulin and struggle to get to work on time. I go in, make myself a cup of coffee then go sit at my desk and stare at said cup of coffee.......

Every coworker that walks in the door that morning "whoa, you don't look so good." then I get nauseous and have to go sit in the bathroom for 20 minutes or so..... I come back, extremely light headed and say I need to go home, just for an hour, until my sugar level comes down. Then I get even more dizzy and go lay down in our CAD room (where we keep our charts and maps) for another 20 minutes. Double sigh, I can see this is going to be an extremely productive day at work.

Eventually I get back to the house I am house sitting at, close my eyes for a few minutes then get up and put the laundry in the dryer (cuz I ran outta time this morning) and get dizzy and sit down. Then I take some stuff down to my truck, get dizzy, sit down. Start taking some stuff out of the fridge, get dizzy, lay down. It's almost lunch time and I have not eaten anything yet today. So I make myself a bowl of cereal, sit down and look at it until it gets soggy to eat it.... I'm not feeling so well, check sugar level and take some more short acting insulin.

It's cold in the house so I'm not having much luck napping for more than 10 minutes at a time. I decide to finish loading my stuff into my truck and move shop to my house where I will be more comfortable. After many light headed spells and rests, finally I am ready. I call work to let them know I do not plan on coming back in this day. Which is frustrating, as my sugar level is better now and I still have no strength and feel like crap.

So this is what its like to take a sick day!! I much rather would be working, but sugar is having a party in my blood stream and just won't settle down!!!!!!!!

On another note I have been following a meal plan on realage.com and blood sugars have been fantastic!! Hence that's most likely why my body is being SO sensitive to these higher sugar levels!

A word of advice, never skip medication. The older you get the deeper the consequences and the tougher it is to get back on track.

Try to take care of yourself!!!! (I am doing the best I know how and it still gets away from me at times) Challenging for sure.

Norway currency

2011-03-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned just how expensive this country can be?

I am finding that the average hostel price (which runs about $20-$25 per night in the US) is anywhere between $30.00-$120.00. But the average I am finding, this is of course if we RSVP every night....is about $60 per night/per person!!! Is this NOT atrocious? And hotels are pretty much out of the question unless its an emergency as they are DOUBLE these figures!! I dont know how we are going to do this on a budget, but because we have to have a plan in case things dont turn out the way we hope sometimes..... I am expecting to pay about $1740.00 for 29 nights of (cheap)lodging on this trip.

Here are some other figures I found on couchsurfing.org about some costs (keep in mind that these are NOT actual costs, just averages and that they may flucuate depending on the time of year, area, and demand of the product)

Here is a couple of prices for you:

Cup of black coffee in cafè: 10-20kr = $1.80-$3.60
Caffélatte/Mocca/Cappuchino in cafè: 30-40kr= $5.40-$7.20
Hot chocolate in cafè: 20-30kr0, = $3.60-$5.40
5L bottle of mineral water in kiosk: 25kr0, =$4.50
5L bottle of mineral water in store: 15kr =$2.70
1L of milk in store: 15kr = $2.70

Plain bread in store: 10kr= $1.80
Premium bread in store: 20kr= $3.60
Premium bread in bakery: 35kr = $6.30
Regular small chocolate bar: 15kr= $2.70

Regular bag of potato chips: 30kr= $5.40

10 hot dogs in store: 60kr= $10.80 (wow they must be kosher?! LOL)
400g minced meat: 60kr= $10.80
300g chicken breast filet: 60kr= $10.80
500g dry pasta: 20kr= $3.60

Ready-made sandwich in kiosk: 30-60kr = $5.40-$10.80
Made-to-order sandwhich: 60-100kr= $10.80-$18.00
Dinner at low-end food place (kebab, burger): 60-100kr= $10.80-$18.00
Dinner at mid-end restaurant (Fridays, Hard Rock): 150-200kr= $27.00-$36.00

City transport - single trip pre-bought: 26kr =$4.68
City transport - single trip from driver: 40kr= $7.20
City transport - day pass: 70kr= $12.60
City transport - 8 trips flexi: 190kr= $34.20
City transport - week pass: 210kr= $37.80

Nightclub cover charge: 100-200kr= $18.00-$36.00

I like to use this site to get the most recent exchange rates (as currencies change on a daily basis): http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/#from=NOK;to=USD;amt=20

Also I forgot some of the most important things:

Beer in a store: 15-25kr (per bottle depending on brand)= $2.70-$4.50
Beer in a pub: 40-70kr (per bottle)= $7.20-$12.60
Beer in a club: 70-100kr(per bottle)= $12.60-$18.00
Mixed drinks: 80-120kr= $14.40-$21.60

Over the past week I've been known to quote the cost of a single beer in Norway as it just astounds me. I dont mind paying for a beer but at double the cost of what Im used to....and the rumor is that Norwegians go over to Sweden to buy their beer for a cheaper rate! Whew guess its a good thing for my pocketbook I dont drink very much!!!

It is always better to be prepared for high prices and then be pleasantly suprised, rather than the other way around.

Sorry to throw all these figues at you but Im just doing my research!!! I still have tons of planning to do (and Norwegian to learn) do I have enough time to get everything accomplished?! How do I fit dating into all this? Aha, YES only date those who know Norwegian!! Oh, except there arent many around these parts. Sigh.

Brain reformating begins.....

2011-03-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

How important exactly is it to know the language of a country you desire to visit?!

In my current quest of Norway I have been doing lotsa fun research. Research that is revealing that having a basic understanding of a language (especially in a Nordic country)will get you farther with the hard headed people of that region. (I am 1/4th Norwegian so I hope I do not offend any one nationality with the previous sentence....)

Sigh, the cities speak English but once you wander outside to the smaller towns and farm steads I think it will come in handy at least to know the basics!

Which is why I have also decided I am going to learn the Norwegian Language. Let me rephrase that....I am going to TRY to learn SOME Norwegian language. I have books, a dictionary, a great learning tool on the internet that teaches you 10 words a day. The only problem is, I have been thinking about learning Norwegian for about 3 months now.....and all I know how to say is uffda (which I picked up as a child anyhow) and himmel, which means sky.

NOTHING ELSE WILL STICK IN MY BRAIN!!!!

As of last week I am sure we are going (as me and my aunt purchaesed our tickets to OSLO!!!) So, no turning back now!!

Now I am more determined than ever to learn as much as I can in less than 5 months, gah when I actually type the length of time I have left it looks a bit....um, gulp.

So I bought some tapes and uploaded an application on my ipad (which has a flirting section in it as well *grin* what, everyone needs to know how to learn to flirt in Norwegian, right?!!)

And I ordered a subliminal CD which consists of 6 classical songs that apparantly have Norwegian learning basics laced through them. I patiently sit and listen to it on a nightly basis and shall get back to you with my final conclusion on "if" it works. God I hope Im not being brainwashed.

To be continued.......

I was born this way

2011-01-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

Mae West said it best: "Im single because I was born that way."

I dont mind people asking if I have a boyfriend, I will even usually give them an honest answer.

I only slightly mind when people are trying to hook me up with "a really really really nice guy." Really? Why is he single- or better yet; why dont you date him then?!

What I DO mind, is when through the grapevine, someones friends, brothers, friends nephew; asks about me but will not talk to me in person. I find out this sort of entertaining information from an older gentleman that is also a friend of my fathers. Then I am told by the same man: "To stop being scary to the young men your age"

Really? Am I scary? Yes, I suppose so. I like knowing who these guys are in order to find out more about them, if I dont likey- yes its in my best interest to use scare tactics to get myself (as quickly and painlessly) away.

Darn grapevine anyway. Why is it not so normal NOT to be in a relationship? A big percentage of the relationships out there are unhealthy anyhow. I am learning that I am not so attracted to the guys who are interested and come after me, so I suppose I am also learning how to go after the guys I want to get to know. And thats a serious challenge for me. So Im waiting. Waiting for the right situation. Waiting for the right guy. Just waiting. But dont worry Im also learning how to jump!!!

Dont assume Im not enjoying the wait either!
Im learning to speak out, just like Mae! She had some
pretty good quotes, here are a few of my favorites:

"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it."
— Mae West

"Don't keep a man guessing too long - he's sure to find the answer somewhere else"
— Mae West

"It is better to be looked over than overlooked."
— Mae West

"I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing."
— Mae West

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
— Mae West

Lets go dancing Mae!! Wheeeeee!!!!
Its my birthday week! Happy birthday to meeeee!!!

Yellow underwear

2011-01-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

Do you ever accidentally leave your door unlocked?

I first walk in my humble abode and oddly I see some movies stacked on top of my vacuum cleaner. Strange, I thought to myself, but my brother must have dropped them off after borrowing them. I absent mindlessly replace them to where they belong. And go down my hallway into my bedroom where something just doesnt seem right.....
Something is different.
Something is moved.
Someone has been in my house.

The curtain over my window has been moved an inch and it was not me that moved it. A tingle of sensation begins to prickle my spine as I turn and look towards my file cabin that is opened a crack, and also not by my doing. I walk towards it and pull it open to look into it and I see exactly what is supposed to be in there: sewing odds and ends, fabric and some pictures in an old musty box that I think to myself oh yeah I need to sort those...

I close the cabinet and turn to go back out to the living area, except, wait! How did I miss this the first time I walked by it? The top drawer of my dresser is also open just a crack.

The day before I had dropped some things off at my house and left with the door unlocked, thinking I would be returning....only I didnt come back until the next day.... as I slid open the wooden drawer my heart almost leapt out of my throat as I realized not only had my personal belonging been ravaged through...but most of my undergarments (particularly my cute underwear) was gone.

Im so disgusted right now. I have to tell someone, so I call a friend. Only she does not answer, so, I resort to posting a rant on facebook, going something like this:

is utterly disgusted... someone entered my house (yes I left it unlocked) riffled through some stuff, took out movies (and left them sitting there) then proceeded to steal my cheerleader beer, and, sadly need I say completely morally wrong...my fucking underwear!!! seriously? PERVERT!!!! I hope you get shit on by a diarrhea diseased seagull that just ate a rotten deer carcass thats been sitting for weeks decomposing!

Ahem, yeah, pardon that little outburst. I wouldnt usually put that on my profile but desperate times result in desperate measures?....

I dont want to point fingers or accuse anyone, but I do have a suspicion of who it is. As much as I feel exposed and vulnerable I dont wish to get the police involved. And Im not the type to start rumors because of an injured pride, but im watching YOU. Truely you are a pervert and if you think you didnt do wrong I hope karma bites you in your stinking arse!!

Sigh even though this was written in a present tense, this actually happened about 4 months ago (August 2010) And recently a woman approached me and the first thing out of her mouth was that she was really embarrased.....turns out it was her boyfriend at the time who was drunk and came home with an armload of- you guessed it- ladies intimates. At first she didnt know they were MY items, but through the grapevine it turns out that my post on my facebook page led her to the information and the need to tell the truth.

It hasnt come around full circle yet, but I know the sick man fairly well, though I did not trust him before and I dont ever want to encounter him again during his life. I dont know what will be said and I dont wish to think more on it. My friends urge me to report it, and I h0nestly dont know why I hesitate. Im still in shock I suppose.

On a happier note with underwear(and also a more recent facebook status):

I heard on the radio today that if you wear yellow underwear to ring in the New Year it will bring you luck and potential mates. Will you be wearing yellow tonight? Bring it on!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!

Happy New Year- Be Safe!!!!

Diabetes Questionnaire

2010-12-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

Hello!

This request may sound unusual (or maybe not unusual at all) but please take some time to answer these interview type questions about me when I was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I am working on a project and YOUR feedback would be wonderful! If you don't feel comfortable answering the questions or if they do not apply to you please feel free to leave them blank :)

Any additional thoughts/comments/worries would also be greatly welcomed!!

Interview questions:

1. How do you know Kate Petraborg?

2. What did you think was happening to her in 1990? Could you tell she needed help/that something was seriously wrong?

3. Had you ever heard of Diabetes before she was diagnosed, what did you think Diabetes was?

4.What did you do to help?

5.What scared you the most about her situation?

6. How do you think her parents/friends felt?

7. How do you think it affected her younger brother?

8. Do you think being diagnosed at age 7 was difficult or easier for her to accept than if she learned she had it at an older/younger age?

9. How do you think Diabetes affects her daily life?

10. Do you think living with Diabetes has changed her outlook on life?

11.Do you think she has control over the disease now?

12. Have you ever tried to stop eating sugar? I dare you to try it for 4 days! ;)

Thank you so much for your support (in 1990 AND now!!)

this is just something I recently sent out so by no means do I expect any readers to reply, but of course comments and ideas are always welcome ;)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Alaskan Antics

2010-10-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

FINALLY!

This week has been so SO busy, housesitting, family in town, rolling black outs, work has been crazier than usual (blame it on the full moon coming up) Now, you have waited so patiently, (as have I) to see this darn dress that has been causing me so much frustration, a friend actually ended up calling a relative up North and sending some fringe here to Sitka!

So, here it is without delay(and without the fringe in front):

and here is the completely finished product just in time for dancing at the Alaska Day ball:

It still requires a few more adjustments, and I need to learn to be more patient with our local crafts store(though the guys at the hardware store are surely gonna miss me)but Im glad the skirt is finished, so next year, I can design and make the top!! Sigh.

Will I ever have time to learn Norwegian?!

Happy Alaska Day!!!

Alaskan update

2010-10-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

Soooo, just a little update to the peeps following this Alaskan episode in hilarious endeavors....because , really, what would you be doing online if not to follow my frustrations?

I mean- ahem- Im a bit frazzled with my results so far. It looks... okay. And I was on a roll the first couple days, had some pretty good ideas (some that I had to undo thanks to "expert" advice from a wonderful sewfully skilled friend)

But now Im....... stuck. Our local crafts store has run out of the ball fringe I decided to use to embellish my dress. I got rude(really, imagine that, me?) when they told me it would take 3 weeks to get more ball fringe in...!!

I left the store, pondered my options, since I had already put on the other half of the fringe onto the back of the skirt so therefore came to the conclusion that I NEED this damn fringe. I then tromp back to the store, buy white ball fringe and a box of black dye. (If you didnt guess I need black)

Fun with dye..... and hours later, I rinse the material and...

it didnt work!!!!!

I now have a pretty gray color though.....

The material was not as much cotton as I hoped it would be, this science experiment was truly a synthetic flop.

So off I frolic (can you tell im having too much fun) to our hardware store, and proceed to buy what I hope will turn my fringe black?

I reach the counter and the man asks me if I have found everything I was looking for today?

"Erm, kinda" I say with an enormous sigh that results in me deftly explaining to him my ordeal, by the time I leave the store I have 4 male clerks laughing at my antics (dont worry Im laughing as well as I have just bought black craft paint.....sigh) and rush home between the raindrops so I can spray it outside before another down pour begins (it is October and wet out here as is usual)

Sigh

T minus 6 days to get this dress in wearable order! Sorry no pictures as my computer is being difficult (or maybe Its me being difficult?!) and plus I cant spoil the end results!

Off to the sweat factory for me again at the moment!! Ta ta for now!

Alaskan Accessories

2010-09-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

So I've been busy lately (maybe you could tell as I have not been blogging as much as I'd like) I even thought things were starting to slow down, but boy, was I wrong. Cuz then remembered that Alaska Day is coming up!!!!!

So I went to our lovely local thrift store -the White Elephant- today and bought this questionable piece for $3.00:

"Why?" you ask me, well because I'm going to turn it into something worth wearing. There goes the time I thought I could use by curling up with a book and actually relaxing. Now I will be ripping, cutting, pinning, sewing, cursing and most likely poking myself with safety pins! All for the love of Alaska.

Really, if you have never been to an Alaska Day festival, particularly Sitka....do I need to state you have been missing out?!

I can see I've got a fair bit of thinking to do.....

And some possible frustrations....
There IS potential there yes?Okay time to stop typing and see what I can do with this baby!Do you think it matches my eyes? Tune back in for the final results.......

3 week rosemary garlic flat bread

2010-08-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

3 weeks....

For 3 weekends I have been attempting to make fresh bread, the first weekend I got my ingredients together; then had a quick trip out of town for a unexpected funeral. Funerals are no fun. Then when we got back into town we proceeded to unload a freezer and dump dirt on a helpful passerbys head as he was helping 2 damsels in distress. (us, if you hadnt of already guessed)

The second week I realized that because I did not refridgerate my rosemary, it decided to get moldy on me.... Not to worry though, because the same friend that helped me dump dirt on the guys head was growing rosemary in their garden! What is better than using fresh herbs from a local garden?! Then the weather got so nice on me (really what a drag it was ;) that I could not stay inside and bake- NO I had to go out hiking!! Every. Single. Day. Nope, no time for bread baking that weekend.

Finally, the third and this last weekend, SUCCESS! Ooh there is barely anything nicer than the smell of fresh baked bread straight outta the oven.

The conclusion of the long wait: Um....GULP! Eaten basically all in one sitting.

3 weeks=2 loaves=gone in 1 day!

Guess I better start planning my next 3 weeks of bread making now! Also better triple the recipe.... cuz it was already doubled and 2 loaves were not enough! And you can make your own dip with olive oil, leftover garlic and rosemary for a yummy mediteranean style sauce!Here is the recipe from Beard on Bread by James Beard:

Pizza Caccia Nanza or Rosemary garlic flat bread

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (100 to 115 degrees approx)
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 T rosemary
3 T olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine the flour, salt, yeast and water in a mixing bowl. Blend well, then turn dough onto a lightly floured board. Knead well, for about 15 minutes, and shape dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until double in size 1- 1 1/2 hours.

Turn the dough onto board and knead once more. Put it back into bowl and let rise again for about an hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Then punch dough down and turn onto a lightly floured board. Roll in 1/2 inch thickness. Rub the surface of baking sheet with oil. Transfer the round of dough to a baking sheet. Make indentations over the surface of the dough and insert a sliver of garlic and a bit of rosemary into each indentation. Pour the olive oil over the round and rub gently with the hands. Sprinkle with pepper and bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Waterfront Property

2010-07-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

I am NOT a fan of the water.

Living near it is wonderful. Being on it is...okay. Being in it is.....Gah!! There must be some misunderstood fear about the water for me. So do I let a small detail like that stop me? Nope. In fact here I go on a 3 day 2 night kayak trip. Nothing but a thin plastic like substance someone once upon a time dubbed "kayak" between me and the restless water for 48+ hours. My own exclusive waterfront property for the next few days of paddling back towards Sitka, about 18 nautical miles and towards dry stable land. For sure the farthest Ive been so far in a kayak.

No limits kayak expedition is for those with diabetes. We are even being so brave to bring a spontaneous Marylander to film the duration of the trek! I met the filmmaker yesterday, and we leave bright and early tomorrow morning. We are sitting outside on the deck of the guides house and setting up equipment for my pre trip interview. Gulp. I was told only recently that we would be filming a short documentary type film, and I would be one of 3 diabetics on this journey. Double gulp. Im no mathematician but my head is swimming with variables of how much I would generally be filmed. Gulp, scrunch the eyebrows together, and slowly EXHALE.

Thats okay, I just will not let myself go thinking about who will be watching this footage. Oops, except, here I go thinking about it. So instead I try to focus on preparing. Preparation of clothes, preparation of mental status for the weather forecast, prep on what food I need to bring for potential hypoglycemic episodes. Prep on feeling better about my swinging blood sugars! I have not been feeling too well. Stress, being too busy, and pushing myself far too much.

I can NOT miss this trip! So here I go, pushing myself again.

I never wish for diabetes to have control over my life. Or to hold me back, it may be a tough road but I will not allow it to hold me back! Now the trick is to keep this positive stream of thoughts filtering through my brain throughout the trek. Through the rain, and the wind, rough seas, the tiredness, potential blisters, and mainly the wet/clammy/cold of southeast Alaska. Luckily I am a local, I know I can deal. So now how to prep the filmmaker.....did I mention she was from Maryland?!!

Day 1:

We arrive on this chilly morning toting what we need to survive in the wilds of Alaska. Messy hair, slurping coffee, some of us talking too much(I am not a morning person)growl....and load all of our gear and kayaks into the boat that is waiting patiently to take us out to our drop off point.

But, we all begin to be bubbly with excitement and although it had been pouring not too long ago,

it seems like the weather is even giving us a little break to start off our journey. For the time being anyhow....

The boat drops us off at the Tom Young memorial cabin. The cabin is a pan abode style with a second floor loft with sleeping quarters. Easy camping to start off with. The next couple of days will be the Alaskan way, involving a bit more roughing it. We finally unload all of our equipment, and with a slight panic of: I cant locate my backpack with my diabetic supplies, did it get left on the boat that just left? Nope, phew- here it is. Then I take a look around at all this gear... how in the world are we going to fit ALL this stuff into the seemingly small holds of the kayaks!

As we finish moving everything up the beach to the cabin its drizzling. Not just a light refreshing rain either, no; a true southeast Alaska soul drenching drizzle. We huddle around the camera gear on the table inside the cabin. We must all be thinking nearly the same thing.....
is the weather going to cooperate
throughout this trip?!

Already the rain begins to cease, and through the window suddenly we witness a spray of water. A lone humpback whale has surfaced almost directly in front of the cabin.

The filmmaker grabs her camera to see if she can get a shot. As we all stand outside watching the whale spouting near the shore line, all of the sudden it lunges and opens its mouth and plunges back down into the water! I have never seen a whale "lunge feeding" If this is how the paddle is beginning, I think things might just go alright.

That is until the guide requests the filmmaker to enter the water and participate in a "wet exit" shiver, I don't want to let the filmmaker know until afterward how severely I abhor "wet exits" (*see top paragraph) but fortunately did mine in the pool last year. I did not want to deter her at all, but she fared very well. We even got it on video *grin* maybe we will have to put it in the outtakes!

Day 2:

The next morning the guide demonstrates how to make the most of the hold in the front and the back of a kayak....I'm glad I'm not the only one currently having a tough time packing..... how DO you get a good sized cooking pot to use its space wisely? And what is this nerf football doing along with us on our journey??

Finally with a few adjustments we get underway.

Through fields of kelp,
And some silly songs about seaweed and otters, which with regular intervals pop their fuzzy little heads up from between the rifts, register human

presence and slip with less than a splash back into
the safety of the underwater forest.

We make good time paddling and stop at Frosty Reef for some well deserved lunch. (And a little snooze) and surprisingly a few bars of cell phone service!

We set out again shortly after testing blood sugars, repacking kayaks, and taking care of nature calls. And paddle off toward a cove called Kanga Bay to locate a fresh water source to fill up our canteens and bottles. My muscles are faring pretty well, considering the repetitive movements.

but, not much later than this thought produced itself:

I feel my muscles beginning
to protest with the constant paddling
motion now, a meditative exercise
that is bearable. Except is it
bearable? Its starting to get hard
now. In fact, the sea is looking a tad
wild, and I am struggling against the
swells. And all the sudden I realize,
exactly why I have lost my strength so
quickly. Sea sickness. Yep, nausea,
limp limbs, eyeballs so tired I could
flip them into the water and they
would drop like a lead cannon, sinking...
all.. the way.. down... to the bottom...

I focus on the guide, calling out: Just a little farther now! We just need to make it over to that island over there! I look across the aggressive bay, my head is swirling with the effort. But I hunker down and just think about my arms. Paddling, one arm, then the other. Then, to my dismay, I hear the guide again: We are going to pick up the pace so we can make it in front of this troller. I look to my right. Sure enough, there it is, barreling towards us through the choppy water. In my nauseated state I wasn't even aware of it's approach. I honestly think to myself, can I make this?! Well I'm not going to sit out here in this rocky sea and wait to hurl. Push, strain, pull, groan, wipe the spray from my face. And push on again. Finally, in what feels like ages, we get past the danger point of the boat and see the sweet relief of one of the Taigud Islands, also known as "Strawberry Island."

Except, no edible strawberries grow here, just the reminiscent trailings of a lonely plant that somehow rooted and survived and multiplied upon the grassy hillside of the mass of land of which we are now setting up camp to spend the night.

The clouds have rolled in and fat raindrops are making their way into our business, of setting up tents, unpacking kayaks, and finally with a heavy plop, sitting ourselves down to our make shift kitchen for some hearty chili our guide has so smartly stowed away. Really, does his kayak hold more than all of our kayaks put together? He is a packing master I tell you. A campfire later and my eyelashes are fighting with gravity. I wander to the tent I am sharing with the filmmaker, and slither into my inviting sleeping bag and after a few moments of chattering and reflecting on our day, I close my eyes. Despite what the weather may be doing currently outside our tent, or the terrible seasickness earlier, with all this clean fresh air, and the calmness of being out in the wilderness, I know I'm gonna sleep great tonight.

Day 3:
The weather has officially gone from bad to worse, which has been known to happen in southeast Alaska. I'm not surprised, but it is a let down. A let down that we have come this far to what, get stranded on an island that doesn't even have any edible strawberries!?

We cook breakfast in our kitchen (hey I'm beginning to like this set up) especially when the guide has packed the ultimate meal variations, I will never, NEVER whine again about having too much gear when you get to sleep in an awesome tent, to wake up, wander into the woods pick fresh blueberries(still looking for those strawberries) and eat pancakes for breakfast!!!

We finish up breakfast and huddle together to make the decision of what our next move is going to be. Option #1. Gear up and fight for the next 8 miles against what looks to be 5 foot swells. (Uh please tell me someone remembered the anti nausea medicine?) Option #2. Make a call to our boat to make a run out to save us. Although the guide was ready for some ocean surfing- the remainder of us sadly yet unanimously voted to make a call. About 2 hours later, through whitecaps and sideways rain, the boat sidles up to the beach. We clamber as gracefully as our stiff joints allow, as fast as we can onto the deck, kayaks and all.

The ride back to town is the wettest, coldest part so far of the entire journey!! Wet, shivering and ready to get back to warm, dry, fluffy things we normally take for granted, we truly feel satisfied with our adventure, but.....

boy am I glad to be off the water!
When are we going again?!

(This kayak trip was taken July of 2009, and written in the winter of 2009/2010. Sometimes patience on a perspective is all that a good story needs! No Limits really is planning another trek for this coming July 16-19 so stay tuned!!)

(And if you are diabetic dont hesitate to sign up!!!)

With a little help

2010-06-24T23:43:00.000-07:00

What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key
I get by with a little help from my friends!!

These boys are just howling to get out there and camp!

Tis the season, or so I've been told....

and on another note,
I really really REALLY need to learn how to upload videos on here,
I've got some lovely footage of these boys really howling!
Maybe not exactly Beatles quality- but they are working up to it!

Lion jelly

2010-05-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

Introducing the new and improved

(but mainly low sugar diabetic friendly)

LION JELLY!!!

RAWRRR! Warning..... if you have read my last post and decided to try this dandelion jelly recipe out, please note that if you consider yourself a "green thumb" reconsider, because every single digit will now become yellow. Yes I said yellow, and not to mention a very very sticky mess.

I had some lovely helpers the other day out picking these dandelions. The toughest part is that at this time of the year the dandelions are seeding into those wispy, billowing seeds that blow all over the place with a single breath. So there we were deep into dandelion territory, we were lucky to get out alive if ya ask me...

So after gathering 2 half filled bags worth it was off to home to separate the blossoms from the bitter stems. If my fingers were not yellow before, well..... even lava soap does not do the yellow dandelion pigment justice!(good thing I read the sap was good for warts, cuz I surely will not grow any on my hands!) It was tedious work but once I had 3 cups of blossoms I heaved a huge sigh of relief! Dandelions wilt pretty quick once you pluck them so just be sure to separate as soon as possible because they close up as they die and thats just more work than you need to do....

unless you like doing things the hard way of course....My new favorite pectin to use is: Pomonas Universal Pectin. It really does use less sugar (some pectins just say you can use less, but this brand is absolute magic!!) it is pectin powder that you mix with calcium water and you can buy it locally in Sitka at Simple Pleasures and at Evergreen health food store. Since this was all a huge experiment, I was not positive how this recipe was going to turn out because simmering dandelions dont exactly have the greatest aroma..... and since I have gotten away with adding less sugar to fruits and berries in recipes, I had high hopes this dandelion recipe would at least be edible...... However.... Lion jelly is delicious! If you dont believe me you should really attempt to make your own, you could ask me to help you, but Im not sharing mine so go pick some dandelions and call me!

Rawwrrrr......

Dandelion delight!

2010-05-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

I am a type of cook in the kitchen that will just about try anything once. Using ingredients from the local area is high on my interests. Some things, like attempting salmonberry jam: is fantasticly extraordinary and I will keep on producing this phenomenal treat into a tradition.

Other things, like rose hip fruit leather and devlis club tea....not so wonderful (unless messy, bitter, thorny fun is what you consider a good time) but what to do with dandelions? Those pesky "weeds" that sprout up in the cracks and crannys of every sidewalk, planter bed, and under hard to reach decks.

As a child I remember collecting these vibrant yellow flowers into a bouquet and presenting them to the nearest lucky recipient. Or getting into dandelion wars and flicking the heads off at anyone and everyone.

Here is a recipe I will be testing out this weekend:

Dandelion Jelly Recipe #420372

1¾ hours | 1 hour prep
SERVES 20 , 2 jars

4 cups yellow parts dandelion flowers
3 cups boiling water
4 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 (6 ounce) package dry pectin

Pull the yellow blossoms apart from the green parts. Get lots and lots of blossoms. While you are collecting them, you can freeze what you already have. Make sure there are no green parts since the green parts have a bitter flavor. I pack the blossoms into a 4 cup measure. More blossoms mean more flavor for the jelly. Bring the water to a boil and fill the water with dandelion blossom shreds.

Simmer over very gentle heat about 10 minutes.

Pour the water and blossoms through a strainer. Press the blossoms as dry as possible to extract the maximum amount of water.

Add more blossoms to the strained water and simmer for about 10 minutes. Continue simmering and straining until all the blossoms are used up.

Add more water to make up 3 cups. You lose some water because it is caught in the blossoms.
Strain the water very well. I use a coffee filter.

Combine water with lemon juice, sugar and pectin. Bring to roiling boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Boil hard for one minute. Skim.

Pour into hot jars and seal. I haven't used food coloring but I have seen this jelly lightly tinted and it looks prettier.

© 2009 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com
Share your experience with others, and post your comments on the recipe. Type 420372 in the Search box at the top of Recipezaar, to get back to this recipe easily.

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/dandelion-jelly-420372

According to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, a serving of uncooked dandelion leaves contains 280 percent of an adult's daily requirement of beta carotene as well as more than half the requirement of vitamin C. Dandelions are also rich in vitamin A.

Dandelions are also used as herbal remedies. The white sap from the stem and root is used as a topical remedy for warts. The whole plant is used as a diuretic and liver stimulant.

I will get back to you and tell you how mine turns out!!

What are you creating these days in your kitchen?!

Bring on the spring

2010-05-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

Allergies affect so many people on a day to day basis. Many do not even know they are affected, and I can sneeze why; allergens are minuscule terrors that float unseen on the breeze.

I wake up some mornings in the spring time with symptoms that make me think I may be coming down with a cold. I rub my eyes, and blow my nose- but my symptoms never develop into anything. Sometimes for weeks before I realize I can solve this blundering idioc haze with a little blue pill called Benedryl. But I dont like solving anything via pill, isnt there a better naturopathic solution?

I read somewhere recently that honey is a natural allergen reducer. As is goldenseal and grape seed extract, but you must get it in a pure form. Of course eating correctly in the first place helps a great deal, there are many foods which produce nutrients that block the histamines that affect our nasal passages.

If pollen or weed allergies affects you there are also foods you should avoid including: cucumber, banana, chamomile and ANY herbal supplements containing echinacea. As they can make your allergy symptoms worse(says webmd.com) Okay I am done ranting about health problems for now!

I am lucky that I only get seasonal allergies, and they really are not that horrible (sniff, sniff, ACHOO) but as many allergies are caused by dirt, mold and animal dander, the best way to begin preventing allergies is to have a clean home. And isnt that exactly what spring cleaning is for?!! Spring is here- YAY FOR SPRING TIME!!

On another note, I went to a potluck this weekend and someone stole my shoes!!! Okay it was probably not their fault since I had the exact same brand of shoes and it was a party with alcohol involved, but really, cant you tell if you are wearing YOUR shoes or not? They were the exact same size, but mine were a heck of a lot dirtier and older than the ones that were left behind (which I wore home, how else was I supposed to get around) So morally, if my shoes are the older gross pair, should I try to track down whoever now has my smelly/dirty old pair? There were a lot of people (about 40) at the party and most of whom I didnt really know. Now I feel kinda bad and for the next few weeks Im sure I am going to be checking everybodys footwear.

Get outside and enjoy your spring!!

The greasy details of: Greece!!

2010-04-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

I am home!

First thing I do when I walk through my door, ditch the bags on the floor and head straight for my hairbrush (I travel light and havent brushed my hair in 3 weeks!) Then turn my heat up because brrrr!! Its a lot colder here than 8898 kilometers away (5585 miles).

So everyone now asks me: "What was the best part about your trip?"

And I have to say- the food. The Mediterranean food is phenomenal. Nothing is processed, nothing has added chemicals and preservatives (well some of the packaged foods do but they are not pushed as a part of a normal diet as in the way of the United States), no added hormones in the milk, yogurt and cheeses, the grocery stores dont have to label anything "organic" because most of it IS organic! They produce their own wines, traditional greek ouzo, bread, various vegetables and yummy fresh fruit, honey, and of course the olives! Olives fresh, olive tapenade(a topping for bread), olives on pizza, olives with wine, olives to accompany everything and anything and especially the much anticipated olive oil, as fresh as you can get it.

There is a special way of life here- a way of life I could definatly get used to!! Instead the presence of the place most on my mind continues to be Alaska. Where we ship all our produce and goods in, makes me question myself to why I DO love it so much here. (Especially while visiting a pretty much self sufficient country.)

Greeks dont know entirely what Diabetes is. Not so strange if you think about it, they eat enough non processed foods(see above paragraphs) so explaining this auto immune disease to them was a little bit like just rambling on about green eggs and ham. They nod their heads and say they understand.....but I just dont think they see the same types of health related problems there. Which made me a bit worried about my bloodsugars (especially the first week I was there, terrible jetlag) adjusting to the time change (example when it was day time in Greece, it was night time in Alaska) so getting onto an eating, exercise pattern was a bit difficult for me and I could feel it in the rollercoastering sugar levels for sure.

I wore a medic alert but was even more worried that if I was found unconscious, how would a situation like that be handled? Luckily nothing serious happened. Its a risk I choose to take to be able to travel. I am a prepared traveler. And I would not have it any other way.

The constant sunshine aided my hair into turning 2 shades lighter! Plus I got a fantastic head start on my summer tan. I think I forgot what rain was, it rained ONLY once for about 20 minutes while I was there, and it soaked up so fast into the thirsty ground that it seemed like it never even happened.

Each individual island has its very own pace, beauty, and charm. I only got to visit 5, but once I got going on the proverbial "island hopping" experience I knew I could easily adapt to more of this lifestyle. I saw 5 out of 227 inhabited islands, it just wasnt enough!! Plus the other 1,400 or so uninhabited ones are still out there waiting patiently.....

One thing that really surprised me about this country that thrives near its radiant ocean; is the litter. There is too much litter here. And not enough effort going into stopping the litter from collecting in the cities or on (and IN) the beautiful beaches.

The ferry tickets were by far the most expensive part of my entire trip. Okay not including my international plane ticket. But thanks to couchsurfing.org and the option of cheaper backpacking hostels and decently priced fresh local food, I am so thrilled to report that I spent less than $2,000.00 on my entire trip. Thats right my ENTIRE trip. And that IS including airfare there! You can be a budget conscious traveler too if you want to!

Not only was this was my first time to Europe, but also my first time traveling alone. I met so many wonderful people throughout this trip, made new friends and represented Alaska, oh yeah! I was thinking it was going to be a challenge for me. But it was a challenge I fully embraced and can positively say I WOULD do it over again!

I will never be able to say the quote "its all greek to me" in the same way ever again, because woot woot Ive been there!! Its a completely alternate way of life, to the diet they live on, the crazy driving skills it takes to survive on the roads, the architecture and expressive art that has survived hundreds of years, their proud culture, and the attitudes that are essentially: greek.

Yassas!!

To see ALL the photos from this trip go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/sitkakoala/Greece201002#

Athens 4/7/2010

2010-04-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Getting back to the city center was a chore, the metro is under construction at points so the service gets interrupted, you take a bus, then get back on the metro to reach the port/or city. The way to the port was no problem (we just followed the crowds and ran into a fantastic random person who kindly showed us the way) Getting back I couldnt find where or which bus I had to take I had to rely on a strangers help.

A stranger that spoke very very very little English!! But he took me from the metro to the bus stop and on to the next metro, then proceeded to tell me where to get off on my stop. By this point I knew where I was but didnt want to make him feel like he wasnt doing a great deed (because he really was!!)

I found myself back at Athens backpackers, hoping there was a bed available. There was. I didnt make many reservations the entire trip. I tried doing a day trip down to gorgeous cape Sounion, and the locations of Poseidons Temple, but the bus was so tricky to figure out (no obvious signs) that once I found out where it stopped (from a wonderful kiosk agent) I waited about 2 minutes and watched it go whizzing by.....I may not have explained earlier- as its a skill I am learning still, but you MUST flag down buses if you want to board. I just ironically watched this one go whirring by. The next one didnt come for another hour. Ohwell. Maybe I will come back.

Instead I go walking about 4 miles to ALL the big museums, I head back and just as I am thinking to myself on how comfortable with the city and my directions I suddenly realize: Im lost. In the flea markets nontheless. Yep, there I go feeling all overly confident. Luckily the greatest thing about this place, is that if you can find the Acropolis high up on its hill overlooking the city, you can easily find yourself again.

Next I visit the National Botanical gardens. So refreshing compared to the constant energy of the city rumble. Except, a guy sits down and asks me where Im from. I am not in a mood today for this. I tell him I am not interested (plus he barely speaks my language) finally he gets my drift and leaves. I pack up my book and decide to head back to the backpackers. Here approaches this other guy. He asks my name. I tell him it doesnt matter. He asks me if I like fish. Really? Fish?! I say no and I have to go. He follows me. He follows me all the way to the exit of the park, asking my name the entire time. Are guys really this desperate here? I later find out the worst place to go in the city alone: the botanical gardens. Why dont the guide books have this type of crucial information!!!!!!!!!!!

The bars are not so appealing this evening, so a couple I had as roommates and I went on a quest for beers and headed back to our room, on the way the guy at the desk was soooo nice to give us the key to the rooftop bar (which was not yet open for the year) so we went up, took some pictures of the Acropolis at night and had a grand ol time!

Tomorrow is my flight towards home! Im just getting used to the flow of things and the culture and already Im heading home?!

Yes, home to my beautiful Sitka. Soon I will be on my way!!

Mykonos 4/6/2010

2010-04-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Mykonos, I had heard this was one of the top ten places to visit while in Greece; except, through opinions of travelers that had been there first hand- I got quite a different idea of what to expect. The island of Mykonos in the summer is wonderful, exotic, and yes very romantic.

However- it happens to be spring while I am here, and as I had heard, Mykonos is not hopping, friendly or overly exciting at this time. Thats okay, I still plan on seeing it, I just now know what to expect and only have 2 nights planned here.

This entry is posted so late for a reason. The reason being I met a man in Mykonos. Not the kind of man you would think I should meet on a romantic island while in Greece. This man was a tad crazy. So I post late so my friends and family know although I may have been in potential danger (although I dont think he was entirely dangerous, maybe just a bit lonely in Mykonos) that I didnt want them to worry about the remainder of my trip.

I went to the beach with a group of people and about 20 minutes into plopping myself down into the warm golden granules of sand with my book, 2 men approached the group, we will call them man A and man B, who told everybody there was dancing and music going on at one of the bars in town later that evening (about 13 kilometers away) the only problem with this was the buses were not on an evening schedule yet- so there was no cheap way (unless a group took a taxi) to get to and from the bar.

The group was not overly excited about going dancing, I had a spark of interest but also didnt want to go alone, so figured I would just stay near the beach and backpacker place I was staying at and recuperate from my last island shenanigans. But gave my temporary Greek number to man A in case I changed my mind. Slowly the group dwindled down until I realized, hey, Im sitting all alone on this parcel of beach with man A.

Where did man B go? Ah who knows. I chatted with man A for a while, he didnt know a ton of English but we were communicating alright. Then all of the sudden he covered my feet up with sand! Strange I thought, I wouldnt go to a beach and cover some strangers feet with sand.

Then I came to my next realization: man A probably thinks I am interested because I gave him my number!

So I decide to make it clear to him: "hey man A, you are really nice but Im just not interested" (or something along the lines of that) which brought us into some unusual discussions about dating, where I lived, where he lived, somehow to the topic that if we got married we could have a house in Mykonos AND in Alaska! Whoa- hang on a second here man A- IM NOT THINKING ANYTHING ALONG THE LINES OF MARRIAGE!!!!!!

But why not? He says directly. I tell him that I need to know someone before trusting them and making a decision like that and it just was not logical. He then became very very very (very) interested in visiting Alaska. Um...... what have I gotten myself into here!

At this point in this current story as I am telling it, I usually get interrupted by my listeners- "Was he at least good looking?" He was good looking, but that is SO not the point! The point is, I think I need to get off this beach- ASAP! Then he takes my hand and tells me I have the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen. To which I giggle because this seriously was not just said to me- right?! It was wrong to giggle, because he took it as a positive move and so he leans down to kiss the top of my hand, then sprawls himself across my lap and looks up at me.

Ok, I am totally weirded out now, does he think he is a puppy dog? "Um I have a problem with this, you cannot lay on my lap." Oh, sorry, he gets up but inches closer to my right side and covers my feet up with sand again. I make a move to stand up, its time to leave. His reaction was to grab my legs so I couldnt get up. I sit back on the sand to get my grounding and decide once and for all I have had enough of this. He doesnt realize how strong I am until I push him back until he falls over and I tell him that was completely unacceptable and I have to go NOW!

He stands and gives me a hug and holds my hand and asks about the dancing again. At this point I know if I tell him no or maybe, he may not let me off this beach! I say he can call me and he says "little goodbye, not big goodbye, just little goodbye right?!" I say yes, little goodbye and saunter off down the beach as calmly as I can, thinking, even if I saw you again, theres going to be no mixed signals about what in the h e double l just happened, I need to go analyze this thoroughly!

I fall asleep back at my room and my phone ringing about 4 times wakes me up so I decide I am staying in for the night and I turn it off. The next morning I find I cant turn phone on without a code from Vodaphone (which is somewhere in bag, but I was in no hurry to find it) so go to breakfast and finally turn phone on and go into town. He calls 28 times in 8 hours. I turn phone off again for the rest of the night. The next morning I am waiting for the ferry. He calls another 20 something times through out the day. And a scattering of times over the next few days. Really, Im sorry for standing you up, I just really did not feel the same about someone I just met and hardly know.

I now just hope he wasnt so desperate to show up in Alaska (luckily I did NOT give him my town name) Im still not so sure if I should be more worried than I am! But like I said earlier, I dont think he was entirely dangerous, maybe just a bit lonely. We all have bouts of that right?!

Lesson learned from this: Unless you are prepared for intense interest, dont be TOO friendly (or friendly at all) with Greek men!!

Goodbye Mykonos!
Time to head back to Athens!

Naxos, Greece 4/4/2010

2010-04-05T01:47:00.000-07:00

Christos Anesti!

This is what they yell and welcome you with right after the church service on the night before Easter. Then the fireworks go off- directly overhead!

I am couchsurfing with a guy here in Naxos. And 2 of his friends from near Athens. Boys. Greek boys. Greeks are actually very respectful. But, they also make it very clear about what they want and are thinking. Especially if they feel comfortable around you... the next couple of days are going to be some trouble, I can already tell! More later on that.

2 of the guys know very basic English (and I know NO Greek!!) So misunderstandings are prevailant. Okay, sorry, basic English, I promise.... me cavewoman..... seriously, am I asking for trouble?!!!!

Sunday is Easter, and everyone has no work. Its a family oriented holiday with barbeques, wine, visitors from Alaska, okay so thats not so normal, but Im just trying to fit in!!! And I am sooooo full!!!! They keep feeding me and feeding me and I feel I am bursting!

And the food is so wonderful! Lamb on the barbeque, homemade wines, slightly grilled pita bread, greek salad which is: fresh tomatoes, cucumber, onions, with olive oil and feta cheese, (and yes, I am eating and actually enjoying the tomatoes! For those of you that know me to avoid tomatoes at any cost) Sliced oven baked potatoes(kind of like fries) red dyed eggs, a kind of egg salad with yogurt, tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, and garlic dip) and way too many sweet things to name.

Sunshine, good food, happy people (I just wish I spoke the same language) Sigh, but honestly I am almost ready for home- I seriously need some regular sleep!!

Im sure I am forgetting to tell you lots but my time on the internet is almost over!

Ios, Greece 4/1/2010

2010-04-03T01:20:00.000-07:00

Oh Joy, it feels like I am back in highschool.....this flashback is being spurred on by the zaniness of what exactly is Ios, Greece. No other island attracts more under 25 year olds. Um....oops. No wonder I dont exactly feel like I belong. I get along with mostly everyone, exept a few of the 20 something girls that have a problem with me being here, maybe its because I am getting along so well with the dudes?

Ugh, I dont miss high school one bit.

My brother would love it here, in fact if he were to experience the great atmosphere and meet the awesome people who call this island home, I could see him getting a job bartending we would lose him here forever.

Phillip, the friend I met in Santorini, is here. Too funny, and fun to hang out with. I swear he never sleeps, I cannot say the same. I have not been getting enough sleep but I am getting by.....at a snails pace some days. (or more like a slug lol)

The ferry schedules here are erratic- dictionary definition of that: a big hassel when they get canceled. Which is often. And because it is almost the Easter holiday, they are packed to the gills. Blah, next step, locate a beach where there is no one nearby, this shouldnt be too difficult a task. Then maybe read some of my book that I brought and at this point is just dead weight being carried around......

Stay tuned!

Santorini 3/29/2010

2010-03-29T04:38:00.000-07:00

OMG another EPIC day in Santorini! Began with trying to take a tour to the volcano but the seas were rough and it ended up being canceled. Had to trek back up 512 meter long "steps" Could have taken a donkey up, but felt I needed some exercise with 2 traveling companions I met up with for the day, they felt likewise, but then we almost got crushed by the donkeys when they came back down......

Had souvlaki for lunch (Greek fast food in a pita), hit 3 museums(which are free on sundays) and hopped the bus to Ia, the northern most town of the island. We timed it so we could watch the sun set, but what we didnt realize....was that today was the time change.....and the last bus goes back-er- kinda now....Except, wait a second, here enters Phillip. Hello Phillip! Phillip is from California and has rented a 4 wheeler for the past 2 days and is now offering me a ride back to Fira via his ATV. Really? Sorry people I came up here with- I cant pass this offer up!

I watch the sun set over the northern most point on the island with a fun group of people. Then had an amazing cliff hugging ride directly back to the place I am staying. (Sorry dad, was very safe I assure you)

What in the world will tomorrow bring?!
I miss everyone (I really really do!)

Santorini 3/28/2010

2010-03-27T23:51:00.000-07:00

Hello hello!

So yesterday I was on a bus with the gal I was traveling with, and we were leaving Paros (beautiful place) and we are sitting there, looking at an older gentleman in a suit, neat, tidy, nice old fashioned hat, and nothing less than: ray ban sunglasses. Modern Greece for sure!! I almost expected him to pull out a cell phone as well.

A local (Yiannis, from couchsurfing) gave me a lift in his car from the ferry landing, found me a cheap room and said he would come back to get me in an hour.... I should have known he was trading in his wheels- I just had the most beautiful moped ride of my life on the Island of Santorini!!! Wish I could post pictures.....but alas, the cord for the camera is in Sitka!

Healthy, happy and safe!

More soon!

3/25/2010 Paros Island, cyclades

2010-03-25T04:51:00.000-07:00

So I met up and followed a gal from Athen to the island of Paros, in the cyclades islands. Here we are encountering the REAL Greece! Real Greek coffee, real Greek feta(ohmygawd you havent tried feta until you have tried Greek FETA!!!!) and pasta with octopus......mmmm a traditional Greek recipe none the less.

Today is Greek national holiday, independence day for Greece. So everyone is free of work, worries, and ready to party!

A bit windy here today, but the sun does not mind, its still up there blazing away (plus the wind is warm so I kinda like it) They think its chilly- and since I am from Alaska I must be able to deal with it better, and about the proposal, dont get me started: no its not the REAL Sitka.... hehe but at least because of that movie we are now on the map!!

Getting ready to go to a local village for some festivities so I gotta go!!

Athens 3/22/2010

2010-03-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Plane ride are usually full of stress, anxiety, cramped spaces and endless awakeness(cuz Im not one to follow the crowd and sleep on flights. HOWEVER the plane rides were great, I had no anxiety, got to get up and stretch a bit (I was on an aisle seat) and I was in the back of the jet (less bumpy) Was unable to sleep (at all) but, I got caught up on all of my movie watching. Will not have to watch any movies for the next 4 months!

Directions in Athens are terrible, not all streets are marked the same they are on maps, there are 2 to 3 spelling to everything. Ive been asked for directions twice- do I really look like I live here, REALLY?- and was even smacked on the back of the head on the metro the first time by an older lady because I didnt realize she was speaking to me. I must be arrogant because it actually made me laugh strangely enough, must have been jet lag, after all it is 3am Alaska time......

Today in Athen I met up with another traveler and we are having such a blast, getting sunburned, eating gyros, and early tomorrow morning, heading off to the island of Paros together.

Got a SIM card for my phone, and it seems to be working, but I still need to buy credit(minutes) at one of the kiosks before I can use it, and I will not know its really working until I try it. Its not extremely expensive, believe it or not, then again maybe I will have to buy a lot of credit......so if you get a weird international text message- dont worry its probably just me!

More soon,
Kate

Seattle 3/19/2010

2010-03-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

Friday March 19, 2010

Okay, so we are going to try something here, and by we I mean me. Instead of sending out copy and past emails to everyone who is wondering exactly where I am, how I am doing, and what I am eating: this is where you will find it.

One thing before we begin though.....I WILL NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS EVERYDAY. Or even every week. It really does depend on holiday/store hours/and island internet availability.

Okay, now that that is said, I spent the last 2 days in Seattle with Terri, riding busses, eating yummy indian food, attempting to find a reasonably priced phone plan that will not cost me an arm and a leg- I would like to come back to Alaska with BOTH my arms and my legs thank you (tee hee, Ive used that line 3 times at 4 different ATT stores and its been a hit every time!) Why 4 ATT stores you ask? Well because in order to get my phone unlocked I have to go to the "corporate" store and show them photo ID. Since we have already confirmed I am no good at riding busses, I am quite pleased to say I found 3 of those locations fairly easily. (Terri took me to the last, and final, corporate office) Mission completed, phone is unlocked, but now I have to find a SIM card in Greece on one of their many unpronounceable local networks. So no phone for a few days, unless its an emergency, and that will probably cost a toe or two.

Tomorrow at 10:45am I arrive at the Seattle international corridor to be herded like livestock through customs. Do you think they will quench our thirst after this long tedious drive- darn there they go confinsgating all my liquids.

More soon,

Kate

Not all those who wander are lost?

2010-03-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

Why does it take 2 wrong boardings, 1 missed stop, accidental quizzical gaze crossings with strangers (who then in turn glare back, clearly sending the absolute message that unwanted friendliness must DIE!!!) just to come to the already known conclusion that I am no good at traveling on buses. Period. I was not born with this particular talent and it appears to be one not easily learned by me. J.R.R. Tolkien must have been better at bus riding.

But this cannot be MY fault!! I was raised in a small island town where we didnt have a community bus until 2005. And even then there are only 2 routes (if you get it wrong the first time, dont worry, just stay on the bus for a while- eventually it will head back the other direction and (about an hour or so) you will arrive "unscathed" at your destination.

City traveling, however, takes you down yin and yang street and sores and boils avenue, until you are utterly and disparagingly: lost. My point and the finale of my rant, Im not a city girl.

Good thing I was at least born to be a good wanderer.

Dear Diabetes

2010-03-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Diabetes,

This March marks the 20th year we have been together. Wow. Who would have thought we would have made it this far. We have been through so much, some challenges, some pain, plenty of finger pricks, and doctor visits, but mostly a whole lot of learning on how we can be healthier by working with one another.

Sometimes I do feel like giving up and kicking you out to the curb. I admit you sometimes make it hard on me, especially when all I want is to consume an entire pound of chocolate. And through trail and error I see that a small piece of chocolate- and in moderation, is a good compromise for feeling good and having enough energy to understand why you chose me to be your host body.

I have learned that regularity in exercise is THE BEST medicine for most ailments. Although keeping a positive outlook helps a great deal as well.

You have helped me to pick out the best possible friends to surround me when I need a little extra compassion and help. And even in times of crises, they still stand by me.

You have helped me by truly appreciating my parents. Because even though other people also appreciate their parents, I know what mine have gone through for us. Often I think about what they had to witness their 7 year old going through 20 years ago, god they sure have been brave.

I want to thank you for enabling me to be a healthier, conscientious person. And to be able to teach those around me that living with Diabetes does not have to be a negative life sentence. And to keep educating me. Every. Single. Day.

Please keep teaching me, because I enjoy this life immensely.

Sincerely, Me.

How to solo: Greece

2010-02-26T23:56:00.000-08:00

Its true, traveling solo has its challenges.

Some people have thoughts similar to "what can she be thinking" running through the pathways of their brains. But what I really dont understand, is that what happened to these same people, to give them such a strong comparison that traveling solo is a negative thing? That traveling alone is ultimately a dangerous decision?

For many, traveling alone is a frightening prospect. Im not saying that nothing bad can happen, by no means do I think I am untouchable. My belongings are just as susceptible to be stolen as the next person. But by knowing I have no one to watch out for me, I choose to be alert. Aware. And listen to my gut feelings in every moment of every situation. Tiring, you think. Yes, but by being alert, aware and conscious of my surroundings at all times is also called experiencing. And it helps to hone that same intuition into finding positive situations. Because they abound in traveling, and they make me smile.

Having a travel companion to share in the journey is rewarding, but by not having one will not cause my trip to come to a crashing halt. I began planning this trip with someone, but it just so happened to not work out. I then had a lot of decisions to make, including whether to call the trip off entirely. And safety was a gigantous concern, but in the end, my desire to break out of routine, explore, and see the world won out.

I have been asked if I think I will get lonely. Truthfully, I am not scared of being alone with myself. And although I am a bit more timid (compared to my brother) at meeting new people, I am looking at it as a new challenge, there are other travelers out there. I will be teaching myself how to reach out. And by no means do the people who know me think that I am shy (right?!)

My biggest hurdles will be the language barrier. But mainly the slightly masochistic men; I dont want to put them into a category here, but its tough since they tend to believe all American women to be promiscuous. Well, they havent met me yet. And I am practising my "you shouldnt judge a book by its cover" speech, do you think I will be able to portray that same sentiment in
Greek? I have had plenty of experience warding off unwanted attention. Ahem, I grew up in Alaska, who can be worse than some of the rascally fishermen who call this lovely land home (what would we do without them though) I really believe the Greek culture to be welcoming and extremely proud of their past and present.

Although, presently they are having some political/finacial conflicts, which may also be a hurdle, but once again I will be relying on my instincts and will distance myself from trouble so as not to get caught up in a riot!

This should be a new fantastic journey for myself, one that will prove that if I can handle situations away from home on my own, than I can handle almost anything.

Greece, I am here!

Love at first sight

2010-02-10T12:47:00.000-08:00

Thats it, Im in love. Utterly without question. It happened the first time my eyes grazed over the white and black texture so pretty you just want to sink your fingers into the fur, wrap your arms around the neck and give a big bear hug.

To a Border Collie that is.

Every single one I have so far met I have fallen in love with.

Why Im so enamored with this breed may have something to do with the one my mom owned in the past. Sam, sweet, sweet Sammi. Smart, energetic, completely afraid of: noises, thunderstorms, most people, being in the back of the truck, the vet, to which all of the above she would hide in the bathtub.

But she sure was a great mouser. (Lets just say we never needed to have a cat on the property.)

My next dog is going to be a Border Collie. I had a dream recently confirming this. In my dream his name was Jasper. Unfortunately in current waking life, my housing situation does NOT allow dogs. Which is why my co-owned dog.... Ceaser, shares a roof with the dad. Not that dad is attached to this particular dog or anything.... say, dont you want another dog under that roof dad?

I encountered one today who was an aide on my route (well he thought he was extremely helpful) And, as I leaned down to tie my stubborn shoelaces into a double knot, I received 2 of the sloppiest/raspiest kisses Ive ever gotten from a dog, from my chin all the way to my hairline!

Sticky and wet, but I would accept another one, yup, definitely.

Goal for the next couple of years: buy a house where I can have as many loves of my life as I can handle. And heres to hoping they all get along!

No comments about men, Im talking doggies here dear readers!!

Have a beautiful drama free Valentines day, however you may end up spending your time. I'm going for a hike with my guy! (Ceaser of course)

Stop whining

2010-01-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

Some days, this pin says it all:

Get your own at:
http://www.cafepress.com/+unless_your_pancreas_doesnt_35quot_button,411301912

Just one more chapter

2009-12-04T17:38:00.001-08:00

Just one more chapter, then I will go to bed. I tell myself aloud almost on a nightly basis.

Then I get the end of the chapter and silently tell myself, okay now really, just one more chapter....

I can read for hours, and hours, and...before I know it, its 12:49 and I scowl because I have to work early tomorrow. Im not one of those people who do well on minimal sleep, in fact, Im quite a grouch.

I am one of those bodies who do exceptionally well after 7 hours of continuous, uninterrupted sleep (or 8, or 9, or even 10 on a rare loungable weekend luxury)

If its a good book its even worse! Oh but I do adore reading!! But I do not adore rushing around because I have ten minutes to make it to work and Im not dressed, havent eaten breakfast, and ohmygoditsnowedandIhaventwarmedthetruckupyet!
I dont want my mornings to be so hectic.

Damn you, reading addiction!

So, to alter this spiraling situation, I am setting up some boundaries, or rules if you want to get literal.

1. No reading after 8:00. I am balking at this (can you see my balking face?) And I want to argue my own rule, since reading helps me wind down for the evening, I usually dont even pick my book up until 8:30 or 9:00, but, alas. Okay, I see the dilemma. How about a compromise, no reading after 8:30? Good.

2. Wake up earlier in the morning and read. Except, this is the ONLY time when I read that I WILL fall asleep, no matter how entertaining the material....then I am late to work anyways. Cant I win?

3. I want to write more. Move over reading habit (no you are not being replaced) just learning how to share, because writing is an important hobby too that does not get near enough attention. Um.....I shouldnt mention that when I get on a roll, writing keeps me up until the wee hours of the morning.... (heheh, only once in a great while, and its worth being grouchy the next day)

What do we have if not something we can enjoy?

My top 10 list of books:

(in no particular order, and they have all kept me up waaayy past my bedtime)

1. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman

2. 11 minutes, by Paulo Coelho

3. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

4. Berserk, by David Mercy

5. Perfume, the story of a murderer, by Patrick Suskind

6. What dreams may come, by Richard Matheson

7. Rose Madder, by Stephen King

8. Graceling, by Kristin Cashore

9. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, By J.K. Rowling (before she became so popular)

10. The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, by Douglas Adams (this book kept me up more nights than I would like to admit)

What are some of your favorite books?

Greek orthography

2009-11-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

It is never good for me to pick up a travel magazine....any travel magazine.....especially Afar travel magazine (which Harry Race Pharmacy carries by the way)

How many steps does it take to get to Greece? I know you all think I am totally obsessed with going to Norway- which I still am. But as the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy so bluntly yet confusingly states: sometimes you get diverted.

I am still planning a trip to Norway. I just am being diverted by going to Greece.....first. Over the Alaska day holiday weekend I met an influence that triggered my brain into action. Now everything I hear about Greece sounds fantastic, I get excited when I see a movie that is set there or books that even mention greek culture. I am googling things that I didnt even know existed. And attempting to pronounce landmarks and island names.

Although it cant be as bad as attempting to say: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, dont worry I cant pronounce it either and dont wish to hurt myslef trying, a town on the island of Anglesey in Wales, England. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanfairpwllgwyngyll

And the dolphins, there are dolphins appearing to me everywhere! Mostly in movies, but magazines, a book, on a randoms persons t-shirt, even in the form of kitchen magnets they find a way to appear, and they have been playfully swimming through my dreams. Is it a sign? A sign I must watch the intro to hitchhikers guide to the galaxy far too much. Stinkin special features with the sing along bonus track....

This sounds all too familiar as well; since this is what happened before I took my trip to Austrailia in 2004. This mad rush- which is good before taking a trip, because you dont really want to go somewhere you are not fanatical about, that soaks into the pores of your eyeballs and you get oh so excited to go there to encounter it for yourself.

Now I cannot stop thinking about Greece. And this darned magazine isnt helping matters any, its gives these awesome links to research institutes such as this Ionian dolphin project:

http://tethys.org/tri_courses/courses_index_e.htm

Doesnt this look just a little too inviting?

For tonight I will focus on finishing up reading the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy (fantastic book by the way) then as I look around for the others, I may find myself somewhere on an adventure in Greece....

to be continued......

Turtle Transformer

2009-11-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

Cowabunga!

Thats right, I said COWABUNGA! Not a word you hear in the everyday rafts of drifting nouns and questioning semi colons of conversation? Well, I've used that word a bit in the past month. And for good reason, I was preparing myself to transform into:

A teenage mutant ninja turtle!

Yep you heard correctly there too. In fact I didnt have too difficult a time rounding up certain individuals (you know who you are) to come along for this plight. But just where were we supposed to begin?

Bring on the pizza! And the brainstorming of how the costumes are going to come together, then the gathering materials, and cutting, and sewing, foam stuffing, more sewing, threading needles, even more sewing. Ugh I think I am starting to see GREEN! Better order more pizza..... to make these finger stabs more manageable!

Oh by the way....did I mention I signed us up for the lip sync competition? Teeheehee I didnt? Well dont worry, we are only on the waiting list.

Back to sewing, and this pizza delivery guy- I think he's onto our secret. He knows that we know that he may know about our turtle parties. Why else would we order pizza on a sometimes biweekly basis? Its not like we are having it delivered to the sewers- sheesh- boy did we have fun watching the films, 80's flashback for sure!

This year was the 25th year shell e-bration (anniversary) of the teenage turtles. I think I must know how they feel, Im about the same age and sometimes(if not most of the time) still act like a teenager.

Because OMG! OMGG, I just received a phone call AAAaaaCccKKKK!!! (I really did scream out loud at work, in fact a coworker came in to check on me)

He asked: "Are you okay"
Me: "No, ....yes, maybe.... no- definately no." Gulp.

The phone call I just got was from Raven Radio who is hosting the stardust ball and lip sync competition. Can you guess what I was freaking out about? Sigh. Time to call all the turtles and let them know we had better find our music and start forming a routine and get our turtles butts into action! Oh and completing these costumes we have been working on so diligently would be a good plan, its turtle time!

It took us a little over a month of steadily working (and plenty of pizza)to make these radical reptile costumes. And cowabunga baby- we are proud turtle brothers!! Not to mention the friends made and sewing skills learned. It was a treat this Halloween for sure!

Now what are we supposed to do for next year?

Splinters pedicure special:
available now only down in the sewers.....

For more outrageously awesome pics of this years stardust ball
(because there are just too many to post here) visit:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sitkakoala/Stardust200902

Stardust 2009

and very very soon I will have a video post of the lip sync, I promise as soon as I figure out how to embed it here so keep checking back!!

Things that do not scare me

2009-10-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

There are so many things in life that scare me. While I do not try to dwell on these things, they wiggle themselves into my gray matter enough that I am able to take a deep breath and admit it.

So today is a dedication to all things that DO NOT scare me, because they outweigh the latter with a huge smiling "see I told you everything is alright."

So never mind the ultimatums of an ultimate run on sentence within a writers brainisphere as it appears with minimal editing for your reading pleasure:

mice, inebriated fishermen, snakes, granolas at health fairs, animal dander, sweaty armpits, thunderstorms, clowns, roller coasters, rainclouds, solitude (or complete silence), thorns, falling on ice, hard work, living with diabetes, blood, worms, glass elevators, splinters, conversations with strangers, 60 mph winds, ghosts, bees, allergies, making mistakes, walking through spiderwebs (dont get me started on the inhabitants), hiccups, surrendering, Gene Simmons tongue, motion sickness, dreadlocks, Stephen King- I kinda really adore him actually.... mean dogs, high adrenaline, land mines, losing control, darkness, spoiled milk, love. Watch out you aggresive fishy breath sea lions, I think you are curious and cute- really! Because one of my top priorities this year is overcoming the things that I fear.

And today I learned that Im not afraid of writing about my fear/or lack thereof. To take the time to make this blog I had to think entirely of what DID scare me to get to the beautifully engaging things that DO NOT.

What are you NOT afraid of?

P.S. If webs of spiders dont freak you out either check out this link and its MASSIVE web: http://www.badspiderbites.com/giant-spider-web/

Have a safe Halloween!!

( stardust ball pics soon)

Tenakee Trickle

2009-09-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

There is a place in this world, not so far from here,

where time slows to about a crawl

You stand and stretch your legs and they begin to take you down a gravel path where you see vibrant sun ripened berries on your way, you pick some and savor the sweet, tartness with your eyes closed for a moment. A meditated calm envelopes your mind and the most urgent thing on your agenda is what your next meal will consist of. Dogs run loose and befriend each other, people tending their gardens look up and smile pleasantly as you pass.
The waves crash onto to beach at 12 hour intervals,
and people have a rhythm all of their own.

Welcome to Tenakee Springs, Alaska

It truely is a place like no where else.

A place where you are encouraged to post a sign that says:

"if no answer come to the garden"

seriously, where else would this apply?

My grandparents have a small cabin here.

And I was fortunate enough to get to visit them for a quick

weekend trip away from the bustle of my dear beloved Sitka.

A break I didnt exactly know I needed until I was loaded up on reading material and snacks and flying the 30 minute float plane ride. After the more than interesting chat with the pilot-

(only stating that he was a flirt would be an insult)

I arrived to begin my trial with tranquility

Oh yeah, did I mention I would be camping out with family? Heh heh. Okay so much for the hope of tranquility, so between the waiting in line to use the commode (fortunately a flushing one at that!) and allotting out who is sleeping in which bunk, and who will be fishing on which day. And Granny rushing around with her ebb of energy trying to make 8 of us content at any given time..... It was a rather enjoyable experience. Not that I thought it wouldnt be! (wink!)
Between the fishing....... And the crabbing.....

And the fantastic wildlife.....

And the berry picking..... mmm pancakes...

Do you know what a thimble berry is? Ive lived in Alaska for 26 years and did not know how to identify them, until now. Silly me.

The great great great great great GREAT (I could have quoted tony the tiger here and saved myself a few greats......) The Gggggrrrreeeaaat lounging and/or reading opportunities! Plus the weather for this particular weekend would be difficult to top! Sunshine the ENTIRE time!

Oh yes and not to forget precisely what Tenakee is well known for. The 107* sulfur mineral hot springs. That the local townsfolk use for bathing.

Hope you left your shyness at home!

If you didnt bring something to read (or wear or do or watch) dont worry theres always the bus stop to rummage in to see what you can find! In Tenakee garage saling is not only on Saturdays, although there IS a local farmers market every Saturday. Abundant local organic produce.

Right here. Right now!

So everyone is friendly in Tenakee right?

Do you think whoever owns this satellite has a big screen tv to match? Maybe we could go see whats on HBO?......How do we get an invite? That is after Granny talks the boys into a bit of maintenance on the cabin. Nice new blue windows Granny!

There was a ice cream social birthday party for one of the residents whilst we were there, a woman who was turning 90! Not sure about the ice cream, (although maybe the advertisements for milk "does a body good" were onto something) but Tenakee is a fairly healthy place to be. Personally I think its all that fresh air!

Fresh air does a body good!!!!

And so do hugs with grandparents!

Bye Bye Tenakee, until next time!

To see more pictures visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/sitkakoala/TenakeeAugust2009#

Things I learned this summer

2009-09-10T16:33:00.000-07:00

*When you see something on the ground that is round, white and resembles a bird egg, dont pick it up and squish it; it most likely IS a bird egg.

*The vitamin D in sunshine is GREAT for strong fingernails (and we got the perfect amount this summer)

*Daydreaming and meter reading is not the most effective way to get work done. You may then have to retrace steps over woodpiles, stacks of junk and even strategically placed land mines made by all the loyal fido's around town.

*The BEST salmonberries are found in other peoples backyards :)

*No matter what the weather is doing, anytime you wear rain gear.....its particularly attractive to inebriated fishermen(dont believe me, go ahead, just try it)

*You can stretch out your stomach by over gorging on salmonberries. (Or maybe thats just me... Yep must be just me :)

*Dating 4 guys at once in any particular period is not good for your mental health. (Nor your free time) but at least your girlfriends can live vicariously through you.....

*The new taco cart in town is good any ol time!!!! (Im just hungry again dont mind me, but really try the 8 layer burrito or the carne asada! YUM YUM!)

*Trying to stock pile sunshine for the inevitable winter months takes a lot more energy that could better be utilized for enjoying the wonderfulness while its here- SO GO TAKE A HIKE ALREADY!!! (its only sunshine in a liquid format!)

8 seconds of guilt

2009-08-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Adventures in meter reading is my current status: every time I go out on the field something is bound to happen. To me. To somebody. Something is bound to happen.

One beautiful summer day this year I squished a zygote, or an undeveloped bird embryo to be more specific. Or I really should say I picked it up to examine it and with an iota of too much pressure it exploded within my hand.

This little birdie did not even have a chance to hatch!

Now my guilt is a bit more than weighted in my mind, so many thoughts were flying through my mind as I randomly saw this white object on the ground and what, just had to pick it up on first impulse? Why do we do the things that we do, when the outcome could be less than desirable. (as it turned out this particular day in May)

The first of three thoughts that wriggled around up there in my gray matter in the span of 3.6524 seconds was: Could this be a stone? Its just so smooth... the next thought was: Or could this be one of those plastic eggs that you can buy to go with a toy kitchenette like I used to have as a child?

The next thought was more like a shock: !!OH SHIT!!! It was an egg. The incredible, edible, now nonexistent, egg.

A delicate, ultra smooth, lighter than you can fathom, simple yet extraordinary egg. to which I happened to come upon, pick up, and (gulp) totally dessimate in less than 8 seconds.

I wouldnt make a very good oologist.

Sigh

Lavendar and Lapis

2009-08-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

You may be wondering why I have not been writing. Or maybe not. I am alive, yet struggling. My diabetes is giving me a fairly difficult time currently but thats not what Im on here today to give an update about.

I have been super busy with color schemes, decorations, menu choosing, looking up the proper way to spell tulle, organizing showers, naughty bachelorette antics(more to come later, I promise) dress alterations, misplacing every roll of tape that we bought, flower "trouble", getting all 5 of us bridesmaids somewhat on the same page, nail/hair appointments, not messing up the nails/hair post appointment, and aiding the bride in any humanly possible way that we could!

DEEP INHALE OF BREATH

All for Jon and Joanna who got married on July 25th 2009.

SMILE

I have to remind myself that its not always about words that I can twist and manipulate into something humorous and imaginative to give enough credit to this fabulous day. It was the the guests, the happy feel of the environment, both of their wonderful overly helpful families, and most of all the smiles on both of their faces that only these pictures can portray! Enjoy!

Photos thieved by me but beautifully taken by John Petraborg
Kayla Lea Weis
and Kimberly Davis!

Here is the much anticipated link to over 800 photos from this wonderful day in July:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sitkakoala

Make sure to check out all 3 separate folders: bridal and groom parties, the ceremony, and the reception.

We're doing WHAT with those plungers?!!!

2009-07-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

July 18, 2009

Clear the road is right! Watch out Sitka, here comes
a flock of wild bachelorettes just itching for
some fun on the town!!

We are totally jazzed up! We have been planning this party and the play lists for weeks (unbeknowest of the bride to be)
and we cannot wait to get this party on the road!!

Our one and only problem: the bride is, not so jazzed about the
attention a last night out on the town attracts.....
but once we got all the ladies together, the energy was contagious and dinner was fabulous.

we even had a good sport waiter
we harassed pretty mercilessly.....
lets just say he earned his tips that night!

Then we started our games.

Game number 1:

Under no circumstances do you say ANY mens names, not so hard? hahaha we shall see! You say a man/boy/guys name; you LOSE YOUR BEADS!!! (Plus once we run out of beads we are going to tape condoms to you.....)

Muahahaha. Bring it on!

A little bit of fun at the local gas station.....
where else were we supposed to play our next game?

I am a paying customer, I just hope they don't have to check their cameras for drive aways for the next couple of days or they may keel over with some gut wrenching laughs with our plunger game.

Game number 2: we break up into teams and relay style have to run with a plunger between our legs (about 10 feet away) and aim- with no hands now ladies!- the stick of the plunger into the roll of toilet paper between the legs of your teammate.

You had to have been there.

Maybe we should give guys a bit more credit for technique huh? Much tougher than it seems!!!

Then our creative gals improvised a bit with the plungers and gave the bachelorette even more reasons to pose for the camera!!

Have you been working
on your carving skills? Don't worry I think we have that
particular dexterity covered!

Working diligently

on the "nuts" for the extra embellishment on the cake.
We have to make it appropriate for the occasion, right?!

Nothing says excitment quite like the bachelorettes face at our revealing of the "penis cake"
pure awesomeness, if I do say so!

Then out we go to Pioneer park for some more publicly humiliating games.

Um, don't ask, lets just say
we like playing with our vegetables.....

Or maybe still hungry? Maybe we should

have kept some of that weenie cake around to snack on....

If you can believe it we had the entire party sans any alcoholic
beverage, yep we are THAT zany and crazy completely on our own!!

A little dancing out at kellys, some jaw dropping dares
(We had some pretty brave chicka's teeheehee....)

And an all around great time. See Ms. Bachelorette,
it wasnt too embarrassing?! Want to do it again?

Watch out single ladies, I KNOW WHO IS NEXT!!!!
Mwahahaha!!!!

(No, really I do...!)

Barbie shower

2009-07-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

July 11 2009

"Im a barbie girl, in a barbie world, life in plastic, its fantastic. You can brush my hair...." Oh ahem. Sorry. Sometimes while wedding planning is underway it begins to feel surreal, almost like you are playing make believe. Dont believe me? Ask the barbie- er uh I mean the bride to be!

Zoe, Robin and I, had way, way, way(way) too much fun making and decorating the barbie cake for the bridal shower. Dont believe me with that either, take a look at the over surplus of pics:
Trust me there were even more.......what can I say she was a willing model! No complaints from her.

No complaints from the beautiful bride either, we even talked her into wiggling into her gown (yet again) so we could ooh and ahh and take pictures of her with the cake.

The bride scandalously got away with giftcards, some naughty lingerie, and even some paperwork for passports! (thats right dont forget to turn those applications in guys....) I cant help it, I love to encourage travel whenever I can! After a bunch of games the bride could not wait to get herself better acquainted with the aforementioned doll of the hour.

I think the bride had a little too much barbie sugar......and ms. plastic cake topper needed a rest from all this chaos. Wonder what the bachelorette party has in store!? Stay tuned......

"Cmon barbie, lets go party oohahoo oohahoo..." Now will someone pleeeaaasssse help in removing this darn brain penetrating song by aqua from my head! GAAAHHHH!!!!

Jabberwocky

2009-06-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

Make sure you always, always, always brush your teeth!!

There is a version of Alice in Wonderland with the character called the Jabberwocky. In the movie you dont ever SEE the Jabberwocky, but oh boy when I was a kid could I imagine it!!! Big, smelly, fire breathing and scaly. Perhaps he could time/space travel, since at any point in time he could show up with his heart pounding theme music.

In fact my mom used it as a effective mechanism to get my brother and I to brush our teeth. Like most kids you see, we liked to procrastinate on brushing our teeth, because then you just know what happens after that- dun dun duuuun: bedtime.

So we would dilly dally, and drag our feet, whine, say we were hungry, you get the drift. So at some point mom came up with the brilliant idea to tell us that if we didnt go brush our teeth this very minute, THE JABBERWOCKY IS GONNA GET YOU! While stomping her feet and banging a spatula (which was a intimidating tool in our house all on its own) against anything for noisy dramatic effect.

We would beat feet down the slender hallway shoving each other out if the way to the sink so the Jabberwocky would not get you (at least before it got your little brother first!) Then sometimes we would stand there out of adrenaline, and just stare into our wide eyed reflections in the mirror.

Most of the time we did not even brush our teeth. We learned to turn the water on for the precise amount of time so mom would not send the Jabberwocky after us again. As a young teenager I realized if there was an actual Jabberwocky, he would have KNOWN we didnt brush our teeth sometimes.......and had we been good kiddos and brushed our teeth regularly the Jabberwocky could have stayed in the looking glass!

It got to the point where the theme music from that part of the movie would ooze into my head, causing me to have difficulty winding down for actual bedtime. I attribute my bed time reading habit (or more than mild obsession as one of my friends calls it) to the Jabberwocky. So here is the utterly inane yet overly analyzed 1871 poem by Lewis Carroll, The Jabberwocky:

“

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

I Think Im gonna run along and brush my

teeth.......I hope you will consider doing the

same, teeth health is more important than

many realize! Goodnight!

”

queen of the corgi

2009-04-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

The queen of England aint got nuthin on me! Okay, perhaps she is 6 up on me.....by that I mean she lives with seven of the little devils. I coexist with one. And I absolutely cherish my Corgi pup!

When most people think Corgi, they think: oh cute little dog with short legs, stumpy tail and gigantic ears!! Well, I think they dont realize just how much personality and attitude comes in the package of a medium sized dog with what looks like filed off legs. Their long little bodies sit so low to the ground you would think they would have trouble navigating, but seriously, he is just as nimble as any dog on holding his own while hiking. We decided not to crop his tail when he was born. Will give him more personality we told ourselves, now I ponder, would he have had any less personality had we chopped it off? Gah!!!

We have good days where my Corgi wants to please me and go everywhere I go, will sit patiently as I run my errands, wags his tail when I talk and complain to him at all the appropriate times, is cuddly when you most need it, and will eat ANYTHING you give him (a fantastic vacuum he is) We should have named him popcorn, since he will do anything just to get a seed. Once he sees you plop a bag into the microwave or hears the sizzling of the butter heating up he cozies right by and waits for the opportunic kernel to fall within his paws reach.

He sings along with me when I play the harmonica (however unharmonic we tend to be) he doesnt seem to mind if ever I am off key. He patiently awaits your arrival home via sitting on his perch next to the window overlooking the street. A good watch dog he is. He definatly knows how to use his high pitched bark to tell you only what he knows is true (Sigh)

And then there are the bad days. The days he goes running off down the street because he doesnt feel like going with you at the precise moment, the days he is vocal when you tell him to sit or stay and runs under the truck when you try to put him into it, the days (everyday) that he jumps up on every living being, the day he chews up the homely bamboo plant sitting so quietly next to the window minding its own business with the available sunlight, or when he runs into someones house just because the door is open. "What," Caeser says "isnt that an obvious invite?"

I get a big kick out of cruisin in my truck with my pal in the back, nose in the wind, content look on his foxy little face. When we pull over to get out of the vehicle people watch as I walk around to release the tail gate and the little monster launches himself at me (he always expects me to catch him- even if my hands happen to be full) and I set him lightly on the ground and he scampers off on his mini legs. People laugh.

Caeser doesnt seem to mind when he makes people laugh, I think he likes it. This breed of dogs LOVE LOVE LOVE people. I have never seen dogs who enjoy interacting with people so much. In fact I believe Caeser may know more people in this town than I do! Or my dad for that matter. Caeser hangs with my fabulous dog loving friends and my dads friend circle. And I think he knows all on an individual basis, I wonder if he has trouble remembering names?

Caeser, Bandit and Lucy are 2 years old this month (April 19th) Happy birthday puppies!!!

Deerly Encounters of the Creature Kind

2009-03-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get that feeling that something is watching you? The little hairs on the back of your neck stand on end giving you that unusual sensation that something is not quite right.

Today I had that feeling, not a lot, just a little. I got out of my truck and looked around at the snowy landscape. Nothing out of the ordinary that I could see. Hmmmm. I walk down the hill.

As I walk back up the hill, once again my intuition is telling me something is off, and this time I could hear some sounds. As I scanned the area I saw a form pop out of the bushes just ahead to the left of me.

It was a gorgeous doe deer! I stopped in my tracks, as she was about 15 feet in front of me and we just stood there. Staring at one another. I began speaking to her, softly at first. I then told her I was going to be walking toward her and that she should probably hop off into the bushes any time now. Except I think my talking to her was a little too non threatening. She continued to stand there and gaze at me, not looking worried one bit.

I got to about 4 feet from her before my mind started to say that she should really be dashing off into the woods now. The next thought to float through my brain was, I have an apple in the passenger seat of my truck, I am close enough to extend my hand and feed her if only I had my apple. And for those of you who know me well, I hoard my snacks to no end, but I would have gladly shared my apple with this doe.

Which would most likely explain why she was so fearless of me, perhaps someone in the neighborhood is feeding her.......hmmmmm.

Finally I get too close for her comfort and she bounds off up the hill side and into the shade of the snow laden trees. I finish my work and jump back to my truck. Only then asking myself, darn, why didnt I use the camera on my phone to snap a photo of her!!! Well even if I had thought about it, it would have taken me a precious second or two to find the camera application(since it is a fairly new phone and all grrr.....)

If only I had time in the day to post all that happens to me throughout a regular working day. And this apple sure is yummy!

Tax Evasion, er I mean Invasion....

2009-03-03T22:34:00.000-08:00

I figured I should do something productive with the free time I had tonight as it does not seem to come around too often, in complete unhindered form anyhow. I seriously thought about blogging more about(oh no now why in the world would I ever do that) my so called life, but when I looked at my bag sitting there minding its own business I decided to delve into it to find a piece of gum. However I proceeded to uncover my uncompleted pieces of tax pile. Sigh.

I began mine about 2 weeks ago....I put them off to the side and have been in a perpetual grumpy mood ever since I started them. I didnt realize it but there they were, those W2's, and flimsy bank interest slips, flying retirement account, numerous forms, formulous numbers, (almost as confusing as the actual taxation process) unremembered account information from last year, economic stimulus drama(because I didnt get one and they are the only ones who can and wont tell me why)......all hovering in the back creases of my mind. Waiting, just waiting to be picked up and completed before the dreaded due date of April 15th.

And I am now pleased to say after multiple snack breaks, eye rubbings, grumbling, catching myself singing along loudly with the music, dog harassing procrastination, I finished mine tonight!! Huge sigh of relief, and give myself a pat on the back until next year.

Have you done your taxes yet?

Mathmatical equation for dating

2009-02-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

Sorry if this seems harsh but if you are under the age of 20 or over the age of 38 you need not apply.

Lately I must be sending out subliminal frequencies to older men. Is this because I am looking for a mature, successful, smart man? The only ones in Sitka who are picking up on these brain waves (and I dont think I am intentionally sending them out, but then again perhaps I am unknowingly doing so...) are darn near my fathers age.

Im NOT sorry for not wanting to give my own dad a heart attack!!!

So here is this so called equation: Take your age, divide it in half and add seven. That is the youngest for your age range that you are able to date. Try it. I'll wait.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

It goes the other way as well. If someone older is trying to date you- first you must ask their age, (dont worry they will wait, and if they will not give it to you thats reason enough to not want to date them! Really what are they hiding?) divide their age in half and add seven. If the number is higher than your age you are too young for them to be thinking about you in a romantic nature!!!

Im not sure where this "rule" is derived from but first heard it years ago out of my brothers mouth, you never know when younger brothers will pick up crucial information to which you may benefit from if you never listen! All I had to do was remember the rule! I have to say recently Ive used it myself. And Ive used it on my dad. So you silly little girls need to go find someone in your own age range. (Sorry dad you know me loves you!!! :)

Do some math, its good exercise for your brain!

(**DISCLAIMER: As with any dating with a strong adult theme, some exceptions allowed with strong parental/child guidance and or acceptance by friends/family of an individual in the dating field is highly recommended** )

(*****By the way there is no age limit to having a no frills omelet any ol day!!*****)

My Norwegian Dream Coming true

2009-02-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

And no, by that I dont mean I met a handsome hunk of a man who is Norwegian by birth who is eagerly making my wildest dreams come true (although a girl can hope *grins*) If that were the case I would have labeled this entry "My Norwegian Hunk Dream Coming True" and you would no doubt hear all about it in detail.

But......I have had a particular notion in my head for some time and recently decided its time to help things happen. I have decided I am going to Norway. This coming June or September(date still to be determined) with my dad in tow we are headed off to the land of the Vikings!

Why Norway you ask? The cold weather I have been working in should be giving me a directional nudge somewhere warm, like the Bahamas, Hawaii, Figi, anywhere in South America if my internal map needs some broadening.

North, where the weather in September is just as rainy, cloudy, cold and gray as Sitka? But maybe June will be the better bet. With its immense beauty which draws my attention to it any time I see a magazine article or a picture on the internet or hear the language spoken. My heritage must play a role in why everything Norwegian seems to be so attractive to me.

Which by the way my favorite all time book that I highly recommend to everyone (even more so if you consider yourself a traveler) Is called "Berserk" written by a man named David Mercy, (you should pick up a copy of your very own because I keep lending MINE out and seem to have lots of trouble in getting it back) but they made a documentary of this trek and it is pretty great. The Sitka Library has a copy of this movie and I also recommend it (Or at least to get yourself on the waiting list) The captain of the boat is Norwegian and the film has lots of Norwegian influence is why this so happened to pop into my head....

I am about 25% of Norwegian decent. We have relatives in Norway, but some serious research will need to be done in order to meet them. As you leave the bigger cities and get into the more rural farm areas, communication seems to be not as easy. Internet is available but most people prefer a more simplistic way of living.

I am sure I will be talking, writing, singing, dancing and over communicating about Norway Norway Norway as my anticipation grows. So please bear with me in the upcoming 5-8 months. Who knows maybe I will find a Norwegian hunk to bring back to Sitka with me. Now we are talking!

Banff film fest 2009

2009-02-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

Its been another year and time for the Banff films to leave their thumbprints on Sitkans once more.

The films that are awe inspiring, packed with creativity and so full of energy as they leave us all with a sense of grace as they fly out of the filmmakers minds and onto the screen before us in such fantastic form.

This will be my fourth year of volunteering in Banff film fest Sitka. And if you couldnt tell I am thouroughly excited about the films we have lined up for the evening!

The radio announcer sounded like he was having a difficult time pronouncing Banff today, if I were there I would have told him "Its okay, it took me about 2 years to pronounce it correctly." I just kept repeating: banff, banff, banff, banff. And then somehow I found myself there in October of 2007. But that is completely another blog event to come.

Maybe soon you too will find youself there! So do not stall on getting your tickets if you havent already and I will see you at the show!!

conversations that fortune cookies must hear

2009-01-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

This may be a fluke but the last couple times Ive been in the Chinese restaurant here my fortune cookie has been freaking me out!!!

Seriously, have you ever gotten 3 fortunes in a row of eating at the same place? And then a 4th one out of sequence but still basically reiterating the same message of the previous encounters. Is it fate? Is it someone standing in the kitchen laughing their butt off at the quizzical expression plastered to your face? Is it a conspiracy? Or do fortune cookies really know things they are not telling us right up front.

Instead they have to hide all these ulterior meanings in crispy little white banner like sayings that you can alter depending on the tone of your mood, if you are feeling serious you can read your fortune with "at work" behind it, or if you are rather feeling a little frisky you can add "in bed" behind the saying (really now admit it we have ALL done this)

Or how about the hypothesis about eating your cookie and saving your fortune if you want it to come true. If it is true and you leave your fortune behind and do not consume the cookie will you have no luck in your favor?

If that is so then my brother and I had no fortunes when we were small. In fact when the older chinese restaurant used to operate in the little cubby hole where this place now resides Im sure they found lots of fortunes when they moved out...... we used to think it was too much fun while the owner (and our mom) was not paying attention to stick our fortunes into the backrests of the overlapping vinyl red cushions that served as the seats. We still ate our cookies though, so maybe luck didnt abandon us entirely.

I'll bet you are wondering what exactly those fortunes read? Well I can tell you because I carry them with me in my wallet. So I can look at them everyday to remind me that things like this do happen. And they can be eerily correct in a very round about way.

#1 you will soon vacation in a place of cool climate
#2 make time for a relaxing vacation
#3 need some adventure and enjoyment? take a vacation

Im not kidding! And last (but not least)

#4 traveling at this time would be a good investment of time & money

Seriously if you doubt me just ask to see my fortunes in my wallet its all spelled out for me! Oh by the way......Im going to Norway in September! Skal!!! (Cheers!)

Unbirthday party

2009-01-20T17:07:00.000-08:00

An unbirthday party is an okay thing if you are not one in need of a lot of attention to celebrate the day you were born. I didnt really have a birthday party this year. But thats only because I am spreading it out, enjoying the entire month at my leisure. The planets are aligned in the proper spaces for fate to determine the year ahead of me and many changes are already taking place in the little corner of my world.

Lately I feel I am similar to the overly animated mad hatter at Alices tea party. (Hatters were mad because they handled mercury, a liquid metal that soaks into the skin quicky, in the production of making fur hats) Except instead of changing chairs like in the movie my qualm is coats. Liquid rain that is so wet here in Sitka that I can easily drench 3 coats a day. Yes, thats 3 coats per working day. I am out in all the elements: rain/sleet/snow/hail, sometimes occuring approximately at the same time. Which like mercury can cause madness after prolonged exposure.

Or maybe beyond working hours I become the doormouse: Another mad creature who takes tea all of the time because he lives in a state of frozen time. He also sleeps a lot. Which is all I require for myself after a long grueling day at work. A nice warm cup of tea and some hibernation.

I think its time to invest in a 110% "waterproof" jacket. A birthday- er unbirthday gift to myself. After all January is the month of my birth. Anyone know any good brands?

Intimidation 2009

2009-01-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

I am sitting on the edge of our local Swan lake unting my iceskates when I see a rowdy group a kids around the age of 12-13 pushing each other, yelling at each other, even so much as spitting at one another. Geez I think was I ever like this?!!

All of the sudden the young man in the group (the only one in a swarm of girls I realize) yells to me, "Hey dont I know you?!!" And he comes over and plops down next to me on the frozen grass.

I smile at him and say "no I dont think I know you, but do you recognize me from somewhere around town maybe?"

"No, actually I dont know you, but I had to get away from those girls they are being pushy!" He admits sheepishly to me. "Its fun sometimes, but at the same time sometimes its not so much fun." He explains further.

I look toward the girls, "yeah girls can be a little intimidating sometimes." Then think to myself that sometimes we girls can be down right scary but this is the first guy in a while that has used me as an escape, a safe haven almost. That doesnt happen too often I point out to myself.

Do I come across as rowdy, screaming, spitting, freakishly intimidating as these girls were being to this very logical little man? I sure hope not.

Then again, intimidation gives myself a blanket of security from those guys that you need to be intimidating towards. Its finding that balance of the boundary to let the good guys in.

This year is a whole new chance to redefine what other people think about your own intimidation level. Whether it is in a much needed place or if we can make the boards in the symbolic fence stretch a little to let who you do not wish to intimidate through.

And dont worry if you are a good guy: Im not at all like those girls, really I can let you in. And unless you make me really really really mad, I wont spit on you either. :)

Happy New Year!!!!

Insanity

2008-12-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

Its insanity I tell ya.

Every year over a hundred zany people congregate together for the annual polar dip here in Sitka.

This year was no exception despite the ultra chilly air temperature of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you have charged full scale screaming intently into the sea you crawl dripping out of the salty bath and realize as your clothes first suction onto your drenched body, and then begin to freeze to your skin, that is when you think THIS IS INSANITY!!

Maybe staying in the water, a mere 37 degrees, is the better option. However waiting just up the boat ramp is Harry Race owners Dirk and Trish White have donated delicious hot chocolate to the event. They walk around with trays filled with the satisfying concoction handing them out to those who look in desperate need of some extra warmth and maybe even a smile or two.

As for myself I am a land lover. No dripping, cold, tough Alaskan rituals will do me justice, I find ways to prove myself in other (much drier)ways. This is my second year volunteering to help out with the hot chocolate. And that is where I belong, next to the chocolate. Yum.

And if that is not enough Sitka community hospital has set up a warming tent. Ahhhhh so much better! Now all of you silly people need to go home take a hot shower/tub and get some warm dry clothes!

But first dont forget to claim your complimentary Christmas ornament and most importantly your documentation signed and stated by a qualifying psychologist that you are certifiably insane. Not that you need any proof........ but really your mommy would love to hang something like that on that wall in the living room, remember Christmas is just around the corner.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

A very pregnant proposition

2008-12-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

Remind me to not take lunch at lakeside in the future will you!?

So I was on my lunch break this past Friday and usually I go home to eat but I was trying to save time so I could also run a few errands and needed an item at the grocery store anyhow.

I park and step out of my truck and see an acquaintance coming towards me, which I realized I had parked directly next to his vehicle so the timing is probably my fault.... he is a man who has lived in Sitka for a while and I know him from around town and from when I was previously working at the gas station. Small world yes I know, by now I should be prepared to encounter other people on my secret little island.

I regularly harass him and he likes to return the favor (as with a lot of the gas station patrons on those particular morning shifts) So he walks up to me and asks "have you been out dancing lately?"

To which I reply "Well kinda, Ive been to my dance classes and contra dancing last week, but not out to the channel club like last month."

"Well are you dating anyone?" He asks me, I believe he is digging for information about a certain someone I had been dancing with (who I would thoroughly enjoy running into and going dancing with again! Wink wink)

"No one in particular," I say to him "but what do you know about_____" (the certain someone)

"Hes a good kid, I know his brother and sister, and his parents of course. So you're not dating anyone?" Says he.

"Nope, no one special." says me.

"Do you want to go out dancing sometime?"

"Er..... dont you have a girlfriend?!!" My warning lights are turning yellow.

"Oh yeah but you know thats off and on. Im not sure about that. Its something that Im sure Im unsure about, you know."

My warning lights are now turning red. Continuing on he then says "do you want to have babies?"

My jaw drops. "N-o-t realllly....." I slur a tad bewildered. "werent you married? Why didnt you have kids when you were married?"

"I was married twice and moved on because they didnt want children." He replies. "My girlfriend now has already had em and doesnt want to go through all that again."

Now my red light is flashing wildly as my jaw hits the pavement. Was I really just propositioned for pregnancy in the lakeside parking lot on my lunch break?!!

And how the heck are you supposed to back away from the middle of a conversation like this?! The most shocking thing to me was not what the topic was about but in fact it was the age of the man who is actually older than my father.

The fifty seven year old man who was nonchalantly discussing a matter that is usually an extremely personal conversation that I havent even had the chance of having with someone special in my life as of yet.

I guess you get to a point in your life when you just have to put it all out there. Otherwise you never know what you will get.

Then he tells me before I wander off to fill up my shocked stomach... "well, if you change your mind....."

What can I say life is not dull here in Sitka Alaska. No way nuh uh.

Sweet November?

2008-11-29T15:32:00.000-08:00

Everything seems to happen to me during the month of November, and I dont mean like in the movie Sweet November. How Charlize Theron plays a cute and humble yet nontruthful, ulterior motives, leave you while you pine because those are the rules type of woman.... No no no my life is not lived at all that way.... unless you call my abnormally high expectations overly dramatic.

Big things seem to happen to me each November:

*I bought and moved into my trailer in November
*I was promoted in a job in November
*I went to Australia in November
*Had my wisdom teeth yanked out in November
*Got a boyfriend in November
*Lost a boyfriend in November
*Road tripped in my recently bought truck to Banff Canada in November
*Was hospitalized for a horrible infection in a gland in my throat in November.

Im sure Im leaving lots out and all this didnt happen in this current year but that is just an idea of some of the life altering events that have happened to me throughout Novembers of my past. Is it conspiracy?

November, sweet November. Perhaps there is something in the placement of the stars in that exact year, month, day, second, who I am, who you are, how the molecules are reacting to the current weather conditions of why these actions take place in November.

Maybe our brain patterns kick into high gear, right after settling down from summer fun but before we settle into hibernation for the winter. Something in November kicks out a work order to get er done! Or it could just be my brain patterns, and I just seem to notice more things happening during this time of year.

Ever moving, never idle and the current thought floating in my gray matter is: Wow, it is already November! Perhaps Charlize Theron knows something that I dont about all the Novembers out there. So while I'm not planning to be dating a man a month to teach them what they need to learn, but instead to learn and teach myself how to take risks and see things for what they really are is the true lesson about November.

What will next November bring?

Dear dear Abby

2008-11-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

Do you ever find yourself tempted to whine a little bit to dear Abby? Not many annoyances end up irking me so much as to give me a need for an an outlet so that others may hear my plea, but I must admit greatly annoyed I have been in recent times.

In accordance with true dear Abby style we will call man #1 Richard. Richard is my landlord, oh no you say a landlord story. Well as a tenant in my neighborhood I do my duty to pay my rent in a timely manner, follow rules to the best of my ability and keep to myself most of the time. I have always gotten along nicely with "Richard" but in the last eight months have taken on a new job. A job I like, a job I am good at, a job that is mine.

Lately every single time I encounter Richard (to pay rent, or just at the local coffee shop) he dives straight into a particular conversation about: when I applied for that job 10 years ago (and didnt get it) they told me I needed a college degree.....blah blah etc, this conversation can drift along for a good 10-15 minutes if I dont bat my eyelashes and politely excuse myself all the while brimming with irritation with the smile that is fakely plastered onto my face.

And Richard isn't the only one! Into the story comes "Ned" I'm not sure what Ned does for a living but Ned seems to have an intuition (oh I left an important part of the story out, I have "routes" that I do different times during the month) Ned has the uncanny ability of knowing exactly when I will be in his neck of the woods. Ned greets me, and it would be cute if he didn't also slip into the reminiscent ploy of: when I applied for that job, they told me I wasn't fit enough.....

Yes you have to be fit to obtain my job, yes you have to be smart to have my job, yes you have to know how to deal with lots of people who you will encounter with my job, but I might lose my head if I don't find an alternate way of keeping myself from screaming at these guys: ITS NOT YOUR JOB ITS MINE!

Most likely I will not end up sending this little outburst to the dear Abby column in the near future but oh doesn't it feels better to rant and rave about it. I really am not looking for someone to give me hints at how to solve my own dilemmas, I just wanted to give a little shout out to all the Richard's and Ned's in my world. Maybe a little ego statistical but: I see you guys, and the job is all mine.

Cheers!!

Where is my sunshine

2008-11-17T23:03:00.000-08:00

Why is dating in Sitka so frustrating?

Well for one thing population could be problem number one, 8,500 people. Divide that in half (only assuming that half the population is male and half the population is female) thats 4,250. Half of that number is most likely kids (under the age of 18) so that brings us to um.... 2,125. My personal estimate out of that number of people who are out of my age range (aka over 35 in my opinion is in a different phase of life therefore surely trouble) is probably divided by 2 once again. Which brings us to 1,062. Out of those 1,062 guys Im going to guess that one out of every 4 already has a girlfriend, wife or significant other. So where in the heck are these 265 guys who are not taken. With my luck out of town in college.

Or worse, problem number two is the ones that are here are druggies, alcholics, or both. The sad statistics of living in a small town on an island. Sigh.

No wonder so many girls in town are scooped up by coast guard guys. Not to put those girls into a category, I mean who wouldnt want a man who has a job, is clean looking, driven, has goals, has had a great education with more possiblities awaiting them? Of course most of these qualities come with the side effect of big ego. No thanks. Not to write all "coasties" of my list, as I am sure there are some great ones out there- but once again my point of they are already taken rears its ugly head once more. Plus moving shop every four years is not exactly attractive to me. Double sigh.

The dating scene here leaves one with something to be desired. Point blank, most people cannot define the word "dating." Here dating turns into something a tad more serious, somewhere along the lines of boy/girl friend and sharing the same straw/schedule/bed within the week of starting to "date." To me dating is simply getting to know one another. With the possibility of more potential as time trots on.

I am in love with living in Sitka. But truthfully it is also a place where loneliness can be an unwanted stalker. No matter how many corners you cut and duck behind, I dont think it grasps that you are trying to be evasive. That you fill up your time with fun outdoorsy stuff, and cooking delicious meals, teaching yourself new and exciting hobbies, maybe even devouring a tasty novel with a nice soothing cup of sugar free hot chocolate.

But the stiffening loneliness is still there, waiting to jump you from behind and suck the potential kisses you could be giving out. Lingering if you even think about snuggliong and curling up with all the warm desires and dreams we seem to develope throughout the bone chilling winter. Finding us while we explore our opportunities to share those delicious meals, to read a story aloud with and to explore a new hobbie or two if time allows. To create our own traditions and smile and giggle and laugh until the sun shows up where you least expect it. To do all the outdoorsy things which make southeast Alaska worth living in.

Dating is still Frustrating. Tell me it isn't wrong to want someone to share all of these unspoken energies with. Tell me it is all worth it. I know my sun is out there.