Why I'm Here...

In response to Amy's questions....honestly I was just looking for something "different".  I had NO idea different involved a 3500 mile move across country!  I really wasn't looking for a new job or a new state specifically...just to shake things up a bit.  I got the Alaska job posting at work about 5 hours before the deadline.  I filled out the application and they called me the next day!  Getting a job at another DDS (Disability Determination Service) allowed me to make enough money to afford the move to a new city.  I'm young(ish), unattached and no kids....it was now or never.

It is definitely an adjustment to be so far away from friends and family.  Thank goodness technology is AMAZING!  With things like Facebook, this blog, cellphones and Skype/Face Time I have been able to keep in touch.  That is especially important with my young nieces and nephews!  Also, on Delta, the Anchorage-Milwaukee flight is one of their cheapest!  I've joined the Delta Sky Miles club and will earn a free trip in under three paid for trips.  My first trip home will be mid-September.  Come visit people!

I've always wanted to visit the state of Alaska....in fact it was on my recently rediscovered "bucket list" that I wrote up several years ago.  I just never thought I would end up living here.  I don't know if it will be forever or not.  I must stay two years, or pay back the moving expenses the State paid to move me here.  But I'm not going to put any limits on it until that time.

FAVORITES: it is BEAUTIFUL here!  The mountains and water are simply gorgeous.  I LOVE the weather.  It has typically been 60-70 degrees and sunny.  The people I've met at work and friends I've known before are great.  The many hours of daylight is a mixed bag.  I like it....except when I'm trying to sleep.  I first bought two curtain panels....then two more...and finally six total to try to bunch them up more and block out the light.  I'm sure I'll figure it out....just in time for the seasons to change.

So why am I here?  Sense of adventure, I guess! :)

My First Visitors!

Ok...so they were on a cruise that was planned before I even thought about moving here, but it was still awesome to see folks from home.  The Gasners arrived in Anchorage late Friday, so we decided to meet up for breakfast Saturday morning.  We ate at a small restaurant across the street from their hotel.  It was neat to hear about the rest of their adventure in Fairbanks, Denali National Park and other sites in this state.  After breakfast we took a trolley tour around the city.   It was interesting to hear some of the history.  My favorite part was over by the airport watching the small planes take off from the water.  The "Yield to Aircraft" sign cracked me up.  It was a gorgeous,  sunny morning here in Anchorage.  Next Dave and Jennie will be heading towards the cruise part of their trip.  It was great to see you guys and enjoy the rest of your trip!  Now who is going to visit next?! :)

Finally got my internet hooked up and thought I'd better get a note out on this blog!  It has been a whirlwind and hard to believe I've been in Alaska two weeks already!  After some initial hiccups with the moving company, my apartment is finally coming together.  They still have not found my prized Stockholm print from my first trip to Sweden; I am very sad about that.  Maybe I'll just have to take another trip there! :)

Work has been going very well.  The office is SOOOO different from Wisconsin.  It is a tiny group, twenty people TOTAL!  That being said, I do have my own office, with a door and everything!  I don't have an outside window yet...but i can see through my hall window into my neighbors office that does have an outside window.  There is a bike path and stream that runs behind our building.  We are also right by the train tracks....can't escape those whistles!  The trains make the whole building shake...my first day I thought it was one of the earthquakes I keep hearing about!  My co-workers are very nice and that helps a lot!

Last weekend Tony and I got out of the city and saw some of the beautiful scenery and wildlife Alaska is known for.  We went to Beluga Point and Portage Glacier.  We stopped at a state park and talked to a man that had some high powered lenses.  We were able to see some wild mountain goats up in the mountains.  I will try to add some pictures soon!

The weather has been amazing!  It has been upper 60s and sunny most of the time.  Everyone tells me this is exceptional and to enjoy it while it lasts!  The gazillion hours of daylight are getting to me.  I'm totally lacking in sleep!  I lose track of time and the next thing I know it is midnight...yet it looks like 4:00 in the afternoon!  I finally put up some blackout curtains tonight, the window blinds just weren't cutting it and probably contributing to my waking up a couple times a night.  Well I'm about to put them to the test...will add more later!