Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
It has been another long month without a post! So many things have happened in the last month. I have weathered through a little heartache, but mostly it's been a pretty good. I have accepted a position at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), and will be starting Jan 13th. My last day at the hospital in Nome is Christmas, and I leave Dec 27th for Anchorage! YAY! I am headed to Anchorage tomorrow to find a place to live and to buy a car. I will be heading to Denver at the end of December to ship all of my stuff that was so carefully placed in that storage unit not so long ago. The four week count down has begun. In the Thanksgiving spirit I will list 30 things I am thankful for this year. In no particular order
1. One of the most supportive and accepting families. Even from 4 time zones away just knowing that everyone is a phone call away (and at absurd Alaska hours it's mildly early for mom and dad)
2. My old friends from Alaska, Ohio, Colorado, and Washington. That will let me call and just meltdown without any judgement at all. The best of friends are the ones that let you do this and support you all the way to the bitter end of whatever nonsense has gotten you so upset.
3. My new friends in Nome and Anchorage. A new adventure, and new companions to help make the journey worthwhile and unforgettable!
4. Bentley. I miss my kitty. He comes home with me Jan 6th.
5. The road system.
6. Milk that doesn't cost $12/gal
7. Gas that is under $6/gal
8. A car to sing in at the top of my lungs, to drive aimlessly when I need to clear my head, a place to cry and let the emotion out.
9. That my car can't talk, or express any of the above. Same goes for the cat... and the cat knows too much... we've been buddies for 11 years. College... both times, break ups, get togethers, too much wine nights... seriously... good thing Bentley can't talk.
10. Wine nights with friends!
11. Roads that are paved.
12. Roads that aren't paved
13. The ability to up and travel, move around, and not be held accountable to anyone but myself.
14. Crystal clear night skies in Nome. Stars like I have never experienced.
15. My general health and well-being. Even though it's really taken a toll the last month. Now that I know I am headed back to a city, things are starting to get better.
16. SAD lamp. (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
17. The sun. You never really miss something until you don't see it for weeks on on end. But I also now understand why animals look for sunny spots. I find when I am out and about during the day on my days off that I will stand in front of a window with the sun shining in and just look out and close my eyes and just feel the rays of the sun. It's like breathing in new life.
18. To have had the opportunity to live in a remote town, off the road system, on the edge of the earth and help take care of a population that most of the country has never heard of. To be part of the minority. To be able to make their day a little better because I can help them. To know that their culture has accepted me as I have accepted their culture. To have met a people that are so generous and giving that I could never repay what they have given to me.
19. I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given to see many parts of the great state of Alaska with new friends.
20. I am thankful for a resilient heart.
21. I am thankful that I can and will always wear my heart on my sleeve. I love with my whole heart. I don't know how to do it any other way. For the good or the bad. This is certainly a double edged sword, but at least my heart is resilient
22. Apple juice
23. Hot yoga
24. Friends that will just hop on a plane willy nilly and fly to Anchorage!
25. Friends that will just hop on a plane willy nilly and fly to Iceland!
26. Friends that accept you back into the fold no matter how long you have been gone.
27. All My Kitties. You have cared for Bentley for so many months and have made sure he has been healthy and happy, you have kept me updated, and sent me pictures.
28. "The Art of Happiness" by Dalai Lama
29. Hot tea on cold nights
30. Dirtrude. And that she is coming to Anchorage with me (she also can't talk!)
Lindy is coming to Anchorage today, me too!! Pictures will get posted probably early next week. Love to every one!
