New Year

When people think of New Year's resolution, they usually do the "oh I am going to lose some weight". They start their diet, do well for a few weeks, then go back to old eating habits.

My New Year's resolution is:

1. Pass the ASCP!!!

2. Don't sweat the small stuff

3. Exercise a bit more.

4. Pray the rosary at least 3 times a week, then work back up to daily.

5. Watch my husband graduate, convert to the Catholic faith

6. Move my family to Alaska with me

All of these goals are within reach.  Some will take persistence, but definitely doable. 

Interesting Facts

I have learned a great deal about the natives, like the Yup'ik.  They have such a rich and beautiful culture, and then there are some wierd things about them too that I just don't understand.

I have noticed that they don't discipline their children.  Their children are not horrible in public, they play, they're a little loud, but they are free spirited. Most of the children in the lower 48 are just plain horrible due to the lack of respect to their parents and any other elders in their lives.  The Yup'ik children have respect for their elders. 



Elder and child


Speaking of children, when a woman gets pregnant, she gives her first born to her mother.  They believe in giving their children away to other family members and to people who cannot have children due to reasons beyond their control.  The reason that they give their first born to their mother is because they don't want their mother to be alone in her old age.  If the young mother has another child, then that child is given to her sister if she has any or to any other person that does not have a child already in her family.  They also do outside adoptions and tribe adoptions.  Very interesting on why and how they do that.

The Yup'ik live off of the land.  They hunt, fish and do whatever to make sure their family is provided for.  They still carry on old traditions. 

When I was here in Fairbanks, Alaska, I had many Yup'ik, Koyukon, etc as friends, but never really noticed their culture due to me being only a child when I lived here last in the 80's.  I also had a lot of friends here whose parents were in the military.  Alaska was beautiful then and is still beautiful today.  I absolutely love being in Alaska, it's a place all its own.  Very different from the lower 48.

Week 1

This week has been pretty rough due to being away from the girls and Rob.  My emotions have gotten the best of me at times, but I am pulling it through it.  I have moved into temporary hospital housing.  I did go see the 3 bedroom apartment, but I do not think I can live with 2 younger females.  I don't need the drama in my life.  Younger females tend to have soo much drama, that it's sickening.  I applied for permenant hospital housing which is right behind the hospital.  It would be perfect for me.  I really want to live by myself. We'll see though

Time Change

I have not been able to get on Alaska time yet.  When it is 5 pm here, it is 9 pm in Georgia.  So 4 hour difference.  Yesterday around 4-5 pm my time, I got extremely sleepy.  I was ready to start heading to bed, but could not since I was still in orientation.  No amount of coffee could of kept me awake. 
After orientation me and another person that is a pharmacist intern walked to Subway for dinner, and then to the AC store.  The AC store is a mini version of a ghetto Wal-Mart.  Prices are REALLYYYYY HIGH!!!! I thought I was going to faint looking at the prices.  I had to pick up some stuff until Rob can start sending me care packages.  My bill was 102.00!!!!!! I bought 2 bananas, frosted flakes, 1/2 gallon of milk, apples, disposable bowls and 2 spoons, water, peanut butter crackers, and a knit hat.  i needed something to cover my head during the winter time.  The jackets are EXPENSIVE here.  I have to get a PO Box today so I can have something shipped in from Amazon.  I have sweaters to hold me over till then.

I will post more pictures today sometime

Day 1 in Bethel, Alaska

I arrived here in Bethel, Alaska lastnight.  Oh wowzers, I was horrified.  I cried myself to sleep.  I am extremely homesick, but I know this is all for my family. 
Bethel is different then what I am used to. I am used to the Fairbanks part of Alaska.  The more civilized areas still has a lot of culture.

Bethel, Alaska

Everyone has been really nice here.  Very informative.  I found out today that drowning is huge here.  There is a big river here that freezes during the winter time, this river also becomes a "road" to other surrounding villages.  When people start driving on these "roads", sometimes the ice will break and they fall in the freezing water, hypothermia sets in fast because the water is above the heart.  Also during the spring and summer months kids play near the water, and therefor drown because they do not know how to swim. 

Anchorage, ALASKA

I have touched down in Anchorage, and I am starving.  So I am sitting in Chilis eating. 

The flight into Anchorage was absolutely beautiful.  Just the way I remember it.  I am already noticing the Native Alaskans here.  So rich in culture.  The trees where a beautiful golden yellow.  I haven't seen that color in years. 

I have taken pictures of the mountains from inside the airport.  I already have my camera ready for my landing in Bethel.  That is going to be a treat.

Will post more tonight after my tour of Bethel!!!!

In the air

Flight was supposed to take off at 645 am, but instead we took off at 706am.  I am praying that I make it to my next flight on time.  If not, I am going to be in a world of hurt.  Can’t get the internet at this time, so I am writing this to copy and paste on to my blog later when I get the interwebs. 

I am missing my husband and girls terribly.  I feel really alone right now, and my heart aches.  I just keep reminding myself this is only temporary till Rob is done with school.  Oh how I can’t wait till I can hold my husband and girls again. 

Frost is building up on my window.  Pretty neat.  I just hope that the wings don’t freeze. 

I am sitting in row 13C, window seat of course.  The clouds are actually quite beautiful.  And the sun is shining bright.

I need to eat some breakfast.  I am starving. 

Saying Good Bye

I just dropped my daughters off at my in-laws house tonight.  And damn, that was the HARDEST goodbye I ever had to say.  I have the most amazing daughters.  Emmaline is a little mommy.  She has a huge heart and is always ready to help anyone.  Reagan is my little bookwork.  She reminds me soo much of her daddy.  They both love computers games.  Both girls are smart, and caring, but totally different personalities.  It is funny how different they are.

Tomorrow morning around 5 am, I will be saying goodbye to my most loving, amazing husband.  He is absolutely soo caring, funny, and anti-social at times, but that is okay, I love everything about him.  He is my rock. Rob still holds the door open for me after 11 years of marriage.  :)

I know this goodbye is not permanent.  ONLY temporary.  When Rob is done with school in May, he and the girls will meet me in Alaska.  I will fly them up between now and then to see me.  The girls cannot wait till they can play in the snow.  They have never seen snow.  I am also going to teach them how to ice skate, and ski.  I am soo looking forward to that.

Bethel, Alaska

Everything has been confirmed.  I leave for Bethel, AK on Monday at 6:45 am from Jacksonville.  I am excited that I will be working again, but very heart broken that my children and husband are not going with me.  We will have Skype on 24/7 and both girls have a phone to call me anytime.  This will be temporary, in July the girls and Rob will join me.

The girls know that mommy has to go so they can have the things that they want and need.  I will fly them up often, and I will visit as well.  I will also buy their clothes on the internet so Rob doesn't have to do that.  I am going to be very involved from 5044 miles away. 

Bethel does have a Catholic Church there.  So, I am very happy about that.  It is called the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  I will immerse myself in my faith to get me through not being with my family.

I Fly Unto Thee: New Beginnings

I Fly Unto Thee: New Beginnings: So much has happend since Thursday of last week. I was offered a job in Bethel, Alaska which I am taking. I will find out my flight arrang...

New Beginnings

So much has happend since Thursday of last week.  I was offered a job in Bethel, Alaska which I am taking.  I will find out my flight arrangements sometime today or tomorrow.  The packing process has already begun.  The girls and Rob will stay behind until Rob is done with school, and we also do not want to take the girls out of Catholic school either.

My husband has decided to join RCIA and convert to be a Catholic.  I am so excited for him.  Since Thursday, my family has become stronger and more loving.  Rob became distant from God for a long time.  He was angry, and bitter.  Something changed since I took this job in Alaska.  Rob is relying on God to get him through this time of me being gone.  He started praying again asking for comfort and strength. 

I know he will do great while I am gone.  We will have skype on 24/7.  I got Emmaline a phone so she always has constant contact with me.  Reagan has a phone already, so no need to worry about her communicating with me anytime she needs me.  It's going to be hard, but I know we will make it through this tough time.

I Fly Unto Thee: Sarah Palin

I Fly Unto Thee: Sarah Palin: Sarah Palin says that "there is room for more". I for one am excited about her possibly running, but on the other hand my hubby is totally a...

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin says that "there is room for more". I for one am excited about her possibly running, but on the other hand my hubby is totally against her running.  He says that she will hurt Perry's chances of winning against Obama.  Obama will get reelected if she runs.  I don't think that would happen.  I think she has a good chance of winning against Obama. 

I do like Perry as well.  Perry is pro-life, he has created jobs in Texas, he will repeal Obamacare, and he will also be firm with our boarders. He is also ahead of Romney, and Bachman. 

Personally, if I had it my way, I would make Chris Christie run. Now he is the top dog in my book to be the next President of the United States.  He tells it like it is, no beating around the bush type guy.  I love his politics. Sooo maybe a Perry/Christie or Palin/Christie.  I could only dream huh??!!

Been a while!!

It has been since April since my last post.  So much has happened.  I have graduated with my Associates degree, landed and lost a job.  We also moved, and bought a new car. Now I am trying to find a new job to keep everything we have gained.  I know something will come up for us. I have trust in God.

The girls have started Catholic school this year for the first time, and so far they are really enjoying it.  They really like school.  When Reagan and Emmaline were in public school, they complained DAILY about the work, their peers, their teachers, everything.  So far this year I have not heard one complaint.  I don’t know if it has to do with their Oma (grandmother) being a teacher there or what.  But whatever it is, I am happy that they are happy.  I personally love the fact that they wear uniforms to school.  Makes mornings wonderful. 

Apartment living is nice, except for the upstairs neighbors.  Wow, they are loud.  It is a mom and two daughters that live up there.  Her daughters are rude, they are constantly running, jumping and slamming doors to the point that my glasses in my cabinets shake.  Hopefully they move soon, or they learn to get manners. J

Well, I am definitely looking forward to blogging again.