Sometimes

I have such a hard time writing new blog posts. I started this blog as a way to share a bit of Alaska with our friends and family back home so it's difficult to write about the day to day.  Life isn't always glaciers and moose. Sometimes we're just sitting at home watching Battle Bots and Nathanial is agreeing to watch Bachelor in Paradise with me as long as the raccoon in the commercial is on the show. Definitely not so glamorous.

Sometimes the most exciting thing going on around here is how many inches my asparagus plant grew over night. Although, let's be real, 4 inches overnight IS pretty exciting.

I've called our parents on FaceTime too many times to count to show them the progression of this asparagus so at least I'm just showing you a picture.  At N's genius suggestion, I've been measuring the growth every night.  Tonight the tallest stalk measured at over 35 inches.

Sometimes you give in and wear jeans and a t-shirt to work because you don't have any meetings. Of course that will be the day a news crew will call and want to do a story on a press release you pitched three weeks ago.  So then you'll go home in the middle of the day to change and be annoyed that you wasted both jeans and business clothes.  

                              (Watching the reporter do an interview)

Sometimes your moose obsession is so bad your husband says "Wow you must really love me if I get to replace a baby moose as your phone background."  

Mountains, blue skies and a handsome husband - these are a few of my favorite things.

Sometimes you realize you haven't told an embarrassing Alaskan story so you decided to include it with the rest of a jumbled post...

Let me set the scene...

A few weeks ago, we stumbled upon what has become Nathanial's  favorite place. It's a peaceful creek a little ways off the highway with the most turquoise waters and the best mountain views.  

He's been wanting to go back since our first trip there so one Friday evening he surprised me with hammocks to take down to the creek.   Keep in mind this is during a record high heatwave for Alaska (i.e. upper 80's with no air conditioning.) Also keep in mind the only other time I've used a hammock was on our honeymoon in Bora Bora.  

Knowing those two things, you might understand why I decided to wear a sundress and nice leather sandals. 

My first indication that our adventure wouldn't go well was when there were bear tracks near the steps.  But us Alaskans of 8 months can't be scared off by a few bear tracks so on we went.  The first time my foot got stuck in the mud (because it was low tide and everything was mud) should have been my second hint but yet we still keep going.  It wasn't until I slipped and slid down the bank getting my entire backside covered in mud that I decided we should turn around.  

The purple is hiding the mud.  Apparently I'm still not a wilderness girl.

TBT: Weekend Edition (Moose, Plants and Procrastination)

I've found that I tend to work best under a deadline. The longer I have to do something - the longer it will take; give me a short window to get it done and I make it happen.  This is a blessing in my line of work because I'll often get last minute client requests.  It doesn't bode so well in my personal life, because then I do things like starting a new renovation project instead of dusting when my parents are coming to visit.  Needless to say, it has been a busy week with not a lot of sleep. But I'm happy to report everything got finished.

Here's what we've been up to the last few days.

Finally Registering my Car 
I resisted changing my license plates over for as long as I could; I'm a proud Texan afterall.  Plus, out of state license plates tend to get you some grace if you aren't the best driver.  But after 8 months of living in Alaska, my Texas tags finally expired. Rather than risk getting a ticket, I spent several (3+ hours over the course of two different days) at the DMV.  The waiting was almost as horrendous as Houston rush hour traffic but this time I at least walked away with something. I'm now the proud owner of Alaskan license plates (side note: I was one of the first 500 people to get these bear plates.)

Seeing Wildlife
My office participated in the local Relay for Life over the weekend.  Nathanial and I stopped by their tent on Friday evening. The event was staged next to the biggest duck pond I've ever seen. There were ducks and geese EVERYWHERE.

Then on Saturday, my training group had to run through the woods (roots, brush and all) to avoid a moose mom and calf on the trail.  Alaska- where you run off road to avoid the moose that's on the paved trail.

(The moose is in the shadows. I figured if our coaches didn't want us running by the moose, they probably didn't want me getting close to take a picture either.)

Painting
I organized a painting class for a group of ladies at church. It was so fun and I'm happy to report that this painting (compared to the two others I've done) isn't one I'm embarrassed to hang.

I also painted parts of two of our bathrooms because when you take down the old light fixture and old contractor grade mirror, there are sections of the wall that you didn't need to paint before.

Procrastination at its finest.  Why vaccum the house when you can start on a new project that involves melting liquid nails to scrape it off the wall?

Gardening
Mostly of the flower variety but I planted some asparagus in a pot so that makes me a real gardener, right?

One of the things I loved about our house when we bought it was the landscaping - such green, lush grass, and the prettiest flower beds. Most of the plants didn't survive the winter, so over the weekend I dragged Nathanial to go pick out plants.  He earned his patience badge for sure because I had absolutely no plan walking into the nursery. I insisted on going down every aisle (of a very large greenhouse) before I decided on flowers and color schemes. You can imagine how much fun that was for my very analytical, engineer minded husband.  We bought quite a variety.

The weekend was so busy, we decided to put off planting until Monday night after work.  That is, until we got a burst of energy Sunday night and decided to tackle it.  Alaska - where you still have enough light between 10 p.m. and midnight to demolish and replant a flower bed.

We pulled all the old plants and a lot of the soil out to make room for the new plants and good new soil we bought.

 I think we used 12 bags of soil.  I have to admit it was kind of fun getting to play in the dirt.

We finished about 12:15 which was fun until our alarms went off for work a few hours later.

Some of the pansies from the previous owner survived the winter and sprang back up.  I liked them but didn't think the colors went with the new plants we bought.  Until I can get a new planter, I replanted them in an extra storage tub.  After a few days of rain - they are actually doing the best out of all the plants. Ha. Classy.

Scenic Saturday and Training Program Week 1

My friend Kendra tagged me in this picture on Instagram. I cracked up at its accuracy. There are few things that have been more dangerous to our bank account than the resurgence of my running.  Even my time as a housewife wasn't so bad.  Ha!

Last week was the start of the training program I'm doing through the local running store. This will mark my third half marathon - but this is the first time I've done this type of program.  I wasn't sure what to expect but even after just the first week, I couldn't be more thrilled with my choice to join. 

The coaches sent out the training schedule for the week last Monday. There were two tracts - beginners and intermediate.  The beginner plan incorporated three days of running with the other plan calling for 5-6 days. I ended up getting in 5 runs last week. 

I knew I was back in love with running when I sacrificed an awesome hair day to get in a run between church services on Sunday. 

I ran on my own Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and met up with the training group on Wednesday and Saturday. 

Wednesday's practice with the group was intense.  I went to the morning session which started at 6 a.m. (in the rain & cold.) We met up at a local school track to do different types of strides (cherry pickers, sideways running, backwards running, etc.) and then tempo work.  We ran three tempo sets, each 5 minutes, of running as fast, but as consistent with our speed, as possible.  The goal was to be running at 90 to 95% of our maximum with no ability to carry a conversation.  The first set went fine but on the next two sets I couldn't control my breathing. It was like I had never run before.  I left feeling really disappointed in my progress but excited about the program.

My running watch bit the dust last year and I've been eyeing a new one for a while.  Wednesday's practice (& Nathanial - best husband ever) encouraged me to go ahead and get one so I could be more consistent in my pacing.

Friday night, I rushed over to the running store to pick one up after work.  We attended a workshop at our church Friday night and I barely made it home before we needed to leave. I didn't get to play with my new watch until we got home but it was worth the wait. IT IS AWESOME. 

The training group met at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. I was really nervous about the run because of how Wednesday had gone. This training program utilizes time instead of distances which made me nervous too.  We were supposed to run for 75 minutes. Eek.  There are over 100 women in the group and I had only met a few so that part didn't help either.  Luckily my nerves were for nothing. It was the best experience. I was downright giddy and feeling awesome after we finished.

The coaches had some tables set up with shoes and water belts we could test on our run. Because of the previously mentioned nerves I opted not to add anything new to the mix, but I'll definitely be trying new products in the future. 

I stayed towards the middle of the pack during the run. I was able to find several ladies who were running similar paces which was great. Conversations made the time fly by.  One of the biggest differences I've noticed about running in Anchorage is the hills. They are everywhere.  The locals aren't phased and tend to call everything flat - but to this Texan, even the littlest hills are hard. During the last hill of the run, I started talking with Kristen. I found her blog a few weeks ago when I was doing research on the training program and was thrilled to meet her in real life.  My first blog friend!!

The trail we ran was great (minus the hills).  I couldn't get over the stunning views or the beautiful weather!!! 

This week's training schedule looks similar. I'm excited to see how it goes!

Post-run group picture!

16 Hour Days and Pinterest Inspiration

8 months in Alaska and I'm still in awe. This is the view from our driveway looking down our street. Look at those mountains. 

Alaska is remarkable. Today we had (/have because the sun is still out at 10:30 p.m.) 16 hours of sunlight. It's incredible. It's light more than it's dark. And the weather has been nice too. The mornings are a little cool but it's been warming up to 50 in the afternoons. 

This week has been really great. Thanks in large part to a day of grilling on Saturday. Nathanial received a new charcoal grill as a birthday gift from his mom. I'm not sure who was more excited about it - him or me. 

 

Nathanial is quite the grill master. He cooked enough meat to last the week. It has made a huge difference in our evenings. 

He grilled 4 sets of shish kabobs, 8 pounds of chicken, a pound of sausage, 2 pounds of pork chops, hamburgers and corn on the cob. 

He's also been a champ at preparing dinner while I get in a run after work. My favorite meal was the lemon chicken pasta he made with some of the grilled chicken. 

He's a man of many talents that husband of mine. He surprised me Tuesday night with a ukele serenade. While I was out on my run, he bought a ukele and taught himself "You Are My Sunshine." It was awesome. It's more impressive considering I wasn't gone that long and knowing the ukele is an instrument made for right handed people and he's left handed. I'm trying to convince him to take his show on the road - to Hawaii :)

I've been talking a lot about running lately because I've finally found my love for it again. I've already signed up for another half marathon this summer and am eyeing several more. This time around I'm determined to be more consistent in my training. I decided to join a training group to help with that and so far so good. The group is organized through the local running store. There are four coaches and over 100 women. It's such an empowering group of ladies. We will meet twice a week. On Wednesdays we do a track workout with tempo and stride work and on Saturdays we will do long runs. This was the first week and I couldn't be more thrilled with my decision to join. I wasn't so sure on Wednesday morning when I had to be at the track at 6 a.m. in the pouring rain. Early mornings  are not my thing and showing up at a place I didn't know with a group where I didn't know a soul was nerve-wracking.   

Turns out Pinterest is right sometimes. 

Boom goes the sunroof

ThIs weekend is off to a bang and a pop and lots of broken glass. It was an eventful Friday to say the least since my sunroof exploded while I was driving. No explanation or warning - it just exploded into a million pieces. After waiting more than 2 hours for a tow truck and fighting with the dealership about a rental car, we finally made it home. Apparently this isn't an uncommon issue with sunroofs. It will take a week for the glass to arrive from the lower 48...shipping in Alaska. I'm thankful I wasn't hurt and am hopeful the repair process will go smoothly. 

And now for some happier times. Here are my Friday favorites. I thought I would share what I can't get enough of lately. 

- Leopard print. My pre-teen self is so pleased with my love of leopard. Scarf, headband, shirts, sunglasses, socks, even my tennis shoe laces are leopard lately. Next on my wish list is a tortoise shell watch. 

- Running. My love of running (especially races) is back in full force. The only problem is more running means I want more gear. I've been eyeing Lululemon and a new Garmin watch. 

The temperature at the start of the Shamrock Shuffle was -3. I guess I can really call myself an Alaskan runner. 

- Performaces. Last weekend we saw Ira Glass, the host of This American Life. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Nathanial was downright giddy about the whole thing which made it even more fun. 

This weekend we're going to see Million Dollar Quartet. I think we're most looking forward to the Johnny Cash portion. 

- Northern Lights. One of my favorite things about living in Alaska is the Northern Lights. Most of the time we don't even end up seeing them but I love when we try. We drive up a mountain near our house. There's nothing better than the small moments star gazing with my wonderful husband away from everything. It's even more fun when you leave your house at 11 p.m. on a Tuesday. Talk about adventure. 

iPhone photos at night aren't the best, but here's a mountain view shot of the Anchorage skyline. 

Fur Rondy and The Last Great Race

It has been an exciting couple of weeks in Anchorage.  We spent the last two weekends celebrating the start of the Iditarod and Fur Rendezvous.

Fur Rendezvous, known as Fur Rondy to the locals, is a winter festival that captivates the city of Anchorage.  It started in the mid 1930s as a way to unite the community in celebration when the miners and trappers cane to town with their collections.  There are all kinds of events during the two weekends of Fur Rondy - everything from a fur auction to blanket tosses. Several streets of downtown are taken over by hoards of people and vendors and all of the various events. There's even a carnival midway.  I loved how even with thousands of people it felt like a very hometown kind of event. We kept running into people we knew which was even more impressive considering our circle here is pretty small.

Here were some of my favorite parts of Fur Rondy:

Outhouse Races

This event was just as entertaining as it sounds. Teams built outhouses on top of skies and raced them down the streets of downtown Anchorage.  Our favorite heat was when "The Splatters" raced "The Duck Farts."

 

The Food

Street vendors were everywhere. You haven't lived until you've tried a Reindeer hot dog.  It was delicious.  And I only felt a little anti-Christmas eating it.

The VIP Experience

Nathanial's company was the corporate sponsor of the Iditarod Dog Race that was the capstone of Fur Rondy. Both weekends they rented out the Hard Rock Cafe for employee families.  It was so nice to be able to take a break from the cold. It was also fun to see his company name everywhere.

The first weekend they had some of the dog mushers stop by.  We got to take a picture with Aliy Zirkle who has come in second in the Iditarod the last three years; last year she lost by less than 2 minutes. We're hoping she'll pull out a win this year!

The Iditarod

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race is Alaska's biggest claim to fame (maybe aside from Sarah Palin :) ).  Mushers and a team of 16 dogs cover over 1,000 miles of tundra to go from Anchorage to Nome.  The race usually takes between 10 and 14 days.   It's heralded as "The Last Great Race."  This year wasn't the best because of the unusually high temperatures we've been having.  The race start was actually moved to another town for only the second time in the race's 80 year history. Luckily for us, they still did a ceremonial start.  Snow actually had to be freighted in by railroad for the ceremonial start. It took more than 100 frontloaders to spread it out.  It was gone by Monday.

It was really cool to see the teams take off. The dogs are so excited before they get to run and once they start you can see how much joy it brings them.  They all seemed to be smiling.

Here's a quick video of Aliy's crew getting ready to take off.  You can see how pumped the dogs are.  We learned the dogs were actually bred to be vocal  so the mushers can tell if they are injured. 

 

We were also surprised  at how small the dogs are.  Alaskan Huskies run the Iditarod not the Siberian breed most people picture.  These dogs are smaller and can run faster and further distances. 

Running of the Reindeer

By far my favorite event of Fur Rondy was the Running of the Reindeer.  Nathanial and I got to run alongside a herd of 12 reindeer and lots of crazy costumed people. It was a blast!

I was really impressed with people's dedication to wearing costumes as it was in the teens that afternoon.   We dressed in lots of layers and were still a little cold.

Talk about state pride!

The reindeer moved so much more gracefully than I expected.  They weaved in and out of people, so even though they ran alongside us, we were never at risk for getting rammed by their antlers.

Alaska: Where even the reindeer have sponsors

I'm currently thinking of marathon ideas with a wildlife release. It was exhilarating and definitely increased my pace to know an animal was behind me.

Races are my favorite part of running.  Nothing beats the community  and excitement that surrounds an organized run.

I'm doing a Shamrock Shuffle 5K this weekend.  The temperature is supposed to be sub zero.  Eek.  When I signed up for the race, I thought it would be warmer.  I plan on it being my last race until we get some warmer weather this summer.

Friday Favorites

This post should really be called "What pictures do I have to stick on my blog." Obviously Friday Favorites has a better ring to it!

Here are some things I'm loving this week:

Espresso Stands

Anchorage has more espresso stands per capita than anywhere else.  Yep, even Seattle.  Usually I'm unimpressed by this fact since I gave up my coffee habit after college.  With the temperature in the teens this week I decided to warm up with a drink from my favorite stand- Rae Rae's.

How cute is the branding? Even the spill stickers are adorable.  I never have to guess what to order because her flavor of the day drinks are always right up my alley (i.e. Almond Joy, Wedding Cake.)

Friends

Adjusting to life in Alaska has been hard at times for me.  I am so thankful to have found a church to get plugged into and a great group of friends.  I especially appreciate friends who throw island themed parties and give me an excuse to wear a Pareo in January.  

I didn't need to wear a sweater in Bora Bora.  

Running

I've finally gotten back into the routine of running.  I'm starting to look at summer races because Alaska Marathoner just sounds awesome.

I've made friends with the treadmill because this is what the parking lot at the gym looked like.  Snow thank you. I'll stick to indoor running for a while.

Snow

Running aside, I have to admit I really like when it snows.  Snow just has a way of making everything look beautiful. It's such a peaceful thing.to watch the flakes fall. I really love how the loose snow in the street seems to dance in the wind. 

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Because in Alaska : Part 2

I thought I would do a second installment of Because in Alaska today.  Sometimes I get caught up in the day to day and almost forget we're in Alaska. Then I remember; because in Alaska:

• It's perfectly normal to see moose hanging at the local McDonald's.

When you're a Texan in Alaska, it's also normal to pull in to get a closer look. And to be giddy with excitement.  Moose obsession is a real thing.

• Date night is up close seats to the hockey game

You'll need to wear an outer layer with your team gear because it's really cold (like 4 degrees cold.)

• You'll need a vehicle with four wheel drive.  

Nathanial is a truck guy once more. Car shopping in the single digits is an interesting experience. Especially when they have to de-ice the vehicle before a test drive.

• An ice sculpture competition happens in the middle of downtown. 

The sculptors have three days to turn giant chunks of ice into masterpieces.

An Alaskan tool box.

• Even the mailbox is frozen.