Drive, Peace, Kicks, Drive, Sing-A-Long For A Classic Girl

Friday, I took a little and much needed road trip to Anchorage. The best part of going to Anchorage was going to the temple. I love the temple! It always brings peace and rest. This particular time I needed some time away from the outside world, my soul was longing for some peace and rest the temple brings. It truly is the house of the Lord. I'm thankful I was able to go. I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and is fully aware of me. I love Him and I'm striving to do my best to become all that He desires me to. The drive to Anchorage is a beautiful one! Blake, Irving, and Mark rode with me.  We went to the Wal-Mart and the mall. It was fun to do more normal everyday things. I got some awesome new kicks and sunglasses. (see pictures)

I love bright colors! Especially bright colored shoes! And now I have just added a pair of orange to my collection! On the way back we were listening to more music all from very different generes. "Hey There, Deilah" started to play and everyone was singing along- it was a lot of fun! (just as road trips should be) 

I'm grateful for peace. I'm grateful for truth. I'm grateful for my family. I'm thankful for friends. It's awesome to have people in your life who know you and love you! Masaya Ang Aking Puso :) 

Green Apples and Peanut Butter

The last couple of weeks I have been staying up late- watching movies, eating green apples, ping pong, laughing, talking, giving mini Tagalog lessons, walking to Wildman's, a bonfire at the river.  It feels like summer camp for 'big kids' or like living in the college dorms here.  Lots of fun is occuring and friendships are developing! I love it! I'm so glad I'm here! Saturday night Torie, Matt, Mark, and I walked to Wildman's. The walk there is beautiful and the 4 miles isn't bad- and getting a Midnight Milkway was awesome! I know I'm easily motivated by food and probably too often, but I'm not gaining weight, I think I've lost a few pounds- lifting linen bags, no fast food here, and all the walking everywhere is good. The strength in my arms has increased! Yes! That's what I wanted- being able to do more than one push-up is awesome! The bonfire at the river on Saturday was interesting and fun! The river is beautiful and I actually got to see the sunset! I learned on Saturday that beer really does reek! I took a picture of the sunset on Saturday, but I can't get it to post right now. The 'new' snack we're eating up here is green apples with peanut butter. I've been eating this delightful snack since I was a little girl, but it's new for some. (interesting- green apples and peanut butter I thought was 'normal')  

Things are going well! The weather has been awesome this week! Tomorrow I'm going to Anchorage to attend the temple and go to Wal-Mart. I'm so excited to leave property tomorrow and have a little road trip. I'm way excited to be able to go to the temple tomorrow! I am really looking forward to it! The temple is peaceful. I know it will give me some needed rest to the soul. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be able to spend some time the temple. 

Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Drop It Like It's Hot

Last night I stayed out the latest I have since I arrived in Alaska. We watched a movie and ate ice cream. I went to my room just after 12:30 last night. Now, I know that's not really late, but I do like my sleep. It was still light out- it actually looked more like 8:30 on a summer night than 12:30 a.m., but that's Alaska for you! I like that it's not dark at night- it's easier to see and look out for wildlife and creepers. Here the likelihood of a bear attack is greater than being mugged. Interesting...No bears or creepers allowed! 

Things are going well! I'm developing fun friendships with the other employees. There's usually something occurring that's random, funny, interesting, or somewhat shocking. Last week a few people had a "fiesta" this included- a pinjata, tequila, dancing, and beer.  This was definitly entertaining- especially the dancing! There are some interesting moves out there that like more like you have ants in the pants. It was a fun night! Singing along to the random music and keeping a distance from some of the action. It looked like a frat party.  In other fun- last night we played scrabble, watched Hercules, and got milkshakes from Wildman's. It was good to be playing and laughing! 

Khaki Blood Wild Bunny

Organizing luggage, punching in clean rooms, making assignments, picking up sheets and towels with blood, poop, sperm, pee, to just mention a few of the regularly seen soiled linens, walkie-talkie, needles, khaki pants…What do all these things have in common? Oh they’re all part of my role as lead houseskeeper. Here at Princesss we stay busy, especially in the housekeeping department. I work with fun and interesting people. All have their own story and bring something different to the team. There’s never a dull moment. How could there be with bio bag calls, go team awesome cheers, break time in the EDR, “hey bear” calls, nights full of sunlight, ping pong, among many others. 

I am enjoying my job! I’m learning a lot more about the hospitality industry in an awesome hands on way and in an incredible location! Alaska is a must to see! I know almost every post of mine lately has been about it’s beauty, but it’s true! It’s beautiful and actually seeing it not just in pictures is awesome! I highly recommend visiting Alaska! (and if you want to do it this summer it’s a even better time)

Yesterday on my day off I relaxed- by drinking coke and eating Swedish fish. (I know that’s a trash load of sugar) The weather has been cooler I’ve actually worn a hoodie and a sweater this week. Middle of June- and I’m wearing a hoodie, what? The highs expected here this week are the lows in Utah. It’s all right I don’t mind the cooler weather and the rainy days. So yesterday as I sipped a cold coke and ate Swedish fish I read Emma, watched a couple of good movies, did and laundry. The other day after work I took this picture of me in my uniform so you could all see what ‘great’ attire I get to wear everyday. Now, you may be disappointed like I was to find out it’s not near as cool as J Lo’s maid’s uniform in Maid in Mattahan or the cute Hawaiian print dresses they wear in the movie Blue Crush, but a green polo and khaki pants is what we got. Some of the housekeepers say we all look like trees. It’s all good I don’t mind it too much. I must admit I miss being able to wear my flare somedays, but it’s comfortable. No bear or moose sightings this week yet. A few ravens, mice, and a few wild bunnies...stay tuned

Wildlife, Push-ups, An Earthquake, Beautiful World

Oh no! It's been a good week since my last post. I should warn that this post will be an all over the place sharing of what has happened and what is happening. This last week has been interesting and enjoyable! On Sunday, I drove to Soldotna to church. The drive to Soldotna is beautiful! It's about an hour and the highway is lined with trees, rivers, and wildlife. On the way there I saw a bear and 3 moose! It was crazy and way cool! I've been here a little over a month and had not seen either until Sunday. It was awesome! I was excited to see them and grateful I was in the car and just passing by and not meeting them face to face. ;) It was great to attend church and meet some interesting, fun people.  Lately, I've been working on improving my ability to do push-ups. I can now do them and not fall on my face! Yea Katie! Progress is awesome! Oh, yesterday morning when I was getting ready we had a little earthquake. It was weird. When I was in the Philippines we had them randomly for just a quick moment. The last few days here have been full of sunshine! The sun has been shinning not a cloud in the sky and the temperature has been somewhere in the 70s. I love it! It's interesting though cause 75 here feels more like 85 I have no idea why just does. I'm thankful to be living in this beautiful place and surrounded by so many of Heavenly Father's creations. I'm thankful I've had the opportunity to live in places that are diverse, different, and beautiful. Palm trees, rice fields, and ocean in the Philippines and mountains, trees, rivers, and wildlife in Alaska and in Utah. I have discovered over the years that I feel Heavenly Father's love for me through the creations- through the beauties of the earth.  Like the primary song says, "I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world, Heavenly Father created for me." I am glad. I am glad and grateful to live in such a beautiful place. I'm thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for goodness and peace. I am grateful for truth and love.  

Picture

When I posted the picture it cut me half out! Lame! But I am grateful a picture would post again. So, if you'd like to see the full picture just click on it! Because of course you want to see me! ;)

2 Miles + Rain + Ice Cream + 2 Miles = Friday Night Fun

Friday night a few of us decided to walk to Wildman's and get an ice cream cone. Wildman's is a convenience store. It was a lot of fun! Walking along the tree lined highway in the rain to get ice cream and to just hang out on a Friday night was a blast! It was nice to think it was not going to get dark during our little adventure to Wildman's. It was great actually leaving property I've only left the lodge property a hand full of  times in a month's time so it was great to get out. The ice cream was yummy! Rocky road with lots of marshmallows ;) It's been awhile since I had ice cream and since we walked the calories from the ice cream were totally okay to have! ;) (This is before we made the walk back. This is Madde, Lindsay and I outside of Wildman's)

The last week has been great! Things are going a lot smoother and I feel more into a good groove now. I'm grateful I'm here. I'm grateful for the experinces I'm having and seeking to learn and grow. Some things have been challenging for me. The other night Guy sweetly reminded me, "The most precious things in life are the ones we feel, and the subtle gathering of light and seeing through the Spirit of truth makes all God's children lovely...regardless of the content they emit!" I’ve been thinking about this and seeking to gather light and understanding in all situations I’m encountering. And I am gaining a greater understanding of how truth really is in all things. I’m thankful for the knowledge and wisdom I’m receiving. I’m thankful for Guy- that he knows how to listen not only to me, but more importantly the Spirit. I’m thankful for truth. I’m thankful for the Spirit and the guidance and comfort I’m receiving. God loves me and knows me and through the Spirit is teaching me what I need to know. I feel God’s love- I know it’s real. I know He needs me- to share His love, to me be, and to trust Him. God truly is loving, compassionate, generous, and all-knowing!