Reflect. Ready...Set...Awesome

A couple of weeks from tonight I’ll be in Provo. I will no longer be stripping bed sheets, picking up dirty wet towels, eating at the EDR, wearing my over sized hunter green polo and khaki pants with my janitor like keys and radio, no more chilling in lower rec, no more walks to Wildman’s, just to name a few. I will miss my new found friends, the beauty of this place, the cooler summer mornings, Taco Tuesday, etc.  I have that somewhat familiar feeling in my heart of knowing it’s all right to go home and let go that it’s time. I had similar feelings when I left the Philippines. I loved it, I learned many things and still am, but it’s time and I’m not as anxious or worried about the newness of being in Provo once again. I’m excited to see family and friends! Excited to be back in school, excited that fall will be super close when I return, excited to celebrate my birthday and turn 26, excited for the adventures of life- the unknown and known! Life is grand! I’m grateful for the awesome and maybe not so awesome things I have experienced thus far in my first quarter of a century. As I reflect there is still much to learn from some of those experiences. I feel I truly am becoming the woman I desire to be and who God desires me to be. He truly is my Teacher, my Father, and my Friend. In yesterday’s post I mentioned a few of the things I have learned and understand more clearly now. I’m glad learning and experiencing is eternal. 

Today was another interesting and fun day at work. It was steady, but not overly crazy. I like these days. I’m not running around like a crazy person and get to enjoy work a little more. It was another nice afternoon the sun shining brightly and the mountains looking amazing as the little bit of morning clouds and fog blew out of here. I have yet to get tired of the beauty of this place. I love butterflies and today I saw an amazing one- it was black with orange and yellow polka dots on it’s wings. They were so round they looked painted on. It’s amazing to think God created all those things and knows them all perfectly. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

“Promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”  -President Thomas S. Monson (April 2009)

Experience The Experience 101th

Today is my 101th day here in The Great Land! I can’t believe that I’ve been here for that long and that in 2 weeks I’ll be heading home. I’m enjoying my time here and am grateful for the things that I’ve learned and are learning. There are things I know without a doubt. I know God is real and knows me personally. I know people and things are placed into my life to learn from. I know I want to continue learning more about the hospitality industry. I know Alaska is beautiful place. I’ve learned more than ever how important it is to look for similarities not differences and more importantly to love and respect others.  

On Friday Lindsay and I drove to Anchorage to pick up “The Dream Team”- Trevor, Mark, Phil, and Irv from their trip. It was fun to play in Anchorage for a day. We went to the mall, ate at the food court, dropped the boys off at the movie theater and than Lindsay and I went to Old Navy, Michael's, and Target. After we picked up the boys we went to the Wal-Mart. It was awesome to do more everyday things and be around town and actually drive more than 10 mph (that’s the speed limit on property). It was enjoyable shopping and eating out for a change. Those are random little things I’ve missed a bit. The weather has been pleasant the last few days. The mornings and nights are on the chilly side, but the afternoons are sunny and warm (about 65). 

The lodge has been busy and full! Work is steady and Mondays and Saturdays are still busy, good, crazy days! I’m so glad I’m here and that I’ve had this opportunity. I’d like to come back next summer if the opportunity is there.  Masaya Ang Aking Puso.

Seward. Sweatsuits.

It’s been awhile since my last post-that’s not good. Things are going well and I now about a month left of this Alaskan adventure. I have mixed feelings about leaving. Just like any adventure- you’re sad to leave people you’ve met, but excited to see what the future holds. I am excited for school! I ready to be in class again! I enjoyed the last two semesters a lot and am excited for this one. Fall is my favorite season- sweaters, soups, leaves changing, rain, I love fall! Yesterday I was off and had the opportunity to go to Seward (not pronounced see-ward). I went with Jerrikah, Kimiko, Mark, and Phil. It was a lot of fun! Seward is a small coastal fishing town. We went to the sea life center, shopped, ate lunch at a little restaurant called Nellie’s roadhouse, played scrabble at a little coffee shop, and just bummed around in the rainy, misty weather. It was beautiful! Lunch was awesome! You know how much I love food and eating! I had a western burger- it had small onions rings, bbq sauce, and bacon, on focaccia bread. It was way yummy! The sea life center was awesome! The sea lions and the puffins were my favorite. The weather has been chilly and cloudy here in our part of the AK. I love the sunshine, but I’ve been enjoying the cloudy and light rainy weather. Although, it has been a little weird to think I am wearing my fleece and long sleeves and it’s the end of July. With the weather on the cooler side we’ve been needing to find random fun things to do inside. Some of the boys are planning a ping pong tournament. That should be fun and competitive. I’ve seen some pretty competitive ping pong since I’ve been here. I feel like I have a lot of random things to write about, cause well everything that happens around here is random and interesting. Last week, the girls and I (Maddie, Lindsay, and Kimiko) got all suited up in sweat suits and ran around Brown Town (employee housing). It was a lot of fun! We took lots of fun pictures and laughed a lot! I’m grateful I’m developing some fun friendships! I’ve met some awesome people here and am learning a lot. I’m grateful I’m having the experiences I am and learning what I am. This is the right place to be for me right now. I’m thankful that I’m here! I’m thankful to know God loves me and never leaves me unaided. I love Him and know He’s real! I’m grateful I can talk to Him anytime and that He listens and answers me! Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

New Flare.Yummy And Jumps

Random random random. Many random, fun, and interesting happenings to write about. One- I have now added headbands to my daily flare wear. Awesome huh? I can't wear a whole lot of flare at work, so it's fun to have a little bright color in my hair if I can't wear a necklace or bracelet. I know I am silly, but I love my flare! It's me-bright colors and flare. I am classic girl who wants to be true to who she really is. This is something I've been pondering about a lot lately. Being true to who I am and discovering more of who I am and always have been. (one true self) I'm thankful God is teaching me and helping me to better understand and know. I love Him and desire to do what He asks of me. He's real and loves me and knows every detail about me! (my joys, struggles, favorites, interests, all of it) I'm grateful for His eternal plan and my part in it! It truly is amazing! I'm grateful to know I am His daughter.  :) 

Today for lunch we had Mac & Cheese. It was so good! Masarap talaga! I love Mac & Cheese! 

Last week, I went down to the river with Lindsay, Mark, Phil, Blake, Trevor, and Irving. The boys have been jumping in everyday for the last week as it has been so "hot" here in the AK. It was funny to watch their faces as they all made the jump one at a time into the freezing water yelling 'society' as they jumped. Their faces showed many emotions- excitement, fear, anticipation. It was entertaining that's for sure.  Crazy boys! Things are going well! I can't believe I'm nearing the second half of summer! :0  It's crazy! I bought my plane ticket a couple of weeks ago and it was hhmmm-  an interesting feeling. The picture above is me in my new sunglasses (that only cost $1) and one of my new headbands. 

Masaya Ang Aking Puso :) 

 

Happy Birthday Mar-Bear!

Happy Birthday Mary Elizabeth!

Yesterday was Mary’s 22nd birthday! 22! WOW! I’m thankful for my sister! She’s an awesome friend! Mary is funny, thoughtful, and loud! I’m thankful we’ve become so close! I'm thankful to have her in my life! 

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 :)