First Thoughts

I finally made it to Anchorage last night at 11:30. My flights were very easy, although every seat was filled. There seemed to be some concern by people when another passenger would start coughing because of the TB scare. Bob did great until the last 30 min coming into AK. Most people didn't even know that I had a cat with me. With everything I did to prepare for taking Bob, no airline person ever asked me for any type of documentation concerning his health. The people working on the plane had no clue I even had an animal. I couldn't believe it. I left Brunswick after a busy morning doing last minute stuff. Tavia was a great help!! Said goodbye to Killer. On the flight to Atlanta I sat next to Brooke Bartlett- GA '92. It was really nice catching up with her. She is living in Salt Lake City, has a husband, and teaches middle school. Flying into Seattle was beautiful. The sky was clear so I could see downtown, the Pacific Ocean, and the mountain/volcano that could destroy Seattle. Mount Rainier was breathtaking. The same can be said about flying into Anchorage. I could see everything. I was sitting next to a woman who was coming to to Anchorage to take a 10 week class. She had never been either. We were like little kids seeing mountains for the first time. Anchorage is beautiful. Mountains on one side, mud flats on the other. The mud flats look like one giant swamp. We landed and while we knew there would be daylight, we were just amazed at the daylight. I got my luggage and met up with Walter. I had forgotten to tell him that since I was married know, I deserve an in airport pick up. Not a pull through the pick up area. But once we cleared the air, it was nice seeing him after 28 days!!!!!!!!!!! Our apartment is a block away from the water and mud flats and a block away from downtown. There is a big hill in between us and downtown. I haven't ventured out today to find out how brutal the hill is. Our apartment is cute. It is older, but trendy. Bob has fit in and has taken numerous naps in different places. I couldn't sleep last night, so I stayed out on the couch. Walter had to work today. My body isn't accepting the time change. So, I have been up since 4:00AM. I took a nap, but didn't sleep very well. Walter and I are going to check out downtown tonight. Aaron and Christy Carone fly in today. They are on vacation with her parents. We are going to see them tomorrow. Walter told me last night what we are doing next week. At least I think it is next week. Stealing the idea from Aaron and recommendations from coworkers, we are renting an RV and driving around the country from here to Valdez and Fairbanks. The people at the hospital said that Valdez is just beautiful and full of wildlife. They also told him about a side road west of a town called Delta Junction that takes you to the Anchorage to Fairbanks road. It is a beautiful road with breathtaking views, but you have to check with the state troopers to find out if it is open. I am not too keen taking that road. My mind keeps thinking of that family in California who took a shortcut through the mountains in winter. We will see.

As some of you have seen, Tavia and I were in the Brunswick news today. What a great article. Although, we made it clear in the interview that Christina was with us and we wanted her name in the article too. I also asked him to use my married name, but that didn't happen either. But the whole Bob Barker retiring has made me reflect on the memories made during that great trip. I will never forget getting to spend time with my California family, getting to see and touch the Pacific Ocean for the first time, sitting second row watching a tv icon, and spending time with my two great friends Christina and Tavia.

Some of you might not know...I interviewed at Brunswick High School for the media specialist job. While I applied weeks ago, the call for interviews happened at the last minute. I got called at 8:00AM Wednesday morning and had to be there at 3:00PM. I think I did ok, but I felt that I wasn't prepared because I didn't have days to think of creative answers to say. I did include to trash talk my competition, Beverly Brostek. (Good luck Beverly!) I don't know when I will hear anything. I had already settled on coming back to Jane Macon. I will have a new teammate- Lane Wooten. Some of you may remember him from the Jekyll dorms way back when....15 years ago....when I had the hugest crush on him. He teaches at Risley Middle and is coming over to JMMS. It will be an interesting year! I am glad this year has come to a close, it is time for a new beginning. Although, I will miss my teammates Dawn, Nicole, and Glonda.

I hope to update this "blog" with our experiences in Alaska. I would love for yall to post comments so I can keep in touch! I am hoping to be able to put pictures on the blog. I will have to work with that. Thanks Christina for recommending the site. I had been thinking of doing a website (Rande's suggestion) but hadn't started working on it. Until my next post.....