Fairbanks
I arrived in Fairbanks Thursday afternoon for a week long break from the North Slope. I didn't realize how much I needed this break until I stepped out of the airport into the warm, sweet air of a beautiful sunny day. Seeing trees for the first time in a month in a half is a profound experience, as well as seeing lush, brilliantly verdant vegetation. I haven't seen green since I was in Denmark, not counting pine trees. It will be hard to go back, but I expect the arctic tundra should be greening up within the next few weeks.
Ahhh, but I'm free! No oil field rules. I can drive a car without wearing safety glasses. I can go over 45 mph. I can cook my own meals! I am staying in Stacia's rustic little cabin in the woods and using her car, a cute little honda civic. I've realized I really love this car, and want one of my own. The Buick needs to go. There's no running water at the cabin, but I can shower at the University which is just down the road. The toilet is a little outhouse in the woods, which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't from the mosquitoes who begin to attack even before you sit down. They're pretty bad here. I like the cabin though, it's peaceful.
So yesterday I accomplished some much needed clothes shopping, I got some pants and a couple tops. Spent more money than I would have liked, but when I really like the clothes it's worth it. It's not easy for me to find clothes I like.
I don't really know many people in town, but James gave me a few phone numbers of his friends who I met in April and I'm meeting this one girl Renee for the Fairbanks Folk Festival this evening. Should be fun.
I think I wrote before how my friend Nozomi is getting married on Maui in August. At first I was thinking that it would be just too much money to fly out there for it, but after recieving the official invitation in the mail I just don't see how I couldn't go. She's probably my best friend from home, and I'm always whining about how much I miss Hawaii anyway. There are things more important than money. So I'm thinking I'll come home in August for the cape vacation, then ship off again to Hawaii for a couple weeks (If I'm gonna go all the way to Hawaii I'm going to enjoy it for more than two days!). I'm trying to get my precious little sister to come with me. We could rent bikes and I'll bring my tent and we'll tour the island on the cheap. Then it would be the awesomest thing ever.
That's it. It's a gorgeous 80* day and I'm going to go play outside.
Ahhh, but I'm free! No oil field rules. I can drive a car without wearing safety glasses. I can go over 45 mph. I can cook my own meals! I am staying in Stacia's rustic little cabin in the woods and using her car, a cute little honda civic. I've realized I really love this car, and want one of my own. The Buick needs to go. There's no running water at the cabin, but I can shower at the University which is just down the road. The toilet is a little outhouse in the woods, which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't from the mosquitoes who begin to attack even before you sit down. They're pretty bad here. I like the cabin though, it's peaceful.
So yesterday I accomplished some much needed clothes shopping, I got some pants and a couple tops. Spent more money than I would have liked, but when I really like the clothes it's worth it. It's not easy for me to find clothes I like.
I don't really know many people in town, but James gave me a few phone numbers of his friends who I met in April and I'm meeting this one girl Renee for the Fairbanks Folk Festival this evening. Should be fun.
I think I wrote before how my friend Nozomi is getting married on Maui in August. At first I was thinking that it would be just too much money to fly out there for it, but after recieving the official invitation in the mail I just don't see how I couldn't go. She's probably my best friend from home, and I'm always whining about how much I miss Hawaii anyway. There are things more important than money. So I'm thinking I'll come home in August for the cape vacation, then ship off again to Hawaii for a couple weeks (If I'm gonna go all the way to Hawaii I'm going to enjoy it for more than two days!). I'm trying to get my precious little sister to come with me. We could rent bikes and I'll bring my tent and we'll tour the island on the cheap. Then it would be the awesomest thing ever.
That's it. It's a gorgeous 80* day and I'm going to go play outside.