Thank You, Juneau.

Instead of a picture-of-the-day today, I feel like a bit of verbal gratitude is due to the place I've called home for the last 11 months. 

Thanks for teaching me to slow down and live more simply. Thanks for showing me each day, in a new way, how much of a rock-star mother nature is. Thanks for pushing me, both physically and emotionally. Thanks for teaching me the importance of play. Thanks for showing me the wonders of the first 5 years of life. Thanks for your close knit, small town community. Thanks for the incredible roommates, friends, co-workers, preschoolers and strangers you’ve led me to this year who have supported me, challenged me, made me cry, made me laugh, and who will be part of my life forever. Thank you for your beautiful Spirit and sense of adventure. Thank you for your Everyday Joy.

Click here  for a link to my favorite 300 photos from my year in Juneau. I’ve taken over 2,500, so I had to narrow it down a bit. Enjoy! Thank YOU for being a part of my adventure.

I'm gonna miss this...

Last night in Juneau. Still not quite real yet

What is AEYC?

When people ask where I've been working/serving this year I try to explain it but it always is a bit of an overwhelming mouthful. I love making movies for various occasions on my computer and decided a while back to make a promo video for AEYC, the Association for the Education of Young Children, where I work. It is for the agency to use as a promotional material on our website and in community presentations. I finished it up today. Click here to see the 3 minute video that answers the question "What is AEYC?" 

A Juneau Getaway

When my mom was visiting she worked her magic and somehow scored a free night for 4 at a "luxury bed & breakfast" in Juneau. My roommates & I decided to take advantage and had a lovely stay last night. We spent the whole time in bath robes, frequented the hot tub, drank lots of wine and enjoyed comfy, cushy beds and cable TV. It was great to have some quality time with them before I head out of town in a few days. Weird, that doesn't seem real yet? 

Dan Moller Cabin

There is a network of cabins in Juneau that you can rent from the National Forest Service and hike out to for the night. My friend, Emily, had reserved one a while back so we headed up on Saturday afternoon into 3.5 miles of sunshine, green overgrown trail and a lovely day. We basked in the sun, read, played games and woke up the next day to a rainy and refreshing hike down. 

Wispy

The clouds were putting on a show for me on my walk home tonight. 

Can't Beat It.

Fireweed in the foreground, Gastineau channel in the background, low 70s, a cool breeze, blue sky, frozen yogurt and a lovely walk home. 

Super Hero Day.

Working for kids in style at the office today

Born To Fly

"I'll plant my heart in the garden of my dreams

and I'll grow up where I wander wild and free"

My favorite jam of the moment, "Born To Fly" by Sara Evans. Look it up! 

Photo credit goes to Andrew Dubay

A Great Game

A coffee shop in town was packed to the brim for the Women's World Cup final today on the big screen. It was a tough loss for the US but they played really well. It was high energy and a blast to watch. Watching soccer always makes me a bit emotional and takes me back to my glory days on the field before my wheels went bad. It's still one of my favorite things in the world!  

The Boy Who Lived

Harry Potter 7 double header last night. Part I at 9:30 pm and Part II at 12:30 am. We missed all of the darkness in Juneau. We went into the theater in daylight and by the time we got home it was getting light again. We all grew up with Harry and the gang, reading the books as they came out (which are way better than the movies). This, in a way, was a culmination of our childhood. So we thought we should probably dress up! 

Pictured left to right, Hermoine Granger, Fleur Delacour, Ginny Weasley

Good Morning, Sunshine!

The following took place around 6am. It's been like waking up at the beach these last few days. Sun blazing in my bedroom window, birds chirping, cool breeze and a hint of a fishy smell from the channel. There is a perfect patch of sun and a great mountain view on the edge of our "balcony."

A great time/place to enjoy my morning oats. 

Off to watch the Women's World Cup Semi Finals on the big screen at a coffee shop downtown! GO USA!

A Humpback Ballet

Today was one of the most beautiful days in Juneau so far (see below). During my morning meeting with my supervisor she asked if I'd ever been whale watching. I said no. She asked if I wanted to go in a half hour, for free. I said yes. Living the AK dream. 

My camera died early on in the trip, which I was kind of glad about...I was just able to sit back and take it all in. We saw a pod humpbacks bubble net feeding about 4 or 5 times. This is when about a dozen of them rise to the surface at the same time, mouths agape, capturing as many fish as possible. It's like a choreographed routine. They all work together to make the feeding process most productive. Teamwork makes the dream work! Can't really explain it in words, or in pictures. Mother nature rocks. 

Float Plane

taking off over the channel as I was walking home over the bridge today. 

Aware

"The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware,
joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware."
-Henry Miller

It was a "hot," sun-shining day in Juneau today. A hike with my roommates, trip to the grocery store and chopping vegetables with country music in the background was a great way to be more aware of the here and now, and just live. 

Speaking Silence

"No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied - it speaks silence to the very core of your being." 

-Ansel Adams

Mountains are way cooler than I am. They're always just there, being giant and awesome. Whenever I'm struggling with something, over thinking something or worried about something, I look up at them and they're still just there. Telling me to be quiet and relax. They're actually kind of sassy and rather bold. I appreciate their authentic, powerful and profound presence. They've been good to me this year. 

Good Tidings

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. 

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." 

-John Muir

It's good to be back to mountains and morning hikes.

Another Barbie Overboard!

K$ is officially off the single ship. Boom. What a stud. I just got back to Juneau after a whirlwind week in Maryland and DC complete with a beautiful wedding, kitchen floor chillin, quality time on the dance floor and all kinds of shenanigans. I was blessed with so many wonderful encounters and ended up in DC for the 4th of July! Happy Birthday Uh'merica.