blessed..

Today I hiked Mt. Roberts with Mercede, Anna and Flo. We only hiked as far as the tram because we didn't have enough time to summit and get back to our afternoon plans. Although instead of hiking down we road the tram which, was nice, but to be honest, not all that exciting. I feel like I'm constantly online either check Facebook, posting or looking at photos on Instagram, watching movies, or writing this blog. I feel as though I have this constant need to be connected back home. I know I need to get out of this habit if I want to beat the long, dark and wet winter that lies ahead of me. In a previous post I mentioned how I was feeling anxious because I don't necessarily believe I am ready for what I signed up for. But I have been too busy comparing myself to everyone else. This is the biggest step I have ever taken in my life. I have never pushed or challenged myself this much before. I have been trying something new almost every day and I am going to continue trying new things.

I learned in one of my classes that there are three types of fun, I will only mention two of them because my professor never told us what the third type of fun is. So Type 1 Fun is when you are having fun while you are hiking, it is when you feel comfortable and you know that you are with a good crowd and life couldn't get any better. Type 2 Fun is when you are swimming in the Mendenhall River and you feel as though you have been stuck in an ice bath for the last 6 hours and you already lost feeling in your feet and hands. Now Type 2 Fun isn't fun when you are in the Mendenhall, no one appreciates feeling numb, however, in the end..it's all worth it. Now I don't mind saying that I have mostly Type 2 Fun experiences. As many of you know, I complain A LOT, I am a constant worry-wart and I hate feeling uncomfortable. But as long as I am able to look back and say, "Yeah, I'd do that again" or "Yeah, it was totally worth it", than I am satisfied.


And now that I am on this feeling thankful binge, I would like to thank a few people..

Thank you Anah and Bump for keeping me in the loop and sending me letters, you have done a wonderful job at bringing pieces of home to me in Alaska. I feel so much more comfortable calling Alaska home, when I know that I am constantly in your thoughts!

Thank you Kristina for being in my family. I know that at first our friendship was rocky, I underestimated how much of a wonderful and caring friend you are. I am so appreciative that we have become closer of the years, I hope that our bond only continues to grow.

Thank you Doug for waking up at strange hours in the morning to Skype me 10 Time Zones away. The messages of encouragement that you send me on a daily basis are truly the highlight of my day. I hope that we stay friends until we die old on our island off the coast of wherever. Je t'aime!

Thank you Mam for praying for me every single day, you are in my prayers as well. I know it must have been hard watching me leave, but imagine the joy you will feel when I return as a better me.


And lastly..

Thank you Mom and Dad for giving up your time, cutting out of work, spending loads of money and listening to me cry, laugh and become frustrated. I want you to know that I do appreciate everything that you have done for me and I know that you love me unconditionally. I wouldn't have gotten this far if I didn't have you as my parents. I love you both so much.

Mercede, Anna, Me & Flo

Mt. Roberts Tram