I had intended to update everyone once a week, but unfortunately things get in the way. Today I came in to work at seven to find that I did not actually have to be here until nine thirty, so I have some extra time on my hands.
A lot has changed in the last month and a half. I now reside alone. I like my apartment, I don't like the exorbitant cost of rent here. One thing it HAS taught me is how to budget. Anyone who knows me knows that I am HORRIBLE with money, but living in such an expensive place has taught me how to plan ahead so that I can make rent. It also helps that we only get paid once a month. Now if I could only learn how to save.
The last couple of weeks the weather wise have been rough! I see everyone's pictures back home in bathing suits and sun dresses and I get a little jealous. It is usually about fifty degrees and then add in a lot of rain and wind. The word today is that later in the afternoon the wind should be up to about sixty five knots. Working out on the docks is not always ideal. My "waterproof" boots cannot withstand the Ketchikan rain. Tomorrow I will be picking up a pair of Extratuffs... the Alaskan choice of footwear.
Everyday I feel more like an "Alaskan". I caught a King Salmon, I've set out multiple crab pots, I will soon own a pair of Extratuffs and I dress appropriately. My newest pet peeve is seeing people come off the ships wearing short shorts and tank tops and asking me if I think the rain will stop. Just because you are on the Royal Caribbean cruise does not mean you are in the Caribbean. Also when we talk about the south here, we mean Seattle and I use the phrase, "the lower forty eight" now too.
Every time I get homesick for sun I remind myself of where I am. I live in the Tongass Narrows and have the luxury of both mountains and sea. I spend my days off kayaking, going to crab feasts, riding jeeps on old logging roads, and staying at remote cabins in the woods. I am truly lucky. I can feel that I am changing and growing as a person and I am curious as to how I will see home when I come back.
My next planned stop is hopefully going to be Hawaii. I see myself in January mixing cocktails at some sort of resort pool in my bathing suit. If not that, then a concierge job. I've also thought about working on a cruise, but I don't know if a can commit to working everyday for six months straight and not having a place to get away from the "creepy cruisers." Next winter I am thinking Yosemite. I miss rock climbing!!!
I'm so blessed with all the friends I have made here. I don't know that I could brave the wild without them. I had a wonderful dinner party last night and it is always comforting to fill my home with food and friends. The white king salmon and dungeness crab I caught was enough to feed ten and I only cooked up half the fish!! Looks like I might be having another smaller gathering planned for tonight. I don't think I will be able to eat salmon anywhere else again. And pulling up a crab pot, cracking it open on the dock and boiling it up in the sea water is heavenly.
Amber and I spend quite a bit of time together. If she hadn't shown up here this season I might be back in St. Louis moping about how I gave up the opportunity to live in Alaska just because I got dumped. She and I have the same sense of humor and have similar backgrounds in the useless degree category. Hopefully we will make it to Hawaii together.
As much as being left hurt, I definitely think it was for the best. I have more freedom now to discover new things about myself and come closer to the person I want to be. I also like only having to answer for myself. I've needed to learn how to be alone for a long time and this is as good a time as any. It's not easy. Most of the time I hate it, but I know that eventually that will change.
The parade here starts at eleven and tonight fireworks will be going off at the top of Deer Mountain. What a place to be to celebrate the Fourth of July.
