This post is going to serve both as a reflection on one year in Interior Alaska as well as a little life update. I didn’t mean to “disappear” from the blog, but as things ramp up in the real world, the blog ends up going to the wayside. And boy oh boy did my real life ramp up.
So, what is going on in life? I’ll make it brief (and maybe toot my horn just a little bit)…if I can. I am currently involved in tow organizations on a volunteer basis (specialized outreach lead with our local USO and president of our local spouses club). This means that I am basically working a full time job, but as a volunteer- haha. I worked hard last year to establish bylaws, standing rules, and other administrative items to get our schools PTO off the ground (and then I passed it to an incredible woman who I can ‘t wait to see flourish in the role). I am building a program for our incoming spouses that I hope to pilot here and then work through on a broader scale (I’ve got really big dreams for this one). I am once again planning on substitute teaching within our local school district this upcoming school year. I’ve accepted a spot in the Military Spouse Leadership Development Program offered by Leadership Institute for Military Spouses and Military Spouse Advocacy Network. And somehow, amongst all of that, I am still a {barely and heavily caffeinated} functioning mom, wife, and person.
Time blocking is key. Knowing that everything ties together is massive. And staying caffeinated helps.
I’ve learned a lot about myself the first half of the year- some new things, some repeat lessons, all good options. I’ve learned how to work with my brain, I’ve learned where my heart lies in advocacy, I’ve been reminded within myself what my boundaries are, how to say no, and that it’s ok if I don’t save it all (because someone else will). I’ve started to learn how to navigate the systems that we exist in and I’ve learned more specifically what drains me. It’s been transformative to say the least.
As a family, life has been pretty great. The boys have been growing and learn themselves physically and emotionally/mentally. They’ve taken on new opportunities at school, conquered fear, and started new projects. I truly love being their mom and seeing the world through their eyes. The insights and commentary is…equally inspiring and comedic (as it always is with kids). We are entering a new chapter of parenthood over here (pre-teen/early adolescence) and it’s been a fun beginning. I can’t wait to see where this chapter takes us.
Now onto being a year into our life in Interior Alaska.
I can firmly say that Alaska will forever hold a special place in our hearts. It’s truly an incredible, special experience to live here. To understand what it truly means for mother nature to call the shots. To experience the extreme opposites, but also the quiet beauty of an untouched space. There is something for everyone here- whether you want to curl up inside and feel cozy (-40 will make that easy), hike outside (just remember the bear spray), hunt, fish, live off the land, see the Northern Lights, experience endless sunlight- Alaska has everything. Beyond our life in Fairbanks, we’ve seen Seward, Valdez, Anchorage, Coldfoot, Prudhoe Bay, Kenai Fords, and the Arctic Ocean. We’ve seen moose, caribou, bear, eagles, salmon, halibut, ravens, glaciers, the elusive Mt. Denali, even an arctic fox! We’ve experienced the harshest winter (serious- broke records), breakup season, the mild but glorious summer, and, of course, our 2 weeks of Autumn. We’ve gotten to go dog mushing, watch both the ceremonial and official start of the Iditarod, visit Santa and the North Pole, fireworks at -40, and of course, walk out to the Arctic Ocean.
It’s wondrous- every corner turned is something new.
That all does sound wonderful, but it doesn’t mean it is perfect here. The cost of living is high, shipping anything in and out is both costly and lengthy, you are limited in what you are able to source at times (both off the land and in the stores), you have to work hard at building and fostering your community, and going from one extreme to the other can be challenging.
But the challenges pale in comparison to the sheer joy of the experience.
While I don’t know that we want to stay here forever, we easily could and we will most definitely be sad when our time here comes to an end. It’s a place that I recommend everyone experience if they are able to.
I have lots of posts and updates planned out for the next chunk of time- everything from our travels, to what I’ve learned personally, to book chats. I hope you’ll stick around as I try to balance life once again.
A Cuppa Cosy 