Summer's here

We're rolling right into a fabulous summer. Everyone has said it's already been a better summer so far than it was all last year. We've had many sunny days with fair temperatures, in the high 50s to high 60s and the occasional rainy, actually more drizzly, day. All in all, wonderful.

In the last 6 weeks, I've logged many miles. I spent the first 3 weeks of May at home with my brother, sister-in-law, 3 yo nephew and newborn niece. It was wonderful to spend so much time with them..but I did earn my keep. I was the late shift for feeding my niece...I think she's got a hollow leg. She wants to be fed every 1.5-2hrs and we've had to resort to bottle feeding so that my sister-in-law could get some rest and I could help out. While it was tiring, it was a wonderful experience to spend so much time with the new baby. I was also able to spend some time with my wonderful nephew who is so cute and adorable but certainly has his tempermental moments. He's having some difficulty adjusting to the time that his parents can't spend with him, although he is loving towards his new sister. I was also able to see my parents and cousin from Korea who drove up to my brother's place for a long holiday weekend. We were then able to celebrate my nephew's 3rd birthday who was thoroughly spoiled with all things 'Cars', 'Spiderman' and occasional 'Winnie the Pooh'.

I did some running while I was there, got bit by some, what seemed to me, humongous blackflies and mosquitoes, and helped out with indoor and outdoor chores. It kept me active and feeling likeI was helping out. It was tough to leave and come back to Alaska. However, I know I'll see them again in about 3 months so I was able to control the tears.

Returning to Alaska, it was a little tough with the 4hr time difference and the long flight. I've been able to get back into somewhat of a routine with working and going to my fitness classes, mainly yoga and weight training. Throw in an occasional run, biking on the local trails and biking to work and I'm feeling good about getting fit and toned. I'm trying to watch what I eat but I have these cravings that I can't help but indulge. My friends in NC sent me my hiking boots, bike helmet and a couple of summery clothes and I picked up a couple of things that I had left at my parents house so I now feel like I have something for the summer. I brought a suitcase full of winter clothes to my brother's so I wouldn't have to deal with them when I leave here in August. So everything I have now has to fill one large suitcase, a carry-on size duffle bag and backpack, otherwise it goes to charity. I refuse to get another suitcase and to ship things home!

Since the original subletter has returned, I have now moved to the room next door where my former roommate has moved in with her boyfriend and I'm subletting her room. It's got a queen-sized bed...much roomier and more space in the room. Some of her stuff is still here, but it's no big deal as I don't have much.

I just found out that a couple of friends from Hawaii are coming for a visit in early July. Finally, I get to visit with someone! Fortunately, I have the first couple of days that they're here off so I'll be able to hang out with them. Then they go on an Alaskan cruise and they'll be able to tell me how it is. I'm still trying to get in touch with my friend who has said she's coming at the end of my assignment to see if we can go on a cruise back down to the lower 48s.

So the other night, my friend from work and I went to June's 1st tap at the Bear's tooth, mainly to watch the BoDeans play. They were amazing and a lot of fun to listen to. Then Friday night, I met up with a couple of other friends from work for the 1st Friday art walk thru the galleries downtown. We capped the night off with a martini at a local bar...yummy, caramel apple.

My friend and I hung out last night at this oceans festival on the west end of the Delaney Park strip downtown. They had info booths, food, beer garden and live music. It was nice just to sit around, chat, people watch, have a beer, eat some reindeer sausage and chill. It was a beautiful sunny day with a little breeze. It was 10pm and the sun was still up. With the sun staying up so late, it's so hard to tell what time it is and you don't realize how late it is until you look at a clock.

It's been a wonderful weekend so far. I have to go do something outside since it's so sunny and warm.