Now it's been a year?!?!

What have I been up to? Why haven't I posted anything? I guess I've just been really busy. I'm not sure if it's possible but I'll try to give a quick run-down of the past year.

Work: I work for SERRC, as an OT, in the Juneau School District. 2008-2009 I was responsible for 7 schools, from preschool up through high school. This school year (2009-2010), I am only responsible for 6 schools, same age range. But I think I actually have more students to see! AHH! Work can be wicked crazy at times.

AK personal life: I am now living with Paul and Milo, his 4.5yo Jack Russel terrier. Milo is hilarious and sometimes annoying! Milo thinks he owns the bed and the couch and needs to be reminded occasionally of his place in our world. But he's a great playmate and loves to take walks/hikes/runs with us. I'm waiting for the snow to see how he handles the deep white fluffy powder. We may need to get a flag to put on his back to know where he is in the snow! Paul and I have started swimming, and teaching our 5yo buddy A to swim. It's been awesome and A is doing so well!

Sandy life: Ah, another summer on the beautiful isle of Sandy! Yet another summer as a lifeguard, teaching dances and the stretching class. This year, we had a yogi come to the island almost every week. I really miss all the exercise I just had to do on the island ;) My last week on island I became the boat crew chief, and drove a ton of boats! I loved it, though sometimes felt like I was still rocking when I went to bed.

Time to cook something for dinner. More to come soon (hopefully not in another year) :)

Nameste

October

I guess you can say I've been busy! I can't believe it's the end of another month here in Juneau. Time seems to be flying by, which is a good thing. The schools keep me really busy during the week and I spend most of my weekend time hiking or hanging out with friends.
On 10/25, I woke up to about 2 inches of snow outside my window. This morning I woke up to even more snow, about 3 inches, and it keeps on coming down! Yesterday's snow was great for snowballs! Today's snow is a bit wetter, but it's getting warmer. It may turn to rain later today or tomorrow. So far this month, at the UAS campus, we have had 9.5 inches of precipitation. October is the wettest month here in Juneau, so by my thinking, that means the weather can only get better! (Can you tell I am really sick of the rain already?)
I was really hoping to be able to come home for Thanksgiving and Trevor's 21st birthday, but I only have 2 days off from school for the break, and have decided it is best for me to stay here.
BUT! I will be coming home for our winter holiday break! I will be back on the East coast for a bit over two weeks. I am so excited to spend time with my family and friends! I miss everyone from home.
The snow is calling me out to play again! I've been throwing snowballs against the side of our apartment and calling it "art". Yeah, I know I'm weird, but I'm ok with it!

First Month as an Alaskan

I can't believe we have been here for a month in Alaska! We have been settling into life here in Juneau, making friends and exploring the scenic area. We have been hiking a few times, on the east and west glacier trails. The East Glacier trail leads to some mining and electricty generation ruins and Nugget Creek. The West Glacier trail splits off and lead to the ice caves at the edge of Mendenhall Glacier. The mountains are gorgeous! Everything is so lush and green, it is almost like stepping back into time. Of course, everything is so green because it rains all the time!!!! This weekend was the first sunny weekend we've had. By sunny, I mean that you could occasionally see blue sky, and sometimes the sun would peak around the clouds. You learn to really appreciate the sunshine when you don't see it for days or weeks at a time.
I finally have a job here in Juneau! I am an occupational therapist with SERRC, Alaska's Educational Resource Center. SERRC sends special education specialists and therapists out to all the schools in Alaska. Most of the staff travel from school to school. I am working primarily with the Juneau school district. I have two preschools, four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school on my caseload. It really sounds worse than it is, I don't see students at all schools, and some schools I only consult on some of the students. I'm slowly settling into life working in the real world.
More to come later as I continue my adventure in Alaska!

First days as an Alaskan

I haven't posted anything since May?!?! That's what you get when you work 7 days a week... 5 at MINRC and 2 1/2 at SI. Then spend your last month on the east coast on an island with no internet connection. So here's the quick update:
Martin and I arrived in Juneau, AK on Monday. So far, I have been settling in, trying to adjust to the change in time zones (4!!) and the weather.... Juneau is gorgeous, mountains, lots of water and wildlife! I have some photos posted on Webshots, be sure to check them out. I will have more as I experience more of Juneau, so keep checking. As of yet, I do not have a job, but I have a few leads to work on.
I do really miss the other side of the country, all the people left behind there, my island.
This summer was an absolute crazy one, not that I would trade it for anything in the world! I have a lot to think about, a lot of great memories from this summer. Since I usually head to the mountains to do my thinking, when I can't on the island.... I am in the perfect spot. Walking 10 feet away from my apartment and I am completely surrounded by dense forest.
Since this coming weekend is a long one, being Labor Day weekend, we might try to hike towards Mendenhall Glacier. It's about a 3 hour hike one way. Our other options are exploring Downtown Juneau and the farmer's market (yes!), and kayaking in either Auke Lake or Auke Bay. We shall see..... hmmm... many options.

Address!

We have an address!!! Martin and I will be living at 4300 University Drive Juneau, AK 99801. Now I just need to find a job, Martin needs to figure out his visa and other legal paperwork, and we need to try to figure out when exactly we are flying out... ARHH!!!

First Job as an Occupational Therapist Ever!

Instead of working at camp this summer... boo.... I applied for a job working as an occupational therapist at Mary Immaculate Nursing and Restorative Center, in Lawrence, MA. I started on May 8th, thinking I was going in for two days of orientation. On Friday, I had six patients on my caseload... Talk about hitting the ground running!
Today was my 4th day, and my first evaluation of a patient. I walked into the patient's room, and started talking to one of the men in the room. He kept babbling at me, saying some rather dirty things. He kept a running commentary for the a long 15 minutes. I was not getting any of the information I needed to complete the eval. I turned around, looking at his side of the room for inspiration, when I noticed a picture of the man with one of the Restorative nurses. I was talking to the wrong man!!! The patient I was actually supposed to be completing the eval on was a character! We talked for the whole hour. Unfortunately, I couldn't justify a reason to treat him. I may have to wander up to his room to visit with him sometime. Other than that, my patients have been really nice. Most of the residents I meet are wonderful, and many comment on my smile (which gives me more reason to smile!)
While the setting might not be my favorite, the job is only for three months, until Martin and I move to Alaska! Hopefully, out there I can find a job I really like. For now, I'll look foward to working at camp on the weekends.

Juneau

With all the crazy wonderful things happening in my life lately, I have decided to start blogging as a way to communicate with my friends and family scattered around the world.
The crazy wonderful things started 12/22/2007, my last day of grad school. Though I was sad to leave the Monarch School of New England, and all the wonderful people there, it is great to finally be finished with school!! Only took me 6 & 1/2 years.... but who's counting?
Martin, Trevor and I left the next morning for our family vacation on Grand Cayman Island. We had a wonderful week, lazing in the sunshine, snorkeling in the warm water and playing with sting rays and sea turtles. 
Once I arrived back in Mass, and said a sad good-bye to Martin, I started the application process to officially become an OT. After long months, I can officially say, as of today, that I am a proud M.S. OTR/L, starting my first job at Mary Immaculate Nursing and Restorative Center in Lawrence, Mass. It may not be the setting I really want, but the job is close to home, I'll gain experience as an OT, and it pays more than Camp. It is only temporary...
In August, Martin and I will be moving to Juneau, Alaska. Yup, you read that right, Alaska. Land of the cold, snow, and funky daylight hours, from what everyone keeps telling me. Martin is coming to the States to complete a year study-abroad at the University of Alaska Southeast.
The idea was a little scary at first, moving to the other side of the country, to a remote city that has no roads leading to the outside world. The only way to get there is by plane and by boat. Basically, a larger version of Camp. We are currently trying to figure out all the details, like how are we getting there and where will I work? One thing that is settled is where we will live. We have a family suite on campus, which means we will be welcoming visitors! All are welcome to come experience the wilderness, just bring your warm clothing.
More details to come as they are known.