Unexpected Roadtrip

The end of October I was attempting to leave Alaska for a several week trip. The complicated factor was that I was flying standby, courtesy of my airport job. But flying standby can be frustrating, to say the least. I flew down to Anchorage with no issues, but that night I waited at the gate to see if I would make the flight to Denver to start my adventure..... but alas, I was the next person on the list and no more seats were available. sigh. Well, my adventure did begin, just not the one I was hoping for. I never leave home now without a blanket.... cause when you sleep in the airport terminal, it comes in handy. I don't understand why some airports keep it so chilly.... that and I don't understand why their announcements are played so loudly! there are no flights from 2-6am, but still the announcements jolt you from sleep every hour or so... therefore, a restless night. 

The next day I had hours to kill until the next flight left and I had no desire to stick around Anchorage. So for $20 I rented a car and set off. First stopped for a yummy breakfast and coffee and then drove south. I have never been to Kenai before, so figured that was a good time. It was a clear, sunny, winter day. Which meant the sun was shining and reflecting off the freshly snow capped mountains. Spectacular! It was a bit chilly outside, but in my warm car, I could enjoy the beauty from warmth and safety. 

All I did was drive to Kenai, ate lunch and drove on some side roads for a bit looking for a bluff I was told about. Never did find that bluff. Then drove back to Anchorage. Tho it was completely unplanned, it was a marvelous roadtrip. 

To finish my standby saga.... made it back to Anchorage, once again waited at the gate for the flight I wanted to get on. This time, even one of the paying customers didn't get a seat, let alone us standby passengers. One lady I talked to, it was her 3rd night trying to make it out. :/ We laughed about sleeping in airports. She had a son to stay with, but she had done her fair share of spending nights in airports. I think I've slept 5 nights in an airport in the past two months. 

Anyways, I slept at the airport, then caught an early flight back to Fairbanks. Came home and slept for real. Tried getting out of Fairbanks that night with no success.... but the next day, after three days of trying I made it on a flight!! I almost canceled my trip, but glad I stuck with it!!! Made it to the U.K. and met some pretty awesome people and even ran into some old friends I didn't know were there! More about that to come.... 

Trapline Beauty

Last week I fulfilled a long time wish to accompany my father on his trapline. Previously, it never worked out with my work/school schedule. So, I determined after I finished school back in December, I would make it happen sometime this winter before the season is over. 

We hit the trail Friday once the sun came up and away we went- into a Winter Wonderland. It was a bit overcast, but very light, making it truly a silvery fairyland. Many times the trail narrowed to a single track, fully lined with frosted crystal willows or spruce trees. It was amazing to behold and I was ever reminded of my Creator and his stupendous designs. Both days on the trail were filled with glorious beauty. 

The trapline provides ample opportunity to think. Being on a snowmachine for 3-4 hours at a time leaves a lot of time to think, pray and reflect. And of course, there is no cell phone reception. It was refreshing to disengage from the fast-paced world for a couple days. 

And we did get a few animals. Which is what we wanted, after all it is a trapline. :) We didn't have any big animals, but it was still exciting to see our catch. After 20+ years of trapping, I've finally saw what my dad did for all those years. It's hard work, not a job for the faint of heart. It was 15-20 degrees above zero this trip, but even at those warm temps, you get cold after hours, upon hours outside in the elements. And he's gone out many times at sub-zero temps, even 40 below at times. 

Christmas at Home

Can you believe Christmas was 3 weeks ago? and I am just now getting around to posting about our Christmas, but who minds hanging on a little longer to that happy time of year!? This was my 3rd consecutive holiday season at home in Alaska, but the past two years I've been housesitting, so have still missed some of the excitement leading up to the Big Day. (and it really is a big day at my house). So, I was pretty stoked that I got to be living at home, eating goodies, decorating the house/tree, wrapping presents and keeping secrets from the siblings about who got who what. Course, school put a little damper on the holiday spirit, as the entire week before Christmas, I was still frantically trying to tie up loose ends. The school schedule this year was horrible; we had finals only one week before Christmas Day. 

My older brother had to work Christmas Day, but my sis-in-law and nephew came over to celebrate with us. He was more into the action this year, though he was soon bored with opening presents and wanted to know when we could go sledding. Ha! It was a nice relaxing day with the family...

before there was wrapping paper covering the floor

not sure who's more excited about the ice skates

pretty awesome mug and hoodie

don't try this at home....

Merry Christmas from the Greenfields!

Procrastination and School don't mix well....

Here I sit at my desk, writing a blogpost.... when I should be writing something else. Saturday has been my self-proclaimed homework day for the past six weeks or so. I usually try to do some homework throughout the week, as I have a few minutes here and there, but Saturdays are my big day to get a lot done. But honestly, I'm a little burnt out. I have this one class that is challenging, like really challenging. I don't understand a lot of what I am required to read and then write about. And it doesn't help that it's an online class, so there is no classroom teaching time for the professor to assist my understanding. 

I've been doing okay in my last few classes, even the one which is challenging. But I think I've hit the mid-semester hurdle. I am just tired of reading, studying, and writing about stuff I don't care about. But must keep going...

The good news is, I am almost done!! For real done. :) I have 7 more weeks of school left, for my entire undergrad degree. I am taking four classes and need to test out of one more and I will have fulfilled all my degree requirements. So, come December 18th, I will be officially done with college! Hopefully, not long after that I will have my diploma in hand. (let's not think about master's degree for a little while) 

In other news, winter is here. It threatened last month to overwhelm us when it dumped 15 inches of wet snow in a day or two. But that melted over time and we had cool, but not cold weather for a few more weeks. But this past week, it dropped to below freezing and we've had a few inches of snow fall. I think it's here to stay. I'm looking forward to winter activities, though gotta do that school stuff first. :/ 

before the winter came for real

winter in Mongolia, a few years back

Merry Christmas

Christmas Time! 

It didn't really seem like Christmas season leading up to December 25th.... maybe because I was working so much and also I've been housesitting. I didn't get to enjoy the decorated tree and secrecy of wrapping presents that goes on at my house. But it still was a good time. For one thing, I am thoroughly enjoying the break from school. The last couple weeks of the semester were rough; I had several large projects due, plus studying for finals and work was a little hectic at the same time. Hence the lack of blogging, BUT it is now finished! (for another few weeks)

This Christmas my older brother, his wife and son spent the day with us! It has been so much fun having my brother and his family back in Alaska. They come over frequently for dinner and Christmas spent most of the day at our house. 

dad modeling his new googles

Nanook jersey from my awesome bro

Dinosaur puzzle from Aunt Lacey

Hope your Christmas was peaceful and wonderful. May we never forget what Christmas is really about. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to that manger bed so many years ago, so we could have a Saviour and be reconciled to God.

Thanksgiving Day with the Nephew

Well this post is slightly overdue. These pictures are from Thanksgiving Day. My sister-in-law and nephew came over to enjoy a quiet day with lots of food! Eventually my brother came too when he got off work. It was a nice, relaxing day. I was excited to sleep in, since I had just gotten back from India four days prior. 

gonna play hockey one day! 

getting a hair cut from Maha

sledding with Nana

yay for a driveway to sled on!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Maybe you were thinking, it's too early for Christmas. Well it is, but it's not too early for HOCKEY! My sisters and I went to the first game this past Saturday and one of them started singing that song. We laughed, but it we do love this time of year. Doesn't seem like it's been 5 months since our last game, seems like 5 years! Just kidding, but it has been a while. 

So, Saturday night, found us at the ice rink, watching the first game of the season. Well, first unofficial game; it was really a scrimmage, but it was still hockey. Here's to a good season. Hoping our incoming freshman can step up and fill some gaps and our returning players ramp it up even more. Conversations the past couple days at our house has included more and more references to hockey. Wouldn't surprise me if one night this next week when I get home, someone puts Miracle on to play. Nothing like watching the 1980 Miracle on ice to get one's blood pumping. 

many of the freshman

almost the whole team

If you notice a lot of bald heads, that's because they all shaved their heads in support of Justin Woods, #8. He is from here and was a freshman on our team last year. He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer this past spring. He's currently undergoing treatments. Hopefully he'll be back next season, ready to skate. :)

Arctic Winter Games

I'm sure most of you have never heard of the Arctic Winter Games. I hadn't before last summer. It's an Olympic type event for those in the Circumpolar North. In the beginning it was open to athletes young and old. In the recent Games, they've narrowed the playing field by limiting it to youth. 

The Games are held every two years. Fairbanks hosted this year's Games; we haven't had them in Fairbanks since 1988! It was pretty special to be a part of such a big event. It was a tiring week. I think I worked about 57 hours (two jobs) and volunteered about 30. Sleep? yeah that was something I only dreamed of.

There were nine different regions represented for the Games. Alaska, five Canadians - NWT, Yukon, Alberta North, Nunavut and Quebec Nunavik, Yamal -province in north Russia, Greenland and Sapmi (pronouned Sami) - northern regions of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. Twenty sporting events ranging from outdoor winter sports like snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, biathlon and dogsledding and indoor sports of basketball, volleyball, soccer, pingpong, hockey, wrestling, gymnastics and of course Arctic sports. 

It was a lot of fun being involved and great to meet youth and adults from all across the north. The next Games will be held in Greenland.... maybe it's time to plan a trip to see the Shulls and be there for the Games as well in 2016. :) What do you think, Carole? 

I don't have many pictures from the Games, but there's plenty here.

before the Games began

the kids loved the Trooper

my friend the Trooper

Air Greenland

and it's over!

Randomness from the Week

Been an interesting week. Guess I should learn that life will always be interesting. Last Saturday had a small part in a friend's wedding. I did two of the bridesmaids' hair, other last minute running around and served cake at the reception. I had forgotten how much work, but how much I enjoy doing weddings. 

wedding hair

at the wedding reception

After the dinner reception that night, my sister, friend and I went to a college basketball game cause a summer coworker was playing. He had a good game, but their team lost at the end. Couldn't quite decide who to cheer for - my friend's team or our local University's team who I normally cheer for. So just cheered for both. :) 

When we were leaving the parking lot I was pulled out in the lane waiting for a car in front of me to pull out of its parking spot. The car to my right decided to back out of its parking spot. That's cool, except I was sitting right behind her. She obviously didn't see me, cause she backed right into my front passenger door. So was a little while before I actually left and went home. Thankfully she has insurance and that issue should be resolved here soon. 

new dent on my car

This week was also filled with warm weather - lots of it. Normally January is our coldest month of the winter, not this year! We've had temps in the 20s and 30s most of the month and even into the 40s. I don't mind the warm weather, it's kinda nice. Except when it rains along with those warmer temps. Thursday and Friday the roads were pretty slick and icy. Thankfully DOT did a good job staying on top of things. They sanded and sanded the roads. Wasn't too bad in town, but outside of the city limits (like near my house) the roads were a little scary. I didn't drive home Thursday night; ended up leaving my car at work and getting a ride home with my dad. Days like that I wish I had a truck or a SUV or even a subaru. 

The morning the roads were the worst, I had to take a coworker to the Emergency Room. I took it pretty slow, she probably wondered if we'd ever get to the hospital. But we made it! And because the roads were so bad, my office closed early, so I didn't have to go back to work. I forget what it's like to drive around town and do what I want in the middle of the afternoon - when the suns shining! We are gaining sunlight now each day, but still drive to work in the dark and head home in the dark. So thankful my office has big windows! I can actually enjoy the sunlight during the middle of the day. 

Finished off the week with Hockey. Friday night our team had a shut out and Saturday night was like a different team was playing and our opponents shut us out. Our women's team also had their first homegames ever. I wasn't able to make it to those games, but we played well from the report I got; 7-0 and 10-0. 

Because it was so warm and everything melting, part of our driveway is ice. My sister actually skated on our driveway today! Fun for her, but not so cool for the rest of us who are parking there and then trying to drive out each morning. Thankfully I haven't had much of a problem with my car. My feet on the other hand... I literally fell into my driver's seat the other day cause my foot slipped. Ha. 

skating on our driveway

Ramblings in a Winter Wonderland

Days like today, it sure is hard to have a bad attitude.... here it is the middle of January in the interior of Alaska and it is a balmy 27 degrees above zero! And it's supposed to last for another week or so. The sun is shining, we are gaining daylight every day now and it is downright GORGEOUS outside! 

This week didn't turn out how I had anticipated. I had plans to go running three days this week and I've only managed one day. I had no intention of getting so sick on Wednesday that I left work late morning, went home and spent the rest of the day in bed. Had some errands I needed to run and yep, they haven't been accomplished yet. But even with all that, it's been a good week! 

I'm learning to be more flexible and more spontaneous in life. (influence of a good friend who's a little too spontaneous, ha!) Working at enjoying the little things in life and not getting stressed about things out of my control. God is in control - I can trust Him with my life, even if that includes flat tires at below zero, a car that barely makes it home, relationships I don't like, etc. There are always something to rejoice about! 

this morning's "pre-sunrise"

When lunchtime came around today, I sure didn't want to be inside! So went for a walk at Creamers! 

Sun shining bright + snow glistening + friendship enjoyable + coffee hot = perfect lunch! 

Alaskan afternoon

enjoying the warm weather! 

Not every day has beautiful weather, but every day can be beautiful! The joy of the Lord can be yours every day no matter the weather outside or the burdens inside your heart. 

Choose Joy!  

Driving in the States

Nothing like driving down the Interstate when things come to a standstill. Gotta love driving in the Lower 48 where you can be going 3mph on the highway when there's no good reason. No accidents, no snow or ice, etc. Oh well, guess that's part of the reason I love the remote areas of the world. :) 

yep, 0 in a 60 zone. lovely

Was on my way home to Alaska, when a winter storm hit the central Lower 48. Snow and ice in Alaska is one thing, but it's something totally different in the south. I had gone down to Austin to see a couple friends, the day my flight left from Dallas to Fairbanks, I was driving north. I knew they were expecting bad weather, but it got really rough the farther north I drove. About 1/3 of the way to Ft. Worth, I received word my flight had been cancelled. Called the airline and got rebooked, then kept driving. About half the time I was going 40mph on the Interstate. Thankfully most people stayed home that day, so there wasn't much traffic. At one point, I had to pull over and take a break. I was a little uptight with driving a small rental car on such nasty roads with others on the road, especially semis. After stretching my legs a bit, I continued on north. 

Eventually I figured out my flight I had been rebooked on had also been cancelled. So they reserved me a flight for the next day. I was slightly disappointed, cause that first rebooking had me in First Class! It would have been my first time traveling in style. Not that domestic first class is anything like international first class, but hey! it still would have been cool. Thankfully I have friends in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, so found a place to crash for the night. Spent an extra day chilling with my friends in a nice, warm house, eating pizza and sweets, watching Christmas movies. 

The next day I headed to the DFW airport. Took me about twice as long as it should have normally. The roads were still pretty bad, but at least it wasn't still raining/snowing. And many people still chose to stay home, which meant less traffic for me to deal with. Was glad to drop off the rental car. In conditions like that, I'd much prefer to drive my own vehicle. 

signs around Dallas/Ft. Worth

Travel may be discouraged, but I'm not stopping! I know they were talking about the road conditions, but there are times when people think I'm crazy for some the places I visit and things I do while traveling. Some might want to discourage me, but until God tells me to stop, I'll keep going! For some reason, I love traveling and can't get enough of it. New places are so exciting and the people I meet..... life is far from boring. Ha! 

my life story

Made it home to about the same weather I left in Texas. But honestly, I'll take snow and ice in Alaska any day over snow and ice in Texas. We are a bit more prepared for it and it's (kinda) normal, so we are used to driving in it. It may be cold and all, but Alaska in the wintertime is beautiful! And beautiful in the summer..... actually it's beautiful all the time, just in different ways. 

Anywho, I am glad to be home. Especially for Christmas time! 

our driveway my first week home

Sledding in April

It had been a long time since I had gone sledding down Haystack. Several years at least. So, when the rumor started circling that one night during Missions Conference there was a group that wanted to take one of our visiting missionaries up there, I said "hey, I want to go!" It's a little unusual to go sledding in April, because by that time of year, the snow has started to melt during the day and refreeze at night. Which means you are sledding down a hill without much snow and possibly ice instead. If you know anything about sledding, that is  really not the best situation.

But we've been having an cold spring this year. Actually it has snowed every day this week and it's now May! Ok, going back to my sledding story. One day that week, I drove a few people out to Haystack to "check out" the hill. They said it was great, so plans were made to go the next evening after the services. 

The next night about 1030pm, we set out. There were 10 of us going out there, though BD didn't go down the hill, since Luke was borrowing all his warm clothing. Because of the lengthening days, it was still a bit light out on our way out of town. The first few runs down the hill, the sky was darkening, but on the horizon it was still lighter blue and orange. Very pretty! and the moon was out in almost full form. 

It was an awesome time! We had a small, good group, which is better than a huge group. We had an great time trying to beat each other down the hill, crashing into the backside of whoever was in front of us, trying to jump the burm at the bottom of the road, and reminiscing on the old times of going down Haystack when funny things happend with other great people, etc. :) The hill is about 3/4 of a mile long, so we would jump in the back of the pickup truck and get a ride to the top. Somehow on the last ride down, my sled didn't get put into the back of the truck, so I was sledless. I could have just not gone down that time around, but since we had already decided it was the last run, I wanted to go. So, I made Ben go with me on his sled. He was the littlest person there, since he's only 13, but still we had a hard time staying on the sled, cause it was too small for two people. But we had a great time laughing our way down the hill and even beat some people! Well, only cause they stopped to try to scare us, by jumping out of the dark woods surrounding the trail. 

Was a little tired the next morning, but thankfully wasn't really sore at all. Normally, two days after sledding down that hill, I can barely move. You can move pretty fast down that hill and get some MAJOR air on the bumps. Yeah, the tailbone usually isn't very grateful the next day. 

I have to say sledding in April is nice, cause of the longer days and warmer conditions. It was about 15-20 degrees that night - wonderful for sledding! I've been down that hill at midnight in October, with no moon or stars to see and -10 - yeah, that's another story for another time. 

before

after

notice my hair - haha

you can kind of see the color on the horizon

the sledders minus one