Hockey, hockey and more hockey

The past few weeks have been full of hockey. At one point, was on the verge of too much hockey. I know, hard to believe for an Alaskan, right? Couple weekends ago, we (UAF Nanooks) played Ferris State, who was at the time ranked #2 in the nation. Though they were #2 and we aren't ranked, we swept them, winning both Friday and Saturday night. It was pretty awesome. Saturday was Skate with the Nanooks, so stuck around since the others wanted to skate and get pictures. Might as well get in on the pictures, eh? 

w/ G. Perry #12

Sarah and "her man" - J. Tateson #2

The weekend after that, I was in the states for a friend's wedding, because of which, I had to miss the Governor's Cup. :/ Normally the only time we play Anchorage is for the Governor's Cup, because we have been in different conferences. This year, things were switched up and we are now in the same conference; for the Cup we played UAA four times instead of the normal two. Course, this was all while I was States, so I wasn't able to be there. :( but I did listen to the radio and watch part of the games on the internet. Friday we did great, beating UAA 7-2! Kunyk got a Texas Hat trick (four goals in one game)! We split the series, each winning two games, so the winner was determined by a shootout. Which we won! Five years in a row, we've won the Gov. Cup.

Friday's game against our arch rival UAA

Since I had to miss the Gov. Cup, decided my time in Chicago could be put to good use by going to my first NHL game! Blackhawks were scheduled for a home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. For sure, it's better hockey, but totally different atmosphere! I'm used to watching my home team with three to four thousand other fans, not twenty thousand! That arena is huge. Not the greatest to go by oneself either, but hey, when you travel by yourself, it's the way it is. It was a good game, Blackhawks winning 6-1. Awesome experience. Can't wait for next time; will just bring a friend along in the future.

United Center - Blackhawks Win!

at the Blackhawks game (by myself)

The next night, I took some young friends to another hockey game, this time in Peoria. It was a semi-pro game. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. Wasn't really a good game. But the kids enjoyed it. I was just enjoying the time with them. :)

w/ Julia and Seth at the Peoria Rivermen game

Back at home the next weekend, for the first week of the WCHA playoffs, where we faced UAA once again. This year instead of playing them the normal two games, we played Seven! For the playoffs, it is best of three. It had to go to the third game..... which we lost. :( We fought hard, but it just didn't happen. We had several out with injuries, so that had some effects. It was intense that final third period. I had worked all day and was very tired and hungry during that game. The excitement of that game was almost too much for me to handle. Haha. I've always enjoyed hockey, but this year I've really gotten into it. It was a disappointment to lose. We did have some crazy plays and scores though! Still don't know how Parayko's second goal Saturday night went it the net. He had his back to the net and there were several people between him and the goal, but he shot and scored! 

So, now our season is over. Have to wait six months until Nanook hockey starts back up. Gonna miss our three seniors - Beck, Kunyk and Quinn. All three excellent players - wish them the best in the days ahead.

w/ the 3 seniors - #37 #6 #36

The Climax of Scripture

Recently, my brain has been a whirlwind trying to maintain order of all my school assignments, travel arrangements, scheduling of the summer, getting ready for AWG (more info. on that later), staying busy at work, etc. Whew, that's tiring just typing/thinking about it! 

In the midst of so much chaos and activity, I love the blessings God gives. With my English class the past few weeks, I've been brushing up on the fundamentals and structure of literature. Relearning about the plot, setting, characters, theme and literary devices within a story. My teacher has pointed out that each author is the creator of his fictional work. He or she determines what needs to be included into the story and nothing is there by accident. Everything has a reason, even little details and descriptions. He equated it to the author being the "god" of the story. Every plot has a climax, the conflict of it's characters reaching that one pivot point in the narrative that ultimately has the potential of changing the ending.

Couple days after that English review, I was reading in Mark 15 about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. I came to verse 38. Here was the climax, the pivot point. Now the Bible isn't a fictional story book, it is the true, accurate account of God's creation of earth and mankind, man's sin and God's redemption plan for sinful man. But with all those English aspects of stories flowing through my brain, I couldn't help but connect the two. God's perfect, amazing story of love summed up within one verse. 

Mark 15:38 - And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

That verse may not seem like much to you, but when I read it, it jumped out at me. This is the climax of the incredible story of God's love for us humans. You see, the veil in the temple separated man from God. Beyond that huge, thick veil was the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant and during the ancient days of Israel where God was said to dwell. That veil symbolized the disconnect between us and God. Only one person was allowed past that veil in the temple and only once a year. When Jesus died on the cross, God tore the magnificent veil separating us from Him in half! He was telling us, that no longer would we have to offer sacrifices and go to a priest to get our sins forgiven and to know Him. We could now freely come into His presence! As Hebrews says, we can come boldly into the throne room of God, we do not need a priest to intercede for us. Jesus Christ paid our sin debt with His life, thereby allowing us free access to Almightly God. 

I'm thankful for even English classes, because it has made me recognize in Scripture that I would otherwise pass right over. And even more thankful for God's amazing, abundant love for me that He would choose to die in my place!!

Visitors

I've been curious for a while about who all visits my blog. I see on my stats that I supposedly have visitors from random foreign countries.... and I wonder who you are. :) Blogging was a way friends could keep up with my travels when thousands of miles separated us. But I've made several blogging friends since that time. It's been a fun adventure. Just a couple months from now will mark three years that I've been a part of the blogging world! Wow, where did the time go?

Downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada

So, I invite you to leave a comment telling me where you live and how you found my blog. Perhaps I have old friends reading that I didn't know knew about my blog. And maybe I have new friends out there reading, just waiting for that first introduction.

Feel free to let me know what you like or don't like about my blog... any question you're dying to ask? Anything you'd like to see in the future? 

Back to School

When I was in high school, I had no intention of furthering my education with university studies. Also had no desire to be a teacher of any kind.

Well, fast forward several years. I've attended Secondary schooling for 4+ years now and taught many times over. Funny thing is, now I enjoy school, both being a student and a teacher.

Thought I was done though being a full time student... well, that's going to change. I just started an online English course this past week. Also applied for admission back at UAF (where I got my Associates from). Since I already have my AAS, I should only need two more years before earning my Bachelors. And if I work hard (take summer classes), might be able to achieve that goal in eighteen months.

Meanwhile, I've been steadily working on a TESOL course online. For those of you who don't know what that is.... Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I have about two weeks left to finish the course. Yay! I've wanted to do this for a long time and finally set my mind to it. It's been informative and I hope to put all that knowledge to good use. Maybe it will even help me get a job overseas teaching English.... one could hope. Until then, I'll use it here to help the students I tutor and for the classes I occasionally fill in for.

With everything else going on in my life, it is a challenge to keep up with school some days. But I have a goal in mind and I'm pressing on!

Homesick?

Ever have one of those days when you're homesick? 

I do. Somewhat frequently. And its not for a place you would probably think I'd be homesick for. Truth be told, I've been homesick more in the US, than I am when I'm overseas. 

First time I lived away from home, I was in Arctic Canada and can remember just a handful of days of homesickness. Most of those occurred when I received bad news and wished to be home for my family and friends. Otherwise, my days were filled with loving where I was and making new friends and memories. 

The year after that found me in the vast remoteness of Outer Mongolia for seven months. Seven months in the dead of winter. And I can distinctly remember one day of homesickness during that time. That was my first Christmas not with my family and it didn't faze me one bit. Every day was an adventure and while I missed family and friends, homesickness was far from my mind. 

THEN God had me at home in the States for a while. At home. In my own country. Familiar culture. Language easily understood. With family I loved. Friends I enjoyed. And I was homesick!

Do I enjoy everything about Mongolia? Well, no. Some of their food, I still have a hard time eating. And being so sick you want to die while living in a ger with no running water, an outhouse 30 feet away, smelling animal fat cooking over the wood stove, all in the middle of winter, can't say that's really enjoyable. But for some reason, Mongolia has a very special place in my heart. I still count many of those months as some of the best times of my life. The people I've met, many are still close friends and others will always be a part of the memories of an awesome time of my life. 

And since that first time to NWT eight and a half years ago, I've traveled to several more countries. A few left a less favorable impression than others, but all have had some kind of impact on who I am today. So that, now when I at home in Alaska, I get waves of homesickness for a strange land with weird food, diverse climate, different language. 

Then there are those days when I get homesick for my Real Home, the one I haven't seen yet. Heaven. One word that encompasses SO much! Longing for the day, I'll meet Jesus face to face. Sit in His presence. Sing His praises. Hear Him audibly say my name. oooh, gives me the chills just to think of the Great, Awesome, all-Powerful Almighty Creator of the universe speaking my name! 

To be surrounded by those loved ones who are already with my Saviour. I'll see Michael again. And Denise. And Grandpa Jim. And so many others. I miss them. But the sure hope of seeing them again one day reminds to keep my joy and my smile. 

So when the homesickness hits, I remind myself to be grateful that there are places I miss. It means I've had a full life. Wonderful times remembered. Important lessons learned. Close friends made. Families formed. And one day, homesickness will no longer be in our vocabulary when we reach the other side of Jordan. 

Until then..... Embrace Life. Live to the Fullest. Even if that means accepting homesickness. 

But When I Do....

This past weekend was the long anticipated weekend road trip to Anchorage for The Piano Guys concert. Somehow our two day trip turned into three days and then evolved into four. Which I was totally okay with, since it meant I had two days off work. :) I like long weekends. 

road trip!

I don't usually take 1000+ mile weekend road trips,  

But when I do - it's with amazing people! 

ready for some craziness!

Don't usually take road trips with the Fairchilds, 

But when we do - we use a water bottle as a funnel to put gas in a old lady's car on the side of the highway. 

using our homemade funnel

The guys wanted to go skiing/snowboarding, so they dropped us girls off at the airport to rent a car. We were gonna cruise around town all day until the concert. After clearing up some confusion about our reservation, the lady asked if we wanted a truck. At no extra charge! Sure thing!! So, we bummed around town in a new, bright red Dodge Ram. Oh yeah! I've always wanted a truck, so was cool to drive that around town. The gas mileage isn't cool (which is why I haven't bought a truck as of yet), but for a day, why not!?

Don't usually rent a vehicle for a day,
But when we do - it's a TRUCK.

girl and her truck is a beautiful thing

Don't usually go to an Alaska Aces game,
But when we do - we get a picture with the Stanley Cup!

NHL Stanley Cup

Don't usually go to Anchorage,
But when we do - we hang out with Chuckie Cheese!

yes, we really did go to Chuckie Cheese :) 

The Piano Guys concert was amazing. As we knew it would be. :) Next time, I'll be paying more money for my ticket so I can get a seat closer to the front. Definitely would be worth the money. They were pretty funny and oh, the music! We had an awesome time. Only got in trouble once... someone just had to use their camera during the concert... ha.

After the concert was over Saturday night, we met up with some friends, also down from Fairbanks, at Dennys. Well, we met up with them, after finding the right parking garage. I suggest knowing exactly how to get back to the right parking garage late at night in downtown Anchorage... but we survived that little adventure, with only a slightly fast heart rate. Then we began the two hour plus drive to Seward. Yes, I know, we are slightly crazy. Arrived about 230 AM, found our respective beds (our hosts were already in bed) and crashed.

Red Robin!

Sunday was beautiful in Seward! Gorgeous blue skies and crisp, clear view of the mountains. Our very brief time at the ocean was fantastic; we sped down there for a couple minutes between Sunday school and the main service. Why not, when you are three blocks away from the water and have a ten minute break between services? Besides the cold wind woke us up, since we were all so tired from the previous late nights.

We don't usually go to ocean in Seward,
But when we do - it's during church.

Monday we made the long trek back home. Was snowing and blowing the first bit, but cleared up thankfully. Course we made some stops along the way, so our intended arrival time kept getting pushed further and further back. But 11 PM isn't so bad, considering I've gotten home much later from road trips. Much later.

All in all, it was a great time. And I would do it again. With the same people. That says a lot.

chillin' in the back seat