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 Traveling Life

I love traveling. Not just the part about going to new places and experiencing new cultures and languages, but also the the actual travel part. Flying is part of the adventure (even though I do admit the 9+ hour flights are a bit long). And airports are some of my favorite places to hang out. Seriously. 

People watching can be so entertaining. Just have to be sure not to laugh out loud so they don't know they are being watched. And I can stare just as well as any one else. I have to resist the urge at times to make faces at those who are staring... my mom always told me it was rude to stare, but guess that's not universal. 

chilling at SEA-TAC airport

Sipping coffee or munching on a meal in airport, just part of the traveling scene. Sometimes the food's great and other times... well let's leave that memory alone. The price can be out of this world, too. Whew. 

7 hour layover in Bangalore

Personally, I love layovers. At times, I purposely plan for layovers of more than 6 hours, then I can go out and explore. On my way home from the last trip, I had 27 hours in Dubai. Figured since I was traveling through anyways and it didn't cost any more for the flight to stay longer, why not? But it did cost me more in the long run... hotel, transportation, tour, etc, but it's not like I'm passing through Dubai on a regular basis. 

tallest building in the world - Dubai

I heard once that Dubai had more cranes than any other city in the world. And I believe it! There's buildings going up everywhere. Amazing how they have made a city at the edge of the desert. In town, you see green grass and trees, massive buildings and a regular city, then a random city block of sand. And outside of town, the sand dunes stretch on and on. And on. 

hotel construction

Have to say I like international flights better than domestic. For one you get food. :) And usually the flight attendants are much nicer. Not to mention the personal TV screen in each seat. This was my first time flying Emirates Air, but have to say, it's one of my favorites. Their food was better than most, service was great and the seats all have individual plugins! Was surprised to find out the flight crew was from a diverse assortment of countries. I don't think I met anyone actually from UAE. On one transcontinental flight, there were flight attendants from Egypt, UK, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Lithuania, USA, Thailand, Ecuador, China and a few others. So cool. 

Representing Spain  - USA - Egypt 

Two Week Trip to India

So the adventure I alluded to last post.... I just got back from south India, where I spent two weeks teaching English. It was a GREAT time. On the way there, it took four flights and 36 hours traveling. Left home Friday morning early and arrived local time Sunday late morning. Yes, I was tired, but it only took a day and a half to adjust to the new time (14 1/2 hours ahead of Alaska). 

view from the roof of the guest house

I stayed on the campus of a Bible campus. My class consisted of only seven students and they worked hard for the two weeks at English Writing. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this class and this subject. We had a great time not only working on writing, but also singing, laughing and getting to know each other. I now have a desire to visit their home places. 

MABT students

walking to class

It was an encouraging time for me. Getting to know other young people with a great desire to serve God with their lives is always encouraging. God also worked on my heart much during this time, through my students, our singing, the chapel services and His Word.

God is faithful. 

October's Disappearance

Wow, where did October go? I had every intention of blogging during October, but as you can see, that didn't happen. October disappeared in a sea of teaching/tutoring, Shakespeare, South Pacific literature, classes, working, Missions Conference, accounts receivables, studying, writing papers, deciphering morphology, researching, reading..... and the list goes on. 

It is not slowing down at all either. I will attempt to be more faithful at blogging, but I make no promises. You have not been forgotten though! 

Super excited about this week. Big things happening this weekend. But I will leave in you in suspense for a little while longer..... 

Until then, enjoy some sunshine!! :) 

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. :)