My mom kicks ass.

I have been sick forever. And by forever, I mean I'm going on day 8. I get sick about twice a year and I am the biggest whiny baby when I am sick. Today, I was coughing on my couch feeling sorry for myself when the mail came. My mom mailed me a can of chicken noodle soup, a box of Kleenex and a bunch of magazines. I almost started to cry. My mom is pretty effing awesome.

Last Night

Even though the news out of Wisconsin is depressing, Alaska is still awe inspiring enough to get me out of a funk. I haven't seen the Northern Lights in years, but they were out last night in full force. This is not my photo because my camera sucks but my friend took this shot last night. It's the same glacier as the photos in the last post. It was wicked cold out but I stuck it out to enjoy a sight that always lifts my spirits no matter how bad of a mood I might be in.

4 Day Weekend

Since my new job started, I've been working a lot. Even some weekends. So when I found out I was getting a four day weekend, my plan was to clean my apartment and do my laundry and take out the recycling and all that other fun stuff I've been letting pile up. But then the sun came out and it warmed up to 30 degrees, something we haven't seen in awhile up here. What's a girl to do? Screw the cleaning, I decided to get outside!
I live right near a glacier. Glaciers are beautiful. The ice caves around the glacier are spectacular. Nothing beats enjoying a Vitamin R while soaking up some Vitamin D.
Since I decided not to clean, I figured I could take some time to hike out to one of my favorite cabins. What can I say? The sun makes me happy.
It's staying light out until after 6 p.m. now. Spring is in the air regardless of how much snow is on the ground. This is my favorite time of year in Juneau. I may not know what I am doing once my job ends yet, but it's hard to dwell on the scary stuff when you are outside enjoying nature!

Dinner!

I’m working with a bunch of young people right out of college. They all grew up in Alaska. One of the biggest differences between kids that grew up in Alaska and the rest of us? When I was living off ramen, I’d fancy it up by adding some mushrooms or onion. Or sometimes when I was getting really crazy, an egg. Today I discovered that kids up here add king salmon or crab to their ramen. It makes sense, but damn.

If you can read this, thank a teacher!

Both of my parents are public teachers. They work late into the night grading papers and creating lesson plans. They deal with limited supplies, classroom size that grows every year, little respect, classroom fights, budget cuts and kids that come from unbelievably sad backgrounds. They do it because they love to teach. They want to make the world a better place. They love kids. They certainly didn't become teachers because the pay was so amazing. If you hate unions, do your own electrical work, put out your own fires, teach your own kids, police your own communities, staff your own jail, work your own steel, build your own car. Walk a mile in the shoes of a working class union family. Sure, some people slack off and abuse the power of a union, but that is not the norm. And it is not the reason Wisconsin has a budget deficit. And whatever you do, don't talk shit about my parents (or public school teachers in general) or I will hurt you. I went to an inner city public school my whole life, don't think I can't fuck a bitch up. But I also got a damn good education.