Kodiak

Hello and happy first full week of summer!

It's been awhile for Wasilla news which means it's been a busy and satisfying June. Andy & I were apart for nearly 3 weeks given separate work obligations, and I also enjoyed a week with many visiting college friends who traveled for a wonderful Alaska wedding last weekend (my friends, Jodi & Graham). We're finally settled home--together.

My big work week was spent in Kodiak from June 1-5. RurAL CAP co-hosts a sobriety and wellness conference every year (Rural Providers' Conference) and this was the first year that an organized Youth Track was included. Guess who coordinated it? It's been a major responsibility of mine for some time, including having statewide youth plan & attend it. I'm pleased to say it went well! Also included long days, the usual logistical and content-based stress, but some fun as well.

I was gifted a couple wonderful tokens at the week's end, which meant so much as everything wound down. One gift is the Eskimo name, "Mamaaq," named for a strong grandmother in the village of Selawik.

We had usual Kodiak weather (fog and rain), but also one very nice day (our last one!) for lots of walking and camera action. I guess the Cornelia Marie from "The Deadliest Catch" was docked during our week but I never saw it. Here, though, is the Tustamena--a ship in the Alaska Marine Ferry system.

The Youth Track combined cultural speakers, outdoor activities, training for some in the morning (provided by yours truly), discussions, games and a couple tours at the U.S.'s largest operational Coast Guard base. This is a C-130 we explored.From the big Coast Guard items to the little details:The conference included Kodiak hospitality and performances from local groups. There was a neat culture share/open mic night and some of my participating youth got in on the action. Here's one of my younger guys Eskimo dancing with an elder from St. Mary's.I think it was a great experience for everyone, especially me. Most of my youth leaders below, with some AmeriCorps Members!Our 2010 conference will be in Kodiak next June too. Glad for the first year under my belt!

*Amy

Best of Beards

A great way to spend part of the Memorial Day weekend was to attend a once-in-a-lifetime event: The World Beard and Mustache Championships. It's hosted every two years, and in 2009, the second time EVER in the U.S., Anchorage had the honor of this distinguished event. Andy & I were there to marvel at the international level of competition. Facial hair took over the city and I even ran into and met the defending (and still reining) full beard champion of the world, Jack Passion!

We studied the categories out of the program guide:

And then we enjoyed the judging action.Front and back "English Mustache" competitor from Florida:Midnight Sun Brewing Co. crafted a special beer to mark the occasion. It tasted good, not furry.At times it was like entering another time period.This next guy traveled from Australia, I think. The U.S. had the largest contingent and Germany followed close behind.

Many Alaskans took home top prizes; we were proud. The next Championship is in Norway, 2011. I doubt Andy's line of work will allow him to start preparing his entry!

*Amy

A Red Door

For awhile Andy's wanted to personalize the little house by changing the plain white door into a snazzy red one, so on Memorial Day weekend I made it happen. It's not professional by any means--and it has a few fix'ur spots--but I managed!Next up are black window shutters...we're finding the things that make a "home."

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Andy really enjoyed our dinner last night, which included his homemade beer, so I guess he wanted to memorialize it with a photo.

We cooked a nice meal because it's our only one together for three weeks! I just returned from a week in Kodiak for work, and he left today for two work-weeks in Fairbanks. After our steak & seafood plate, we went for a four-wheeler ride, and Andy whipped up a bonfire in the backyard. I think it was date night at home!

*Amy