Shuttering

Out of AK, briefly

One week I was walking in the Denali National Park, and the next week I was hitting the pavement of downtown San Francisco. What a fun and varied summer it's been so far!

I had the awesome opportunity to attend the National Conference on Volunteering and Service. It was the largest gathering of its kind--ever. Of course I soaked in the inspiration & youth-specific workshops (for my job), but the General Assembly and some other events were mind-bogglingly cool! (and getting time with fellow AmeriCorps alums or coordinators.)

How often do you see Matthew McConaughey (far left) hanging around to speak on volunteering?

What are the chances of hearing California Governor Arnold S. speak some "key" phrases?! (and be noteworthy during the un-recorded portion of his message?)

Not often do you go from the splendor of AK summer to a vibrant skyline, above, as seen from my hotel window.

How often do you get swiped by Secret Service? Our keynote speaker was First Lady Michelle Obama! It's difficult to describe how thrilling that was..."I'm with my people, " she said.

Other guests at the conference included Maria Shriver, Arianna Huffington, Shaka Khan, Nancy Pelosi (below), and even an exclusive from Bon Jovi!

What a totally cool reason to leave AK during the summer, and during a busy month.

2009 is the Obama Administration's Summer of Service, concluding on 9/11. This is the time for all of us to make contributions where we live--big or small!

Oh, and not to brag but this is very cool too...I sat 7 rows behind Sean Penn on the flight from San Fran to Anchorage. Seems he was going camping with his teenage son, given the tent sack, sleeping pads and backpack he pulled out of the airport baggage claim. It looked like I was the only one to recognize him, or care to watch his every move!

*Amy

Happy Belated 4th of July...

...from Andy, me & my Dad, Joe!

It was a 42-hour turn-around from getting Dad's ticket to AK from MN and his arrival! It's great to have him here this week during the warm weather. As you can see, Andy and Dad took part in traditional 4th of July activities...yard games and cool beverages!

Hope you enjoyed your holiday celebrations this weekend!

*Amy

AK vacation & AK wedding

Taking the time to enjoy a vacation in this amazing state doesn't happen enough, in my opinion. Months ago I was thrilled to learn my dear college friends were planning a vacation around our friends' AK wedding...because that meant I would also explore and play! That week fell during Andy's annual two-week training in Fairbanks, so sadly he couldn't join us.

Our big CSB/SJU reunion started in Southcentral during my birthday, and then caravanned north to Denali, my first time. Thankfully, while in Talkeetna, North America's largest mountain was in plain site!

Our stay in Denali, along the Nenana River, was excellent, including the weather. The red cabin on rock treated our 9-person group well.

For the adventure side of things, we took on the river with white-water rafting. The guide seemed to play mind games by saying, "yesterday we barely made it through this next rapid with 9 of us...so,with only six of us...well, we'll see what happens." It worked and we paddled heartily, thinking our lives in danger!

Also, some nice hiking in Denali National Park to Horseshoe Lake.

In addition to some quality before-and-after Denali hosting in Wasilla, the next portion of the week break was on the Kenai Peninsula in Seward. Andy drove down from Fairbanks in one day, joining the Bachelor party in time while I hosted the Bachelorette shindig. He also went on a halibut charter to provide us with fish and before we all knew it, Jodi and Graham's (living in Anchorage) wedding arrived! I was honored to stand as Maid of Honor.

Their officiant was a good pal who also graduated college with us, and Graham's brother was Best Man. The ceremony and reception were hosted at the Groom's parents' home.

Below: my college roommates, otherwise known as Chubbies! We see each other all-together about once a year--at a wedding. Guess who's the last one of the group? :)Here's proof that Andy & I saw each other a little bit in June!I really enjoyed my other dancing partner though. He's Jodi's youngest nephew and we tore up Billie Jean, before we could know M. Jackson's fate: "The Kid is Not My Son!"Congrats to the long-time, new couple! They outdid themselves. We were so spoiled having so many friends up here. Our homes always remain open to you!*Amy

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