happy thoughts

My sister will be here Wednesday, weather permitting...There has been storms after storms, blizzard after blizzard these passed few weeks and it has become quite annoying, and as much as I like snow, I am sick of it.

I am also excited about my move to Nome in May. I am making my preparations for my move, and figuring out the best routes and directions to take. I am still on the fence about selling my car. My mother says it would be best if I kept it just in case I need to move back home before I expect to, but I don't want to think that way, since I am signing a 2 year contract to stay here. I could sell it and use the money to pay her back what I owe her, and still have plenty left over to buy a 'new' car when I get back up to Nome.

Option 2: I could pack up my car, drive to Seattle, have my car shipped up here with all my things at a flat rate and have my car. That would be great, but really to live up here you need to have a vehicle that has 4 wheel drive, and my Honda sedan isn't that. Not to mention, I really would not be interested in driving across the country. That would shave off 4-5 days from my vacation and move-prep time.

There is so much to do! My head is swimming! BUT- I am so happy! I will have a job with good benefits, get my student loans paid off, go to school for my RN online, experience more of Alaska that I haven't had a chance to do yet, get awesome training FOR FREE that I wouldn't get in the Lower 48, build up my resume, and become a member of the community. Not to mention spend time with my friends and 'family' here in Nome and my awesome boyfriend Brian I wish you could all meet.

If you are feeling blue that I am leaving the Lower 48 for AK, DON'T! I will still be able to make trips home to see everyone, and at least this time, I will be getting paid vacation to do so.

More ponderings soon.... Gotta get back to work :)

permanent

I decided yesterday to fill out an application for here at Norton Sound. My life flashed before my eyes the other day when I realized if I didn't stay here I would have to move back to Memphis and be absolutely miserable.

I haven't received an offer letter yet for hire, but it's pretty much a done deal. They have to do a background check on me, which I know will come out fine since I am an upstanding pillar of any community I so choose to join...

So, after 2 and a half years of travelling I have finally made the decision to lay down a few roots here in Nome for a few years.

I am very happy with the choice that I have made. I will be getting paid a great wage, I will get a relocation fund, a sign on bonus, and the difference in what I get paid now versus when I return as a permanent will cover what I would pay in rent every month. It all works out quite well.

Tomorrow while I am off work (finally! It has been a long hellacious week) I am going to take care of some business around town in preparation. I will go to the post office and get a PO Box, since there are no mail boxes in Nome. I will have to open a bank account at Wells Fargo, and I will have to start shopping around for apartments to rent and things I will need for here.

I will need a TV to start. I will die without one :) And most p[laces up here are furnished with furniture, etc...but I have issues with sleeping on a used mattress so I think I will splurge on a really fancy air mattress.

I am swimming with all the things I need to do! Any suggestions from anyone for a permanent move from the Lower 48 to the great big state of Alaska where shipping costs are through the roof? I am already aware of parcel posting for which I will be doing, just need more suggestions...

I'm excited!

Happy New Year!

Well, I didn't party like a rock star, or even stay up late consciously to really ring in the New Year with a bang, but I welcome it with open arms.

I always like the new year. It mentally helps me dump the crap that haunts me from the previous year behind me, and it makes me motivated to have an even better year than the one before.

I pretty much spent 75% of 2007 in Nome, Alaska, where I was working as a travel nurse. I had an awesome time, made killer friends, and got to do and see things I never thought I would accomplish in my lifetime. And in a few months, I will be back of to Alaska to finish the "to-do" list I made when I first stepped foot in November of 06'.

California has been iffy for me as far as being an aesthetically pleasing place to live. I am not quite fond of the people whom inhabit the Silicon Valley as much as I DO appreciate the citizens of San Francisco with their joix de vive and individuality and open acceptance to anyone who wants it.

I have fallen in love with a little nook of land next to the ocean in a town called Monterey. It is the famous home of the brilliant author, John Steinbeck. And you can see the pride of the hometown everywhere. It truly is a magical place. The weather isn't exactly perfect. It's been chilly most of the times I have visited, but the brilliance of the sea will make you forget what the weather is like outside. The ocean is a hue of greenish blue, with soft beige sand and plenty of wildlife to gaze upon.

I discovered the beach and tide pools behind Cannery Row. What a neat place! Mussels, clams, sea anemone, starfish, jellyfish, small crabs, fish, seagulls.... The wildlife list goes on and on. And when leaving at night time, the lights from the bay can take your breath away. I can only imagine that it is fairly comparable to the French Riviera.

They will have the flu clinic job open this Sept/Oct again. There is a clinic in Monterey, and since I have the experience, I would love to get the position there so I can get a few free months in paradise. We'll see when that time comes.

But like I said, there is a 95% chance I am going back to Alaska for April-June. And hopefully over the summer I can get a travel assignment in or around Memphis or St. Louis. That way I can be awarded a housing subsidy, stay with Mom or Dad, and be able to save money so I can go back to school some day.

Well anyhow, I am going to leave you with this cheerful update and hopefully get back on the ball with more bloggings to capture my experiences as a traveller.

Until then, I am going to Memphis on Tuesday and St. Louis on Saturday. Gone altogether for a week of relaxing, partying and taking care of business. Maybe something fun will happen that I can report to you.

Take care, and God bless.