The Puget Sound area is in the midst of a burst of winter. For those who live in the midwest, northeast, Rockies, or Atlantic seaboard, this is just average winter weather. For the Pacific Northwest, this is a real weather event. [We hope our little feijoa tree can survive.] Our temperatures have been below freezing for a good five days now, and snow has appeared in the forecast for most of those days.
ditions, my 8:30am final exam was scheduled to go on like normal. I left at 6am, George went with me, and we arrived at school just shy of two hours later. The freeways were a mess, and side roads are even worse. I was glad to have plenty of snow-driving experience from growing up in Ohio...like when I nearly spun out on the I-405 to I-90 interchange at the top speed of 15 mph. George thought it was great adventure. (Check out the road conditions and snow-covered holly tree viewable from my craft room.)
school across the region yesterday), but we are not in Kansas anymore, Toto! Sure, drivers who aren't used to driving in snowy conditions are a hazard, but the hills and infrequency of snow really make this a different game than snow in many of our hometowns. Getting from point A to point B nearly always involves a hill in Seattle; getting around them can take a lot of time and planning. And, since it only snows a few days a year here, there is very limited equipment. And, let's remember that we usually get snow only after getting rain...which means ice under snow. If the road conditions I experienced this morning would have been in Ohio, it would have closed everything there, too. So, while I am as irritated as the next guy when the car in front of me puts on its brakes at the worst possible time, I can appreciate that life can't go on as normal when snow hits Seattle.
lights in my craft room. When he finishes, it'll be the best lit room in the house since all the other bedrooms are lit by a single wall sconce. As soon as exams finish, I'll give the room a little TLC with plaster repairs where needed, fresh light blue paint on the walls, fresh white ceiling paint, a new closet organizer, some new curtains, and, of course, some shelves to keep all of my craft goodies organized. This is the last bedroom to be "finished," so I am pretty anxious to get my hands on it and really anxious to enjoy my completed room.
been ahead of the gift-buying game this year, and our New Zealand-bound gifts have already been purchased, wrapped, and sent. After my trip to the shops today, we have just one gift left to buy. I'm also making all of our Christmas cards this year (or at least that's the goal). I started several weeks ago, and, after a few solid blocks of time this weekend, I currently have 43 completed cards with about 20 or so needing made. With the exception of a few repeats, they are each a little different to the rest. I hope that each recipient will enjoy the one that George and I pick out just for him/her. I'm really enjoying making the cards, but I seriously doubt that I'll undertake a project like this in coming years.
This morning, we completed another holiday task: picking out a Christmas tree. It's our first tree at this house, and I think it fits in perfectly, if I do say so myself. George is less than excited by the process of hanging lights, ribbon, and ornaments, so I did it mostly myself. As I hung each ornament, I was taken back to the time and place when it came into my life. Corny, I know. Seriously, though, virtually every ornament has a story because the majority are either gifts from my mom or souvenirs from places I've visited. Now that it's all put together, we get to sit back and enjoy that amazing pine scent. Mmmm...
Speaking of pine, we bought a pine wreath at the tree farm. I'm not big on decorations, much less holiday ones, but I thought that a nice simple wreath might bring some holiday cheer to our pathetic front door. The whole thing was going well until I decided to tie a bow. I'm not sure that the bow is going to stay, but I'm quite pleased with the rest of the wreath.
Later, we stopped in the small town of Talkeetna. We ate lunch and discovered a huge, rushing river complete with sand. I'm very confused about finding sand in the Alaskan interior. 
I know it's the result of the water breaking down the river rocks, but my brain still doesn't seem to comprehend it. So be it. As they say, things are different in Alaska. While this conjures lots of ideas, I think you have to experience a bit of Alaska to truly understand the significance of this phrase.
After filling our bellies (my second amazing halibut burger in a row), we headed for Denali State Park for a hike. 
When accessing the area around Denali/Mount McKinley, the state park is to the south and national park to the north. Our hike around the Troublesome Creek area proved successful. We all enjoyed being out of doors, surrounded by natural beauty, and getting a bit of exercise. The brush was quite dense, so we were sure to whistle, clap, and generally create enough ruckus to warn the local moose and bears of our presence well in advance of any confrontation. We didn't run across any significant wildlife, but I suppose that's a good thing. When the trail appeared to end (due to a landslide in 2006), we turned back. I was particularly taken with the many young ferns growing up along the trail.
Not far from the trailhead, but on our way back to Anchorage, we stopped at the southern viewpoint for Mount McKinley. It's too bad that today was so overcast because the view must be dynamite on a clear day. I'm sure we'll be back to check it out. I'm pretty sure that we were all smitten with the giant that is North America's highest peak.
work/school week after being in the Alaskan wilderness, but I must admit feeling quite refreshed. Speaking of work and school, both are off to a great start. This is my first summer school experience, so I'm relying heavily on the interesting subject matter (Alaskan natives and environmental law) to pull me through. My job is already quite rewarding. I had my first client meeting last week, and I'll be writing the final draft of my response to discovery this week. I actually enjoy breaking my day into 6 minute increments. Do you believe it?
Meet a very wind-blown Kiki. She's a friend from law school who is doing the same summer program and living in the same dorm/apartment. You'll be hearing lots about our adventures over the next two months.
This is the point on the trail where I could hear my mother's voice telling me to "use your head." As you can see, Kiki and our new friends from Jersey were carefully placing each foot in the snow. One mistake, and... I'm not sure I was "using my head" when I decided to track across this, but we made it!
Naomi (card shark), Amanda (Martha Stewart), Jenni (Hester Prynne), Kiki (1983 Prom Queen), Josh (1983 Prom King)
Bryan (Abe Lincoln) and Amanda (Martha Stewart)
