Arrival

I had a lovely window seat on the flight up here. And though you may think that's inconsequential for a 1 am landing, it was breathtaking. The sun was going down--the horizon bright rosy pink--and in the dusk I could see the lovely mountains, snow, and ocean that are Alaska. Welcome to your new home!

At home Matt introduced me to this awesome sleeping mask, that I just felt I had to share with you all. Matt said, "you're weird" when I showed him the picture, but we all know that already, right? This is going to be my good pal for the next three months. It's definitely a different experience knowing I don't have to worry about the daylight for the time being. We could eat dinner at 9:00 pm outside and still have plenty of light. Today at 7 am it was about 60 degrees, but by 1 pm it was a beautiful 70. I sat on the porch and read with the animal menagerie in the gorgeous sun, and actually got so hot I had to go inside. The sky is lovely blue, the trees are lush and green, and as an extra treat the tree across the street is even in bloom.

I have to keep reminding myself I am at sea level--those majestic mountains that surround me make it easy for me to think I'm in familiar Colorado mile-high territory. Every time I boil water I remember though--and I keep trying to figure out if it will take more or less time to boil me egg (sorry Mrs. Jackson--I know you taught me this, but my reason and knowledge escapes me!). I'm going to go running with Jack tomorrow and then let myself think I'm the bomb because I can run so far all of the sudden.

More than anything I am glad to be back with Matt--which is more than ever clearly right where I should be. We function so much better as a unit that apart. It's so nice to be able to share the same space with him again, and have his presence as book ends to my days. And that, truly, is home.