alaska = good

That title about sums it up.
I have officially been here for 1 week and 1 day.
So far...

Work is decent (i'm carrying an envelope with a week's worth of tips in my pocket as we speak, but waiting to count it when i get out of the public eye).
My coworkers are pretty amazing, and within the past 4-5 days I have been making some of the craziest, most unique friends ever.
The scenery honestly could be one of the best parts, though. Everyday I step outside in 60-65 (or higher) degree weather and, if im not working, take an hour or two and just go exploring. For example, On Saturday before I worked I walked the entire perimeter of the Kenai resort and briefly walked up a nature trail marked DO NOT ENTER (due to numerous bear sightings)...then I got scared and ran back down because I kept hearing the bushes and trees rustling. I know, i'm a wuss...but then again I would like to keep my face from ending up in a bear's mouth. Afterwards I took a 2 mile walk and found a local Cooper Landing cemetary. You can even get buried for free up there if you inquire at the post office/community center. Go figure. The sun was out, which just made everything even more beautiful to look at, even corroded old headstones/tombstones. Nature has always mellowed me out in the past, even when I find myself going nuts from working 4 jobs while taking 5 classes during the school year. But there is something completely different about the atmosphere up in Alaska. I cant put my finger on it, but I will think about it for the next few months. There has to be something...i just dont know what.

I didnt end up going on a fjords tour like I was supposed to on my day off Friday, because they needed me to fill in for another busser. Boo. However, I have Thursday and Friday this week off and I plan on using them to the best of my ability to see EVERYTHING. Maybe on the river? Maybe by land? Maybe on horse? Who knows, and thats why I love this place...so much to do, and everywhere is the perfect start.

Plus I'm working out daily, starting out small but progressively getting better and better with it. We will see how that goes in the long run...but hopefully when I get back to the lower 48 (ha, love saying that) it will be noticed.

I'm working a split shift today (7am-1130am and 5pm-1130pm) and I'm running on 3.5 hours of sleep thanks to impromptu Anchorman showing in the rec room with Ryan (girl Ryan!), Kirk, Alex, Hurley, Andrea, and briefly Kyla. Yes I just name dropped some of my new friends, and I have no shame. Well maybe a little...but ahh well. Time for a nap...hope everyones having fun in the sweltering heat while I'm staying nice and cool (i'm even wearing t-shirt and shorts everyday and not freezing!)...PS: come up and visit, you wont regret it.

Taking it day by day,
-Yohe

PPS: IMPORTANT: if you are reading this and want a summer job until September or later, let me know!!! They are currently hiring and need people in the restaurant and housekeeping (among other areas) and asked me if i had any friends looking for work. All you need to know is housing is $15/day (includes 3 meals a day and a clean, nice place to stay) and they can help you find airfare. ALL OF THIS CAN COME OUT OF YOUR PAYCHECK SO YOU WONT HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING TO FLY UP HERE!!! Seriously, this is the chance of a lifetime...if you need a job, let me know.
yohe.9@osu.edu