Workin' It

Last weekend I worked. Blah. I am usually pretty good about doing my weekend time... but this was the start of the Fur Rendezvous!  Or, Fur Rondy as it is most affectionately called. This winter carnival has Native arts, Native games,  fur auctions, National championship sprint sled dog racing, ice/snow sculpture contests,  downhill mattress races!, outhouse races!, the Miners and Trappers Ball, a fur bikini contest, a beard contest, fireworks, festival food, ice skating, hockey games and of course - the ceremonial start to the Iditarod Trail Race.  The event is one week long and concludes this Sunday night.  More on Fur Rondy in my next post since we will be watching the Iditarod race on Saturday as well as participating in the Reindeer Run!

But, back to work.  I was slaving away while Dave and Jessica got to go downtown to see some events and have hot chocolate.  I was soooo jealous! It did however give me the idea to put up some pictures of what I see every day during my lunch break at work.

The hospital is known for it's exceptional Native art collection.  The art I see most often lines the staircase leading up to the 5th floor, where I go daily to sit, eat and find some (hopefully) peace, quiet and sunshine though the windows.

On the way I see this awesome mural.

There are many display cases, but these two are my favorites.  (sorry about the glare through the glass)
I LOVE THESE MUKLUKS!

 

What cool grass baskets!

And finally, the reward for walking up the 5 flights - a SWEET view of the Chugach.

Fish and Fun

Thanks to the Swim Like a Fish Foundation - who hosted a "learn to ice fish" day at Jewel Lake near our house - we had our first ice fishing experience!  They dug the holes, gave poles and bait.  All we had to do was drop a line in the hole and catch some fish!

Dave and I just outfitted our bikes with some studded tires and took a ride along the coastal trail with Jessica and Zach (who rented Fat Bikes).  By the end of the ride it was slushy snow and heavy snowfall!  Our legs were tired!!

This weekend our friend Andra is visiting and we headed to Alyeska for a beautifully sunny day on the mountain.  We had big smiles all day and the conditions were awesome.  Here we are acting goofy... (i guess that's typical...) 

Yay for new experiences, new friends and visitors!  :)

Thirty-Four

Every year, of the past 33, I have wished for snow on my birthday.  This year marks the first I wished for fabulous sunshine! It was a beautiful but frigid day.  

We spent the weekend at Girdwood in a cute little "birdhouse" cabin with pups and two friends who joined us Saturday night and Sunday.  After the mountain Dave prepared a delicious dinner of chicken galangal (Thai dish) and mochi for dessert.  Jessica also made rice krispie treats (which I had been craving all week long).  

Jessica, Zach and I did the 5k ski loop at Alyeska Resort in sub zero temps.  It was actually a very refreshing morning! Then, I had my most favorite vegetable ever in my omelet during brunch at Jack Sprat --- BEETS! YUM!   

It was an awesome start to my "mid-thirties"!  Life is Good :)

 

This weekend 16 girls from ANTHC pharmacies got together to do the Ski for Women event.  We were a rack of pool balls.  It was a fun 4k ski event to raise money against abuse and domestic violence.