This is a very exciting time in Alaska. Fur Rondy, the best time of the year just past, the Iditarod mushers are starting to reach the halfway point. (Fun fact: the halfway point is a stop called Cripple. Which is a totally accurate name this year, have you been following? It's been ca-razy.) And most importantly, the daylight is returning.
Good thing Simba lived near the equator.
Okay, here in Anchorage, we never have complete darkness in the winter. On the shortest day of the year we have about 5 1/2 hours of daylight. But lemme tell you, that doesn't feel like a lot. Enter: March. We now have more than 10 1/2 hours of daylight, and gaining almost 6 minutes everyday. And it is amazing. Tomorrow is our first 11 hour daylight day. We should celebrate.
Last year I wrote about how much I like Valentine's Day. It's still true this year and I still think it's dumb to hate it. YOU GUYS CAN CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY HOWEVER YOU WANT. Hello, you can make it not lame.
This is me passing out my valentines
Here are some things I'm loving right now:
1) Making valentines. Duh. - I love making cards in general, but I think valentines are extra fun. This year's valentines feature robots.
2) Presidents' Day is coming up - Not a card-giving holiday (maybe I should start?), but it is a day off work and I'll be in Nashville for the weekend hanging out with my favorite valentine.
3) Spring training starts in NINE DAYS! - TribeTribeTribeTribe
4) Daylight - Valentine's Day marks the first 9 hour daylight day of the year. Finally.
Soon my world will look like this again. This was 10pm in June.
5) This picture of Snoopy the cat. I can't stop laughing.
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, the hot jam of the week is Question by Old 97's. It's 2 minutes of unadulterated love song, without being too cheesy. Scrubs fans might recognize it from when (spoiler alert?) Carla finally says yes to Turk's proposal. But gentlemen, if you are making your lady a mixtape this Valentine's Day, Question is probably not the best song to include. She might get the wrong idea. Unless of course, it's the right idea, then go for it. But, remember,Valentine's Day is a cheesy day to propose.
Today is my birthday! And I think birthdays are really good time to remember what you are thankful for. So here are some things I’m thankful for this year (in no particular order):
1)My sweet new job – Since starting last month I’ve been up to my elbows in the reproductive fluids of common sea stars, played movies in the planetarium, taken 2 trips to Potter Marsh, ridden around Anchorage in a charter bus looking at public art, and learned proper handling of reptiles. While Anchorage isn’t exactly where I’d like to be living, at least I’m doing what I’d like to be doing.
2)Daylight – Alaska has two seasons: winter and not winter, or if you prefer, dark and light. It’s currently light season and when I went to bed at quarter to 11 last night, I didn’t need my light to read. And I think that’s pretty great.
First 10 pm sunset of the season
3) This kid (along with the rest of my family, but he’s certainly the cutest)
4)Yogurt Lounge – I recently tried this frozen yogurt place near my house for the first time. You serve yourself and then pay by the ounce. I mixed peanut butter and cake batter frozen yogurt and then put Reese’s peanut butter cups on top. And it was delightful. Next time I’d like to try red velvet yogurt with maybe cookie dough on top?
5)My fabulous friends – Last week when my friends asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, I enthusiastically asked, “Can we go shoot stuff?!” They responded with a resounding yes. Because they enjoy redneck-ness as much as I do. I’ve also gotten some amazing birthday cards, calls, texts, and Facebook posts from my Lower 48 friends. My friends are a bunch of weirdos, and I love them for that.
Here are a few other things I'm thankful for (that don't require explanation) - pork tacos with avocado, cast iron skillets, half price happy hour, Boyfriend by Justin Bieber, knowing how to walk in high heels, chocolate milk, nighttime cereal, leaves on the trees, melting snow, knowing which fork goes with which course, United States Postal Service, and massages
This week's hot jam is Happy Birthday to You by New Kids on the Block. Because what else would it be?
