musings, ponderings, quips, and whatever else

Just in case you all had some questions about the 'hood' where we own a place back in VA..... Rob and I had it rough, y'all.

And for those of you that were also NOVAites at one time, you'll love it :)

Well.... Redoubt is showering the state in ash..... but other than that, all of us up north are doing just fine. Longer days, it was in the balmy upper 30s/low 40s today.... it actually feels pleasant... and much to do this summer with family coming up, hikes to take (yay Juneau lake cabin!) and such.

Paris was a blast.... I am so happy to have had the chance to go. It makes me want to be back in Europe.... I love that lifestyle. But then again... I was on vacation and taking a class. So not like living there. I suppose Summer will be the expert after 3 years in Germany.

But I digress...
www.facebook.com/album.php

(France photos)

Now... since I am getting up at 445 to go to the gym... perhaps I'll sleep a bit?

Hope all are well!

Long time no write.  Come to the "dark side"---- Facebook! ;)

In any case.... all is well up here so very close to the arctic circle. In fact, it is warmer here tonight than it is on the East coast!

Speaking of coasts.... I will be flying out to Paris the 8-21st. The first part of the trip is for a class I am taking for work (Active Release Techniques-- ART); the second is just for fun.

Wooooooooo!

:-D

Other than that.... I have kept myself quite busy learning how to ski well on steep mountains (Alyeska) with lessons, and help from my friend Libby (ex ski racer). I didn't know how much I didn't know! But I am 100% better than before. It is so nice to do challenging terrain and feel in control. Horray winter! The best part is that we are gaining 5 minutes of daylight a day. That translates into it still being sunny when I leave work for a bit. So much nicer than only those 4 hours we had...

I love this album, but I absolutely love this song for whatever reason... me and UK indie rock. What can I say.

For those of you not in my Facebook web..... here are some pictures from our office Christmas party that I helped to organize. The mystery is from http://www.host-party.com Relatively inexpensive and it was a great success. I was Bette Davis.... I gave all of the parts away to my coworkers so that I could be more of an emcee and behind the scenes person. Will post more as I get them!

www.facebook.com/album.php
(http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18264&l=d50af&id=1130620650)

Also wanted to reflect on it being Rob and I's first Christmas/Holiday time solo. It is kind of strange to not have family up here to spend it with.  Thankfully, friends are family up here and that spirit of togetherness is very profound. Our friend Marianne (with whom I am always posting hiking pictures with) is throwing a Raclette party like she used to when she lived in Philly. I am excited!! She just bought a place in the valley (Palmer, AK... about an hour north of Anchorage) and will be having said party on Christmas Eve. We are going to wake up the next morning and snowshoe and ski to our heart's content from her backyard. Yay! I am happy and excited to have plans... and again... happy that so many people up here are so nice to include us in their plans! If you are not as familiar with Raclette (I wasn't) read up (I hope my soy cheese works here.... wonder if it will melt....)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raclette

My Dad saw this movie @ the Shirlington cinema house a bit ago and recommended it to me. Of course, was not playing anywhere in Anchorage.... but now it is on DVD (thank you Netflix).

It was phenomenal. Absolutely. I love subtle movies that rely on plot and acting and not special effects. This is so subtle. You warm up to it much like you do after meeting a new person. But it is so worth it.

Check it out!:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0857191/

SNL *(Host: Paul Rudd, music: Beyonce) was terrific tonight.

The first skit with copious amounts of kissing was funny, definitely.

Weekend update was fantastic.

But my favorite sketch was with Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and 'dancers' making a dance video. I died laughing.

So when they post, take a look! : http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/

Also... Beyonce must be amazing in concert... she just goes above and beyond. Her performances on the show were absolutely fantastic!

Hi.

My name is Amanda Calhoon.... and I am undeniably, seemingly irrevocably, addicted to cheese.

It is a hard vice to kick.

What's funny though... I tried going without it for a week. Today, I introduced it back into my diet.

And I kind of feel like crap.

Damn! One more food group vetoed.....

Though I will say, I really like the way I felt NOT eating a lot of dairy and cheese. I just felt... well, less sluggish.

Yes, I realize that a lot of it could be in my head... but that's what it really comes to when the day is over.

I'm lovin it so far!

www.amazon.com/Skinny-Bitch-Kim-Barnouin/dp/0762424931/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1

Going ice skating on an actual POND vs. the sculpture garden in Dc was fantastic!!! 

www.facebook.com/album.php
(http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16106&l=52032&id=1130620650 if the above doesn't work)

On our way to our third lake, Marianne and I found an older golden retriever/lab mix wandering around. It was cold, lost, obviously hungry and digging through trash. We coaxed her over, and Marianne took her home. Here is an ad on craigslist Ak. If you're in the Palmer/Wasilla area, this may be your pooch! She is well mannered and a joy to be around. Follow the link and let us know asap!

anchorage.craigslist.org/pet/912489486.html

Addendum-- Marianne just called me and let me know that our pooch has no teeth! They look like they were cut in half and/or worn down almost to the gums. Oh.... this is so strange... I wonder how that would happen?!??!

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!! :)

Sorry the quality sucks... took it with my camera phone. Sort of fitting though... voting here was VERY different than in VA. For starters, no electronics. They had to check me on a print out. The lines were awful and took 30 minutes... and I got there 15 minutes before the polls opened. People were stealing the black pens for the paper ballots. But even with all that.... it was kind of magical to see people look like they actually gave a damn about what they were doing. I haven't voted yet where there is a charge in the air like that... it made me really proud to be out.

I do wish I was voting in CA... they had a lot of Props that I have strong opinions about and would have voted for/against. Two of the main ones are Prop 2 (animal rights--- a resounding YES) and Prop 8, I believe (a strong NO). Either way.... 

Speaking of proud... did everyone see McCain's and Obama's speeches? Both were eloquent, well thought out and... above all, in the spirit of togetherness and moving forward. I am happy about the outcome, and hope that everyone will move forward. Here's hoping there is no lost momentum in this lame duck period and that we make our home something to be ultimately proud of.

Here's to the future!

Hello friends.. .those that live in non sub-arctic climates and all that do. Greetings from a place where it is already only 18 degrees during the day.... during the fall!

Our time up here thus far has been wonderful. I never thought I would be out playing with Theo in this type of frosty place... but it is incredible how quickly our bodies have adapted. Amazing, even. We look at the map every so often to take note of how far away we are from the bulk of our families and friends and realize... damn, we are really out there! Talk about feeling like we're in a foreign country.

Rob is feeling better and is recovering more and more each day. He is still on light duty, but I am still hoping that he continues to gain relief as the three month window s/p his PDD will allow his discs to shrink and stabilize.

I have been enjoying participating in MeetUp group things.... am going hiking in Turnagain arm tomorrow with a group. I now realize why so many said to do so instead of snow things... may be the last weekend to do so before we get dumped on!

We went to see Warren Miller's "Children of Winter" on Tuesday night. I definitely got me in the mood to ski. Look up when it is touring in your area... you will not be let down. The best part is the beginning--- in the Chugach mountains of AK.  Woo! While I am not getting a season pass to the larger of the ski resorts near here (too damn expensive!!) I am really planning on working on my downhill/alpine skills. And I want to learn to cross country. Seriously... there are SO many things to motor plan on, my brain will be working overtime. That will hopefully keep me from getting cabin fever.

On a somewhat unrelated note... I am looking forward to Tuesday. I absolutely loathe the ads I am being bombarded with from both local and national candidates. Too bad that the winner most likely will be set before our polls close. Perhaps with me voting before work I might actually 'count' in that lovely, the-electoral-body-can-still-do-whatever-they-want-no-matter-how-I-vote, type way.

I swear. I am constantly floored by the fact that we can drag ourselves up mountains and down again, with various devices strapped to our feet, and survive unscathed. That we can put ourselves into below freezing conditions for hours and still manage to sweat. That we can feel every breath as we trudge along and make the conscience choice to carry on.



Damn, Alaska winters are sweet. This is me at the top of one HUGE hill/mountain (one of the many @ Hatchers Pass, of course).

I really want to learn to cross country ski.... but damn if showshoeing isn't a fantastic activity!

As seen below (for those of you not of the Facebook persuasion...)

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1130620650&k=SVE2Q2V2PW2MYKCAQFZ6W

P.S. Do not ask why I had that song stuck in my head during our hike today... perhaps a random AK radio station played it? Who knows....

Snowshoeing was AMAZING!! AMAZING!!!

It was one of the most incredible times of my life!!!

These were pics from just my camera; others from the group will post theirs to the group, which I'll share. No pics of my ascent up a fairly huge mountain.

Again... pictures to not do it justice.

Enjoy!

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8RbtWblm1Y2E

See organicfitness (my workout journal that I completely neglect-- I haven't written in it since August!) for a badass recipe that came to fruition.

A budding chef? No. But progressing!

Here is what I'm up to on Sunday with Marianne, Cami and about 30 other people....
www.meetup.com/AnchorageAdventurers/calendar/8962374/

We are snowshoeing... still haven't x-country skiied.... but I know that is the thing up here. I will still do Alpine.. but I am amazed at how many people get out and do x-country all the time. Something to be said about that.

And... the snow report for where we're headed:
http://www.crosscountryalaska.org/trails/index.php?trail_id=10

Yes... my friends, most of which are in warmer climates... there was a foot of snow there lately! ;)

Oh... and here's our week forecast:

Anchorage, AK
Today...Mostly cloudy in the morning with areas of fog...then becoming partly cloudy. Visibility one mile or less at times in the morning. Highs in the 30s. Variable wind 10 mph except east 15 to 25 mph along turnagain arm in the morning.

Tonight...Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower to mid 20s. Variable wind 10 mph.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s to lower 40s. Variable wind to 10 mph.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s to lower 40s. Light winds.

Monday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Lows in the 20s.

Tuesday And Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs 35 to 40. Lows 25 to 30.

Wednesday Through Friday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Highs 35 to 40. Lows 25 to 35.

Stolen from moonbunnychan 

Rules:
1. Take a picture of your bag
2. Now dump everything out and neatly adjust them, and take a picture
3. Talk about the items inside. Detail



This bag has been EVERYWHERE.... got it in LA. LOVE that it shows the signs that it goes on every plane ride with me, to work and almost every other place (that I'm not using a Trader Joe's bag...). Theo is showing his appreciation for said bag.



1. LA hat... sorry, but when it is cold and snowy up here? Reminds me when I saw the sun and more than 35 degrees.
2. FAVORITE chapstick;  Palmers swivel stick. I owe Summer for this obsession.
3. Kiss my Face grapefruit/bergamont hand cream. I can't live without this stuff.
4. Organic golden apple (yum-- I have to have a snack.. I eat all the time)
5. Coffee Bean/Tea Leaf mug... got it while in line @ Graumans theatre in Hollywood with Thanh and my Dad (seeing HP!)
6. My current read.... I <3 Stephen Colbert!
7.Cellie--- and yes, we still have verizion!
8. Berts Bees natural lip gloss
9. CG 2 step stay lipstick/gloss combo
10. my "big steppin" glasses that Rob and I got in South Florida before we moved to Cali
11. Marilyn Monroe wallet I got in VA Beach in Grad School....
12. Eyedrops/allergy drops I cannot live without up here

(Don't mind the knives, Kashi, and growler from the Moose's Tooth in the background!)

Nothing says "significant snowfall" like this.

I am happy to announce I am now the big 2-6. I feel older, wiser in the ways of preparing for the Alaskan winter (even though it is still FALL) and am happy with the well-wishes and love I got yesterday and everyday.

Oh... and I'm going snowshoeing this Sunday with Marianne and our Adventurers Meetup group @ Hatcher Pass north of Anchorage. It is one of the first areas to get skiiable snow.... so I am excited. Never been.... so will be pretty 'boss...' (sorry, a co-worker used "Boss" the other day... and I can't get that campy statement out of my head! Nor can I the soundtrack to RENT... but that is another story.)

Speaking of theatre.... I heard from a friend up here that a theatre group in Anchorage is putting on Carmen. To which I replied, "Eh?" Is this true?? No idea. They say I should try out... but I do not think so. Opera after all these years of stuffing science down my throat? Perhaps I'll resign myself to being a patron, a car singer, and a shower singer... with an occasional theatrical moment here and there.

P.S. Was shocked to hear Coldplay's 42 on tonight's new CSI..... yes, America! Embrace them! Love them!! Know why  I can never tire of listening to them...

I LOVED this. I almost fell over after watching it-- it is from the booking company I booked the hotel through. I was interested in seeing video of Hôtel Mayet... and that part is great. But the song! Oh my gosh. Anyone ballsy enough to put that on a promo makes me giddy to stay there.

I mean seriously... I get to stay in a cool part of Paris, artsy-fartsy Ikea hotel AND they have this as their promo music? Sweeet.

Your booking at hotel " Hôtel Mayet " is confirmed.

Your Hotel Hôtel Mayet 3, rue Mayet 75006 Paris France Subway: Duroc Tel: +33 1 47 83 21 35 - Fax: +33 1 40 65 95 78 Feb 9 2009(check in)- Feb 21 2009 (check out)

We're staying here the whole time, which I am excited about. Cheaper than the conference hotel (by 25E a night) PLUS has daily free breakfast. Also on the metro line... so I will have less than a 15 minute metro ride in the AM to my course. Thank goodness my DC upbringing has gotten me used to following maps. Now am wondering if I should get an orange ticket for multiple rides... think that might be my best bet.

Horray! I LOVE when plans come together!!!