Brrrrrrr

I think Fall is officially over in Alaska.  The weather here is so different than in the Midwest and New England. The decline in temperatures has been very steady since I arrived.  There are no warm or cold fronts.  The weather in Ohio and Vermont can be very erratic with big temperature swings.  Not so here.

The highs are in the 40s with the lows dipping down into the 20s! There hasn't been any snow yet, and I'm fine with that.  I do enjoy snow, but I HATE driving in the snow and digging my car out of the snow.  Luckily I do not live too far from work (only about a 3 minute drive).  All the leaves are off the trees and the mountain ranges are covered in snow.  I was driving home from the gym this morning and gasped because the mountains were so beautiful.  I wish I could have taken a picture to post on here, but alas I was driving.

The darkness has also set in.  When I leave for work in the morning at 7:50 it is dark.  The sun does not rise until about 8:30.  The sun sets at about 6:30.  It has been very difficult for me to wake up in the mornings on time because it is so dark.  My brain is programmed to only wake up when it is light out.

With fall over I reflected on everything I did this fall.  I'm happy about how active I've been and really taking advantage of my short time here.  This fall I...
1. Attended many work pot-lucks
2. Went bear viewing
3. Halibut fishing in the ocean
4. Hiking
5. Joined a gym and tried my first yoga, spinning, and circuit training classes
6. Saw lots of moose
7. Saw several herds of caribou
8. Saw lots of bald eagles
9. Finally finished a book I started last year (The Happiness Project)
10. Had campfires and made s'mores on the beach

This is the end of my 11th week here.  I haven't seen my family in 11 weeks, and Tim in 13 weeks.  I'm happy here, but I am starting to really miss their hugs! Never underestimate the power of a hug.  Oh, and I'm really missing our family game nights.  Wow... the laughter that comes from the room when we are playing games.  Our recent favorites are Bananagrams and The Game of Things.  I don't want to get preachy or get on my soap box, but this week maybe go out of your way to let your family and loved ones know how much they mean to you.  

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.  ~Thomas Jefferson