quote

"Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down.

And trust your instincts...Good relationships feel good.

They feel right. They're not painful.

That's not just with somebody you want to marry.

But it's with the friends that you choose.

It's the people you surround yourself with."

-Michelle Obama

About that time again

Another Alaskan summer coming to an end. I’m sitting here, trying to sum it all up in my head, and I’ve decided what I’ve learned after all the wild nights, crazy work schedules, broken noses, broken hearts, broken boats… (exaggerating a little) Last year, I learned a lot about myself as a person and who I want to be. This year I learned a lot about other people, in both good and bad ways. I have met some of the most amazing people in the two summers I have spent in Juneau. People that make me want to be a better person. As far as the bad goes, mostly whatI have to say is that a lot of times first instincts about people can be spot on. I’ve always been a pretty trusting person, but after this season, I have unfortunately learned that there is a limited number of people who are worthy of my trust. I like to try to find the best in people, but have decided to put my guard up a little more. I’m sad the summer is ending, but I’m looking forward to the next one-a fresh start with people as well as my job.

Even though this was my second summer up here, it was definitely filled with “firsts.” Just to name a few:

-Dogsledding/Camping on a glacier – this was one of the most awesome things ever! I feel so lucky to have been able to do it. The dogsled part isn’t too exciting. But being able to see what the people do up there is really cool. They stay on the glacier 7 days and then have 2 days off. They have their own little world up there. And we got to help them out with their daily chores. We scooped dog poop and piles of dog hair called “woolies” and transferred them over to another spot away from the camp. It was a lot of work, but we got to ride around on a snow machine which was fun. We got stuck up there for about half a day because the weather was too bad for a helicopter to come get us. Lucky for me, one of the guys gave me a book and let me stay warm in the tent and read. They also had the best food ever! Mmmm.

 

-Ziplining – something I’ve always wanted to do. I never put much thought into the actual tour. Everyone does it and loves it, so I figured I would. I kind of forgot that I’m a little scared of heights!! I was terrified to go off the first one. Once I did, I was ok. But it really freaked me out! It was so beautiful though. You actually zipline over the old mine so you see a lot of really cool stuff. I’m glad I was able to do that when the girls came to visit, so fun.

 

-Seeing orcas out in the wild – and they were playing around having a good ol’ time! So exciting Jnever want to go to Sea World again.

 

-Having visitors – I felt so spoiled that I was able to have my mom, Karina, and Sharla come visit. The visits helped relieve some stress from work and life. Not to mention it’s always great to spend time with people you love! I had a great time showing them around and going on tours. Hope to have more visitors next year! Come see me! (and Alaska)

 

-Going to Skagway –The trip as a whole was actually pretty awful, but I won’t get into details about that! The weather was beautiful, and I was excited to see a new place in Alaska. The highlight was definitely the flight back in a teeny little plane!

It’s amazing how much you can pack into one summer, and yet the time just flies by. It was an emotionally draining few months for me. But those wonderful people I mentioned earlier, plus being in this beautiful place, made it all worth it. I love it up here, not much can change that. And though I would have done certain things differently, I’m not going to let any of that weigh on me. Now it’s time for the hardest part - to make some decisions about what to do with myself this winter! First step is booking a flight out of here……

Last Night in Juneau

FOR NOW!

I just finished packing. And it's only 6:30pm. I'm never finished packing until...well until about 5 minutes before I actually leave. I can't believe how much stuff I have accumulated this summer. I have two suitcases and I'm sure they're both going to be over the weight limit. Plus a duffle bag for a carry on. AND I'm leaving a box of stuff here. It's going to be like Christmas when I get back and realize the exciting stuff I have in that box. Stuff that I most likely will not be needing in Southern California.

Today was my last day at work. And lucky for me, I got to stay in the office. It was miserable outside. Windy, raining, and freeeezing. I am a little nervous for my morning flight tomorrow. I went across the street to get Kally and myself some Chinese food, and the guy was like "summer is definitely over!" It's now winter. There's no in between here.

My last weekend in Juneau was awesome. We went out Friday night and it seemed like everyone in town was out at the bars. 4 of us went out in one car, and all came home separately and at completely different times. (all safely, of course) Saturday was another no ship day. About 11 of us went out kayaking to the glacier, which was amazing. Kayaking was one of the things I really wanted to do this summer, so I'm glad I got to do it. It was a nice day out too. Romeo made me nervous the entire time out to the glacier, especially when he fell off the kayak and into the freezing water. Chris scooped him up no problem...but then he was shaking the rest of the day. He was on my lap the entire way back from the glacier, which made it difficult to paddle. Or maybe that was just an excuse, since my arms were killing me. In between though, we hiked through a couple ice caves. It was phenomenal! The one cave we went into was just insane. There were so many of us taking photos, and I feel like not one picture can capture it's true beauty. I still think everyone needs to come to Alaska and walk through a glacier once in their lives. It is by far one of the best things I have ever done.

I'm feeling weird about going home tomorrow. For a lot of reasons. Mostly because of some news I just received. But I'm trying not to focus on that right now. I just want to get home. I'll deal with it tomorrow. For now, I'm going to try to enjoy my last night. I am going to miss this place so much. It's awesomeness and beauty. And I'm going to miss the people! ugh, I don't even want to think about it! I already started crying saying by to Romeo. And he's a dog. Ridiculous.

My ear hurts!

Last week, I took a break from work on a slow day...and wandered over to Pair-a-Dice tattoo and piercing. In Prague, Kally and I were going to get pierced, but we never did it. So I decided to do it here. I got my conch pierced (look it up). I got really really nervous right before, thinking it was going to hurt really bad that I would cry or something. But it wasn't bad at all. Until today! It freaking kills today for some reason.

In other news, I'm now obsessed with Silverbow Bakery, which I have only recently discovered. It is amazing and their cream cheese frosting is to die for. I can't believe I hadn't been all summer. But I'm also glad, because I'd probably weigh 50 more pounds right now.

We have actually had a couple days of decent weather. No rain. No sun really either...but that's ok. Even the temperature was up, so I was able to wear cuter clothes than my unattractive rain gear.

Less than a month until I leave this beautiful place. I think it will be bitter-sweet. I am going to HATE leaving Kally. I don't know what I'll do without her. And so I'm going to stop thinking about it. I am actually getting kind of excited to leave, but really only because 1. I get to see my family 2. Europe (+Karina and Akis) I miss my family soooo much!! And being on the phone with Carly and her asking me if I'm "coming home tomorrow or before the tomorrow," just breaks my heart! We bonded so much while I was living there, she's going to be so grown up when I get back. Miss that little munchkin. And Little Lucy too. I can't believe she's already 1! Seems like just yesterday, I ran home from work at Mona Lisa, brewed some coffee, packed some stuff, and headed to the hospital. Crazy how time flies.

AND....I'm still trying to figure out what I will be doing this winter.......opinions? please, help me.

Rain, rain go away....no seriously-shove off

I am sooooo tired of this weather!!! Cold and rainy every .single. day. It would be different if I were working inside. But I'm not. So I hate it. It's just miserable working with everything being sopping wet: pens, tickets, pictures, signs, my face...so annoying. I miss the sun..and my bikini. I feel pretty lucky that it's just hitting me now though, missing summer. It would have been bad if I was feeling this way mid-July. I only have one more month here. One of the guys on the docks told me that September of last year was beautiful, that they had like 2 weeks of straight sunshine. I'm really really really hoping that happens this September too. Vitamin D me.

I'm a little homesick lately. I miss my family, and my kitty, and my car. And I miss good cocktails and good restaurants. I'm craving In-n-Out. And Yogurtland. Those two are definitely a must in the 3 days I will be in California, before I begin my European vacation. And happy hour somewhere. At least the beer is good here. I love me my Alaskan White. yum yum.

A lot of people are leaving this week. It's going to be weird on the docks. It already is, without Rachel. And tours without Brad..and us telling everyone that it's his birthday...everyday.

Early day tomorrow, bed time.

4 MONTHS

April-
  Kelsey: "I'm going to Juneau for one summer."
  Kally: "You never know. Alaska changes people. People say they're coming up for one summer, and 
               they end up coming back again the next."
  Kelsey: "Yeah, that won't happen to me. I think one summer is plenty."

HA!

I have been in Juneau for over 4 months now! Crazy. Sometimes it doesn't seem like that long, and other times, I think about something that happened when I first got here and it seems like a lifetime ago. It has only been recently that this job has been wearing on me. Some days, I feel so burned out on selling tours. It gets old. But I'm lucky because I do get to do other things in the office as well. I dispatch sometimes, and do emails and paperwork. So that's always a nice change. I still have like six weeks left here. But a lot of people are leaving soon, which makes me sad. Brad and Rachel are leaving on Wednesday. It seems like they just got here. I guess I'll just have to make a trip out to Vegas to vist them! Oh darn.

When I first decided to come up here, I didn't think I would be staying the whole summer. I thought I might make it to August and then decide to go home. Now I'm here till September 22nd. I'm so glad I get to stay till (almost) the very end. Then it's off to Europe for 3 weeks! I'm sooo excited for this trip! Karina, Akis, and I are going to have such an amazing time. My flights are booked, so it really feels real. And I'm taking votes on what I should do with my life after that. So if anyone has any great ideas, please send them my way. I still have no idea what to do. Karina, D-bo, Maci, and Lily should be included in the ideas too.

I'm still really tired of the rain and cold. Yesterday was really nice. If I could have a day or two like that a week, I would be a happy camper. I know I complain about the weather, but this IS what I signed up for afterall! I get so annoyed when tourists ask me if it's going to stop raining, or when the sun is going to come out. You are on an ALASKAN cruise. What did you expect??

Ok I'm falling asleep. Which isn't good because I'm still at the office and still have to drive home.

Haines

On Friday, I went to Haines...about a two hour boat ride from Juneau. The fair was going on, and one of the other tour companies set up a trip, food and beer and all! It was so much fun! I was bummed that we only had a couple hours to spend at the fair. Everyone kept saying that was plenty of time there, but I disagreed! I didn't get to have enough fair food. The fish taco I had was pretty awesome though. Haines is a cool little town. I thought it was cute. I wish we had more time to walk around there as well. We had to leave early because the weather wasn't very good that day, so we had to make sure we would make it back. Day drinking usually leads to one of two things: early to sleep...or night drinking. We kept it going by going out downtown when we got back. It was just such a fun day, totally worth the 2-day hangover I had. I maybe got 3 hours of sleep that night, and then felt awful yesterday. So when I got home from work, I took a shower and thought I would just lay down for a bit, (it was 7:45.) I then woke up at 1am so confused. Then went back to sleep until it was time to wake up for work. And I still didn't feel well! I think my body is just off. I worked soo many hours this past week, being on the dock all day..then up to the office to help out Kally. So it was nice to have that day off and have fun.

I am SO over the rainy weather. I miss the sun a lot right now. It was out yesterday for the first time in a week. But it was back to rain today. The only good thing about it...you don't have to worry about matching or looking cute, because you just have to put rain pants and a rain jacket on anyway. And now...off to bed.