Untitled entry

Alex in Wonderland

So I think it's safe to say that I've settled into Alaska by now. I'm enrolled at the local (tiny) high school, I've caught my first horrible alaskan flu, and I've witnessed the sun being out till 8PM.
The most noticable difference so far has been school and the rules. There's a "what to do if the bus tips over" drill. Very educational.
I haven't posted any pictures (with the exception of my dearest friend smokey the bear) yet because for starters things don't look so different yet since snow is MIA and for seconders I haven't really had a chance to explore the wilderness yet. But when I get a chance there will be pictures galore!

Posted Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 2:41AM | Leave a comment

Here I am

Alex in Wonderland

Just a quick update: I'm in Fairbanks,AK! Its sunny. The sun starts going down around 8:30 PM!!
Just finished unpacking.And now I'm off to sleep!

Posted Friday, August 21, 2009 at 11:18PM | Leave a comment

Northern Lights

Alex in Wonderland

Yes, I SAW THEM!! It was amazing! I was on my way to school in the morning, not expecting anything other than the biting cold and slippery ice when I look up and see light beams all over the sky...it was different than they seem in pictures. It was almost like a vertical rainbow if that makes sense. And to top it off, it was snowing so lightly that it just looked like it was raining glitter. All in all the whole scene really made me feel like I was in winter wonderland. I also saw a moose the other day. It was far away though but I still jumped up in my seat and got all excited while all the other Alaskans looked at me like I was insane.

Time is moving so fast now...In a good way though. I really think Alaska was the best idea for me...it's hard to explain but I can almost see the ares where I'm changing, I can feel it. Making this decision and taking on the responsibility if any part of it went wrong was like a catalyst for me, it allowed me to realize that I did have a say in my life. I just needed to speak loudly.

My english teacher was giving us advice on sharing our writing out loud and he suggested that we simply "get over ourselves". I think this may be my new philosophy :). The old one of course being "for me giving up is way harder than trying" from the aptly named song "Stronger" by Kanye West. Also for those keeping count, my school is up to 3 fire drills in one semester. I think they fail to realize that we are in fact in Alaska where if we run outside without a coat we probably have a greater risk of dying from hypothermia than from a fire. Although seeing the northern lights has briefly made up for this lapse of judgment on the state's part.

In my AP Gov class we took a test to discover our political beliefs (I had a left/liberal leaning) and my results prompted my teacher to ask where I was from (CALIFORNIA!!) and she responded (jokingly I hope) "Oh your one of them..." that is generally how the Alaskans react to California. That or the usual "Don't mess with her she's from L.A" which apparently implies that I am both violent, and knowledgeable on the topic of drugs...

That's Alaska for you...

Posted Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:06AM | Leave a comment

clampity clamp clamps

Shane

ok so with the help of eugene and chris, i was able to put 3 cameras on my bike and ride around on it. i dont really notice the weight distribution difference, but the weight affects my ability to gain momentum significantly...but this is with 3 cameras plus the clamps. when i actually go film i would only use 1, MAYBE 2, at a time, just because keeping up with my friend and navigating through traffic would be very difficult.

Posted Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 3:36PM | Leave a comment

Eugene vs. Deanna

Cathy

Who will win?!

Posted Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 3:13PM | Leave a comment

I think I dislocated my shoulder

Captain Joss Sparrow

Thursdays:
Also known as P.E day at my school. It mostly consists of 3 1/2 straight hours of jogging, kicking, grunting, squealing, (in the girls' case) and random curses. I think this is the day in which I actually might love my school. Sports is so easy and simple in this school. I have my work cut out for me. There are of course, very good athletes, not to mention guys in general. I'm actually a very good athlete, If I don't say so myself. I've actually been asked to join the girls basketball team and soccer team. But nah. I've got cooler things to do. Like interning here, at VA! Ha!
But any way, today was pretty rough. We played various games, one of them being basketball. My team and me were against this team with very tough guys players, and my team was filled with various squealing crybabies, with the exception of this one girl, who is pretty tough. Anyway, we ended up losing, and during one match, I was blocking this kid from making a pass, when he turned and barreled into me, making me fall on my shoulder. I think I heard a pop sound. It oddly didn't hurt, but I feel I might have dislocated my shoulder for a moment.
But anyway. I actually enjoyed the (beginning) of today. Now, to fulfill my interning duties with such vigor and enthusiasm, that I hope to dislocate my shoulder in the process.

Posted Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 4:38PM | Leave a comment

Cheese-Less

Alex in Wonderland

It's raining.
Which I wouldn't find too bad if I had not just looked and seen that it's sunny in L.A.
In case you didn't pick up on the tone, home sickness has officially set in. I miss the beach!!! And also I begin to suspect that my peers at school are getting a bit tired of my "Back home...." and "Well in L.A....." although I was surprised to find that very few people are actually from Alaska. A lot of people here have a "back home". I have to say the school is very nice. Compared to Venice High. At Venice you counted yourself lucky if your food was even warm when they served it to you. The other day they ran out of individual cheese slices for the burgers and everyone was outraged. tsk tsk.
(Pic taken on my way to the cheese-less school)

Posted Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 1:04AM | Leave a comment