Blogtember Day 1: Where I'm From

Last time Jenni from Story of My Life did her "Blog Every Day in May" challenge, I was late to the party and never jumped in. This time, I learned about her "Blogtember" challenge early enough to be prepared! The next few weeks at work are going to be nuts, but I'm going to try and participate as much as I can. Here's to inspiring blog creativity and kicking writer's block to the curb!

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

My story starts in September of 1988 in Anchorage, Alaska. Yes, Alaska! It's one of my favorite "did ya know?" fun facts to share with people.

After meeting at the University of New Mexico, my mom and dad got married and then moved to the Dallas metroplex. Soon after, my dad was offered a job with his company in Alaska and they promised my mom a job as well. They were hesitant to make the move initially, but my grandparents encouraged them, saying "you guys are young, you don't have kids yet... how many people can say they've lived in Alaska? Go, have fun!" Mom and Dad thought they'd go for a two-year adventure and then move back, but they ended up staying for nine! We moved back to Texas when I was in kindergarten, and have lived in Austin ever since.

Us Alaskans really love our ice sculptures. Check out my sorority squat, even at age four!

Alaska's close to the North Pole, so naturally the reindeer make appearances at company Christmas parties. 

We spent so much time outdoors. LEFT: Wildlife viewing at Potters Marsh // RIGHT: Catching salmon with dad. 

When you're an Alaska transplant in a Texas elementary school, you might as well have said you're from Jupiter. The wide eyes and questions never ended, "were you born in an igloo? Have you seen a moose? Did you travel via sled? Is it true the sun is always up in the summer?" {in case you're wondering, the answers are "no, yes, no and yes."}

Life in Alaska was wonderful, from what I can remember. My sister and I cherish those home videos and photographs. Snow {so much snow}, sledding, building snowmen, watching the Iditarod race, fresh fish and home grown fruits and veggies, mountain views, the state fair, seventy-degree summers... it was a fun place to live as a kid. 

 Believe it or not, there were beaches in Alaska! Sarah and I were natural eskimos, obvi.

More than anything, getting my start in the great state of Alaska helped me to appreciate the simple things in life, as well as the importance of family. It was just the four of us up there - grandparents and aunts and uncles would make the trip to visit, but because we were so far away geographically, we had a lot of time just us. Also, Mom and Dad threw caution to the wind to move waaaaaay north, so I'd like to think my sense of adventure and love for travel came from their example. Sure, I've stayed close to home and moved back to Austin after college, but hey, I lived in Europe for three months, and I certainly have been bitten by the travel bug! M&D - thank you for giving Sarah and I the special memories of living in "The Last Frontier."


Moose were frequent in our yard. I'd always sit in the windowsill {like you see above} and yell at them to stop eating out of our garden. So loud, in fact, I woke the neighbors once.

Sadly, we haven't been back since we left. Some summer, hopefully soon, I'll get to go back with the whole family and bring Thomas along to visit the place I spent the first six years of my life. Alaska in the summer is absolutely gorgeous - I can't WAIT!


Comments

  1. That sounds amazing! I don't handle the cold well, but I have always wanted to visit Alaska and experience all that it has to offer. And good on your parents for taking a risk!

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  2. What a great story! I can honestly say I've never seen a moose in the wild. You're one lucky girl to have the experiences that you do!

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    1. Yes, moose were a regular occurrence! Thanks for reading Shannon!

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  3. Great blog! I found you on Blogtember :) I look forward to reading more of your posts!

    Claire
    www.wastingtimewisely.com

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    Replies
    1. Hey Claire! Same to you! Look forward to getting to know you through the blog world! :)

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