No Place Like Home

*** Disclaimer:
This post may appear to be all over the place. Though I did catch up on sleep, I'm exhausted from the day and my mind is in a thousand places. Also, I've been working on this post for a few days and have had such a hard time deciphering what is and isn't important to tell you, which would explain the vagueness of certain things and probably the lack of flow in my thought processes. ***
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Winter break went way quicker than I had anticipated and since being back in Juneau, I've concluded that I took my time home for granted. Obviously I wish that there had been more hours in the jam packed days I had in order to have to seen everyone and done all things Wisconsin.

I was mega disappointed by the weather. There was like zero snow--what the heck, Wisconsin? There was wind and a plethora of rain. It was also way warmer than I had anticipated which led to the regret of not having my sweet wheels at home (aka rollerblades). There were a few days spent downtown and those were the days I wished to have them attached to my legs so I could 'blade along the lakefront and zip through the woodsy paths. The impulsive side of me briefly considered just buying a second pair to have for the two weeks I was home...

The days leading up to Christmas were spent at a Buck's game and running around to the three surrounding malls with mom and Steph so they could finish up their last minute shopping. I was looking forward to being in the stores (mostly Gap) but after being there for like three days in a row with crazy holiday (human) traffic, I never want to step foot in a mall for quite some time. Christmas Eve day I was pretty sick (probably the flu) and felt like Ebenezer Scrooge. I slept essentially the entire day while everyone else was finishing up their to do lists. Though being sick was awful, I was able to get out of cleaning... During church that afternoon, I thought I was going to pass out. Being drugged up on DayQuil and EmergenC, having heavy eye lids, a stuffy nose, and shivers were not things I wanted to have at J$'s birthday party. After service we headed over to mom's aunt and uncle's house for further festivities. It was hard to be excited to see everyone after months when I sounded like a frog and had [grocery] bags under my eyes but I got over it and enjoyed every single hug and conversation.

I woke up Christmas morning with a Putter at the end of my bed and a squawking bird in my ear (the cat was nowhere to be seen). The smell of morning coffee is what got me out of bed. My heart smiled when I saw the twinkling lights of the trees and the coziness of the living room--thank goodness for fireplaces. Gifts were exchanged, pictures taken, laughs laughed, and more hugs were given. That afternoon we headed over to grandma's and spent the day with dad's side of the family. See them all was just as wonderful as seeing mom's family. We feasted on the Caribou that I killed in Alaska and delivered via riding Balto. But not really--those were just a few of the running jokes that day. The meal was wonderful. Gift exchange occurred, and white elephant is always my favorite aspect to the gift exchange. Everyone was full on dinner and dessert throughout the entirety of it. We stayed until midnight, even though grandma went to bed at like ten.

After Christmas, more time was spent with friends and family. I also spent a lot of time in front of the space heater. The days started to get cold as I was trying to fight off my cold. Though I was unable to do all of the things I wanted to (frolf, sled, make swants, see EVERYONE, etc.) break was enjoyable overall. I didn't realize how much I missed Eau Claire and Greendale until actually being there. I was back in my element. I could eat Chipotle. Go to Olive Garden. Drive for more than 30 minutes. Not get funny looks for having a WI id at the bars. Eat cheese curds. Walk essentially anywhere. Sit in my favorite coffee shops. Celebrate the Packers. AND SO MUCH MORE. But, I was looking forward to being back in Juneau - a girl can only live out of a suitcase for so long.

Mom and I drove the six hours to Minneapolis last Monday night and didn't get in until about midnight. Then I had to be to the airport by 5:15 AM to catch my 7:00 AM flight on Tuesday. Let's just say that Tuesday was like, the longest day ever. I felt like a zombie. I did sleep on the plane but it's not really solid sleep because there is no way to get comfortable whatsoever. Once arriving back in Juneau, I spent a lot of time unpacking and getting reorganized as well as catching up with a plethora of people. New Year's Eve a group of us went contra-dancing and then out downtown afterwards. New Year's Day was a little rough but I survived.

The past few days have been filled with more catching up, errand running, working on a friend's wedding invites, eating waffles, and just living the Juneau life. On Sunday Jamie and I went on like, the iciest hike ever. It was definitely worth it but I'm a little bruised from all the times I fell. Though, it wasn't as bad as when I went ice-climbing. I seriously have no idea how I am still alive. My life is full of near death instances because of my lack of coordination and grace.

CA training began last night and I was finally able to catch up on sleep from this past week, which is really wonderful because I need to be at my full Al-tential this entire week in order to survive more training as well as move-in.

Peace and love.
- A