Yes, I am still in AK...and here's what I'm up to!

Not sure if anyone really cares about a run down of what's going on in my life, but I also happen to know that voyeurism is a popular sport these days, so I will proceed with divulging all the news in my life.

Ok first off, if you haven't heard, Trent and I formed a Ghost Hunting club, Peachy Chicken Paranormal Investigators. Yes, that is our website. It's a work in progress, but we also have a blog, Peachychickenparanormal.blogspot.com. And that is also a work in progress but is really cool, nonetheless. Anyways, our club has been hugely successful up here in the north, both in terms of the public's interest, and in our findings at various locations. On our blog we are going to catalog all of our fun experiences. But right now we have 30+ members, and even though the summer is coming to an end (for some), the club will keep on strong when everyone relocates to Utah and nearby regions. We just got our t-shirts in, and we have a bunch of other fun Peachy Chicken paraphenelia, so basically, it rocks. 

Next, I am still here in Skagway, and I am getting what some could call cabin fever. Which is actually impressive because last year I started getting cabin fever around June, so the fact that I've made it this far is pretty impressive. The kicker is I still have 2 months to go. It's not that I don't like it here-- in all honesty, I'm rather content this summer. It's just that our drivers are going to start leaving soon in a slow trickle, and I guess just knowing that people will be back at home living lives, with a Wendy's at one's beck-and-call is kind of depressing. That and I am getting kinda anxious thinking about where we are going to live, how I am going to find a job, etc when I get back. I think I am jumping the gun a little, because I've got so much time left, but I'm just not used to staying til October 1, so I am used to leaving not long from now. But I'm not leaving. It's so weird. 

Finally, I've gotten through the entire day today without eating any sort of junk food. I've been trying to eat healthily for the past week or so, but it is usually pretty difficult. Case in point: yesterday I lost control and snarfed down a butterfinger and reese's peanut butter cup. And other assorted chocolates that I cannot remember, but most assuredly enjoyed. That was not very conducive to my diet, in which it is currently a goal of mine to consume at least 30 grams of fiber and no more than 30 grams of fat daily. Fiber not only produces regular bowel movements, but it also helps break down fat or something like that. All I know is that by monitoring one's intake of fat, it also generally monitors the intake of calories and sugar, etc. I hope to see some sort of change soon, as I think I am doing pretty well, especially today. I didn't sneak a single jelly bean from my friend/co-worker, LoriLee's desk. Even better, one of my other co-workers mentioned today that I look like I've lost weight. First off, I know this to be untrue because I am still weighing in the same (but I know some of it is now muscle, previously known as fat, lol), but I like these compliments nonetheless. Bring them on!

Except I will say that comments about one having lost weight can be a little disturbing because it's like, was I that fat to begin with? Now I was not too fat (ok, I am 15 lbs heavier than I was 4-5 years ago, but I am also no longer a spry 19 yr old, right?) but I guess it can be said that sometimes people hope that other people won't notice they are fat. If no one says anything, maybe they don't notice. Wrong. People don't dare comment on it, but they are probably still thinking that I could lose a couple pounds here or there. Whatever. I am going to the gym religiously and eating "healthy" food, so I guess they can say whatever they want. Plus I really am not heavy by any means. I'm a size 4 for pete's sake. 

Anyways that's my random ramblings for today. :)

Earthquakes

So, I just felt my second earthquake since being here in Skagway. I was sitting in my office, when all of a sudden the floor started shaking quite vigorously. It shook for at least 10 seconds, and then petered out to a gentle vibration until it was gone. There was only one other person in the office, and he did not feel it at all. I was kind of shocked because it was not like things were falling off my walls or anything, but it lasted a while and was noticeable to me. ANYWAYS, so I looked it up on http://www.aeic.alaska.edu/Seis/recenteqs/index.html, which is an excellent resource, and sure enough, it was a 5.37 Magnitude, located approximately 65 miles away. Pretty far, which is why we didn't get any real brute force, but a 5.37 is pretty big. The last one I felt was approx. 3.7, and it was noticeable, but not as much as this one.

I know that Alaska has a lot of earthquakes. But I think it's odd that I've never felt any until this summer, and both happened to be in my office. Maybe it's because my office is close to the ocean? I am maybe 150 feet from water. I am sorry to say I don't know much about earthquakes, other than that we get a lot here in Alaska, and I think they are kinda cool. I by no means think kindly of the huge, devastating kind, but the smaller ones are intriguing to say the least. Our earth is interesting.

Anyways, I know this is all kind of dorky, but I am excited to have experienced a couple!

Greetings from the North Pole!

Ok, so maybe I'm not that far north, but I am back for my 3rd (!) summer season in Skagway, AK. I've actually been here for a week and a half now, so the surrealism has worn off, but it's still kinda crazy to be back. When I first arrived, I felt like I hadn't even left. It just all looked the exact same. I really wonder what happened to the 9 months in between. They just whizzed right by!

Anyways, here's what I'm up to these days. I'm an "Operations Supervisor" for my company, which means I, along with 3 others, directly supervise 60+ drivers to schedule them and make sure their needs are met. So far, it's been very busy, and there's been a lot to learn, but I have high hopes for the summer and the experience I'm going to have therein. So yea, that's what's up in a nutshell. :) More updates soon!

A Pet Peeve

So today, during my bi-weekly retail therapy session, I was at a store in which the manager and a sales associate were sitting behind the counter gossiping about another fellow employee. I did not really catch the gist of the convo, but I did hear that they were hating on this individual. Ok can I just say that this behavior irks me so much? How do these people even become managers?? There must not be a professionalism course in their training. Or do they even get trainig? I mean, it drives me nuts when sales associates talk crap about their job or employer-- after, all it seems like this happens at most crusty mall stores-- but the manager? I am willing to bet that this manager is a good person- in fact, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt that I would maybe even like her if I met her on the street. But I just think people need to take a good look at the way they act in public, especially when they are representing a certain company. End rant here. :)

Are Blogs Dangerous Ground?

So I know some people out there in this world who have gotten in trouble b/c of things they've said on their blogs. Actually, I have to admit that when I was younger I might have said some regretful, hurtful things about a friend that came to bite me in the ass later, long after I forgot I had written them. Because we are hiding behind a screen when online, I think it's a lot easier to express ourselves. However, sometimes that freedom to be ourselves hurts us later.

Lately, I know of people whose jobs have been compromised, others whose mental health has been questioned, and so forth, because of the things they've said on their blogs. Nowadays even facebook and myspace are places where employers seek for potential candidates, where colleges investigate applicants. So, are blogs dangerous ground? Should we even blog, or is it not worth the risk of reputation? One of my fave bloggers is a girl who is very open with her feelings and thoughts. She doesn't front, she says exactly how she feels, even if it's a bit unhappy or not what people wanna hear. Instead of the typical blogger of how happy she was chasing her children around the house or baking cookies for her husband, she talks about real life and real feelings. Yet she is often criticized for putting herself out there so much, especially since her feelings can really be like a rollercoaster ride sometimes.

However, I think that in real-life, we have a hard time expressing our feelings. Let's face it, most of us are too afraid to confront people we don't know so well, or whatever it is. Most of us are a little whimpy, and so we never get our true feelings out. So it is kind of refreshing to have a forum where we feel we can express ourselves. Not to say we should gripe behind people's backs or bask in our insecurity. But at the same time, it's not totally unusual for people to be human. And kind of refreshing to read their blogs and say "phew! good, they're normal". There's really nothing wrong with that.

That being said, it's ok to be careful about what you say, as in maybe not attacking people personally or posting nekkid pics (LOL) - good judgment is really important! But otherwise, it's ok to be real, and blogs are a great way to share that reality. That's all. :)

Sickyy

So while driving to school today, the djs on the radio were talking about weird things that have happened in the public restroom (like people eating chips on the jon, and so forth) and I was trying to think about weird things that have happened to me. A long time ago I wrote a post about one of my public restroom pet peeves and that was basically the weirdest thing I could think of. Well, little did I know that in a matter of hours, I would have one of the weirdest/grossest public restroom experiences...

So, class ends, I'm ready to go home, but I decide to stop at the restroom on the way out of the JKB. I see this girl coming from the other direction who ducks into the bathroom, and 10 seconds later, I push my way into the rest room as well. However, the restroom door felt all wet. I thought this kinda gross and weird, but I didn't see anything on the door, figured it was just water, although I definitely still thought it odd that there was water on the door. Well just as I walked in, I heard from the stall where the girl went, a sound that was akin to someone pouring a bucket of water into the toilet. Sounded strange but I carried on w/ my business.

Anyways, after my tinkle, I come out of the stall, and the people walking into the bathroom are all like grossed out, and looking at their hand, and then going straight to the sink to wash it. I washed my hands and although I usually like to do a good hand washing job, I figured this was a good time to really scrub hard b/c who really knows what I touched?

So then, as I was walking out of the restroom, I looked down, and I saw it. Puke trailing all the way from the bathroom door to the girl's stall. Oh yummy. And then I smelled it and it got stuck in my throat- all hot and heavy and gross! So I definitely used tons of antibacterial stuff all day. 

Then later in the day I found out my dogs had soiled their blankets, but only after I grabbed the pee soaked blanket! This is a day of sickyy for sure. 

Note to Aspiring Bloggers...

...don't be a slacker like me! Posting once a month or less is no way to attract readers. Sigh.

Anyways, per Bethany's request, I am writing an entry. I hope Bethany will now have something to do this afternoon. :)

So what have I been up to lately? Well, I'm working on graduating at the end of April - can't wait-, I've been living in my grandmother's abode (aka housesitting) while she is cooped up in Cali, I have been working for vending for BYU (manual labor, YEA!), etc, etc.

I have seen a couple good movies lately: Confessions of a Shopaholic, and He's Just not that Into You. My goal is to see Slumdog Millionaire tonight! Can't wait! The first two I listed, though chick flicks, were both good in their own ways. Both chick flicks, but two different moods in either. And actually, the He's Just not that Into You film is what I have been thinking about today, for no whatever reason.

To set up the premise of the book/movie, it's basically a bunch of relationship scenarios in which the girl (or guy) make up excuses for the significant other's lack of pursuit. ie, he's out of town so he can't call me, his mom might be in the hospital, he's married, etc etc. Now, ok maybe some excuses like he's married are justified (LOL) but still the bottom line is, HE's JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU! If he is on his business trip, great, but he will find time to call you if he's interested. He will ask you out on a date if he's interested, he will divorce his wife he likes you THAT much (again I don't necessarily condone this one obviously so don't read into it that way, I'm just stating a fact of life). If not, move on til you find a guy who IS into you. Because a into you type of guy will not miss out on his chance to be with you, right?

ANYWAYS, there's a specific scenario about a married couple- the guy has an affair with another girl. He tells the girl he likes her, but he is too "wussy" to leave his wife- so instead, he plays both of them, telling the girl he loves her, telling his wife he loves her. So in essence, the he's just not that into you plays for both girls: the wife, because if he loved her so much, why is cheating? And the girlfriend- why doesn't he leave his wife for her?

Well, eventually (and sorry, this is a big SPOILER!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT SOME OF THE ENDING GIVEN AWAY- BUT THEN YOU'LL MISS OUT ON THE POINT OF MY ENTRY, LOL), the wife leaves him. She flat out dumps his ass on a corner somewhere. Well, not really, but she shifts into female empowerment gear and moves on in her life, and even though it probably hurts, she is all the better for it. Sighh. What a wonderful scene. Or is it?

Let's just say, it is COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC. Sure, that is what every neglected woman in this world should do. Cut the crap, move on. Don't sit there waiting for the db to change, while you could really spend your time with someone who actually cares. Or so the writers of the book would say. However, in the movie, the woman must have a pretty nice job, because she moves out and gets a new fancy apartment somewhere in Baltimore. She doesn't have to move into her parents' spare bedroom with 5 kids, because she doesn't even have any kids. So while the way she deals with her husbands' cheating is admirable, most wives can't afford to walk out. I think that is one reason why they always try to "work it out" with their husband. "Where am I gonna go? I don't have a job, a livelihood. I don't think anyone will ever be attracted to me b/c I've gained 50lbs after all these kids. I don't even have any marketable skills".

Now I do have a problem with women who don't practice their marketable skills (in case of a rainy day) but honestly that is another topic for another day. But what I am saying IS along those lines: What does a woman do? Stay, knowing that her husband may hurt her again and again- forgive him, not because you have forgiveness to give, but because it's your only chance for survival? I guess I feel bad for women who don't have tons of $$, who don't have marketable skills, etc to help them get through a divorce...so in return they end up staying in a bad relationship. Because even though I'm close to graduation, I wonder what I would do if I got divorced. Already, after 1.5 yrs of marriage, I feel dependent to the point where I don't know what I'd do if didn't have my husband. That's a scary thought, and it's something EVERY WOMAN, no matter how young or old, needs to consider. Because you just never know.

I know this could be guys too, I just used woman throughout the post to make it easier, but a man could definitely find himself in the same situation..

Ok I'm off. :)