Living in Oz

I arrived in Sydney on June 2nd (June 1st, 2008, did not exist in my world), and here I am two weeks later feeling very much at home. I've always known that I was a very adaptable person, but sometimes it amazes me how quickly it happens. My life in Metlakatla now seems like a distant memory, far, far away. In the present time I am very happy with my surroundings, and am trying not to look into (or worry) about the future. It doesn't exist anyway, so what's the point?

Living with my dad in a tiny apartment isn't that bad. He's so busy we hardly see each other except for the weekends and an occasional evening meal. I'm quite content lounging around all day, although I have recently joined a yoga studio and am taking full advantage of their "Power Yoga" classes every day. There are also tons of places to walk, even some bush walks! One can pretty much walk all along the Inner Harbour on tracks (trails) through the bush. I plan to walk to Manly Beach as soon as we get a good sunny day. The sun comes in and out, but there has been quite a bit of drizzle too, fast moving clouds, but warm temps (20 C, 68 F). Yes, I'm still a bit weather obsessed, nice to know some things don't change.

Here are some pictures of where I am living: the view from my dad's place looking out at the Sydney Harbour (the top of the Opera House is visible, along with the Harbour Bridge), and some shots taken during the 21 gun salute for the Queen's Birthday.

Also, took a week long trip down to Kiama to spend time with my Grandmum and her husband Jim.

Larger Than Life

I kicked off the summer with a 1600+ mile roadtrip that started in Prince Rupert, B.C., on May 24th and ended in Anchorage on May 28th. The scenery was breathtaking, so only these pictures can truly describe the experience.

Saw an abundance of wildlife along the remote highways of British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska: caribou, fox, black bear, moose, trumpeter swans, and the occasional human. The rivers and lakes were breaking up under the warm sun, just in time for me to take a quick bath in Watson Lake, Yukon. I definitely fell in love with this area of the world, hoping to someday make my home near the majestic Wrangell-St.Elias mountain range (that's me pointing at them).

Climbing on the Matanuska Glacier where I couldn't resist rubbing mud on my face.