I make the journey

This afternoon I head out to my "retreat" in a little cabin to write my dissertation. Although still working on the chapter on my theoretical framework (Activity theory) I am going to move right along to the analysis, or do both at the same time, or whatever happens naturally, as long as I can get the words on paper. I am not going to have internet access and may have to drive down to road to get cell service.

I am so excited to do this, but also scared. This is kind of a turning point, where if it goes well, I will be on course to complete my writing in time to defend in May. If I sit out there with writers block, things might not look so hopeful. But with no distractions, I am pretty sure writing will be the only thing preventing complete boredom. Perfect. I have needed to get away because these other things I care so much about in my life, like my family and my work...I always seem to choose them first, even though I know that delaying my dissertation completion will only inconvenience the family and the program even more. So here I go, off into the wilderness. Because although this life is lovely dark and deep, I have many words to write before I sleep.

Macaq angituq - The Sun is returning

This morning on the way to work
I saw the light of the rising sun
on the horizon.
What a great feeling
to be reminded
Kiak will come again.

Pants on the ground!

Don't ask why I know about this guy, the General and his "Pants on the ground" song, since I don't even have TV! This is a great remix, although I can't tell if the man himself is benefiting from it. I sure hope so. He deserves his own recording contract!

Haiti Earthquake - How can you help?

The American Institute of Philanthropy has provided a helpful list of charities that you can safely donate to for the Haiti Earthquake relief effort, and grades them according to how much money actually goes to the cause.

I chose Doctors without Borders. The box below will take you directly to their Haiti relief donation page.

Venison Stew

I just started subscribing to Full Circle Farm, which is an organic produce distributor located in Washington. Every week or every other week you can get a box of fresh, seasonal organic fruits and veggies. Last night I picked up my first box (they actually have a distribution site on Sawmill Circle just 2 minutes away!). You'd think this is an expensive luxury, but compared to the prices here in Kodiak for regular vegetables, I doubt I will be spending any more than usual. Anyway, back to the point - the contents of my box were beautiful! I got apples, pears, avocados, cabbage, potatoes, celery, onions, a tomato, cilantro, oranges, and even a mango. And they were all in perfect condition - much better than I'd expect for produce grown without pesticides! Many of their products come from their farm or the Pacific Northwest, except for that mango.

In order to celebrate our bounty of beautiful produce, I am making venison and vegetable stew tonight. With any kind of red meat stew, I sear the stew meat over high heat, and then boil for about an hour before adding the other ingredients. I always include celery and onion, and cabbage and potatoes, and then whatever else I feel like or have on hand. For spices, I'll probably throw in some garlic, cumin (which I put in just about everything), oregano, and a little chili powder for warmth. I may or may not add canned tomatoes - that would make the stew not totally organic, but I do love the tanginess of canned tomatoes in stew. Well...45 minutes left before I start adding veggies. I am hungry already.

Mohawk has arrived!

We are so excited to welcome our new rescue husky Mohawk. He is about 8 months old with beautiful markings and a gentle disposition. We still are so excited and still getting to know each other so we'll post more updates soon. Here's a few pics from his first day.

rain ravaged roads

Rezanoff out to Monashka seems to be crumbling like feta cheese in all our recent rains. And although we have a brief respite from the torrential downpour this morning, there is more Qiteq in our forecast...I wonder if they are planning to repave Rezanoff next summer. By then it will be more patch and pothole than pavement.

Changes

Well, with this new year, I am feeling pretty lucky. Our house will be getting a facelift soon, as well as my car (much-needed seat covers). But most importantly (and I have been reluctant to write about this lest I jinx myself) we are getting a new rescue husky. His name is Mohawk and he will be flying down from Fairbanks tonight or tomorrow to join us. It may not seem like the best time to get a dog with all the changes happening in our lives, but then again, there's always a reason to say 'we're not ready.' There really is no better time than now to do the right thing, and we have the space and the love to make a good forever home for this dog. And if you look on craigslist or the shelter websites, they are overrun with homeless animals right now.

Perhaps YOU should take a look at Petfinder to find a pet needing a home in your area. There is also a website for Kodiak's local animal shelter. If you can't adopt, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter or humane society. They could always use the help.

Holiday Recap

First of all, Happy New Year!

My resolution for this year is to finish my dissertation on time, in order to defend in May. Now that it is officially the same year, and only months away from that date, reality is hitting me hard. But I know I can do it.

Christmas was very nice. Jeremy's dad was in town - actually Jeremy is bringing him to the airport right now. We had Christmas Eve at my mom's, and Christmas dinner over here. Last night we had quite a nice New Year's Eve party, though to be honest I stayed up only until about 12:15, which is very late for me.

Here is a pic we took today on our hike at Abercrombie.