Oh yea...

Here are some pics (you can click on any picture to view all pics in fullsize- same for any slideshow!) - and my final mileage was 9,420 if anyone was wondering. And yes, my car hates me!

HOME.

So many things to say. So many things to be grateful for. It's been so long since my last post- I sound like a broken record, I know. I must try and recount each of the last amazing fifteen days. My best effort you can be certain I will put forth. I owe it to anyone who is still checking this page, hoping for my final update. I got home two Saturdays ago, November 10th to be precise. It was the end of an amazing 6 week trip. A trip I cannot sit here and begin to claim that I can even begin to grasp the magnitude of. To leave such an amazing place was hard indeed, but it helps coming to a place filled with amazing people that I get to call my family. Family and friends, that is. I share the Alaskan experience with few people, and that in itself is incredible, something that will be a big, no- huge part of my life, for its duration. I feel like I could write a book at this very moment, detailing the differences in my two lives, both here at home and essentially abroad. However, I know most of us don't have time to put life aside and read a book, so a short passage I will leave, or as short a passage as will do partial justice. Hmm perhaps I should have a separate passage for my wandering ideas as I attempt to coherently string together the past two weeks of my life, as they are not independent thoughts or happenings of the preceding six weeks.

Focus. Saturday, November 10th. I left Greenville, SC around 10am, with one last stop on my map. Raleigh, North Carolina. Home, as I like to say. The faster route would get me there in about 4 hours, the scenic route about an hour longer or so. Given the time of year, the decision was simple. Down Highway 49 I meandered- patiently, slowly, and gladly. The colors were vibrant, quite satisfying. I passed maybe 50 cars, a welcomed alternative to highway 40. I arrived in Raleigh at approximately 3pm on Saturday, November 10th. There were but 4 minutes or so left in the North Carolina- North Carolina State game. I tuned in somewhere around Siler City, with Carolina attempting to claw their way back. While on Wade Ave, Carolina made an interception- I thought I was going to cause a wreck. I'm home, I thought. I could have never listened to this in-state rivalry in Alaska. I miss these games, the trash-talking with my brother and cousins who all happen to be NC State fans. When you leave a place for five years, seemingly little things hit you in a big way. I know these streets. I know these people. I know these places. This is my home. I pulled up to my house, the same house I have called home for all 23 years of my short life. My little sister made a sign. Balloons adorned the mailbox, almost as if I needed an attention getter so I wouldn't drive on by. My mom, dad, sisters, niece were all inside. My brother would have been had NC State not been struggling for a victory over rival UNC, which they ultimately got in the final seconds of the game. It was surprisingly awkard to drive up to my house, to be at my final destination, but incredible at the same time. This is why I left Alaska. This little ten pound baby girl I had yet to hold, my mom and dad who worked their butts off to give my siblings and I the lives we are blessed with now. My grandparents who have sacrificed and lived through more than I will ever have to and raised the most incredible kids, who I am lucky to call my mother and father. I am lucky, have no doubts that I am aware. Don't blame me for having to leave in order to realize these things, it was the best thing I could have done, trust me.

That was Saturday, this was Sunday. My sister Sarah, the oldest of us all went above and beyond in hosting a party for myself. Mind you, she has two kids, the oldest being two. She went so far as to send out invitations that read: "By now you have heard she's on her way back/ A sense of adventure she does not lack/ While down in Homer she caught a big fish/ We'll fry it and eat it- a true Southern dish/ We're having a party that will be all the rage/ A party to welcome home Laura Paige." It can be difficult to get all of my family all in one place, but food usually does the trick. There were about 25 of us, family and friends, hanging out enjoying the fried halibut and fixins! It was awesome to get to see everyone essentially right away- most all of us in one location. We all left with more than full bellies, thanks to our great hosts. That week I slowly attempted to unpack my car (at this time, my car is still half full of crap!), did a lot of stained glass stuff, and just enjoyed being home and hanging out. Friday I went out for my cousins 25th birthday, only to turn around and get up hours later for the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade- which I had been absent from for 5 years. We have sat in the same spot every year since I can remember, and did the same this year. Aunt Peggy brought hot chocolate, like usual, and Sarah made homemade sweet potato ham biscuits. Mmmmmm. My nephew had a blast, and we had a blast watching him take it all in- both the parade and hot chocolate! Later that afternoon I headed West, about 60 miles or so, to watch a friend play in the last college football game of the season- a victorious game thankfully! It was a relatively chilly night. Since I've been home, it has gone from 70 degree days to upper 40 days. We have quite the temperature swings here in the south in these transitional seasons!

Sunday I bought a bike. A pretty bike- Carolina blue and white. Just so happened to come in those colors- I swear! I got a good deal and just couldn't stand not having one much longer. Tuesday I rode it to my sisters- took William for a wagon ride amidst the gorgeous fall colors, and to my grandmother's. Much of my days are filled with doing stained glass on the porch, sipping on hot chocolate, and visiting with family or friends. It's blissful- meanwhile unfortunate that I can't make a living doing this! I can, however, enjoy it while it lasts these next several weeks. I don't intend on getting a job before the New Year. Those have been my intentions, and well planned intentions (I virtually worked two full time jobs for 10 months to get to this point) for quite some time now. Intentions I am quite proud of, my friends. I get to sit with my grandparents during the day. I get to take my nephew for a wagon ride. I get to experience tummy time with my niece. I get to eat lunch with my cousins. I'll take that- over a few smirks from people at the suggestion that I don't currently have a job. Anywho, Thursday was Thanksgiving. My first Thanksgiving since '02. Quite different than the last few Thanksgiving's I have spent in Alaska, for sure. The entire family was here, right around twenty of us. Quite different than a Thanksgiving of four, with that white stuff pouring out of the sky with no end in sight in a little town known as Homer, Alaska. I cannot begin to compare- but Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd I do sincerely thank you for making me feel so welcome into your family at those times when it's hardest to be away from one's family. Leesa, you too. I am forever indebted to yall's genorosity, honestly.

Yesterday I went to a football game, invited by my uncle. It was the season ending game for UNC- always again Duke. UNC- Duke is more known for their basketball rivalry, not so much the football variety, but it exists nonetheless. Duke has won but one game this season, UNC not much better, having only won three to this point. It's a sad day when this is predicted to be a "nail-biter" but a "nail-biter" it was. UNC won in overtime and only because Duke missed 3 fieldgoals during both regulation and overtime. Yes, UNC should have lost to Duke in the waning seconds of regulation, but luck was on our side. We pulled away victorious, thankfully so. That would have been a real tough pill to swallow. Thankfully, that's behind us and it is basketball season now... we have much more skill in that arena! Today was relaxing, but tomorrow I must be more productive in my stained glass ventures as I am attempting to sell some things... if for nothing more than to cover gas money! I just may keep my postings going, as I'm positive I have more to say. I have summed up, pretty quickly, these last couple of weeks in terms of what has actually happened. My feelings are a whole 'nother story. I do not know where my life will take me in the New Year- I imagine not too far from this place I call home, but stay posted. I feel as if I can't stay still for too entirely long, and the water is calling my name. And Jonah, you killed me by leaving a message that Alyeska has gotten over 200 inches of snow this November... I just can't make up my mind! But for now I can- you can find me in Raleigh, North Carolina. Perhaps no one enjoys my being home moreso than this four-legged creature known as Jake- our residential lab mutt. Typically, he sleeps on a doggy bed on my floor. However, when I am home he knows he gets a much more comfortable bed... it's oh so hard for me to say no to him as he gives me those sad eyes, pleading that I will let him up just one last time. Mind you, it's a twin bed- he's a 90lb dog and I'm no teeny-tiny little girl. I give in every single night and currently he is up there wondering when I while call it a night. Given it's two AM, it's as good a time as ever. Adios for now, but I don't think I can part with blogging forever. I am a dork like that. Check back every couple of weeks ;)

I'm Alive...

You know, sort of like that Celine Dion song I sang quite loudly and beautifully yesterday in my car as I inched oh so closer to my final destination. haha. I'm getting better and better about not posting in a timely manner, but that's okay. I've been busy doing other things. Things like driving, singing (when you have satellite radio, it's not impossible to sing for 6-8 hours straight, trust me!), and hanging out with long lost friends. Mississippi and the surrounding areas turned out to be a real good time, hence the reason I hung around there for two whole weeks. I got my car fixed, only to let my tire go too long without my filling it back up with air. You see, it's had this slow leak for months now but as long as I pump it back up every couple of days it is just fine. Apparently numerous days went by where I failed to divert my attention to that damn tire and as I walked to my car to head to town I noticed a slight lean in my car. The durn thing was flatter than flat! I haven't had to change a tire in quite some time so my skills were a bit rusty. It took like 20 minutes the first time, but I am happy to say that when I put the regular back on, it only took me about 10 minutes!! I'm a pretty skilled tire changer, I'm not gonna lie. Anyways, with that behind me, I set out for the Tennessee area on Wednesday- a 575 mile haul. It would carry me through 4 states: Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. I made only a few stops, one at the famed "Dreamland BBQ" joint in Tuscaloosa. This is the original one I do believe- the one Bear Bryant took his teams to for meals. The other stops were simply for gas. My gas mileage is taking a turn for the worse while gas prices are going up at a ridiculous pace. I don't know what's going on, but I'm just glad I'm only a few hundred miles from home! One more fill-up for the ol Pathfinder should do the trick. Driving to Tennessee was a pretty drive as I neared the mountains of Georgia (ok, rolling hills you Alaskans!). I'm past prime for viewing the vibrant fall colors, but I will take what I can get. Alaska's fall lasts for about two weeks and you only get the oranges (very dull) and the yellows. Certainly no bright reds like we have here! I stayed with my aunt and uncle and cousin Brian in Oak Ridge on Wednesday night- nice to see them as I cannot recall the last time. They will be in Raleigh in just a couple weeks for Thanksgiving! The nights are getting a little chillier, but all I have to do is look up the Anchorage Daily News weather report to appreciate the balmy temps that November has brought thus far! Yesterday I set out to visit a couple friends, one in Johnson City, Tenn and the other in Greenville, SC. Made it to Johnson City in time to have lunch with Dionne, an old friend from UAA who moved to go to ETSU. Very nice catching up with her and reminiscing about old times. It was beautiful driving into and out of Johnson City between the fall colors, the scattered green pastures with old rusty barns struggling to stand on their own, and the Carolina-blue skies. My drive from Tenn to South Carolina took me through the very western part of North Carolina - a very weird feeling that I wasn't expecting. Obviously, North Carolina has been my destination, the end product of this crazy trip since the beginning. To be driving along and see the "Welcome to North Carolina" sign was quite nice, and it really hit me that I am almost done. I was only in the state for maybe 50 miles before I hit South Carolina, where I stayed last night and will be here tonight as well. My old high school friend Brandon lives here now and I hadn't seen him in a couple years, so it's worth goin a little out of the way to catch up! I'm super excited to almost be home, for tomorrow to come, for me to see that "Welcome to North Carolina" sign one more time, but this time for good. That's all for now... one last post to follow real soon!

A day worth writing about....

Well, I'm back in Mississippi. I had a really good stay in Florida, visiting with Carrie, Josh, Natalie and Mama Barb. Monday we went for a walk on the beach/pier. Tuesday we hung out at the house, and later went to pick out a few pumpkins! Wednesday we ventured to Pensacola, my fault, in search of a couple stained glass shops. We found one, thank goodness, and hit the jackpot. They had everything I needed to get back into stain-glassing-it (poor Carrie, Barb, and Natalie had to suffer in a car all day with me not knowing where I was going!!)! If I had to pick a place to live the rest of my life, and my choices were the mountains or beach, the choice would be simple. Well, Jonah and I are discussing that now, but my choice would be the beach. This morning I watched the sun rise from the ocean. Nothing obstructed my view. Nothing at all. Nobody walked by me, and all I heard was a swooshing noise as the birds flew by, furiously flapping their wings. I'm not gonna lie, it was probably one of the better things I have witnessed on this journey (Vegas, you can have your gaudy gold monstrosities that obstruct my view!). And a journey it has been. I don't feel as if it's ending, as I still have a week to go, but I feel like I'm home. I feel like I am one of the luckiest people on this earth at this moment in my life. For the past 5 years of my life, actually. It was one hell of an experience, that journey to a foreign foreign land. Yes, Dad, you told me that I thought I knew everything there was to know in the world at the ripe old age of 18, as I stepped onto my first flight ever. You were right. And thank God I thought I knew it all, cause otherwise I would have never ended up in that place. That place where I experienced things that most never will. That place where I met people who will be a big part of my life for the rest of my life. That place that made me appreciate my incredible family more than I ever would have had I never left the great state of North Carolina. Those people that think they know it all only convince themselves of that so that they are more comfortable taking leaps they otherwise wouldn't. Don't persuade them otherwise, unless in extreme circumstances. Today Carrie and I drove to New Orleans to pick up her car that was shipped from Alaska. We drove around New Orleans a bit before heading out. We cruised through the French Quarter and surrounding areas, which all pretty much seemed to be in okay shape. Lots and lots of adorable little houses, vibrantly painted some of them. I liked what I saw, except for the scattered tents, somewhere around 30 of them, on a hillside that quite a number of people appeared to call home. I won't get into the politics of Hurricane Katrina, nor the after-response on this blog because that is not a function that this serves. New Orleans is a place that I would like to return to as well. I came back to Jonah's and will be here for 5 more nights, or roundabouts there. We got into a bit of arts-and-crafts tonight and had a real good time. I could do this the rest of my life, can someone support me?? Haha. No, really though. Watching people do something that they have never done before and really enjoy themselves doing it is quite refreshing. That was tonight. I do not know what tomorrow has in store for me, perhaps a little cleaning of Jonahs house so we can get some things accomplished this weekend. I have to pick up my CV joint tomorrow too so Jonah can try and fix that on Saturday. That poor guy has had to deal with more of my car problems than anyone should ever have to- but he loves it, I have convinced myself ;) That's all I have for now. Hopefully I can position myself in this recliner just right so that I can steal internet from the poor man across the street. Seriously, we are catching a faint ray or something- it's pretty ridiculous! Adios for now.

Laura