11 Days

That's right. 11 days.

That's how much time passed during the sun's most recent departure from Sitka. I got really excited when I walked out of my bedroom yesteday, and was met by the an intense glare pouring through our eastern most windows. It was almost as if I could feel my body being recharged with vitamin B and everything else the sun provides. Kyle was standing at the window, facing that big, beautiful, fiery ball, with his eyes closed and his arms spread wide. I probably would have thought he was a little "off his nut" when I first got here, but now that I have been in southeast Alaska for 24 (crazy huh?) days, I totally understand. I continued into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats, and proceeded to go stand right next to him at the window. We had to have stood there for 30 minutes.

In other news...

This week I have worked a few days with youngsters as a substitute teacher. Gone on several hikes. Stared down a black-tail deer for around a half-hour (it finally got bored of me hootin' at it, and walked away). Read a bunch of literature. Planned, in detail, how I am going to track a grizzly, and then, proceed to wrestle it. Helped out with Young-Life. Eaten a lot of delicious grub (and some less-than-mediocre grub). Gotten really wet while riding my bike. Seen massive amounts of snow fall. And, actually have the opportunity to watch Clemson beast(!) Duke.

It's been a good week. Tomorrow is David's 26th birthday, so, I think we are going to celebrate it in some fashion or another. Also, in response to the question of whether or not I am going to grow a real "Alaskan" beard; that, y'all, is totally up to my hair. I hope so though, I sure hope so...

Here is the link to a Cargill commercial that is about Sitka (note: 2 of my 3 rommates are in the commercial!), it's pretty cool stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZKmHlI2lHo