I am still enjoying my job. It is an adjustment to get used to working 12-hour shifts, but I am slowly getting there. I like everyone there and I am getting to know them. We are getting along. I am going to be moving onto night shift within the next month or so. It is going to take a little while to get use to working 9p-9a, but I can do it. It is also let me have alittle bit more "set" schedule. I will work three days in a row and have four days off. Right now, I have been spread out since I am new and still in training. But, everything with my job is going great.

Graham and I have explored downtown Anchorage over the last week or so. It is pretty cool. There are lot of neat shops and stores. We were even able to go see the coast. Right now, it is mostly ice. It doesn't look very picture worthy. But we plan on going back once all the ice has melted and the trees are green. We went down to the coast today, and I touched to water. It is really cold! I did find two rocks that look really close to a kidney beans. Graham found a rock that is totally smooth and round. I also found these really tiny pine cones. I will get pictures of these up soon. We found a really nice ice cream shop that we both liked.

Last week, we checked out two different college/young adult groups. We really liked one and plan on going back next week. It reminded me alot of the NCC group. There was a great pastor who is the leader. Everyone was genuine and there was a tangible sense of welcoming and unity. I had to work this week the night that they meet. The other one we checked out, we really did not like. It was just terrible-There was no leadership or even unity within the group itself. We were extremely uncomfortable for the entire meeting. As soon as it was over, we left without talking to anyone.

Graham has been looking for a job. He had an interview last friday at Office Depot. He almost has the job. They are just waiting on results on a background and then he is hired. He is being offering full-time with benefits, so he is real excited about that.
Yesterday, he went to the dentist and had to have a tooth pulled, but he is really better. He had a upper molar removed. He has to go back next week to remove the sutures.

I opened a new bank account here and I got a free lunch tubberware. I got pretty excited about it. This bank looks pretty cool. Hopefully, it will be good.
Today, we went down to the DMV to get AK licenses. We had to take a 20 question written test. We could get 4 wrong and once we got 16 questions right we were done. I did get 4 wrong, but I passed. So, I got my AK drivers license(pics up soon), but Graham got 5 wrong. He can go back tommorrow to retake the test. But, in his and mine defense the questions were not really cut and dry questions. They were more questions about what things were implied, and they were worded very weird. For example, we both had two similiar questions
 The question was what does the posted sign of 55mph mean?
a-you can go 55mph
b-you can go less than 55mph
c-you can go greater than 55mph

So, you think the correct answer is A, but actually what the computer said was the correct answer was b.

But, everything is going great. We are looking forward to moving into our new apartment a week from sunday. We can't wait to actually be able to cook again.
Everything is going well.

In one week.....

This past tuesday, I started my job here in Anchorage. I love it already! The people are really nice and genuine. It is weird because I am being introduced to my new co-workers and clients as a "tech." It just going to take some time before my mind gets used to hearing that. I work three 12-hr shifts a week so I get 36 hours a week. I have to do a double-take when I am looking at the timeclock because it is still a shock to see so many hours. Because I am still in training with until the end of the month, my schedule is kinda spread out throughout the week instead of having three 12hrs back to back. But, I really like my job! People are respecting my degree and actually listening to my opinion. I am not having to have everything I do check and double checked. Most of the other techs have heard of Bel-Rea, and they are kinda impressed when I tell them that I graduated from there. In fact I thought it was kinda ironic, I saw a commercial for Bel-Rea here in Anchorage a few days ago. Here's the website for the clinic-http://www.petemergencytreatment.com/. I have to type out a Bio and get a pic for the website and for "the wall of pics" at the office. I found out I get paid on the 15th. I am excited about getting money! I have also found a bank that I like.
On other aspects, we have put down a deposit on a nice apartments about 2 miles away from the clinic or a 5min drive away. It is within the budget we wanted and very worth it. It is very nice with covered parking with plug-ins, there is laundry on site on every 2nd and 3rd floor, private patio/deck, and cable is included in the rent(thats just a plus). We will move in about May 1st. It is right down the street from a Fred Meyer. Fred Meyer is the greatest store very created. It is a walmart, target, home depot, and a lowes all in one! It is pretty much the coolest store. And it is in the Kroger family, so my King Soopers card works there! Another plus:) We also were about to borrow a car from the church we visited last sunday. It is paid for and insured. We got the car yesterday so today we are taking it on errands.
Yesterday, we went to the big 5th avenue mall. It is pretty big. It is bigger than any of the malls in Denver with four levels. Graham put in some applications to some of the restaurants and stores. We also went into the Anchorage Museum and He put an application into there too. He really wants to work at the museum. The museum was pretty cool. It had alot of art work and the history of the natives that lived here in Alaska. I got some pictures before my camera batteries gave out. So I will get them uploaded soon.
So we are off to explore the town in our "new" car:)

My first attempt

Here's my first attempt at blogging. I figured it might be an easy way to keep everyone updated on all my new adventures here in Alaska.
Graham and I got here in Anchorage around 12:30-1am on friday Apr 1st. We are staying in a temporary extended hotel until we can find a more permanent or semi-permanent place. We are looking for apartments and are looking for something as soon as possible. Also, we are kinda starting to look for a car, but we want to find the apartment first.
I am trying to get used to the new time difference and the higher altitude. It seems that the days are longer here. I know that the daylight hours are longer here and will continue to add more hours until sometime in June. But, what I mean is the day seems to go slower. That the hours are longer and the day seems to move slower. But, that is just more adjusting I have to do.
It is still snowing and pretty cold here. The highs are in the 30s with the lows being in the 20s.
I don't think that the idea that I have moved here as really sunk in yet. It kinda feels like I am on vacation.
It may have to due with the fact that I have not started work yet or the fact that we are staying in a hotel.
But, the reality of the move is slowly setting in.
I start work on tuesday, Apr 5. I can't wait. I am very excited to get to work in my first "grown up" job. I also can't wait to put to practice everything I learned in school.
I think once we get a apartment and I can have a bedroom and a kitchen again. I think I will be more settled in, but for now, we are making do.
Today, Graham and I went out to the Alaska Natural History Musuem. It was pretty fun. It was amazing to see all the different kinds of wildlife that live in Alaska. I was excited to find out that there are flying squirrels and penquins. Maybe one day, I can get to see one in wild.
So thats what we have been up since we got here.