Julia is meeting new people, making friends, and checking out some cool places. She visited the Large Animal Research Station, a facility for breeding and raising wood bison; walked a wildfire trail; and attended a bonfire with new friends. Great news--her house has a treadmill (and she's making good use of it), a definite plus for when we visit. :)
Benjamin is busy with training. Here in DC, Laura came to town to see Mom for her birthday and some pre-wedding shopping.
Julia is settling into life in Alaska. Her house is surrounded by stunning nature and a nearby ski trail. She's working at the International Arctic Research Center and has been warmly welcomed by other postdocs, professors, and staff. Check out the view from her office of the Alaska Range and Denali, the highest peak in North America.
Julia did it! She sorted out all her belongings. Some items were donated to friends and Goodwill, some went into storage, some went into her car and then back to DC, and some went all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska. It was bittersweet to enjoy her last steak night with Sam and Hannah (and Charlie the dog) and to see her friends again (one last time for now!). We really enjoyed spending time with Benjamin and attending the MN State Fair. There were some yummy bites--turkey leg, pork chop on a stick, deep-fried buckeye, fawaffle (a falafel waffle), deep-fried apple pie w/cinnamon ice cream, roasted corn, and alligator sausage on a stick.
Saying goodbye was tough. She is coming back east for Nick's wedding in October. Thankfully, she made it to Fairbanks safely. Pictured below is her office building on the University of Alaska campus.
Ally and Sanath took Julia's dresser. She met Tatiana for breakfast, boxed up all of Benjamin's records, and made "cowboy caviar" for a bonfire with friends at Chase and Sarah's. And one last hurrah in the hammocks with Matt and Anne. This is her last week in St. Paul.
On the home front, we had a family dinner to see Kathryn before her move back to Syracuse. Yummy pulled pork--so good!
The focus for the next couple of weeks will be on packing up Julia's apartment and making some final great memories with her friends. She went with Sam to Maya's (the dog) first birthday party. Julia hung out with Jerry, Diede, Ally, and Sanath, and saw Cornbread, the 98-year-old jazz pianist. The best news I heard was that the friends also took a bunch of stuff from her apartment—yay, less to pack.
On the home front, I spent time with my dear friend Vera and her wonderful girls, Vickie and Maggie. I finished a quick and simple cat puzzle. Also, Mom has been in Florida, enjoying her time with Regina and finalizing Regina's next move.
