Sporty Weekend

Julia went cross-country skiing with Megan and Victor and then got lunch. Check out the polar bear in the gym at UAF. She's also found some new friends to jam with on the piano.

We went with the Sarrges to a football game: West Virginia University vs. University of Colorado Boulder. So much school spirit and fun--unfortunately, Boulder didn't win, but the fans were friendly. The game highlight for me was singing John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads, at the end. The big win for the day was meeting a WVU agriculture professor who owns a cattle ranch and agreed to sell me half of a cow. YAY!

Take a look at some of Mom's pictures; she's having a wonderful time. 

Halloween Weekend

Julia and Megan, her roommate and friend, took pictures in front of the UAF sign. Megan passed her defense last week and is now a PhD working at UAF. For Halloween, they went to a bar with Edward and Frank. The boys dressed up as Kung Fu Panda. They also went to a ski swap, and she got some snowshoes. Also shown is her treadmill. 

On the home front, we went trick-or-treating with my friend Magda and her kids. They were dressed up like the Bluey family. On Saturday, we saw Zoey's Perfect Wedding with the Sarrges--very entertaining. And--news flash--Mom has arrived in Seoul! It looks beautiful.

First Day of Postdoc School

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. 

Last Dinners in St. Paul

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.