Sixty Fourth Stop: Californ-I-A

The time has come.  I  am packing and cleaning tonight.  Tomorrow is the big day to start a day of travel to head back to good ol Californ-I- A.  Just in time to ring in the New Year too.

I was a little worried when it came to the morning of the 30th because weather was not the best... there was threat that there would be a weather hold... which means that I would not get to fly out of the village.  I am very lucky, though, that I was allowed to leave the morning of the 30th on the first flight.  I was able to get out and on the Homer side. I did not want to chance it by waiting for a later flight because you never know what will happen later. Truly pays to have a one of your best friends be a pilot!

So here is to the next 25 hours worth of traveling.  Vacation.. I see you on the horizon!

Sixty Third Stop: Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hope everyone is enjoying their time with family and friends ~ celebrating the holiday season.

I got to come over to Homer on the 23rd and was able to spend this Christmas a little different than my traditional Christmas with the Zeuli familia.   This year, I spent it with some of my best friends up here in Alaska.

Traditions are what make my world go round... but every once and while you have to break away from traditions and make new ones.

Sixty Second Stop: St. Nicholas

  19th of December, 2014, is St. Nicholas Day here in the village.  It is a very important day that is celebrated.

     St. Nicholas was born sometime in 280 in Patara, Lycia, known today as Turkey.  Both of his parents passed away when St. Nicholas was very young.  It was documented that he used his inheritance to help those who were in need, who were poor,  and who were sick.  

     There are many legends about St. Nicholas of Myra.  One story goes on to tell us how a father was struggling to make ends meet. He was not able to provide for his family, which included his three daughters.  He could not provide their doweries and was going to have to sell to servitude in order to provide for them.   Three times St. Nicholas secretly went to their house at night and put a bag of money inside.  The father used the money so that one of his daughters could marry.  On the third visit, the man saw St. Nicholas and thanked him for his kindness.  He also reportedly saved three men who were falsely imprisoned and sentenced to death.

Several sources state St. Nicholas is believed to have died on December 6, 343.  Over the years, stories of his miracles and work for those in need in all parts of the world have come to the surface.   He became known as the protector of children and sailors and was associated with gift-giving.

     The Dutch continued to celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas on December 6.  It was a common practice for children to put out their shoes the night before.  In the morning, they would discover the gifts that St. Nicholas had left there for them.  Dutch immigrants brought St. Nicholas, known to them as Saint Nicholas, and his gift-giving ways to America in the 1700s.

     In America, St. Nicholas went through many transformations and eventually  becoming Santa Claus.  Instead of giving gifts on December 6, he became a part of the Christmas holiday.  In a poem written in 1820, St. Nicholas' story was told in "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore.   He was later described as a jolly, heavy man who comes down the chimney to leave presents for deserving children and drives a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer.  This is where the idea was born.

Here in the village everyone gathered into the community room,  shared delicious foods and sang several songs about St. Nicholas. Then St. Nicholas would come for all the children to sit on his knee and answer the famous question, “Have you been good this year?”  Then each child, adult, and elder that took their turn to check in with St. Nicholas received a bag of an apple or orange and full shelled nuts.

Watching each child sit on his knee reminded me of all the times that we would go to see Santa.  Especially last year as Solstice got her picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Clause in Fresno...Such beautiful memories.

  

   I hope everyone has a truly beautiful Christmas with family, friends, and strangers...Continuing old traditions, and starting new ones.   I want to thank everyone again for all your help, not only for this Alaskan adventure, but for everything.  Being here and having time to reflect is just another reminder on how truly blessed I am to have all of you in my corner. 

Sixty First Stop: The Door

I may not have a house or a tree to decorate this year, but I do have a door. This was my weekend project and I love it. Every time I come home it reminds me of the wonderful season we are in. Merry Christmas and happy Holidays to all!

Sixtyth Stop: Soap Box

  Tis' the season...

 As we approach the Christmas season,  it is time to start the crazy shopping and decorating.     

SOAP BOX:  This year I challenge you all to take your time, acknowledge those that help you or are around you, and make sure to help those you may see in need.  May that be something that carries on into our new year.     

Please remember what the Holidays are truly about...Faith, Family, and traditions - new and old.

Fifty Ninth Stop: Happy Birthday and the Future

 Today is December 14th.   This is a day that I have known to be my Dad's birthday.  I was able to skype home and sing happy birthday as a family- thank you for the wonderful technology that made it possible- almost as if I was home in person.

     I have unfortunately missed birthdays before when I lived in Fresno because I was not always able to get home, but I would be home eventually to help celebrate.     

     This year is a little different.  I will not only be missing his birthday, but Christmas as well.  This will be the first year that I will be missing our traditional Christmas Eve celebration with my Zeuli family.  It will be the first year with our sweet new addition, Valentina, and will have another one next year.  My family is truly amazing.  Cannot say that enough.    

     As I was pondering my "firsts" of things that I will be missing,  it made me think of all our AMAZING men and women in uniform. They miss birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and every other major Holiday defending this country.  I have no reason to be sitting here thinking about everything that I am missing, but everything I have yet to do is because of them.  So my sad "pity me tears" quickly became tears that reminded me that I will be home soon.     

     Wanted to challenge all my amazing blog friends and family (because all of you are), please take the time to make a little difference in someone's  life this Holiday season...Especially for our  men, women, and families of our military.  God Bless!

Fifty Eighth Stop: Thanksgiving!

      As I pack my bags to get ready to head up to the Anchorage area for Thanksgiving,  I start making the mental list of all my blessings, along with people and things I am thankful for.

     To my Carlsbad people:  It truly takes a village to raise someone and I have been so blessed with the village I have.  My neighbors from the neighborhood I have spent my childhood, to the wonderful people my mom has as clients,  to the ladies my mom works with,  and all the families I have been able to spend time with due to school and sports.  You all  have helped me become the caring, strong, dedicated, responsible, and crafty person I am today.  I have learned how to make things to survive if needed and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of people I can turn to for any type of question, support, or just to chat.  Thank you all for everything over the years and the continued interest and support through this adventure I am on called life.     

      To my Scortt and Zeuli Family:  I know I am going to be missing the first Holidays with you all and there is a ton going on this year... worse year to miss, but I will be there in spirit...We can hopefully skype at some point.    I am so thankful for all the support through the last 26 years of life.  I cannot thank you all enough for everything you have taught me (good and bad).  Love you all so much and hope to see you at some point in January!     

     To the Bowey Family:  Thank you so much for adopting me!  I am so blessed for all the support and love you have given Merideth and me.   I look forward to many more fun outings and Holidays together.  I will never be able to thank you enough for taking me in.  I do foresee many more date nights in your future. :)  The least I can do.  You will get sick of me eventually.     

     To my Alaska People:  You all have taught me the ropes on how life is here in Alaska and in the village and I will never be able to thank you enough.  This California girl had a major learning curve and I would not have successfully made it through without the guidance, support, and ideas to get me though.  These are also relationships that will last a life time and for this I am beyond blessed.     

     To my DBYAA (Deaf Blind Young Adults in Action):  Thank you for considering me on this summer's adventure and for all the laughs.  That was such a great week we had and those memories still get me laughing.  "Who has a quarter?!"  he he he!    Hope to see you all this summer again.     

     To my Fresno People:   I am so thankful for all the love and support you provided me for the 9 years.  I moved there fresh out of high school, recently turned 18, knew it all and yet very innocent and naive.   I left there better educated, life experienced, 2 careers, and met the people who I am able to call my best friends and family.  They have been there through all the ups and downs with me.  Party of my heart will forever stay in Fresno because of you all.  I have memories of the good , the bad, and the ones I have been told about that will last forever.  Those are the ones that get me laughing still to this day.  I think the one-liner that will forever be with me.. "Coach is going to fry me like a fish!"  Love you all and hope to see you in January.     

     To the Far Sighted Puppy Raisers:  Thank you so much for taking me under your wings and showing me how to be a part/member of such a great group and organization.  I. learned so much and again have friendships that will last forever.  You all are truly special people and I love seeing all the outings and adventures you continue to go on with the puppies.  I miss you all!      

     To my Solstice:  You are one in a million my baby girl.  You will forever have a place in my heart because you changed my life. You showed me what it means to love unconditionally,  to work hard, and every once in while stop and take nap. You changed my life in a short year and half and are making huge strides with Mr. E in just a month.  I am so proud of you and keep up the hard work Soli!! Cannot talk about you enough.  

    To my blog and facebook  followers: Thank you so much for joining me on this new ride here in Alaska. It is truly something special that I am so happy I cans hare with you all!   

     These are just a few of my blessings. The list could go on forever, but just wanted to share a few.  What are you thankful for this year?  Love to hear.