Last Week In Alaska

Last update has been awhile but this is my last blog from Alaska. The last few weeks have been up and down. We had some crazy weather the week before last leaving the ships with no choice than to just pass by our port. This left us with no work. Spent most of those days indoors or if I did go outside it was to watch the waves leap over the docks. Walked around town one of the days and pampered myself with some gorgeous nails. 
 I also found out that my knee is fine. The fluid had left and after further inspection of the x-ray and physically examining my knee the orthopedic specialist said I may have slightly torn my meniscus. I took it out of the cast and started walking on it after he said that it seemed to be fine just might have pulled something. My knee has popped a couple times, maybe it was out of place? But it seems back to normal aside from some slight puffiness. I am taking it easy for awhile. Doc said gradually start running but not so hard as I did before. If there are any issues get an MRI when I get home. Hoping it holds up!

Our last ship came in Friday and we cleaned everything up for winerizing yesterday. The majority of everyone will be gone by Tuesday :( I however don't fly out until Saturday. My lovely co-worker Kim will be around tho and there is a wedding happening the day before I leave (at the lodge) that I might be helping with. My plans when I get home are to visit family for the majority of October and work back at the ski resort for the winter time while I apply for other jobs... Crazy to think my experience in Alaska is over! Will I come back? who knows. It was definitely a great experience :) 

Thanks to everyone who has been reading my blog. 

(Kim, Sara and I at Rainbow Falls just a mile or so up the road from the Lodge)

<3/Holly

Laboring on Labor Day!

Well... We lost two beautiful people from the lodge recently. Miss Emma Fisher and Mr. Russell Smith have both departed back to school. It is sad to lose them but it is also bringing the reality that the season will come to an end in about 4 weeks! AHHHHH!!! C-razy!! 
In a couple weeks we'll be getting the "no ship" days and not working as much.. It's hard to believe it's September already! 
There are some new things going on though. Exciting and not so exciting.. Yesterday was Russell's last night and Reg (Regina) told him to go do a victory lap around the lodge so him and Sara walked around and as they did they saw a glimpse of the Northern Lights up the Inlet. This was about 9 or so at night and so it was quite dark by then. They came and got us all down to the deck to see them. Gorgeous gorgeous. Didn't get photos because for one my phone doesn't work good in dark and two it was barely the white hue but still gorgeous!! If it is dark enough tonight we may see them again tho!. As we were watching the lights tho we heard movement in the water.. Large movement, none of this jumping salmon nonsense and we all went to the dock.. Lo and behold it was a pod of orcas (killer whales) playing and making waves. We couldn't specifically see them but we could tell it was them and saw the waves becccaauuuuseee.... we also saw the bio-iluminescense too! Its that plankton that glows and sparkles when pushed around with fish and other marine creatures.. It was a whole fireworks show.. yes, our owner, Carstens even shot a firework off the top of the house at that time haha.. Epic goodbye for Russell.. 

Not so exciting, I mentioned that I cannot run anymore.. I found out my x-ray results from the doctor.. I have fluid in my knee and a possibility of a tear as well.. I have to get an appointment with the orthopedic specialist, get the knee drained and who knows what else :( Sadly will not be running the 10-miler in October, but its best to get this taken care of then I can go running at another race in the future. If surgery is needed I will be heading south early to be home for the surgery and recovery. The knee has gotten more sore and I will be wearing a knee brace. They have my icing it 4 times a day and taking Ibpruforen also. I will not quit working but I must take it easier than I have been haha. So comes the more exciting news.. We have 2 private dining rooms (PDRS) aside from our two dining rooms that we serve groups all the way to 44 or even 64 people.. The two PDRS we serve up to 24 at the most and that is usually one person's responsibility. These two PDRS are for the float plane tours that come in. I haven't been lucky enough to work in them until today. It is more of a personable approach and you serve appetizers of crackers, cream cheese spread and smoked salmon before the meal. My manager put me in there to work today and both my groups loved me! :) It definitely is my new favorite thing here to do at the lodge. 

Yesterday besides the great sights and sounds we witnessed was a fabulous day at church. My heart was full and I was able to bear testimony, which I haven't for quite sometime. The spirit was so strong. Stronger than I have felt in a long time. I am so grateful for the gospel, for knowing of it, for knowing WHO I REALLY AM. We are all children of God. I love the experience I've had up here thus far. I am soooo grateful for me my life and what I've learned thus far up here. I love life and despite the hardships (my knee right now) I know I will never be given something that I cannot handle. My heart is full, I am happy.. Happier than I've been in quite sometime. I want to thank all my friends and family for all the do for me. Love you all and hope you are doing well. Be seeing many of you before you know it!

<3 Holly