Alaska Federation of Natives... missed it...

The Alaska Federation of Natives was in Anchorage this past week and although I had the opportunity to go over and listen to the speeches and volunteer at our Department's booth I felt I was too busy to go. Of course, most of my office co-workers went back and forth across the street all day depending on what was going on. I'm regretting that decision now, because it would have been an amazing opportunity and experience. I ended up keeping in tune by following KNBA's (and ADN's) Twitter feed covering the event, with live quotes and commentary. The big topics were

The keynote speeches by Willie Iggiagruk and Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley received the most appreciation (see an edited clip on the ADN site).

I keep thinking about one of my favorite quotes while writing this:

The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you: they are unique manifestations of the human spirit. ~ Wade Davis

This is an exciting and interesting time be a part of the Alaskan community.

Labyrinth - Meditation Tool Online

Grace Cathedral an Episcopal Church in San Francisco has two labyrinths, one indoor and the other outdoors. Both are replicas of the one that was laid into the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France somewhere around 1220. By walking a labyrinth we can rediscover a long-forgotten mystical tradition that is insisting on being reborn. 

The Grace Cathedral has an online interactive labyrinth that allows you to complete the journey with your "finger" or mouse. It's a different way to meditate since how many of us can say we can visit an actual labyrinth... would be very special though. Here is the webpage explaining about The Labyrinths and how they work and the page for the Online Finger Meditation Tool.

A Tribute to Chantelle

We decided it was time to do a tribute to our friendship with Chantelle. We first met her in Djibouti. Greg and I were a new couple at that point. And she was in a new relationship with Paul who would later become her husband. We became fast friends. And she was willing to get out of town and travel with me. We stayed in touch after we left Djibouti, she came to our wedding and I went to theirs. She holds a very special place in Greg's heart because when I went through one of the worst of my surgeries she was there for him and he REALLY appreciated it - to this day when Chantelle is brought up he mentions it and says, "she's good people". So, here's some photos I've drug out of photo albums this weekend to share and reminisce about times past and forever friends. 

Chantelle's first day in Djibouti... I was introduced to her by Alice-Ann on the far left, Chantelle replaced her in country...

eating out... me, AA and Chantelle. 

Before I went to Djibouti I was reading one of the guidebooks and I read about the train from Djibouti to Ethiopia (and how famous it is, dubiously) and I was determined to take the journey. Chantelle was the person who was eager for the adventure. I found a New York Times article about this trip that puts it in perspective for you... that I don't have time to go into here. In this picture I am standing in front of the locomotive in traditional dress. Chantelle and I decided that the likelihood of us being harassed as white ladies would be less if we were respectful of their local customs. I think it worked, plus we used common sense.

The train station in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia where the Djibouti train ends. You can catch another train from here to Addis Ababa the capitol. Our stay in Dire Dawa was not without drama, we were hoodwinked by a taxi driver (resolved after much arguing - I had not negotiated a price with the driver before we headed to the hotel). The second hotel we stayed in had a horrible cockroach problem in the bathroom (we didn't use it!). 

Chantelle is posing in front of one of the ancient gates of Harar, Ethiopia (Harar's Wiki Page). This was my intended destination in Ethiopia. I had read in the guidebook how important it is historically (fourth holiest city in Islam) and commercially. Incidentally, some of the best coffee beans come from Harar and before we left Chantelle bought a kilo of green beans to take back with her.   

This is the desolate Djibouti border crossing. 

Greg had a US Embassy house that he kept very very cold... to off-set the 120 ℉ temps outdoors that he disagreed with. In this picture we were helping try out a new tent on his living room floor. Notice how young Bob the dog is in this photo!

Chantelle agreed to another excursion where we drove all the way around to Tadjoura in the north of the country in a day trip.

Lounging to catch a breeze at the favorite beach, Khor Ambado on the Gulf of Tadjoura.

Saying goodbye to Chantelle at the airport in Djibouti.

Chantelle came to our wedding...!

The rafting trip after the ceremonies... Chantelle and Greg!

By this time Chantelle was married to the guy in the picture, so cute! We had visited them once before this... but, this visit happened to coincide with our drive to Alaska. Beautiful Banff.

Yep, Greg is enjoying his vacation and Chantelle is as gorgeous as ever! Our lives have naturally slowed down from the travel and excitement of overseas living, but Chantelle, Paul and kiddies have embarked on a new life overseas in Africa themselves. I do have a link to Chantelle's inspiring blog from this blog... check it out sometime. And Chantelle, thank you so much for your continued friendship after all this time and distance. We love you!

Waiting for Redoubt Volcano to Erupt

Image Courtesy of AVO/USGS, Photo Creator: Read, Cyrus
Photo Taken: January 27, 2009

Muddy flows coming down the north side of Redoubt.

One of our local Cook Inlet volcanoes is steaming and has everyone on high alert. Mount Redoubt is a 10,197 foot peak that is located about 50 miles west of Kenai and 100 miles southwest of Anchorage. In fact, I can see it from my 16th floor office window on a clear day. It last erupted during a five-month period from December 1989 through April 1990. They keep a close watch on this volcano and the others close to Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula because they can reek havoc on air traffic and potentially cause loss of life. The last time Redoubt erupted mud flows sped down the Drift River drainage and partially flooded the Drift River Oil Terminal facility. The workers barely had enough time to get out of the way we're told. The ash plume from the volcano disrupted international air traffic, it almost brought down a KLM jet full of people, and coated Anchorage and other communities with a fine layer of ash and that is what has everyone excited this time as well, a couple years ago when Mount Augustine (170 miles) blew we had to cover our computers and electronic equipment at work everyday before we left in case of ash. In fact, the 1992 eruption of Mount Spurr located about 70 miles due west of Anchorage did leave a thick layer of ash on Anchorage. 

Anecdote: The volcano started its activity a day after a quite sizable (5.6) earthquake at the mouth of the Cook Inlet. It was felt by our neighbors who live across the street that were visiting family in Homer (cereal boxes fell off the shelves) and Greg and I felt it all the way up here in Fishhook. It rocked the house gently, nothing major. 

Alaska has 44 historically active volcanoes which is approximately 10 % of the active volcanoes in the world, so we're no strangers to volcanic eruptions. Two volcanoes erupt here every year on average. Last summer, three of them Cleveland, Okmok and Kasitochi all erupted at about the same time and place in the Aleutians. The Cook Inlet volcanoes get the most press/ media attention as they are located so close to a major metropolitan area. Click on these links for more information on the continuing coverage: Anchorage Daily News Coverage, Alaska Volcano Observatory.

A Genuine Taco Stand

So... discovering Oscar's Taco Grande was good news for us and has been a welcome addition to our lives on certain days... Greg has used it for its advertised breakfast burritos at 7:30 in the morning. We discovered if you get there a minute after 12 noon there is a rush on the place. You order inside, either eat in your car as we do or take it away as most people do. But, it is home cooked mexican food, delicious. And it's in the industrial part of town within sight of the jail, it has serious street cred! Here's what the Anchorage Daily News has to say about the place:

This restaurant fills a niche that Anchorage lacks -- a void between fast food and more expensive sit-down meals.

Greg is doing great... after gallbladder surgery!

As some of you know, Greg had his gallbladder out. A routine outpatient laparoscopic surgery that took all of an hour and a half. It has been a tough couple of days, nausea, soreness and most importantly for him not being able to shower, but he's made it to the 72 hour window. On Saturday he was told he could shower, which he did and he feels much better. By the time I got up he had already snow-blowed the driveway, driven into town to get the car laser washed and pick up a sack of bagels for breakfast! That's my guy! Here's a picture of him taken last Friday at Vagabond Blues, we took the day off for Alaska Day. It's a candid, he had just taken a swallow of latte. 

Peace Pole Project - Post 3

Nailing on the copper top - cap Greg custom made

What a gorgeous day it was... look at all those leaves Greg has to deal with...

We are almost done with the Peace Pole Project. I finished the lettering and we painted it last weekend. Greg put several coats of stain on the pole every time he was down in the garage this past week. Yesterday he put the copper cap for the top that he fashioned. He had also done his own little creative twist and embossed some cool symbols onto a band of thin copper sheeting that he nailed on the pole below the wording. While I was biking yesterday he dug (post-holed) the hole for the pole. We just need to cement it in and we're officially done. Now for the ceremony. 

Inspiring 5th Grader - Dalton Sherman

I saw this kid on the Ellen Degeneres Show... and he's truly something. He's in 5th grade, he told Ellen he wants to be a newspaper reporter when he grows up and the next Obama. Here's the video of his speech to a teacher's convention where he was speaking to 20,000 people. 

Peace Pole Project - Post 2

These pictures are of me laying down the words in English, "May Peace Prevail On Earth". It's not an exciting process, time consuming and tedious really. But it will be worth it! We don't have pictures of the next part, but I have already laid down the French that says, "Puisse la paix regner dans le monde". I just have the swahili and the tibetan to do now... will keep you posted.

Peace Pole Project - Post 1

In the middle of the night recently when Greg was trying to get back to sleep he dreamed up a fabulous addition to our front yard and the existing "peace garden"... a peace pole. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this idea... Here is a good link: World Peace Prayer Society/ Peace Pole Project So, we have begun the project and I have determined to keep a running tally on the blog. Greg went out and bought the 4 x 4 x 6 cedar post. I printed off the languages that we would use on the pole to say, "May Peace Prevail on Earth". So far we have decided on English, French, Swahili and Tibetan. The tibetan is going to stretch my creative and artistic capabilities to the maximum, so we will see. I will keep you posted!

Gearing Up for Giant Veggie Season...

So, I didn't want to take away from my garden so I'm adding this post after my flowers, but it was an afterthought. When I added the picture of Greg next to the pumpkin I found this YouTube video of a couple in Palmer that grow giant veggies and hold Guinness World Records to boot! It's fun and interesting, I thought. See what you think... 

Batsiranai Project - Zimbabwe

I had lost the link to this project. But, I found it again and it's bigger and better than ever (they are now supported by OXFAM Australia, Global Exchange, etc...). Please consider checking it out. This was one of the projects funded when I was a grants manager with the Embassy in Zimbabwe. Batsiranai stands for "helping each other" and its handicrafts are made by mothers with disabled children. Beautiful embroidery, sewing... Here's the link - Batsiranai. 

Missionary Doctors - Tough Life

Speaking of Mindi and her being a Doctor... if you are not squeamish and you are interested in what missionary doctors do and what Mindi and Scott have pledged to do... Then with an open mind and an understanding that it's Africa and they don't have the luxury of civilized health care check out this blog... Bere Adventist Hospital, Tchad. Mindi and Scott have met James. And you may recall that when Mindi spent a month in northern Cameroon it is actually quite near (but somehow a world away from) this hospital. The last post was in February, we wish James and Sarah the best as they recover mentally and physically on their much needed furlough. 

Djibouti - Moving Up in the World

A friend of Greg's shared this New York Times online article about the industrialization of Djibouti, yes indeed. I particularly enjoyed the anecdote about the Afar chief all of 4-ft tall with a 6-ft tall stick threatening bodily harm to the big (co.) American salt miner! Here's the link: Location Gives Tiny State Prime Access to Big Riches. 

Commemorating Veterans

These pictures were shared with me and I thought they were so special I wanted to post them. They are of my father-in-law, Gerald "Glenn" Furbish as a young Air Force Pilot. He spent a career in the US Air Force of which he is understandably very proud as are we. He's in his 80's now, all the WWII veterans are getting up there in years. (click the pics to blow them up)

Let's remember and honor all the very special Veterans in our lives, those that have served and those that are serving today. My husband Greg is a veteran, retired career Army and my father, Beecher Lafever is also a veteran of the Vietnam War. We have friends here in Alaska, Marco that had retired after a career in the Army but re-enlisted for one year to serve in Afghanistan and Scott that is still in the Army and just returned from a tour in Iraq. Link to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Old Photo from the Past

Well, this is to show that my parents had a sense of humor, though tainted by the sixties clearly! This is before I was even a sparkle in my mother's eye, by the way. If you can't read what's on the t-shirts (you can blow them up by clicking on the picture)... my mom's reads "dingbat" and my dad's reads "meathead". Really? I wonder if it was a bet, I better ask. 

New Society Publishers - Blog

I found an interesting blog post. There are pictures of individual families from all over the world with the food that they will eat for one week spread out with the amount of money paid for the food in their currency and in US$. It is eye-opening. The link is here: Food Expenditures in Perspective. (Updated 4/12/08)

Another Great Radio Program - UnderCurrents

So, in a previous post I plugged a local grassroots home-job radio station, Whole Wheat Radio, which is great. But, if you listened to it and thought it was too "woo woo" for you, then here's one that is more mainstream music in a completely original format and mix. Hosted by Greg McVicar who is Tlingit and the former host of Earthsongs, as well as, a longtime CA radio DJ. They have a great "Mission: To make creative radio that appeals deeply to your tastes, values, lifestyles and intellect. We have fun and push the limits of many musical styles, all the while making sure each song reflects within it, the Traditional Native values of respect for women, elders, youth and for the earth." We have become huge fans of the program as it is broadcast on our favorite local public radio station KNBA 90.3. Check out the website here - UnderCurrentsRadio - to either stream live to listen and/ or check out how to get your local station to carry the program. 

Google Map's Street View in Alaska

Well, as a lot of Alaskans discovered last week we have arrived. If you know about or have used the Google Maps Street View feature for certain metro areas you know what I'm referring to. Apparently, last year the Google team drove around Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks with cameras on top of a car and took stills or video of every street. So, before you come to visit or if you want to see what these cities look like here's your chance. I just typed in my work address 550 W 7th Avenue, Anchorage and it does show what it currently looks like (click the arrows to do a 360). There is a big parking garage going up right across the street from my skyscraper, the Robert B Atwood Building. The garage will service the State employees that work in my building. Anyway, it's something...

Whole Wheat Radio

We've known about this underground radio station out of Talkeetna, Alaska for a while, but I saw an article in the paper this morning which prompted me to take another look. They're coming along... the radio station promotes independent artists only. Streams live on the internet, has a website now on Wikipedia, is very community oriented and connected. You, no matter where you are, have to check them out and listen for a few minutes. Bookmark the site and when you get tired of commercialized radio play this for a while to clear your head. Go ahead it will do you good! Here's the link: Whole Wheat Radio.