Life in the Cove

I don't even know where to begin. I'm being paid to live in an Alaskan paradise. I'm not sure I'll actually want to leave in the fall. They may have to pry my fingers away from the dock, or drug me and throw me in the boat. The pictures do not do it justice. I am so happy and calm here. I get to go kayaking whenever I want to. My work consists of cleaning, gardening, and cooking/baking which are things I enjoy doing anyway. I feel like I've been adopted into a second family. It's...it's... unbelieveably amazing. I wish I could share this place with all my friends and family.

In other news, my stepdad, Alex, had a heart attack two days ago. He's doing fine, but had to be flown to Anchorage and was in surgery for nine hours. He's recovering, and should be back home in a few days, but it was really scary and unexpected. My mom has been with him the whole time. I know she's beyond exhausted. We (kids) have been trying to take care of as much as we can here so she won't have a million things to do when she gets back. But my sister is getting married in two weeks, so things will be busy no matter what.

I just bought tickets to Burning Man about 45 minutes ago. More on that later. Yes, impulsive decision to do something crazy. Last time I did that it was worthwhile, so I'm hoping that trend holds true. I'm a little worried about the desert heat. Not so much about the crazy people. It seems like it'll be a good way to really cut loose before I get serious about a real job for the winter. I've spent a lot of my life hiding from exciting experiences, and I want to change that. I want to have stories to tell that will shock my kids someday. I want to have done things they won't believe I had ever done. I want to have done things I won't believe I actually did. Besides, I've always wanted an excuse to cover my entire body in henna tattoos, and I honestly can't imagine another situation in which that would be perfectly appropriate. I won't be taking drugs or drinking heavily (or having indiscriminate relations...) I can assure you of that. But I do hope to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will shift my perspective and maybe dissolve a few more of my pesky inhibitions--the unnecessary ones that keep me so shy and self-conscious.

I'm going to finish my lovely day with a nice hot sauna. I am SO well taken care of here!