Ketchikan-Can

We're finally catching our breath after a flurry of packing, finals, flights, and unpacking and then straight to work for a week! It's been raining non-stop of course, but Alaska is beautiful as ever and we even saw blue sky on Wednesday! It was our first ship day so that was a nice plus. I can already tell it's going to be a busy year, but that's okay because B and I got considerably nice raises this year :) Time to pick out a new car! Braden still hasn't had his interview yet for his summer GIS internship with the Ketchikan Borough so fingers are still crossed on that one.

Last week of school

Since I've changed my major to Graphic Design from Actuarial Science, it sucks nuts that I'm so far behind now that I've changed my major officially 3 times, but it's a good feeling knowing that I'm finally pursuing what I love. Braden (finally!) graduates next year in Geographic Analysis and Bio-regional Planning (yeah, be scared) and right now he's in the thick of senior's courses, some of which have grad students in them for the same amount of work and credit which I find totally unfair to the undergrad students. He spends hours and hours on projects and sometimes I find myself with nothing to do and dying of boredom... I'm didn't realize he was such a big part of my daily entertainment. But since I was so bored, I decided to make bracelets and sell them on Etsy and now I'm the busy one, dragging him to the post office and Michael's and spending insane amounts of time on the computer (well, more than usual insane amounts). Business is amazing, it's been about 2 months and I've made over $1,500.

 

After finals this week, we're headed off to Alaska again, which I'm really excited for and kind of nervous about, but that good nervous, the optimistic anticipation of knowing this summer is a clean slate and making new friends again. Living in Alaska is amazing and gives you such a good perspective on life. Being away from tv, internet, and the often cold, technology obsessed society is so refreshing. I definitely love anything computer-related, I've been reading VCR manuals ever since.. um, VCRs existed (that should date me). But living in a beautiful house on stilts, on the base of the mountain, overlooking downtown and the ocean, surrounded by trees, and where the only dominant birds are bald eagles, there's something about it that makes you feel so clean and untouched (well, until the tourists start rolling in and it's the height of capitalist America on ship days). But the days we have to ourselves are memorable and we're so excited to have friends up there with us this time.

Braden's 26th Birthday

For Braden's birthday we headed down to his parent's house for a week and shopped at the City Creek Center (where I bought a really cute Banana Republic dress that was on sale!.. among other things I saw fit to buy) and the Gateway, ate dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (still so good!) and also saw Celtic Woman in concert, where Braden connected with his inner Celtic woman. I.. felt kinda left out, being the single asian there that night.

 The next day we dragged his mom and his nephews to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving point and spent the day there. Sorry for the blurry phone pics, it was dark in there and Braden hates when I make him take pictures. But for once, I'd like him to cooperate. I asked him to look scared at the dinosaur skeleton and this is what he gave me (after a dirty look and "no...") Good thing it was his birthday, is all I can say. the next day we got up, played horseshoes in his parent's backyard (I should definitely have won that game, incredible comeback by Braden), went shooting with family where Braden tried out his new gun from his parents and me. Years ago I would never even have looked at a gun, much less pick it up and shoot a far away clay pigeon clean through the middle with a rifle. Braden's really good at moving targets, and unless it's a video game, I suck at it.

We spent his actual birthday at home in Logan, where we went frisbee golfing with friends and ate at Texas Roadhouse (where he was a good sport). We went to Coldstone's and got ice cream since I was too tired to make a cake (don't laugh, I'm in such great shape..) and blew out candles on melting ice cream. I gave him my gift wrapped with 26 reasons why he's awesome and he got a new 3tb hard drive.

Easy Easter

Easter was really low key for us this year. We usually drive down to Braden's parents but since we've been driving all over and we were going to head down for his birthday soon, we'd take a break. So we just had Easter dinner at home and watched movies. Aaand we forgot to color eggs. Oh well..

I made a pineapple glazed ham, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, roasted baby potatoes, and a spring salad with strawberries. So easy and none left over! The following day we hit the grocery stores and scored some awesome Easter candy on clearance. We came home with bags full of candy. Braden's idea, not mine..

Spring Break in Sin City

Every year we spend spring break in Las Vegas, and by every year, I mean this year is our second time. We went last year because USU made it into basketball finals and went to watch (which was amaazing!) The first night there, we went to our favorite spot for dessert, Max Brenner, an entire restaurant dedicated to chocolate. We got the sampler platter, which came with a lot of different things. Their fried bananas and fresh strawberries dipped in their decadent chocolate fondue is my favorite. And I'm not huge on sweets in general, especially chocolate.

The next day we went shopping up and down the strip and at Caesar's Palace again, ate at P.J. Clarke's where I had a dozen oysters (sooo yummy!) all to myself and the most unbelievable wild mushroom risotto and an Arnold Palmer that was meh. Braden had a steak with fries and a gingerale. I left my phone in our hotel room all day so no pictures :( After dinner, we went to go to Cirque du Soleil's Mystere which was so entertaining and intense the second you take your seats. It makes you realize how crazy talented people are and what the human body is capable of.

Came back with lots of clothes, Braden too, and a memorable time. We were worried that Vegas wasn't going to be as amazing as year, but it still is!