Getting the car started

Gidday there family!

First of all, Congratulations to Kim on the opening of her new business venture Dryland Training. I am looking forward to using it later this summer, and can't wait to get back out on the "ice."

Wow! It has been a wild and crazy journey since December, which was the last time I was able to spend some time writing, and I thought that by now I would be leading the life of luxury. But I was wrong.

Graduate school is now over, and I have more feelings about finally getting it over than I have time to express. It is a great relief to me, a great accomplishment, and yet it also leaves a great emptiness. One that I am rapidly filling with my next challenge: finding the right job. This is "graduate school - Part II" for me . I have several irons in the fire, but none ready to come out just yet. I will update you all on this a little later.

Once school ended the floodgates opened up on the many other pent-up projects and responsibilities I have been putting off. Susan and I borrowed some money to do several home improvement projects like new windows and kitchen appliances, and have (or rather, had) plans for others. The teen group from our church, for whom I have been attempting to provide leadership, is gearing up for a group trip to teen camp in southwest Alberta. So we have been busy with fundraising and organizing. Meanwhile, my teens fully entered the end of the school year whirlwind of concerts, proms, and other events. And of course, the short and violent Alaskan spring with all of its yardwork, house repairs, and preparations for summer arrived at the same time!

It is enough to make my head spin.

Yet that is the cycle of life in the dramatic and extreme north, and we love it (I guess). Now that summer is (as of a couple days ago) finally and officially here we will cram as much fun as possible into the next three months. The fish are already running and Homer is beckoning. The Copper River reds hit last week and the spring run of Kings has already come and gone. I am not much of a fisherman, but can't help but get caught up in the excitement. Adrian and I will be heading down to Homer over the July 4th weekend to spend a few days doing repairs to Dad's cabin and hanging around the Homer Brewery. That should be a good time. I can't wait.

I want to say a lot more, but have already run out of time. Here is a picture from Father's Day 2006. My family got me a digital camera, so I will be able to post many more pictures.

Love, Jed