I arrived in Anchorage on June 15th, so it was three months just a bit ago. These first months have flown by, but somehow my life has changed so much in that time. Like all major transitions in life, this one is hard! I am finding it really helpful to take some time to reflect; my impressions of this place have gradually shifted throughout my time, so here is a little summary of that experience.
Month 1:
Arriving here was really cool, but also really hard. Alaska is a beautiful place with so much to offer, but it took me a little while to really appreciate it. Saying goodbye to my friends and family, moving so far away to an unknown place, it all made me constantly tense. My roommates and teammates had all spent at least a summer in Alaska before, so I also felt a little bit behind. Every mention of a nearby town or trailhead or coffee shop reminded me that I was a beginner here. Every movement felt effortful, and it took me longer than I expected to let my body and mind fully relax in this new place.
However, I was also overwhelmed by the support I received upon my arrival. My roommate’s parents, who live in a nearby town, lent us their car to use for a while. We hosted the team for dinner in my first week, and I felt so welcomed by this huge group of skiers. My coworkers bought me coffee on my first 7:30 am shift. While my move was hard in lots of ways, the people who welcomed me helped me to know it was all going to be okay!
Month 2:
By the middle of July, I started to find a groove that felt comfortable and safe. My roommates spent LOTS of time dumbing down basic Alaskan terminology, and we had a peaceful routine of eating, sleeping, training, and working (and not much more). My mom visited and helped transform my room into a cozy, safe place, a feeling I had hugely underestimated.
My boyfriend Silas visited me in the middle of August, and it was relieving to not be the new kid in town for a little while. I got to show him my work, a favorite restaurant, a few good hikes, and I realized I had in fact settled into this new place!
Month 3:
I am really liking my life here. The third month has flown by, and I have spent a lot of it reflecting on the highs and lows. I love the structure of my routine, the game nights and girl dinners and post-workout ice creams. I enjoy my job and the people I work with. I feel as though I have settled into a lifestyle, but there is also natural ebb and flow that keeps things exciting.
On the other hand, some aspects are weighing on me a bit more heavily. I miss my family, and I especially miss being in the same time zone. I am still surprised when I want to call my mom at 8 pm and she is already asleep :(. The ski training is generally really good, but it is also exhausting. On harder days, the intensity of skiing sometimes feels like an overwhelming pressure.
I spent a lot of time deciding whether to pursue skiing after college, and there are some times I am not sure if it is the best lifestyle for me. Most of the time, however, I am confident that it is the right decision for now. I feel strong, balanced, and satisfied, and I am so grateful to be able to keep working towards my ski goals. It is a pretty cool life!
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