From the North Pole to North Carolina!

I am now in Raleigh, NC former hangout of sis-in-law Kim. I will be teaching 6th grade science at Henderson Middle School in Henderson, NC and living with my good friend (from Alaska) Kristen Chaney. But let's start at the beginning shall we?

I left Alaksa because, well, it sucked and moved back home in time for some great Christmas celebrations:

Aunt Heather's Fabulous Pink Christmas Tree



Grandma and Grandpa D's Boring Christmas Tree (non-pink)



Then came my birthday celebrated with my good friends the Trivettes:

Trish preparing to make the cake.

Me super excited to eat the cake.

Staring down the dog for my cake. You will never win dog- I am hungrier and meaner.

Beautiful hair accessories my nieces made for me.



Next came my special time with niece Emma, we got a couple of days of good snuggle time:

Me practicing my auntie kisses.

Emma's reaction to auntie kisses.

Like a good aunt I built a fire with which to roast marshmellows.
 

At this point I decided to go see the place I might live with Kristen Chaney, we got a lovely surprise visit from Alisha Taylor.

Kristen-Alisha-Heather

Wild Mustangs of the Outer Banks.

Me whispering to the mustang and melding our minds to become as one.

Me on a dune pretending to be Miss June- looks like I might have a secret...

Some wild mustangs...and horses too!

 A new tradition started this year in which the three siblings- Matt. Luke and Heather all get together and act like adults. So sophisticated we three. Shoes were lost, swimming in a natural spring was done and Emma coaxed her dad into getting her a ninja star at a gas station in Arkansas. I maintain I declared this decision a bad one and refuse any liability.

Lukie at the end of a 16 hour drive.

Ainsley being a monkey.

Aunt Heather proving she could in fact climb trees.

Where Jack lost his shoe and Aunt Heather lost hers looking for it.

Now for North Carolina! Kristen and I had worked together in Alaska at seperate sites. Hendeerson Middle hired us and neither of us realized the other was going to work there until after the interviews. So we decided to move in together as roommates. We were very lucky and got a great deal on an apartment in Raleigh and are super happy with it. Here is my wing and living area:

Me snuggled into my pink bed.

My chair on the balcony, that door opens into my bedroom.

View from balcony.

Kristen working her culinary magic.

Our classy table- notice the salad AND dinner forks.

Our living room, a little colorful.

Coming in the door, my wing is on the right.

Bathroom. Water comes out of the faucet- any temp I want.

View of my wing from door.

My pink unmade bed and desk. I feel as though it would have been a lie to make the bed first
as this never happens in real life.

And so you are caught up on my life. I start work (orientation) next week so updates to come. What I have learned so far:

1) NC is hot and muggy and hates fair skinned people.
2) My uncle will fb stalk anyone who is my roommate.
3) I am only 4 hours away from my cousin Anna so I get to visit her!
4) I miss my mommy and daddy, its strange how you get used to eating at 4pm.
5) My friend Kristen is super amazing!