My favorite pastime EVER!

It occurred to me today that I have not written about the greatest sport of all time: Extreme Sledding.

Here in Alaska we don’t sled like normal people do.  Why walk up and sled down wimpy little hills when mountains surround us?  We are literally SURROUNDED by mountains (I live in “The Valley”).  Hatcher’s Pass is my favorite place on the planet.  It’s my playground.  And it happens to be home to the two best sled runs that I’ve come across yet: 16 Mile and Paradise.

16 Mile is named such because it begins at mile 16 of the Hatcher’s Pass road.  The run itself is probably about a mile long (a guess) and ends near the bottom of the pass.  Cliffs, trees, humongous jumps, rocks… You name it.  Once you reach the bottom, everyone piles into the van with the designated driver (thanks mom!) and off you go again!

Paradise, in my opinion, is aptly named due to the simplicity and all around easier run that it is compared to 16 Mile.  It’s shorter though, and has more flat areas, which can be a good thing if you’re not really all that great at steering a sled.

One prominent detail that needs to be mentioned: we race.  There are no rules, the first person to make it to the bottom wins.  Wipeouts – accidental or otherwise – are all a part of the game.  And every bruise and bump I end up with is totally worth it.

This kind of sledding is a skill.   And I really don’t know how to describe just how awesome it is.  It is most definitely however, my favorite activity in the whole world.

Since a picture’s worth a thousand words…

Getting ready to head over the edge

Me and Noah on the ride up

Baruch tearing it up! 

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get really good pictures of us sledding and the runs on account of excessive speed, so these pictures don’t really do the sport justice.  But I’d say that last one is a good one.  

This final picture is the reason I love Hatcher’s Pass, and is probably one of my favorite scenery shots in all of Alaska.

Hatcher's Pass, Alaska

Telephone Pictionary: aka "THE BEST GAME EVER!"

I’ve talked about this game in previous posts, but it is just THAT good.

And since I’ve played it three on different occurrences this week, I feel this post is validated.

Here are some of my top 10 favorite drawings from the New Year’s Eve shindig.

"Eating the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow"

"Giant squid attacks crowded submarine"

"Lord Voldemort on a date with Delores Umbridge"

Something to do with biting an arm off...

"Dismemberment is funny!"

"Jumping on a trampoline while playing basketball with a baby"
(Or something of the likes) 

Riding a tap dancing T-rex?
Can't really remember where this one went

"Hair eating a baby with stitches and big ears"

These last two go together and though not the most outrageous were my favorite of the night.

"Playing piano on top of the Space Needle"

"Music divided by space plus a needle"

Who I Am

It has occurred to me, that the whole finding yourself phase/becoming an adult is HAPPENING TO ME RIGHT NOW!!!  And while at first this created a minor (ok, major) freak out moment, I have since relaxed a little, let go, and decided that I am who I am whoever that may be.  In my somewhat OCD need to control my life and have a plan, I have decided to define who I am.  Now, and forever.  Sure people change, and I will, no doubt, change as well.  But the foundation upon which my life and self is built will remain firm.

So.  Who I am.

I am independent.  I don’t need someone holding my hand every step of the way.  I can do things for myself.  As a human however, I am at my very heart relational.  I’m not a hermit.  The presence of and interaction with others is extremely important in my life.

I am compassionate.  I care.  I don’t merely float through life.  I want to do my best to help others.  Any remotely sad or heartwarming moment generally brings tears to my eyes.  I love.

I am grounded.  Not like a troublemaker so I’m grounded all the time* but meaning set in my beliefs.  I know where I stand and why, but I’m not afraid to listen to other sides with serious contemplation and thought.

I am committed.  I don’t back out when the situation gets tough.  I stick it out to the end.

I am motivated.  I want to achieve.  I want to reach my goals.  I want to learn.  Yes, it’s difficult at times, but where is my purpose if I don’t DO something?

I make mistakes.  We all do, and we all live with them, and try to correct for our errors.

Who I am

If I live to be a hundred

And never see the seven wonders

That'll be alright

If I don't make it to the big leagues

If I never win a Grammy

I'm gonna be just fine

'Cause I know exactly who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter

The spitting image of my father

And when the day is done

My momma's still my biggest fan

Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy

But I've got friends who love me

And they know just where I stand

It's all a part of me

And that's who I am

So when I make big mistake

When I fall flat on my face

I know I'll be alright

Should my tender heart be broken

I will cry those teardrops knowin'

I will be just fine

'Cause nothin' changes who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter

The spitting image of my father

And when the day is done

My momma's still my biggest fan

Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy

But I've got friends who love me

And they know just where I stand

It's all a part of me

And that's who I am

I'm a saint and I'm a sinner

I'm a loser, I'm a winner

I'm am steady and unstable

I am young but I'm able

I am Rosemary's granddaughter

The spitting image of my father

And when the day is done

My momma's still my biggest fan

Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy

But I've got friends who love me

And they know just where I stand

It's all a part of me

And that's who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter

The spitting image of my father

And when the day is done

My momma's still my biggest fan

Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy

But I've got friends who love me

And they know just where I stand

It's all a part of me

And that's who I am

So now you know who I am… But who am I?  Sounds kind of redundant… And I agree it probably is.  But in the grand scheme of things, Who Am I?  Some considerably small portion of the world today, and even smaller when you include all of history and time.  Like I said earlier I like to have a plan.  But my plan is nothing compared to God’s plan for me.  He’s the one who has it all worked out.

Who am I?

That the Lord of all the earth,

Would care to know my name,

Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am I?

That the bright and morning star,

Would choose to light the way,

For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you’ve done.

Not because of what I’ve done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I’m calling,

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,

And you’ve told me who I am.

I am yours.

I am yours.

Who am I?

That the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

And watch me rise again.

Who am I?

That the voice that calmed the sea,

Would call out through the rain,

And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you’ve done.

Not because of what I’ve done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I’m calling,

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,

And you’ve told me who I am.

I am yours.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you’ve done.

Not because of what I’ve done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I’m calling,

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,

And you’ve told me who I am.

I am yours.

I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

Cause I am yours..

I am yours..

It’s all summed up in that last line for me.  I am yours.  No matter what else goes into the formula for “Emily,” God is at the center.

“I will keep your law continually, forever and ever.

I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precept.

I will also speak of your decrees before kings, and shall not be put to shame;

I find my delight in your commandments, because I love them.

I revere your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.”

Psalm 119:44-48

*I have never been grounded by my parents until like a week ago when I didn’t plug the car in after coming home.  They wait till I’m back from college and 19 years old to ground me.