Food for thought

I stumbled into the wrong part of the Alaska Vocational Technical Center the other day when I was trying to find my CPR class and found myself in the culinary academy. A really good mistake of my life. In asking for directions to the correct building, I was briefly led into a classroom filled with chefs in the making and desperately wanted to stay. Fortunately I was running a little late and wasn't too tempted to stick around and ask questions- ok, I was really tempted to- but I just walked out the door and made a mental note to investigate later.

Now with a glorious internet connection that lasts more than 30 seconds (a hard thing to find in these parts!), I've been able to surf the web a bit and learn more. Checking out the program has left me with 2 thoughts:
1. I want to go to some kind of culinary school at least, if not this one!
2. Damnit. I wish I were an Alaskan resident so I could pay in-state tuition.
So, hmm... maybe I'll investigate this Alaskan residency thing first. I might be staying here for a while, something I definitely would not mind! As long as my employment with Kenai Fjords is long outlived by my stay here, I'd be happy.

Speaking of which, some advice I've learned here so far: small businesses are where it's at. Repeat that ten times now. Working for a small business is far more rewarding. This is my first experience working for a bigger company, and I never realized until now how fortunate I've been with some really amazing jobs. Being inside the office at the dock just pisses me off every time. Small business, man- I'm not joking.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Kendra and Nick and Joel. It can get a little lonely up here- I'm usually either alone or around a TON of people I don't know very well (on the tour boats or at employee housing). It'll be nice to see good friends again and have adventures.

Living situation update: here in Teri and Chip's guest cabin till Thursday night (they are so cool! I should write a whole blog on them), then moving into a tent! There are some good unofficial tentsites down Exit Glacier Road, a few miles off of the Seward Highway, that a few people recommended to me. I'll be able to shower, do laundry and maybe even cook as needed at employee housing. Sweet.

Two more last things to leave you with that have been intriguing to me recently:
Road Trip Nation's Indie Trip Grants
Americorps NCCC