Trekkin

Today I checked out some trails just off campus. It was really fun and super pretty! It was about -20 so we couldn't stay out very long, I hope to go back out more when things warm up around here. There are trails for walking and cross country skiing, so hopefully I'll have a chance to try the latter sometime.

The trail. Pic by Karolina P.

Smith Lake near campus.

Earthquake

Today I experienced a very minor earthquake! I was innocently reading in my bed and everything started shaking a little, at first I thought I was dying but then I realized that's what it was. So cool. I LOVE PLATE TECTONICS!

Anyway, last night went out to this bar called the Marlin with a bunch of my exchange homies, it was fun. It was a very laid back place, kinda reminded me of the Lift or Welch Ave. I like how people here don't dress up to go out, I only saw one girl wearing a skirt. People at ISU are sew fashionable. There was some drunk band playing blue grass and demanding that the bargoers buy them shots, haha.

Also, yesterday while I was trying to enjoy a sandwich the fire alarm went off at the building I was in. I have a new found hatred for people who pull those things, waiting outside in -30 degree weather =brutal.

Back 2 Skoo

First day of classes!! Only had one today though- GIS analysis. Seems really cool, I'm always weary of computer based classes working with new software...but I gotta learn. Our professor gave us all copies of ArcGIS 10 to install....but it's not compatible with mac!! Ah..so I need to figure that out. It's a pretty small class, about 25 students, so my prof was taking attendance and he's like "oh Angela Richman is an exchange student, where from?" Everyone laughed when I said Iowa...apparently it's not far enough away. Feels like a different country to me almost.

It was almost -40 this morning. Still dark when I took the bus to class around 9:30 which is kind of sad. But whatevs. Hopefully I'll do something cool this weekend, it's supposed to snow and be above zero degrees!! Hoorayyyyyy.

I snapped my first few pics today after class, but it's so cold my fingers hurt after being out of gloves for a few minutes.

View from Yukon Dr. 

Sun it Rises...around 11 am.

(Sorry I know these are on fb too...but my mom doesn't have one k)

PS.

Also my mailing address for this semester is:

Angie Richman
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 751161
Fairbanks AK 99775-1161

Please send wine and munchies

Day 1

Alright. I'm feeling much better here. Still don't know anyone...but my room mate, Kaisa and I went out today to buy some school supplies, got my student ID card, and had a cup of coffee and chatted. It was nice to see a little bit of campus, and all the people around here seem amiable.

It's currently -34 F (it's only 11 am though) and the high is -19! Haha. The cold isn't really bugging me though. I got my nice warm down jacket (Holla Callie) and some Sorel boots that are keeping my feet super warm. It's just kinda hard to breath in air that's so cold, so I'm walking around with a scarf over my face for now, but I bet I'll get accustomed to it eventually.

My dorm is pretty cute, kinda junky but definitely better than Helser.......weird. It's really close to a cafeteria and some c-store type places, and the bookstore, so that's convenient. I think my classes are a couple blocks away, so we'll see how that goes tomorrow.

It's definitely going to be an interesting semester. I'm excited to meet some new people and see new things. Currently a little homesick though...

I'm Here.....

Idk how I feel about this yet.

I've made one friend, too bad she's 80 years old and doesn't go to UAF. I'll try again tomorrow. 

Monday

24 hours.....

yes I'm drawing out this countdown more than necessary.