September 7, 2010
This past Sunday was my 28th birthday. Howdy made reservations at Orso for dinner on Sunday night. So far, Orso is our favorite restaurant in Anchorage. We’ve never had anything on their menu that was less than amazing. Sunday night we split the Crispy Ravioli appetizer to start. I had the Spinach with Apple-Thyme Vinaigrette salad and Howdy had the Smoked Salmon Chowder – both of which were wonderful! (I think next time we go I might just get that salad and soup as my meal!). For our entrees Howdy had the Cashew Crusted Fresh Alaska Halibut, and I had the Alaska King Crab and Risotto Cakes. We also split the Tiramisu and Molten Chocolate Cake for dessert. Seriously, it was all delicious and I ate way too much!
The weather Sunday morning was overcast and rainy, but it cleared up in the evening. After dinner we went for a walk downtown, and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset. Of course, the pictures from my iPhone didn’t do it justice, but you’ll get the idea.
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Alaska, about me | 
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Posted by mm
September 5, 2010
I was tagged by Melissa at Duoly Noted in an 8 Questions post, so I decided to join in and answer the questions!
1. If you could have an unlimited shoe budget or purse budget which one would you pick?
- Purse budget, no question. I love shoes, but purses hold a special place in my heart (and wallet)
2. If you could change lives with one person for a day who would it be?
- That’s a tough call… really tough. In general I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what it would be like to be somebody else. I’m pretty happy with my life and who I am. SO I guess I’d have to say Kara Goucher or Ashley Greene at the moment.
3. What is the one place you haven’t been that you want to visit before you die?
- It would be a toss up between Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Thailand… there are so many places I want to go it’s hard to decide. 
4. What is your most unrealistic fear?
- It’s not really a “fear” so much as an aversion, but I can’t stand commercial-size tubs of condiments. I can’t even go down the condiment aisle in Costco or Sam’s. Seeing the large tubs of ketchup, mayonnaise, etc… just grosses me out and makes me nauseous.
5. If you could compete in one Olympic sport, which one would you pick?
- Summer – Fencing or Rowing; Winter – Curling or the Biathlon
6. What was the last book you read and did you like it?
- I finished Mockingjay on Friday night. I thought it was pretty good. There were some elements that I didn’t care for, but overall I thought it was a good read.
7. What song best describes how you are feeling this moment?
- Bon Jovi: It’s My Life
8. Who is your rolemodel?
- While the circumstances of my life are vastly different than my parents’ lives, I would say that there are characteristics of both my father and mother that I try to implement in my own life.
1 Comment | Random, about me | Tagged: about me, Random | Permalink
Posted by mm
August 31, 2010
The last time I posted I left you hanging with a teaser about what I did last week… and then disappeared for a few days… You know how it goes – life gets in the way, and sometimes the camera doens’t cooperate with uploading the pictures.
Last Thursday I had the opportunity to take a flight on a KC-135 while it was refueling a formation of C-17s. We flew out over Denali National Park, and I was able to spend the majority of the time laying on my stomach in the boom pod looking out the windows at the amazing scenery. I took about 130 pictures, so it was tough to narrow them down, but it was truly an amazing experience! Here is a small sample of the pictures I was able to take – no zoom required!
See the C-17?
The C-17 is REALLY big in that little window!
Can you spot the C-17 again? 
Mt McKinley (Denali) out the cockpit window:
…and again, a little closer:
We literally flew right over the top of Mt. McKinley (Denali). We were about 2500 feet away from the peaks, but it seemed like it was SO much closer! The views throughout the entire flight were just breathtaking, and being about 20 feet away from C-17s refeuling at 20,000 feet, traveling over 250 mph was definitely not something I get to see everyday! If you ever get the chance, I HIGHLY recommend doing it!! (And have I mentioned that I am completely in love with Alaska?!…. because I am) 
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