It's Good To Be Home

My last few days on campus with the crisp, fall air have reminded me of the overwhelming excitement and joy I felt during my first few weeks as a freshman at UAF. I was - and still am - proud of myself for breaking free of everything I knew and daring to make my own life and adventure in a place that promised "North to the Future." It was the best decision I ever made. I graduated with a degree in Communication and began traveling the world with my husband and returning to Alaska in the summers. We moved back to the lower 48 where I earned a graduate degree in English, started a career, and had a kiddo. But UAF and Fairbanks called me back and I am thrilled to be here.

In order for us to become better acquainted, here is the lowdown on me: I read Pride and Prejudice at least once a year, usually in the winter. I like watching tv shows on DVDs. I was a tour guide to the Arctic Circle during the summer while attending UAF. I love tea and, because I have refined my taste, I carry my own tea with me in my purse no matter where I go. I played basketball for UAF and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. I met my husband my first weekend at college (he lived one floor above me in Lathrop Hall) but we didn't start dating for another year. I spent the last five years teaching English in colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. My favorite countries that I've visited are: Australia, Cameroon, and Spain, but have been to many others. Fairbanks feels like home. I'm pretty sure my life would greatly improve if I would just start to garden. After attending a Nanook volleyball game, my two and a half year old runs around the house yelling "Point Nooks!" I love UAF and like you already.

Falafal Tuesdays at UAF

I wanted to share my excitement for a recent community and university partnership that has developed with regard to food on campus. The Pita Place, a local vendor of pita falafels, which is usually open on College Rd. in during the summer months, will be serving up pita falafels at the Wood Center at UAF for the next three Tuesdays. This is a trial to see if they will be there more during the winter.

This makes me incredibly happy for two reasons:

1. Pita falafals from the Pita Place are delicious.
2. It's a great example of how the university dining services listened to student feedback and worked with a popular vendor to bring this fantastic product to campus.