Working through the Iditarod

It's official. I am working for mushers during the Iditarod (and beyond). Started Monday and it's been a whirlwind. So that's why the blog went silent this week. It was not my intention, but that's how it goes sometimes.

Tomorrow I am going to pack for the Iditarod. We will travel up to Anchorage Friday evening. Trail Guarding for the Ceremonial Start on Saturday, and then we'll head over to the HQ to see what's going on there. Then Sunday we'll head out to Willow for the ReStart. I will meet up with "my" mushers and take pictures, hopefully posting via my mobile phone on their facebook, and then I'll hike out to whereever my family and friends are to watch the teams take off for Nome!

I'm debating whether I want to stay in Anchorage for a while or head back home with the gang after that. I'm tempted to stay up there, but may not have a vehicle, which would make my stay up there rather pointless... decisions, decisions...

We interrupt this program to bring you real life...

The last few days have been a road map of mixed emotions. Sunday I was contacted by a friend and former employer of a job opportunity he wanted to fit me into. I loved working for this family a few years ago, and have tried to keep in contact, but it was still a daunting offer. It would require me to be in another part of the state for part of the year, and willing to travel. It's involved with the sled dog and mushing community, and I was a "perfect choice" because he considers me a "fanatic. (Okay, I am, but still!)
After having a brief chat through emails, we decided to meet up today (Wednesday) while he was in town to really nail down some of what the job would be and why I was the choice. But from Sunday to now I was panicing. I wanted to give the right answer not only for them but for myself, but I am such an overplanner and overthinker that I was focussing on the unknowns.

It's a job I already do, basically, for free. It's blogging, tweeting and facebooking. I'll also be photographing and taking reservations in the summer (ok and winter too!). So this is not a stretch of the imagination for me to do this job well. It all really settled down to, do I want to have two addresses each summer. And that answer was really know.

However, the meeting today went really well. All of my concerns were addressed, and let's just say I really am not as persuasive but I can definitely be persuaded. We discussed a possible two weeks on two weeks off schedule for the summer, giving me a little more freedom from what I originally thought it would have. Ultimately, it's looking more like two small business partnering together - though I would answer to them as far as their job goes. It's been a long while since I've worked online for an athlete, and this is a whole family of mushers!

There's more to the job than just that, but that's the bulk of it. A lot of working from home most of the year which is FANTASTIC! God really openned a huge door with this one, and I am feeling extremely guilty for not just TRUSTING HIM! (you'd think I'd learn after all these years, but, nope!)

I've sent the email off saying I'll take it. Now it's just to see how it all comes together! I have butterflies of happiness in my tummy tonight! WHEW!

Since I lost interest in the 30 Days Of Me...

...I will try to finish that marathon posting... but I want to start another one that seems to be a bit more fun for me. So, it's 30 days of Skating!!!!!! This should keep my interest much more easily!

The list is as follows:

Day 1: How you got into figure skating


Day 2: Your favourite pairs program

Day 3: Favourite figure skating spectatorship moment

Day 4: Up and coming figure skater you are most excited for

Day 5: Your favourite Dance program

Day 6: Predict - gold medalists at 2011 Worlds

Day 7: Your favourite Mens Program

Day 8: Your favourite Ladies Program

Day 9: Code of Points - give your opinion

Day 10: Last competition/show you attended

day 11: Your top 5 favourite male figure skaters

Day 12: Top 5 ladies figure skaters

Day 13: Top 5 pairs teams

Day 14: Top 5 dance teams

Day 15: Predict - gold medalists in 2014

Day 16: Your dream 2014 Olympic medalists

Day 17: Least favourite skater

Day 18: Favourite figure skating music

Day 19: If you could marry any figure skater, who would it be?

Day 20: Your favourite Olympic moment

Day 21: Team Johnny or Team Evan?

Day 22: Favourite & least favourite commentator

Day 23: Skater everybody loves but you don’t

Day 24: Skater you love but nobody else does

Day 25: The quad. Give your opinion.

Day 26: Saddest figure skating moment

Day 27: Your favourite figure skating moment of all time

Day 28: Favourite & least favourite costume

Day 29: Your favourite figure skater of all time

Day 30: Why you love figure skating



In other news, packing is nearly completed. I just have to bag up my stuffed animals, bag up board games, and break down my bathroom... yay! And in even BIGGER NEWS.........
 
I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!! I'm working at the Soldotna, AK branch of AlaskaUSA! So excited!

Taste the Freedom!

In two days I will leave the world of Federal employment and embark on a journey that - hopefully - takes me to successful business person. My job with the Census ends on Friday, yes, this friday, and I am not jumping into another job. It makes no sense to do serious job hunting when I have two trips in the span of four months, one of which is three weeks long. No employer in their right mind would hire someone who is going to turn around and go on extended vacation twice.

So it's been one of those, "Ok, God, what next?" type situations. He's laid upon my heart that I just need to bite the bullet and dive into the photography business once and for all. Why would He give me a talent and then not allow me to use it to my full potential. So I'm prayerfully considering my options. I am thinking that possibly by next spring/summer I may be moving back down to Kenai. This is not even close to a done deal, but the over saturation of photographers in my area in Anchorage is troublesome. All of my friends up here already have their preferred photographer - and I am not that person - well, not all, but most. I have  more of a clientele down on the Peninsula. Problem is I still don't have the option of living on my own. Not that I have that option up here. But, with dad's new Garage Majahal he's building I think I might be able to build a studio out of it (that can be swapped out for the cars when it's not in use lol) and that can suppliment my income drastically as many people aren't going to want to do winter portraits when the temp dips below zero (or freezing for that matter, and I can't blame 'em!).

I know God is moving me somewhere, just not where. The Sunday School program at ABT is getting a shake up and -come the end of October- there will no longer be small classes at the 11am hour. Basically my class will be no more. They are making a jr. childrens church which sounds like a lot of fun, but I've been going back and forth as to whether or not to take a break, and I'm taking this opportunity as a sign that God's making sure I don't burn out. The last two years I have definitely felt that I'm getting close to that. It will be nice to hear Preacher on Sunday morning. I haven't attended a Sunday MORNING service at ABT in almost five years. Not counting Christmas and Easter. It's something I definitely miss. Growing up there wasn't a Children's church or 'extended session' option, you just went into service and learned to be quiet and behave. Still feel that's the way to go, but understand that its not everyone's idea of a good time.

This could also make a move to Kenai easier as I wouldn't be leaving the Children's ministry short staffed.

So there's a lot to consider. But, first, I have to build up the business now and get my name out. I've got somewhat of an online presense, which I am working on expanding, and then I need to look at advertising options around Anchorage and the Peninsula. Prayers for all of this - as well as encouragement and advice - are always welcome. I'm not sure where God wants me to go exactly, but I do feel this is the correct course.

http://www.photographybyantonia.com/

Busy Beaver!

So much has happened that I would love the blog about, but I have been so busy and running around that unless you follow me on facebook or twitter you wouldn't know what was going on. The Census is winding down, I will be laid off a week from tomorrow. I'm not sad about it ending, shoot the paycheck is nice, I'm actually relieved. It's been a long twenty months, but over all I enjoyed it.

A lot of people are asking me what is next. At this point I'm taking it one day at a time. I have, basically, until spring to figure it out (that's when my living arrangement will have to change no matter what) and with my trips that I have planned and paid for it makes it hard to get a job. "Um, yeah, you can hire me, then I'll be gone for a month, and back for a month and then I'm gone again!"

So to make a long post short, I've prayed hard about it and feel God is leading me to take my photography seriously. So I am completely jumping in, with Faith. The website was published this morning, and I'm open for business with sessions set for Sept. 25 and beyond! I am excited and scared all at the same time.

Visit the website here - http://www.photographybyantonia.com/ - more blogging to come, but I think this is enough for now.

I also just joined the Christian group Books for Bloggers, so I'm looking forward to that!

Continuing the Job Hunt

I just finished applying for a position with the Department of Health and Services: Public Assistance office in Kenai. The offices are in the same building as my dad's office (VA Clinic) so that would be cool. Plus I'd be back down home where more of my lifelong friends are. So I'm hopeful, but at the same time I am still looking for stuff here in Anchorage as well.

One thing that I would have to give up that I am not looking forward to if I were to move back to Kenai is giving up my job at Wildride. Even though it's already starting to drag me down (which is funny since I haven't really worked that much this summer) ha ha I will definitely miss it. I'd also not get to work as much with the Iditarod (probably would just go back to being a trail guard and nothing more). So there's a lot for me to consider.

In other news I walking down memory lane as I continue to put my skating tapes on DVD. Watching stuff from the 2002-2003 season at the moment. How I miss Jenny Kirk, Angela Nikodinov, Scott & Dulebohn and Orscher & Lucash... among others.

Wildride!!

This weekend my schedule is jam packed. I am getting a cell phone in my name - and a new phone - I'm booking the dining reservations for Erin and my trip in November to Disney World... but the biggest excitement (and this may sound really pathetic) is that Wildride starts next week and my involvement starts on Saturday with rehearsals. To say I'm overly excited is an understatement.

It's so weird that I'm still so giddy over this time of year. By the end of the summer I'll be dragging, as it looks like I'll be working more this summer than last, but I still have so much fun and miss it when it's over. *sigh*

Cannot wait. Photos to come as soon as I can shoot some!

Applications...

So last week, very late last week, I was informed that there is an opening at the Kenai court for a receptionist type position. I've been debating actually applying for it, but decided tonight that 'what the heck' I can try.

I had researched a bit on where I could live, there were some really nice homes - not apartments - in my price range... in *gulp* Soldotna. Not sure if I could ever live there and love it, but then again there were some REALLY nice places on craigslist. One of them was right on the river, but I am pretty sure it's been snatched up by now.

So yeah, I'm fixing up the ol' resume, got me some updated references. I'm all set to go (and if Mark is reading this - no I haven't talked anyone in the office into breaking the rules and giving me a professional reference) with other requirements. So I should be able to send it off before the April 8th deadline. I hope.

Prayers would be much appreciated in this. It'd be back in Kenai, same amount I make a month now - but with benefits and vacation/sick leave - I'd be in Kenai, it's permanent, and - oh yeah - I'd be in Kenai.