[Employed!!]

My job hunt lasted a mere 2 weeks, and for that I am very grateful. I have known all along that one way to make this time in Nome the most meaningful for me is to take a job that will push me out of my comfort zone, challenge me, and teach me. After much thought I have accepted a job with the state of Alaska as a Children’s Service Specialist. I will be working within the Heath and Social Services division. My job as far as I understand it at this point will be to work essentially as a social worker and follow up on reports of abuse, neglect and harm to children in Nome and the Norton Sound area, which will mean traveling to villages very frequently, from 1-4 times I week I was told. Those of you who know me know that this sounds quite a bit different from what I have done in the past. Thankfully, training is important to the state of Alaska, so on Sunday I am flying down to Anchorage for a two week training in my job, there will be additional trainings all year as well. I know that my commute is a 10 minute walk to the state building on the seawall of front street, that’s right, the office has a beautiful ocean view, aside from that I don’t know much yet, so you’ll have to check back later.

Josh and I made a stop at the library this evening; I’m becoming an avid reader again. Since we have been here I have read “The Time Travelers Wife” (Very good) “The Diagnosis” (Not nearly as good) and “East of Eden” (still my favorite book, and it was before Oprah got her hands on it too!) We also checked out the Nome Recreation Center, as KICY volunteers we get a free membership. There is a nice weight room, a gym and aerobics classes everyday. There is also a women’s basketball league starting up, that I am thinking about joining. I’m not a great player, so we’ll see if anyone wants me.

I am starting to feel more comfortable at the radio station, I have a few jobs assigned to me now, and I am learning how to do them, so I feel useful. I really enjoy co-hosting The Edge in the evening with Josh, and I will continue to do that when I start my job. We haven’t been to church yet, since we have been gone both weekends, and as such I feel like I haven’t branched out of my immediate contacts too much, namely, the people that work at the station. I look forward to starting my job and meeting more people. I hope to find a few people that I really connect with, you know that ones that you feel an immediate friendship with. It’s a big blessing when it happens.

-Lydia B. Rogers