See the Thai Fireflies - Completed 12/7/10

These amazing Fireflies blink in unison. Julie Gerberding brought these to my attention during her key note speech at the American Public Health Association Conference in 2007, and I've been curious to see them myself ever since.

On a visit to Thailand to see my family, my mom, dad, and cousin (Jeremy), took a van up to Amphawa, the little town famous for these fireflies. We rented a long-tail boat and toured up and down one of the tributaries off of the Meklong River not far from where it joins the ocean.

The fireflies love a special kind of tree that grows along the river and when it gets dark, you can see them lighting up the trees. It looked a lot like a string of blinking christmas lights, blinking together to the same beat, these tiny little white lights in the darkness. Apparently there are many more of them during the rainy season (their mating season). The males blink to attract females, but noone can really explain why they blink together.

Photos to be added soon.



Added to list: 11/22/07

Take a Photography Class - Completed 10/6/10

The CDC Foundation offered a photography class taught by David Snyder, a photojournalist hired by the foundation to

show the work of CDC. So I joined in with several other CDC staffers, including my friend Stacey,

to learn some tips about photography. It's only the beginning of this journey, but it was fun and a great opportunity. We practiced what we learned at the CDC day care center. I've posted a few of my favorites.

Added to list: 11/22/05

Go to the Iditarod Festival and see the start - Completed 2/28/10

The Iditarod is an amazing 1150 mile dogsled race across Alaska and I have always wanted to see it. The festival days leading up to the race, according to insiders, is a lot of fun,so Iworked out a plan to go with my friend Emily to visit my friend Derek in Anchorage in time for Fur Rondy and the Iditarod. We arrived in Anchorage (on the water and surrounded by mountains, it's absolutely gorgeous) and began the awesome itinerary Derek had planned for us. We met up with his friends for dinner at Glacier Brew House, where wetried the Imperial Blonde. Then we headed to Humpy's for some more drinks and dancing.

The next day we got up and got ready for the Reindeer Run, a now annual event at the Fur R

ondy (a festival for fur traders to meet and sell their wares, competitions, and celebration). We all dressed in reindeer/elf costumes to join the other costumed runners, in racing down the main street of Anchorage ahead of the reindeer. I managed to make it on the Channel 2 news. I think they liked the costume! :)

In the evening we headed to the Air Force base to go tubing.

For $10 you have 2 hours to go up and down the hill. You hook your tube up to a rope tow and at the top you pick from a couple of different "shoots" to slide down. I did not stop giggling and screaming for the whole 2 hours.

The next day, we got up early to head to Girdwood, to ski at Alyeska. Despite the 13 inches of fresh powder on the top, I nev

er made it up there. I managed to lean overextend to buckle a boot and tear my ACL! After skiing to the lodge on one leg for a beer, visiting the ski patrol office, and deciding it was too painful to ignore, we headed back to Anchorage to the ER. With a new brace and pain meds, we adjusted our itinerary and headed to Seward the next day.

Seward is a small fishing down on the Kenai Peninsula. You drive along the Seward Scenic Highway

where we saw a white-out and scenes of past avalanches on the road. We went to the Alaska Sealife Center, shopped in the downtown area, and checked out an

old retro bar. The next day we got breakfast at the

Smoke Shack (an old train turned into a diner), where I fell in love with the chef. Tell me he isn't the cutest guy in overalls you've ever seen.

The next day, back in Anchorage, we went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center Museum where we watched dance performances and Derek pushed me around in a wheelchair in the snow. We went to a folk art festival at Diamond mall (where they have an ice skating rink in the middle) and did some touristy shopping.

We drove up to Hatcher's pass for some scenic views. It is so unbelievably beautiful. People drive along the pass, park their cars, pull out their skis

or boards and ski down the

sides of the pass...then hitch rides back up the road to their cars. At the very top, they have a lo

dge nestled in the middle of the mountains...that I've got to come back to some day to stay at.

One of the best meals we had was crab night at Ritter's house. A friend and former colleague of Derek's invited us

to their home for home-cooked crab legs. It was a true feast of deliciousness. On Saturday night they also hosted a luau and beer tasting party, so another great opportunity to dress in costume.

Saturday was our big day. We bundled up in layers an

d layers of clothes, sealskin hats, thick mittens, and thermoses of hot cocoa. Derek took us to a spot near the Native Hospital, where we put out beach chairs and sat to watch the dogs and sledders runs by. I was cheering the scottish team (because I liked their kilts. Even the dogs wore the

m.). It was very exciting and there was a great crowd cheering on each of the teams. The dogs wear little fleece booties to keep their feet warm.

Our last day we worked on hosting a dinner party for all of the cool people, Derek's friends, that we met in Anchorage. We cooked up Halibut, Salmon, moose stew, and clams (all things that Derek had caught!). My favorite part about our trip to Anchorage was the wonderful community of people, who seem more like family than friends. Such warmth, caring, and camaraderie you just don't see much anywhere else.

It was a wonderful Alaskan adventure. I can't wait for the next one!

Added to the list: 11/22/08

Swim with Dolphins or Manatees- Completed 2/4/10

Marty and Steve Remis had gone swimming with Manatees in Florida, so invited me to join them for a return visit. The manatees are attracted to the warm water springs in the wintertime. So Jane Keir and I flew down to Tampa and rented a car (a convertible!)

then drove north to Crystal River, Florida. We visited the Homossasa Springs wildlife park and

learned all about the manatees and some other animals (Lou the hippo)

living there.

We learned how they love to eat lettuce are fed

heads of Romaine

at the park.

We took Captain Mike's boat tour to swim with the manatees and found a wonderful spot called "The Three Sisters" where we swam and hovered over them.

You were not supposed to chase them, but if they came toward you, you could reach out your

hand to rub their backs. They felt mossy, and were so gentle and sweet.

The next day, we took a drive to Cedar Key to check out the artsy community and have hearts of palm salad.

And of course, we took full adva

ntage of interesting roadside attractions.

I'd still like to swim with dolphins some day...so let me know if you are interested and check out this Swimming with Dolphins Info.

Added to list: 11/22/05

Learn to Cook One Amazing Meal - Completed 1/9/10

My good friend, who is also a fabulous cook, helped me with this one. Esra Tanyildiz taught me how to make Turkish Mezza (like tapas). I learned 4 dishes...but I hope I can remember how to do them without Esra's help!

Added to list: 11/22/05