Currently: November

Currently living/working: Neither of us have worked since leaving Alaska 11/10, so it feels like November was undeniably vacation mode between our 11 days in Panama and  8 days in Denver. That reminds me … I do have an Alaska Magazine article due pronto! 

Current mood: Rejuvenated by the Panamanian experience! Who doesn’t love a vacation to a new place for a new perspective and new experiences? 

Currently amazed by: My travel memoir Between Each Step turned 5 this November! Marketing is not a sprint, but a marathon, or better yet, an ultra marathon. I am so pleased my book still churns out a royalty check from my publisher every 3 months as passive income (I know a day will come when I don’t have any quarterly sales). Given the fact that 96% of books sell less than 1,000 copies in their lifetime, my cumulative sales of 1,323 feel like a milestone. And only 10% of authors sell 2,000+ books … maybe someday I will be part of that special club! 

Currently proud of: Only about 15% of Panama speaks English, so my Spanish absolutely came in handy to get us around! What I noticed on this trip is I need the most help with my accent. There are times I said something in Spanish, and even though it was grammatically correct, the Panamanians didn’t understand me. The other thing I noticed is that my old brain is slower than it used to be. So my processing of their questions to spit out a response was embarrassingly slow! The last thing is of course not all Spanish is the same (Mexican Spanish versus Spain Spanish versus Panamanian Spanish). We were trying to order empanadas once, and I saw “ropa vieja” on the menu. In my literal interpretation, I thought it meant old clothes! But it’s a particular type of shredded beef in Panama. All that being said, I am proud of myself for rejuvenating my Spanish practice through Duolingo (on Day 691!) and for being forced to actually use it in Panama! And I know Justin, Kristen & Paul were very grateful. 

Currently thankful for: Justin flew A LOT in 2025. I mean, his roundtrip to Tanzania for the Kili climb racked up 20,000 miles alone. All his flying translated into major Alaska Airlines status, including first class upgrades. We will likely get to ride that wave into 2026, but I have no idea how I will go back to flying in coach … or survive Seattle layovers without lounge access. 

Currently excited for: When I dream about my winter, I look at it as a time to get creative: work on writing projects, catch up on other people’s wonderful blogs & newsletters, text with friends. I’m looking forward to our return to Alaska this week to settle into the new cozy routines, but also with lots of life tasks on the list … see below. 

Currently worried about: I have purposely stalled in enrolling us in our Alaska marketplace health care plans. While I am grateful the program still exists, I am dreading the sticker shock of the new pricing if there are no subsidies. 

Currently not excited for: I always wait until November/December to list our yurt for rent, mainly because I like to block any dates that friends/family want to come visit (anyone coming in 2026??? We will have 2 yurts for rent, remember? Message me!). Anyway, Airbnb has shifted their fee structure charging hosts a 15.5% service fee. Previously it was split between the hosts and guests. I get it, kind of, but it just means more work on our part to adjust our prices accordingly. 

Currently regretting: At the end of October, Justin lost his favorite knife on a walk right before the snow. He tried finding it with his metal detector & naked eyes, but didn’t locate it. Hopefully it’s not a goner for good … just until the spring. 

 

Current confession: I’m ruining myself all these bougie vacations and first class flights. Last year, a cruise. This year, an all-inclusive resort. I remember the days when we were backpacking as our “vacation” … 

Current guilty pleasure: Vacation, enough said. 

Currently reading: Have I told you there are a lot of very good writers—and authors—in the Denali community? Erica Watson just published Ghosts of Distant Trees, a provocative collection of narrative essays. It’s the first time in a long time that I dog-eared pages in a book, which gives the sense about how I admire her lyrical writing. Erica is a force in the Denali community, and her dedication to the environment is unparalleled. Her book gave me a lot to think about. Even if you don’t live in Denali, or Alaska, it’s the type of book that will provoke questions about what’s sustainable in a land full of resources. 

I read Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung. When I was younger & expressed interest in journalism, my dad used to say I could be the next Connie Chung. (Until I realized that broadcast journalism was not my vibe). Anyway, I can remember watching her on the screen, so I thought I would enjoy her story. To be honest, I didn’t love her writing. I could totally tell it was written by a reporter! As for her story, no doubt she deserves credit for being extraordinarily talented & up against an industry dominated by white males from the 1970s to the 1990s. However, I almost felt like this was her way to air all her grievances about this person and that person. So much name dropping and tabloid-style writing! 

Justin & I have been listening to an audiobook on our drives to/from Fairbanks over the last 2 months. The Adventurer’s Son: A Memoir by Roman Dial is about an Alaskan who goes missing off-trail in the jungles of Costa Rica, and told from his father’s perspective about the search. Roman (the father) has so much guilt for raising such an adventurous son, and so much of the book is his processing of his guilt. Now that I’ve been hiking ON TRAIL in the Central American jungle, I cannot imagine this kid’s fortitude through his bushwacking travels.  

Currently watching on Netflix/Peacock: We haven’t been streaming much through our travels, but we did finally start The Diplomat before leaving for Panama after so many people told us they love it. And while we were in Denver, we started watching The Beast in Me with Justin’s sister & brother-in-law, and so far it is holding our attention.