Hot Springs and Internship

On the sixth, my friends and I went to the Chena Hot Springs where we got to enjoy 106 degree water and -35 degree air above.  The water was very relaxing and enjoyable.  Our hair turned white with frost and became brittle and made it feel very crinkly and solid.

After making and eating some sandwiches, we drove over to the hot springs.  When we got inside we changed into swimming gear.  Some of us warmed up in an indoor hot tub before venturing out into a hallway that led to the springs.  The walls were covered in ice because of all the water nearby and the freezing temperatures.  That was the closest I'll probably ever get to joining the 40 below club.  The moment my feet touched the water my first instinct was to get my entire body into the water because I was really cold.  So I sort of slid down the ramp that led to the springs because the water was so nice.  The floor was gravel and the sides were big rocks, which gave it a very natural feel.  It was so steamy you could only see a few feet in front of  you unless the wind was blowing it away. Unfortunately my phone is not water proof, and the spring was covered in steam, so there weren't really any good pictures to be taken.

Ice skating pond.  Most of the instructions or signs were also written in Japanese because a lot of people come to this resort from Japan.

Us going to get Ice Cream.  Before we left, one of my friends forgot a spoon to eat his ice cream on the way, so he ran back to grab one.  On the way he saw some tourists bundled up in the style of A Christmas Story, yet he was just wearing a sweater.  Living in Alaska makes such a difference in cold tolerance.

Big snowman we took a group picture at.

also,

I got an internship, or at least I'm pretty sure I should be getting one.  I'll be working with two doctors documenting Eskimo-Aleut and Na-Dene languages.  We will be going through dictionaries to create a full database of basic vocabulary of the languages under those families.  I've already given my two week notice for the recycling job.

Currently, the job would last until Jun 30th.  My professors, however, have already sent in a request for a grant from the National Science Foundation that would continue the internship for years. Furthermore, I may also apply for an Ursa undergraduate summer study grant which would fund a summer of research.

This all likely means I won't be coming home this summer, at least for more than 1-2 weeks.

It made me feel really good when my professor, Dr. Berge, said I was currently the most qualified person for the job.

also,

It's a paid internship, which apparently is unheard of for an undergraduate to get.

So, prayers answered!