Back in Seattle. I am already back at school. We have prelim exams-- design a research project, write a proposal give a talk, get grilled with questions next week. Mine is 8 am on the 27th. The paper was due last week and i turned in a version before i left but after leaving decided it was not a good paper so I am trying to get a new version out by Monday. Thank heaven for the procrastination of professors. I haven't really slept in days. First, was the good-bye party in Russia. Then the good-bye vodka before getting on the plane. It was a night flight but with the time change we got into Anchorage at 5 am. I didn't sleep on the flight as the fishing guides behind me were loud, drunk and obnoxious. Taking the phrase "if you can't beat them, join them to heart" and shocking both Jody and bre with the type of people I would choose to associate with, I had an interesting flight and some invitations to go steelhead fishing. Then, since it was $200 dollars cheaper per person to fly back at night rather than the morning we rented a car and drove out the turnagain arm. We saw a whole pod of belugas. they were white except for the little ones. I had never seen any before. We took and hours nap in a parking lot, explored some waterfalls and headed back to the airport. the flight was delayed a little and I had to take Jody home. Then, I realized that the person who was supposed to put my flat keys back on my chain hadn't so Bre (she is staying with me because she is between leases) and I sat in my hall way with all of my stuff and waited. We were very Russian and decided that we didn't know what to do so that meant we should drink vodka. The Russians and I are working on corrupting her. Finally we got in but I didn't get to bed until after 1. Then Bre was up at 8 wanting breakfast. The story goes on like this but I should get to work.