August 1

So it has been requested that I update again. So I will. I have really been having fun which is why it is so hard to find an opportunity to update. I don't want to be updating and miss anything! But, since RJ is coming tomorrow now is the perfect time because I know I won't do it while he is here. I am not even sure what I have been doing that has been so fun, I just know that I'm having lots of it. Mostly we all still just hang out and watch movies and sew, but we do have the beach which has been fun. The water is finally warm enough to swim in and we have had some nice warm days that have made it absolutely wonderful. I have sewed a few pillowcases and I'm working on a knitting project still, but that is a secret. In fact my next few knitting projects will be secrets.

Work is pretty much the same, it doesn't really change much, but I am still enjoying it. I have had a chance to work at the colonial fort now too and it was a lot of fun and a nice change of pace from working the lighthouse.

One of the fun things we did, which I almost forgot to mention, was dancing at the Grand Hotel. It was so much fun. A bunch of us who work for the parks got all dressed up and fancy and went to the island and went dancing. The only bad thing was our ferry left at 11 pm so we didn't get to dance ALL night, but it was still worth it just to say I've gone dancing at the Grand. In the same week we went dancing I rode around Mackinac Island on my bike and did the road around the island which is 8.2 miles. It felt so good and I got some sun in the process.

Another thing I've started doing since I have been here is running. I know what you're thinking, "Kylee doesn't run!" Well I do now and it is so nice. The biggest reason I never ran before was because when I did I would get so angry. My thoughts would just wander and everything thought would be an angry one. That doesn't happen now. In fact I have been so calm, and happy and just plain content here lately. Don't get me wrong there are still things that make me angry and I don't like, but I've let a lot of things go that I had been holding on to and I just have a real peace about things. I'm not nearly as anxious or worried as I was. I'm not sure if it all has to do with finding a job or what, but I know I'm not the same person I was when I came here and I think it's a good thing. Don't get me wrong I still miss everybody and I still can't wait to come home and see everyone again I just feel different inside. It could be reading Anne again. I started reading the Anne of Green Gables series again and it has been wonderful. It's as if I have gone to visit an old friend whom I love very much and haven't seen for quite some time. I can't wait until I can actually do that again either, visit old friends. For the most part though things are going well and I am having a wonderful. I am glad I decided to do this and I think it's something I will always be glad I did.

July 13

A bunch of us went out last night to one of the local watering holes to hang out and play pool. It was so much fun and pretty hilarious since we sat around and talked about work and exchanged crazy stories and decided that anything in the humanities is not worth going into right now because none of us can find jobs. It was all very discouraging to the people who were still in college. One another note though I have decided that I am not an awesome pool player, but I could be and this is the reason, I know HOW to play pool in THEORY, but actual execution is a different story. Thanks to hours of watching pool during my high school and college years I learn the basic rules and theory of the game. The problem is I try to take all of these ridiculous shots that I don’t have the talent for but I know they would work. So I end up taking the hardest shot on the table with dismal consequences. It’s sort of hilarious.

On another note I have a visitor rant about Girl Scouts, they are awful. Apparently the organization has gone downhill since I was a GS. Every time we have a group of them come to the Lighthouse they’re unorganized, loud and just a mess. On top of all of this we find out they stay at the Holiday Inn, they don’t camp. We never did that when I was in scouts, and we didn’t dress like little floozies either. When I was in scouts we were totally organized, not loud and disrespectful and when we were on outings we usually had to wear some sort of scout I.D. or paraphernalia to identify us. Boy Scouts on the other hand are so much better; give me a group of them over the Girl Scouts any day. Honestly, it’s very frustrating and sad and the organization needs a revamp.

Even though I complain about crazy tourist and such I am enjoying my time here. I know some days I wake up and want to just pack up and go back home, but for the most part it’s more fun than not. I get along with everybody I am in the compound with and we do have some pretty good times. I think it helps that in one way or another we are all pretty nerdy. Most of us are pretty hardcore history nerds but we do have some literary and science nerds too. We all have the nerd factor in common and it actually makes things so much more tolerable. Though if anyone who is not nerdy like us were to hang out with us or just listen in on our conversation they would probably so make fun of us. Even though I have days when I don’t want to go to work and I miss my puppies and my boyfriend and family I must admit I am a much happier person when I have a job. I have felt really good about everything since I have been here and my general well-being has improved so much. So when October comes I am getting a job no matter what it is, even if it has to be part-time at the mall.

July 5

It's only been a week since I have updated, so I'm getting better. I would have updated sooner but I was sick for a few days and didn't feel like doing anything especially updating and telling you all how miserable I was.

Anyway, since last week I have gone to Lansing to visit the BF, been sick with some sort of viral sinus thing, celebrated the 4th of July, and decided that I need a new roommate. So let's start from the beginning...

Going to Lansing was soooo nice, not only did I get to see RJ which was amazing since we had not seen each other for awhile but I got a chance to leave Mackinaw City which was quite wonderful and I ate Chipotle! It was very strange being on the outside though and seeing people who were not tourist and eating ice cream that didn't cost an arm and a leg. It was also nice to go out to eat, but I must admit between all my visitors I had been doing that quite a bit, but it's always nice. Coming back was rough though I had to get back into the routine here and on top of that I was sick, which is never fun. I even took a day off of work, which I hated to do but I felt so much better the next day I think it was a good move and helped me feel better quicker so I wasn't hanging onto something for more than a few days. Then there was the 4th of July, oh people and tourists! It actually wasn't too bad and the work day actually seemed to drag. I think that was due to the heat and the much anticipated cookout at the compound. It was so hot up here, which means it was the same here as it was everywhere else, 90 degrees. For up north, that's hot. People up here don't do well with heat I have discovered. Before being up here I always considered myself from the north, but now I realize I'm from the middle. The cookout went really well and I think everyone had a good time and there was as always lots of good food. We don't actually eat too unhealthy up here surprising enough. It's not all ramen and mac and cheese, though both of those are staples, we eat pretty well for ourselves. Then of course there were the fireworks, which I've decided I don't really care about, if you've seen one, you've seen them all, and unless you're doing them yourself and someone almost blows up a boat.... it's not nearly as entertaining.

On to the new roommate/s scenario... I am getting them. I have to or I will lose my mind. That's all I'm saying about that right now. So I'm staying with some of the other girls that I stayed with when my cabin flooded earlier in the season hopefully for the rest of the season.

Ok and now I'm going to try and post some pics. We will see if they go through so hopefully you all can see a little something. YAH! They went through! A little explanation, the one of me was taken in the butterfly house on the Island after a butterfly landed on me, the next is the view from the north porthole of the lighthouse (Old Mackinac Point), and the last is the light house from the north east corner. Sweet now I feel better having posted SOME pictures. It has also occurred to me that I have taken lots of pictures of "things" and scenery but not too many of people. I am going to try and remedy that as well. That's all for now!

June 28

I have decided that I am terrible at updating. This blog is turning into quite a failure, but in my defense internet is sketchy and we actually staying pretty busy around here trying to entertain ourselves. Last night we had a "Thanksgiving" dinner complete with a 23 pound turkey. It was quite delicious. Everyone brought a dish and there was lots of food and lots of eating. I made the stuffing and it actually came out quite good. Everyone who had some thought is was delicious and a few people even took home some leftovers. I made enough to feed a small army but luckily it all got eaten or taken home so it was just enough. Living in the compound has been very entertaining and helps get through the time up here, everyone gets along pretty well and there hasn't been any drama which is amazing and such a relief. Some of the girls are starting a Twilight marathon tonight in order to get ready for the new release of the next film. I will not be partaking because as you all know I refuse at this point in my life to commit to a new series. I just don't have the energy to get involved with more characters and form a relationship with them. I'll stick to Friends for now and knitting and sewing...

Work has been going pretty well so far this season. We had our first "slam" of people today at the lighthouse, we were just doing constant tower tours for about an hour and a half between 1:30 and 3:00. It helped the day go faster though and made the afternoon a little more exciting. People were pretty understanding of the wait which made it easier too, I think they understood that there is only one tower and it only holds so many people at once so if you want to climb you are going to have to wait. The weather here is finally starting to clear up too, we have had some rain for about a week and a half off and on but today is supposed to be the end of it and it is supposed to be nice for the rest of the week. I hope it is because heaven knows I am sick of rain and wet. I do have pictures that I have been taking since I have been up here but I have been having trouble trying to upload them to my blog. I think I will eventually have to have a few posts that are just pictures from my time up here. Maybe I will even break down and post some on facebook, who knows.

But for now I have to get going. Hopefully I will be able to start posting a little more frequently now that Thanksgiving is over and I don't have as many visitors coming like I have had, though of course, visitors are always encouraged!

June 17

Hey everyone sorry it has been so long since I updated, but things have been busy and internet has been sketchy. Things are going really well, I'm working a lot but also having so much fun. I have been to the island twice now and been to all the historical site within the park. Everyone I work with and live with is really nice and for the most part we all get along really well. We have finally been getting some rain in the past few weeks which is good because we did need it. I've also rediscovered my arts and crafts side. I've done some sewing which I also figured I could do but now I know I can. I made myself a pocket for my skirts so I can carry things with me and I received my yarn so I can knit some awesome goods. We also watch a lot of historical epics or Jane Austen. I think we've watched every version of Pride and Prejudice plus some.

One thing that has happened since I have been here, my cabin flooded and I had to stay with some of the other girls for about a week. The flooding wasn't too bad it was mainly contained to the bathroom but still it was annoying. They replaced the pipes though and so far there hasn't been any trouble. Let's hope it stays that way.

I don't really have any good stories yet but I do have some vents about things that relate to general tourism and people. First off READ the signs. Secondly, if there are rules about height or shoe requirements they are probably there for a reason! I really hate when people act shocked that their toddler isn't allowed to climb the tower even though it says it all over the place. And no it's not safe for you to carry them either. If the sign says you can't wear flip flops to climb the tower, don't get mad at me when I don't let you climb with flip flops on your feet. I don't make the rules, but yes I have to follow them, sorry. So there is my little vent about tourist and signs and rules.

The past few days have been nice I have had some vistors, two of my aunts and some cousins from MI came to see me and spend some time at the sites. It was so nice to have visitors. We went to the island and had a carriage tour and did lots of shopping. I also finally went across the Mackinac Bridge to the U.P. We went across at sunset and it was beautiful. So now I can say that I have crossed the Mac Bridge.

I think that's about it for now. I will try to post some pics soon. Hope all is well for everyone!

June 1

I took a few more pictures today and I was going to post them, but when I went to load them to my computer I couldn't find my cord. I left it at home. So mom and dad if you are reading this and I haven't talked to you yet, can you send me my camera cord? Thanks.

I did go to the beach today. It was so nice and sunny. I was only there for an hour though, I did not want to get sunburned. I also walked a bunch and took some more pictures, mostly of the lighthouse, but of course you can't see them because I forgot my cord. I'm so mad about that, I can't believe I did that. I even remember taking it out to pack it, but obviously it never happened.

I have tomorrow off as well and myself and one of the other girls are planning to ride our bikes out to the other lighthouse. It's about 2 or 3 miles west of ours and we thought it would make a nice bike trip if we went out there. Last night a few of us biked out to the beach, it was about 6.2 miles altogether. I did better than I thought I would with it, but I could still feel it when we were done. I took some pictures out there too, but we all know why we aren't seeing them.

All in all things are going really well and I am having a really nice time. I don't have any crazy tourist stories yet or anything but I'm sure eventually I might. I hope things are going well for everybody and everyone is having a nice time doing whatever they are doing!

May 26

I never know how to start these blog-things. It's strange telling your thoughts about something to a computer and then knowing you are going to post it so that everyone and their mom can read it.

After being here for ten days I think I am falling into some sort of a routine, mostly work. I've explored the town, which took no time at all, it's pretty small and I've found a bike route that I like along the shore road. It's so pretty and full of little cottages and houses. Some of them I can tell are retirement homes, those are the ones with the cute flower beds and manicured lawns. I have also decided I love being this close to water, at least when the weather is nice and the sky is clear! I have taken some picture but I want to take a few more before I post any of them. The ones I have are of the water and the Mackinac Bridge. Just to clear something up real quick, I chose the Mackinaw spelling because I'm staying on the mainland in Mackinaw City. Mackinac spelled with an ac refers to the Island, Bridge and Parks.

I finally went grocery shopping today to fill up my little fridge so I can eat more that just PB and J for every meal. I also rented a P.O. Box, so if you are interested in having my mailing address while I am up here let me know and I will send it to you! I've also started knitting again while I'm up here so I'm having my mom send my yarn. So if you want me to knit you a scarf, let me know! All of us girls up here have projects going in some realm of the arts and crafts/sewing realm. It's very close to finishing school except it's more like camping instead of staying in a grand old place with etiquette rules. All the girls are really nice though and helpful. There is usually something going on in the evenings either a trip into Cheboygan or a movie. And of course I have FRIENDS, I had to bring them with me and start from the beginning again.

Work is going, I'm getting into a habit with it and I'm starting to become comfortable with the information. That's a good thing because prior to this job I knew nothing about Lighthouses and had never even been to one. Now I know all about Old Mackinac Point. Which is good because people come in and expect me to tell them all about it and how it worked. Right now we are at the end of school/bus tour season, so we have a lot of small kids and older adults. The kids actually aren't too bad and the adults are pretty fun too, they are usually just as excited about climbing the tower as the kids. We have early starts for the next two days to accommodate bigger groups and the end of the school year. They are going to be some longs days and then it's Memorial Day weekend, which I hear is a pretty big weekend up here. Well this seems like a good place to stop for now. I think that covers everything.

Goodnight for now everyone...

First Post

I have been up in Mackinaw City now for a week, I have had six days of work, one day off and of course the two days I spent moving into housing. So far work has been nice, learning about the lighthouse and how lighthouses worked has been interesting, but the best part has been seeing everything around me. The straights are gorgeous. It's so weird seeing a Great Lake that isn't grey and murky (aka Lake Erie). The water is blue-green and the weather so far has been wonderful. We had a few rain drops last night after work but for the most part it has been sunny and bright and the sky has been clear.

Work has been pretty nice so far, during the week right now we have lots of school groups and bus tours. They help the day go faster and are usually pretty interesting and entertaining! I usually run the activity with the kids when they are here and for the most part the kids have been well behaved and energetic but well mannered. I given a few tower tours and walking up and down the tower a few times a day has been a nice little workout and in the biking all over town and my legs should be in awesome shape by October! This is my first weekend working and today was really slow, but I imagine it will pick up once the main summer season starts after Memorial Day weekend.

My housing is okay, I'm staying in a cabin so it's been a lot like summer camp so far. The worst part is the shower, it's super small. It's a good thing I'm not any bigger than I am or I wouldn't fit! Other than the bathroom it's not too bad and it will do for now.

I haven't taken any pictures yet. I'm trying to let myself become familiar with the area and just enjoy seeing everything for the first time. Right now there are bicyclist all over town, apparently this weekend is bike across the bridge weekend or something like that, so they are everywhere. I'm sure I'll have more to post in the future, with pictures but that'll do for now.