Soul Inspiration: Charlie

Summertime in AK- Take 1

My summer in Alaska was definitely one to remember. I met so many new amazing friends that I will never forget. I built so many lasting relationships that will lead to visiting each other, keeping in touch and hopefully seeing each other in following summers for long legs of sleeping in the train cars of HAP!

The summer began with pent up anxiety of going to an entirely new state on my own without knowing anyone. Not knowing where I would be living. Not sure how I would get around. Not knowing the area. Not sure if I would even like the job. Never seeing snow or even know the definition of "cold" weather and just the nerves of the new impending experience.

I have to say it started off with a great start. I began my journey in the Orlando airport where I saw a group of semi familiar faces thanks to facebook. This is where I met my eight soon to be Cheesecake Factory roommates... There was

That guy that lives in the living room and has an extreme but great personality: James

The one who had her own room and is a sarcastic wiseass <--- (still jealous lol): Jaimie

The overly obsessed with her bob and blow dryer but sweetest girl ever: Enjoli

The fun loving Hippie Brazilian: Maria

The blonde Bombshell who is so nice and has really trendy black sunglasses: Totski

The one who rides the mini bike and has great luck: Ryan

The one who is funny and lives in the other living room: Paul

Then the one from Vegas who is loud (like me) and boy crazy: Amanda

This is how most of our days began... there are actually 8 of us in this tiny car. We grew to know each other quite well :) <3

After meeting the roomies it was time to explore and hit the train world of working:)

There were two Moose that were just chillin outside our apartment :)

Climbing a mountain and seeing snow for the first time.

Our first training run had beautiful sights such as hurricane gulch before and drinking at the bar.

Salmon bake.. a bar in Denali that had awesome margaritas and a basement with live blues and jazz music.

Next was Ultimate Frisbee where we played every week at Valley of the Moon.

and where you would find me every weekend if I wasn't working... at the street market.

Next thing ya know.. I rented a car and I drove Amanda and I to Whittier for a Glacier Cruise.

Where I bought a super trendy captains hat.

Saw beautiful scenery.

Kissed a glacier.

and stayed on board the ship :)

Then it was time to party until 2am and get up for work at 4am for my first official NB Ship Day!

James <3

Mackey and Dale <3

Oh it was free message night <3

Shots<3 Jon and Dale

Alaska is where I met Amanda, which we found out we both live in Orlando aka new BFF's

Birthday gatherings which followed by the bar!

Camping in Portage with Dale <3

The drive to Portage to camp!

Camping with Dale and having this view... Can't beat it!!!

Anchorage Museum with Christy and James

Followed by some DragQueen Bingo. Priceless!

All the roommates plus the new addition Steven and Phil. This is Steven's van and the before picture... We all decided it needed a revamp.. so out came the spray paint!

The after project of the pimp van!

Our first bbq... (James)

Playing water balloons in our yard.. we had to have a beer in the other hand while tossing the water balloon. (aka bad hangover at work the next day)

This is literally our yard... walk out the door and this is our view and we watch baseball games all night long. This is the midnight baseball game after our bbq... oh and a rainbow.

The next hungover workday. This is the view I see everyday. This was a ship day and stay over night in Healy.

My work Husband (James) I miss him and his corny jokes. <3

Days in Healy lead to bonfires,drinking, and singing while Jon plays guitar... This is at 1am..

Summer Solstice Concert at Mooses Tooth... Michael Franti!! Amazing!!!

Double fisting for Michael Franti!

Dale and I at the concert!

Amanda and I for night at Crossroads (the local bar everyone is at all the time.)

My office.

View from the office... Mt. McKinley Largest mountain 20,320ft ( look closely , it looks like a cloud this is about 150 miles away.)

More views.

This is Alaska take one.. I will post another blog with my excursions and the rest of my adventure. I took over 4,000 pictures.. I was known as the paparazzi on the train :) Stay tuned!

Also remember if you have not donated to my run for Charlie please do so..

Here is the link :Run for Charlie <---- Click me! Thank you

Charlie

All I can say is this summer has been the best of times and the worst. I recently just got back from Alaska which was the most amazing and positive experience of my life to date. Until I got the call outside the Deathstar in Healy from Jonathan when he told me Charlie had past away. All I remember is screaming and not being able to breathe all at the same time. The hardest part was when Marie called me from Charlie's phone and his name came up on my screen "Charlie". Knowing that I would not be able to talk to him about everything, laugh with him, hear his corny jokes, get the daily theatre gossip, or just be in his company anymore is surreal.

So I changed my flight and hopped on a plane to head home early, there was no way I would miss his memorial for the world. I then helped Marie set up for the memorial. I went ahead and got a 20x30 picture of Charlie made up to go on the podium that the speakers were going to be speaking at for his memorial. I went and picked the picture up and just ran errands with Charlie for the next day an a half... I know it is silly but it made me feel a little better knowing that I had a piece of him with me. Even if it was just a blown up picture of his big head. hehe

It was nice spending time with Marie, she is such a strong woman, I can't even imagine. At Charlie's memorial it really brought our big theatre family together and it was so comforting and warm. We shared many laughs and stories about Charlie. I know he heard us as an angel I just wish he were there standing in the back of the theatre under the EXIT sign so we could have made it a roast. I know that he really would have enjoyed it and probably would have gotten on stage to talk about himself if he could.

The speeches were beautiful and all inspiring it was so touching to hear how many lives Charlie has touched and how many lives he and Marie have changed at the theatre. I couldn't stop crying because I miss my best friend and I still haven't come to the realization that he is gone. I had know for a couple weeks that I was going to be singing and speaking and since the moment Marie asked me I started praying to Charlie and God that I they would give me the strength to have the words and song to get through that tough day. I reached the podium and had to just stand their in silence for a moment that felt like years... I have been on that stage hundreds of times and never could I have imagined it would be under these horrible circumstance. It makes me so angry as I sit here and tears come to my eyes. How such a great and amazing,inspiring and truly great person could be robbed of so many years.

I finished my speech and song and the first thing I thought was Charlie would be so proud of me because I made it through in one piece. Charlie was my mentor,boss,fellow actor/Winkie, confidant, best friend but most of all my family. I am not taking his loss very well but I am continuing to pray everyday for the strength that he gave me on August 12th to cascade me everyday.

I recently signed up for my first Half Marathon. It is the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. It takes place November 10th and the run is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which is why I chose this particular race. I am running for Charlie. Most people did not know but Charlie was diagnosed with Leukemia last October, so this run is for him. I am raising money for the cause, so I would greatly appreciate it if people could donate, even if it is just five dollars.

All you have to do to donate is to click on RUN FOR CHARLIE <---- click :)

Scroll to the bottom and enter the donation amount and click enter.

Then make sure you enter all your information and your name so that you show up on the web page that you donated for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in my Run for Charlie.