A large change in scenery, half the time.

How does that even make sense?  Pretty easily, I ‘spose.  I’m currently living with my family in Seattle and was just awarded a job working on the North Slope of Alaska (Prudhoe Bay).  What this means is that I’ll be spending 6 months out of the year here and 6 months out of the year there.  2 weeks on / 2 weeks off.  Not a bad deal although the time away from home and family and all that goes with that.  On the other hand (henceforth: OTOH), there’s that whole “job security” thing.  Who’s to argue with that?

So for two weeks out of the month (I think a Friday to Friday rotation, or “hitch” as they call them) I’m up in the Great White North (GWN!).  Quite the adjustment to make.  My commute, which I love to complain about, goes from 90 miles a day to about 5000 miles a month.  Oddly enough, I’ll spend FAR less time commuting.    I’m looking forward to the challenge of working in the conditions, just not looking forward to being away from my family for two weeks at a time.  I worry about the girls (especially Isabelle).  Sarah sat next to a guy who’s working up there who has a family and he described it as “the best thing that has ever happened to his family, after the transition period is over.”  Well how long does THAT last?!

To sum it up?  Anxious.  Nervous.  Happy and confident in the decision.  Can’t wait.