Cheechako

During my interview for this position, one of the interview panel members commented, "Alaskans try to go outside at least once a year."  For about thirty minutes, I stopped listening to anything the panel members were saying while I tried to figure out how they managed this.  Incidentally, I hate being cold almost as much as I hate shopping, and it didn't strike me as odd that people living near the North Pole would avoid going outside at all costs.  I imagined that there were tiny tunnels connecting all important Anchorage entities in order to avoid going out in the snow.

When I snapped back, "we" were discussing more relevant details of the job.  I was obviously shocked when I was eventually offered the position.

There are a million things about Alaska that make me feel like I live in a foreign country.  There are so many tiny cultural differences -- things that seem to come so easily for some people but would never have occurred to me:  You always take your shoes off when you enter a home, and trucks come into the city after every snow to pack it all up and take it out of the city.

Since the day of the most awkward interview in life, I have learned that Alaskans have their own vocabulary.  I learned that I'm lucky to have a plug-in in my parking space -- and not because Alaskans all drive electric cars or because I may wish to blow dry my hair in the spot.  I have learned that most windshields are cracked and you can wear jeans anywhere.  I have learned that we all hate "breakup" for reasons that are not emotional.

I have learned these lessons through awkward conversations, stupid questions, and risky/lucky interviews.

The other day, a friend texted to inform me that I am a "cheechako."  I googled it.  As it turns out, needing to google cheechako is sure proof that you are one.   But as a result of this search, I found this amazing resource:

Click this cool Alaska Link!

I wish I had found it three weeks ago, but I guess the hardest lessons are the most remembered.