"Same, Same... But Different!"

Same, same - still living in beautiful Seward, Alaska!

THAILAND. When J and I traveled to Thailand for our belated honeymoon, we often heard locals say the phrase, "Same, same! But different." Although it became an endearing part of our traveling vernacular, it could be a bit disconcerting depending on the context.

Kim: That red curry looks delicious! It is chicken?

Thai local: Ahhh! Same, same! But different.

J: The train car you gave us tickets for is full of cows and monkeys... is it really heading back to Bangkok?

Train depot attendant: Bangkok? Yes! Same, same! But different. 

ALASKA. So as I considered what the heck has been going on in the world of Team Leslie during this Spring, it struck me that although much is the same, we've had some notable changes:

Same, same - we drive a Chevy Astro Van. But different - We said goodbye to aging IceCream Newton and hello to the new green machine, Sally Ride!

Same, same - ZigZag is still rocking it as a furry feisty feline Leslie. But different - Indigo is adopting Kevins, a supersized and super lovable guinea pig!

Same, same - As mentioned, we still live in Seward. But different - WE BOUGHT A TOWNHOUSE, our first ever owned-home! And we're pretty excited about it! From a killer view of the mountains and ocean from our deck...

To a chance to get our whimsical and homey groove on...

To the ability to hike and paddle and bike and even ski, leaving from our doorstep without Sally Ride!

Same, same - Kim is continuing to learn the art of belly dancing. But different - she's actually dancing with a troupe and getting up the gumption to perform every once in awhile!

Same, same - camping and skiing adventures above town in the Mt. Marathon Bowl. But different - Now Indigo is joining J in climbing as high as possible to farm that Spring corn

Same, same - J is still an artist. But different - he's starting to show and sell more work here in Seward, like at this July First Friday opening at Resurrection Art (an old church turned gallery and coffee shop).

Same, same - Team Leslie still tries our hand at catching fish to fill the freezer. But different - we just went ocean fishing for the first time... ugly beasts, for sure, but super tasty! 

Same, same - J and Kim are still into adventuring together. But different - now we've gotten into running (okay, fast hiking) up the Mt. Marathon race trail which starts near our house. A little rock climbing, some root repelling, creek canyoneering and lots of scree sliding, packed into an hour is a heck of a date!

So there you have it. Despite a significant hiatus from blogging, Team Leslie is pretty much the same. But just a little bit different! We send our love and smiles out to friends and family everywhere and wish all a super Summer!