I do not think I can fully express just how blessed I feel to live in such a place and still get to work in the profession that I love. Many people are not as fortunate and have to sacrifice one for the other. In my case, I did have to leave behind family and friends to reach this wonderful location; however, the Internet makes such distances seem much closer.
Aside from missing those family and friends, there are other drawbacks. Packages can take substantially longer to arrive; in fact, one recent package seems to have disappeared entirely this week. Our Internet connection--though better than some of my friends--is only a fraction of what more populated areas might be.
Yet for me, the benefits outweigh the inconveniences. I have felt a calling to Alaska for most of my life. Being here just feels right.