Meet the face
behind the posts
My name is Ashley Earp. I was born and raised in Maryland, lived my adult life in Utah, and moved to the remote town of Nome, Alaska in Summer 2020. I am living on Iñupiaq land.
I am an audiologist by profession. I am a daughter, fiancé, friend, animal mom, roller skater, book enthusiast, cookie connoisseur, advocate, world traveler, hiker, adventurer, and dreamer.

Multiple Sclerosis

When I was 15, I was hospitalized with pseudotumor cerebri, which is when pressure inside the skull increases for no reason (basically fighting off a tumor that is not there). Because of this, doctors happened to find lesions on my brain, immunological abnormalities in my spinal fluid, and optic neuritis which lead to my early diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I have now lived more of my life with this diagnosis than without and I'm continually humbled and challenged by living life with a chronic illness.
Love is Love
"We lived through times when hate and fear seemed stronger; We rise and fall and light from dying embers, remembrances that hope and love last longer. And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside."
-Lin Manuel Miranda
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I am proud to be gay--something that I can say was not always the case for myself--and living my best life. I met my fiancé, Billi Jean, in August 2020. She is the light of my life, my inspiration, my love, my muse, my balance, my safety, my home. I always felt like I was restless and searching for "the one"until I met her.

Roller Skating

Although I have taken a step back from the sport since moving to Nome, my passion is roller skating. I began artistic roller skating when I was eight years old after learning to skate on thrift store skates with little tin wheels. I just fell in love. I started playing roller derby competitively when I was 18 and the name "Smashley" was born, based off of what my coach called me as a kid because I feel so much doing jumps and spins. Jammer power! I coached a world-class junior roller derby team for five years and think I loved coaching even more than playing! I quad skated at the skate park for many years and was an original member of the Moxi Skate Team. Life is better on eight wheels. I'm confident I will make my way back to roller skating sooner than later.
Travel
I have had the privilege to travel the world and experience remarkable cultures--from the bustling community of Kibera, Kenya to the architectural dreaminess of Barcelona, Spain to the delicious market foods of Lebanon. My favorite parts of travel are seeing different ways of life that are all equally complex and of course, eating all the delicious foods. My focus has shifted from frequent world travel to creating a home and roots in my community, but my passion to explore is still fierce. I can't wait to continue experiencing this big, wide, incredible world.

The Babies
They have my heart.



Olive

Bootz

Molly
Arya "Boo Boo"
Rosie