Monday, May 23, 2011

Summer Fun Begins in the VAK

Quyana Agayun

Another school year in Chevak has come to an end. The past few weeks have been full of many changes and a dash of craziness. Many blessings have come my way... next year will be my fourth year in the VAK. I moved into a new housing unit... OMG... if you saw me moving-- you would have thought I was completely looney! Lol. Now, I am all settled in and absolutely looking forward to the fall when I will be spending time in my new home. On top of that, my wonderful mom will be coming back to VAK with me for a few days to get things settled and get a small taste of what my life in rural Alaska is like... I can't wait!

Many new staff members are joining us this next school year and I am thrilled! If you are reading this-- welcome! Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions about your next chapter in life :) I'm looking forward to meeting you all. As another returning colleague said, "Those who are supposed to be staying are staying. Those who are supposed to be going are going. And, those who are supposed to be coming are coming." See you soon!

I have to say that I am so thankful that all of my great friends that work out here will be returning! We got to have a nice campfire the other night right near the lake as we watched one of the locals jetski across it with his snowmachine! It eventually sunk :D

It is my intent to blog a bit over the summer as I work on my research proposal for grad school and RELAX and have FUN with family and friends in the city!

Thank you Chevak for another great year. It is wild to think that next year will be my fourth year out here... every time I think about it I can't help but feel so amazed at how the stars aligned and led me here. I NEVER would have thought I'd be teaching in rural Alaska... and I had never even known where Chevak was prior to my first visit in 2007. God is so good and I am so grateful!

I feel stronger, wiser, more humble, more patient, more pensive, and more ready for every day life as I continue to go through the many of life's lessons and experiences. This is such an incredible journey and I am so thankful that I have been able to have such a rich ride.

To all of you have been following my blog-- thank you! Your encouragement, postings, comments, views, and greetings in person make this a really neat experience.

Cheers to a great summer!
Misty Dawn

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes."  ~Charles R. Swindoll

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Busy Being Fabulous

Valuable Treasures... Always Growing... Always Prized

... These things, I wish for all...

Perfect Poster for My Blog!

"Life is short. Live your dream, and wear your passion."

A BIG Spring Catch

***Warning... not for the faint of heart.***

Talk about a dissection! Hands-on science at our fingertips!

Subsistence lifestyle... this seal will feed many!