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| Graduation present from my AWESOME aide of four years, Priscilla! Quyana! |
My oldest sister once gave me a journal and in it she wrote something along the lines of, "Remember to always write. It keeps you passionate and honest. The world is your oyster."
I noticed I haven't been writing as much lately, but each day that the sun has been out I have felt my journal and blog tugging at my heart. Aside from working with kiddos and traveling, public speaking and writing are other passions of mine. So, here I am... igniting my passion.
We are getting ready to close up another school year here in Chevak. The lake is beginning to thaw, faces are tanning, and the sun is waking us up and kissing us goodnight. Fall used to be my favorite season, but I believe living in Chevak has given me a new perspective. Spring seems to be such a sign of hope. With it comes longer days, warmer weather, playing out, Vitamin D, summer vacation, and the wrapping up of a work year. Spring just might be my new favorite season. I got so excited last weekend being in Bethel because I could see and walk on pavement! Oh, the simple joys of life! :)
Next year will mark my fifth year teaching in Chevak. There is a very good chance it will be my last year... at least for now. As I think about all the changes I have gone through in my time here, I think about all the growing I have experienced. I have also accomplished a great deal. In some regard, most of my twenties have been spent out here.
I moved out of Anchorage for my very first time. I was newly divorced that first year. I paid off my car. I earned my master's degree. I lost twenty pounds. I learned a great deal about a new culture. I presented at a few conferences. I traveled to Thailand, Costa Rica, and this year I will travel to Belize. I spent some time in SE Alaska with my grandma and learned about my roots there. I grew as a teacher. I have grown as a person. I've made some lifelong friendships. I fell in love. I've met beautiful and wonderful people from all over the world. I've learned to appreciate the small and simple things in life. I've had some crazy experiences. I've been able to experience things that I never thought I would (seal hunting, eating Eskimo foods, watching a beluga get dissected, and more). And, I've been able to experience things I'd dreamed of (skydiving, ziplining, scuba diving, and more). I've had my fair share of crying and hurting. During my time here, we also lost two matriarchs in our family. But, ultimately, through it all... I have grown. I have experienced. My life has been changed. And, I have lived. I came to Chevak as a fresh college graduate, 23 years old. And, when I leave, I will be nearing 29.
There is a lot that excites me about the next chapter in my life. But, it will be quite nostalgic to close this one. I thought about taking a break from schoolwork, but this bookworm is leaning towards taking on a few classes next school year. In addition to growing professionally, I think this might be a good distraction from the bittersweet reality that my time in Chevak will be closing.
I am not certain what will come next, but I am confident that I will have more loving, living, and laughing in my future. After all, that is what makes everything worth it at the end of the day. So, Lord willing, here is to one more year of this blog and one more year of my life teaching in rural Alaska. From there, we shall see...
Blessings to you and yours,
Misty Dawn
