I was going to title my last blog, All Good Things Must Come to an End, but I have realized that even though this is the end of my Alaskan Adventure, I have a lifetime of adventures ahead of me.
It is difficult to put into words the journey of my last three months. As it was pointed out to me, I don't know how I could ever explain how the lake ice sounds when it's moving and shifting, or express all the amazing ways the mountains catch the sun. So as much as I share with you all, I can't ever put into words the amazing experience I got to have. That's the thing about life though, some things are just meant for you. You can share things, ask advice, tell stories, but ultimately your life is your own.
Alaska allowed me to make memories, learn, and grow.
I will never forget my roommate Abbey, our Sunday afternoon cries while listening to Jack Johnson and John Mayer, our weekend adventures with Asha, endless laughs, teacher vent sessions, days of Fringe, and our creative dinners. Eating a hamburger between two slices of half frozen bread, is completely acceptable and enjoyable in Bush Alaska.
I am thankful for Asha, her love for photography that helped me capture my stay, her humor, endless positivity, and for showing me all the beautiful things Port Alsworth has to offer.
Thank You Aaron, for flying us out fresh food, sending me cheesecake, and showing me around Anchorage, so I didn't have to spend 12 hours in the airport.
I am thankful for all of the other teachers and community members who welcomed me and encouraged me. The generosity of all of the people I met was truly unbelievable.
Most of all I am thankful for all of my students. I will never forget my beautiful basketball players, their hugs every morning, their 8 million questions, all of their gifts and surprises, our giggles, doing insanity, and how proud of them I was and am. I won't forget my junior high students who stressed me out beyond belief, but probably hold the most special place in my heart. My experience taught me once again how much I love teaching, and that even though education brings many challenges, nothing is more exciting than being able to help a student accomplish and learn new things.
I am happy I got the opportunity to have some quiet time in a beautiful place to reflect. I am always amazed how much God reveals to me when I just take the time to slow down and notice. I had many struggles and many lessons that I learned, and ultimately I know that know matter what I do, stress about, God always has it handled. You can be scared your whole life, to take chances, to get hurt, that you'll fail. It doesn't matter, because it always works out. It might not be pretty, it might not turn out how you want, you may get sad, or mad, but it will always turn out exactly how it is supposed to, so I am all about jumping in feet first and taking things as they come.
Lessons learned:
1. You don't always have to have all the same values or beliefs in order to get along with or love someone.
2. It is important to slow down and smell the roses. Life is much more rewarding if you unplug from society once in awhile.
3. Every kid is loveable in their own way and capable of learning.
4. It's healthy to have lazy days where you don't shower, cuddle up on the couch, and relax.
5. There will always be people who talk both positively and negatively about your life, but your life is 100% your own, so the only opinion that matters is yours.
6. It's okay to be yourself, everyone has insecurities, but they are what makes us unique. Not one person is the same, so embrace your "flaws" and love them.
7. You will have many "friendships" in life, but there's a significant difference between a true friend and fake one, and it's perfectly okay to hold on to the real ones and let go of those that don't better your life.
8. Family is the most important thing.
9. Alaska is beautiful, but isn't home to me, sometimes you need to go away to realize that.
10. Being able to eat fruit and vegetables is not something to take for granted.
11. I love hiking, wearing a hat, and sitting by the river or lake all day, but I also love dresses and heels and a night on the town. I definitely need both.
12. You don't get anywhere in life by being scared. Do what scares you and step outside your comfort zone, that's where all the fun is.
13. You feel what you feel, and you know what you know, be done with the rest. If it's a story about you, from you, awesome! If it's third hand about someone else, BYE.
14. Life is to short to be anything, but happy. So do what makes you happy and enjoy every moment. The little things mean the most.
15. Love your body. It is important to be healthy, but it is also important to live, life would be incomplete without the occasional indulgence of fries and m&ms.
16. If you love someone tell them.
17. Never give up on something you believe in, and always follow your heart.
18. My faith in God is my strength, I wouldn't be the person I am or made it through half of the things in my life without his unfailing love and grace.
19. It's okay to be emotional, to feel whatever you are feeling. Surround yourself with people who are happy for your happiness, sad for your sadness, and love you through your crankiness.
20. It's okay to be a little selfish, love yourself, take adventures, take some risks, make mistakes, and learn from everything.
I am so grateful for an adventure away from home, but the moment I walked off the plane and saw my Mom and best friend Callie, I knew I was home. I am sorry this took me a few days to write, but I can't explain how much I've enjoyed the last couple days with everyone I missed. My Mom and Callie wore crazy party hats to pick me up and greeted me with a latte. I also got to go to dinner with my other best friend who just got engaged! I am loving being home and the last few days have made me realize how grateful I am for everyone in my life, everyone in Montana, and in Alaska. I am a very blessed and grateful girl.
It is difficult to put into words the journey of my last three months. As it was pointed out to me, I don't know how I could ever explain how the lake ice sounds when it's moving and shifting, or express all the amazing ways the mountains catch the sun. So as much as I share with you all, I can't ever put into words the amazing experience I got to have. That's the thing about life though, some things are just meant for you. You can share things, ask advice, tell stories, but ultimately your life is your own.
Alaska allowed me to make memories, learn, and grow.
I will never forget my roommate Abbey, our Sunday afternoon cries while listening to Jack Johnson and John Mayer, our weekend adventures with Asha, endless laughs, teacher vent sessions, days of Fringe, and our creative dinners. Eating a hamburger between two slices of half frozen bread, is completely acceptable and enjoyable in Bush Alaska.
I am thankful for Asha, her love for photography that helped me capture my stay, her humor, endless positivity, and for showing me all the beautiful things Port Alsworth has to offer.
Thank You Aaron, for flying us out fresh food, sending me cheesecake, and showing me around Anchorage, so I didn't have to spend 12 hours in the airport.
I am thankful for all of the other teachers and community members who welcomed me and encouraged me. The generosity of all of the people I met was truly unbelievable.
Most of all I am thankful for all of my students. I will never forget my beautiful basketball players, their hugs every morning, their 8 million questions, all of their gifts and surprises, our giggles, doing insanity, and how proud of them I was and am. I won't forget my junior high students who stressed me out beyond belief, but probably hold the most special place in my heart. My experience taught me once again how much I love teaching, and that even though education brings many challenges, nothing is more exciting than being able to help a student accomplish and learn new things.
I am happy I got the opportunity to have some quiet time in a beautiful place to reflect. I am always amazed how much God reveals to me when I just take the time to slow down and notice. I had many struggles and many lessons that I learned, and ultimately I know that know matter what I do, stress about, God always has it handled. You can be scared your whole life, to take chances, to get hurt, that you'll fail. It doesn't matter, because it always works out. It might not be pretty, it might not turn out how you want, you may get sad, or mad, but it will always turn out exactly how it is supposed to, so I am all about jumping in feet first and taking things as they come.
Lessons learned:
1. You don't always have to have all the same values or beliefs in order to get along with or love someone.
2. It is important to slow down and smell the roses. Life is much more rewarding if you unplug from society once in awhile.
3. Every kid is loveable in their own way and capable of learning.
4. It's healthy to have lazy days where you don't shower, cuddle up on the couch, and relax.
5. There will always be people who talk both positively and negatively about your life, but your life is 100% your own, so the only opinion that matters is yours.
6. It's okay to be yourself, everyone has insecurities, but they are what makes us unique. Not one person is the same, so embrace your "flaws" and love them.
7. You will have many "friendships" in life, but there's a significant difference between a true friend and fake one, and it's perfectly okay to hold on to the real ones and let go of those that don't better your life.
8. Family is the most important thing.
9. Alaska is beautiful, but isn't home to me, sometimes you need to go away to realize that.
10. Being able to eat fruit and vegetables is not something to take for granted.
11. I love hiking, wearing a hat, and sitting by the river or lake all day, but I also love dresses and heels and a night on the town. I definitely need both.
12. You don't get anywhere in life by being scared. Do what scares you and step outside your comfort zone, that's where all the fun is.
13. You feel what you feel, and you know what you know, be done with the rest. If it's a story about you, from you, awesome! If it's third hand about someone else, BYE.
14. Life is to short to be anything, but happy. So do what makes you happy and enjoy every moment. The little things mean the most.
15. Love your body. It is important to be healthy, but it is also important to live, life would be incomplete without the occasional indulgence of fries and m&ms.
16. If you love someone tell them.
17. Never give up on something you believe in, and always follow your heart.
18. My faith in God is my strength, I wouldn't be the person I am or made it through half of the things in my life without his unfailing love and grace.
19. It's okay to be emotional, to feel whatever you are feeling. Surround yourself with people who are happy for your happiness, sad for your sadness, and love you through your crankiness.
20. It's okay to be a little selfish, love yourself, take adventures, take some risks, make mistakes, and learn from everything.
I am so grateful for an adventure away from home, but the moment I walked off the plane and saw my Mom and best friend Callie, I knew I was home. I am sorry this took me a few days to write, but I can't explain how much I've enjoyed the last couple days with everyone I missed. My Mom and Callie wore crazy party hats to pick me up and greeted me with a latte. I also got to go to dinner with my other best friend who just got engaged! I am loving being home and the last few days have made me realize how grateful I am for everyone in my life, everyone in Montana, and in Alaska. I am a very blessed and grateful girl.