It looks like I’m down to the wire here. I have one week and
some change before I board my plane back to the Midwest. I have to admit that I’m
excited for a bit of summer weather. God knows we haven’t had much of it this
year in Juneau. However, I know I will miss this place so very much I can’t put
it into words. I have to keep telling myself that I am coming back next summer.
Whether it is true or not, whether I will be able to afford to or not, I have
to tell myself that I am. Otherwise, it would be too devastating to leave.
Juneau is funny like that. I remember being told by someone when I first moved
here that Juneau is like a black hole. It sucks you in and people never can
seem to leave for good. I guess I’m finding that to be true.
Moving on, I’ve started to transition by packing and
shipping all my books to my parents’ house. I have also shipped a box of games
and other classroom stuff. I’ve sold my car and my longboard. I have a large
tub to store things in that I will need next summer and that tub will be kept
at work in the storage area. That takes a lot off my mind. Now I’m not quite as
worried because I am leaving my tv, dvd player, dishes, towels, comforter, and
other random things in the tub for when I return. Just today I went to get
fingerprinted for my background check through Missouri. I’m still waiting for
my AK certification but my classmates are starting to get theirs so I’m hopeful.
All day I have been importing my CDs into Itunes so I don’t have to lug around
the CDs anymore. Tomorrow I’m packing up everything I don’t see myself needing
until I get back to MO. Needless to say, the planning and packing is moving
right along smoothly.
In the meantime, I’m trying to enjoy what remaining time I
have left here. I am so blessed to have spent as much time here as I have and
done some amazing things. Four years ago, while packing to move to Alaska, I
would never have imagined that I would have been able to sit on top of some of
these mountains, to play basketball with native kids above the arctic circle,
to swim with sharks and sting rays in the Caribbean, or to fly in helicopters
to the ice field. I have had such a great time here and I’ve learned so much
about myself!
(Tracy's Arm-Juneau AK)
(Seals caught in White Mountain, AK)
(Mountain Tops-Juneau, AK)
(Era Helicopters-Juneau, Alaska)
(Sting Rays- British Virgin Islands)
(St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands)
While I know this is short and to the point, I have nothing more to say but thanks. Thanks to whatever God or fate or Karma gave me the last four years. Thanks for the hard times that made me cherish the good times. And thanks to all the amazing and inspiring people I have met along the way. I've been truly blessed! I guess that's one awesome chapter concluded. I’m excited to see what the
next chapter brings!
