Trudging Through The Mud

I'm finally warming up to my cozy cabin. I'm extra careful not to get cabin fever. I'm at the other NEW to Marshall teachers' house a lot. I call them my non-roommate roommates because we're always with each other. We do dinner together. We take long trudges through the muddy road to the old airport. We've become really close. It's nice to have friends here that are going through the same things. The other teachers are really great as well. Always offering help, suggestions, new ideas for not only teaching but life here in the village.

I am constantly amazed at the kindness I witness here, in spite of all the sadness the village has seen. The suicide rate is high here. There is much cause for sadness. However, there is much cause for joy.

My students are bright, smiling balls of joy. They make me laugh. They make me smile. They make me act silly. I love them for it. Yes, they also make me sad and angry as well. One student likes to walk out of class, and out of school. Another student thoroughly enjoys telling me NO! Another student likes to bother (oh wait that is actually the same kid that likes to say NO!). But the children that like to point out that they are being good, the ones who sing with me, the ones who laugh and smile are the ones that make every day the best day. But that's all apart of being a teacher.

I feel like I'm in the right place. Like I'm supposed to be here. I've been asked to fulfill this mission to learn this culture, to teach these children to love learning, to share the silly things in life. I feel blessed to have been given this mission. God give me the strength to trudge through all the mud and do my very best!

The Absence

In Marshall, AK, time goes by far too fast without anyone ever realizing it.

The air feels more fresh than I've ever felt, and the view more vibrant. Just outside my window I can see the river.

Dogs here bark as if humming songs stuck in their heads. All the other teachers are so kind and welcoming. The other two new teachers and I share our homes. Between the three of us we have an uptown house and a beach house.

I just got back from a walk with the other two new teachers (my non-roommate roommates) and another teacher. When we came in we realized that we smell of the wind and it's travels.

I can't call this place home. Not yet at least. But I can call it my journey. The road is long and challenging, but I might just find something new about myself.