"For the Sake of Old Times"

"For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

As the year 2011 comes to an end, I find this to be a perfect time to write. I am always quite nostalgic at this time of year. I am easily moved by music, so I am certain that the traditional "Auld Lang Syne" deserves some credit for the reflective mood I tend to embrace at this time of year. 

I don't tend to over-indulge in the Christmas season so much, however, I take great joy in the vacation time and extra time with family and friends. I had a wonderful vacation in Anchorage over the holiday break-- relaxing and taking in all that the city has to offer (shopping, movies, dancing, lunches and dinners at my favorite restaurants, etc). 

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you will remember that my father passed away on New Year's Day 2005. As I type that, I take a deep breath. It can never be acknowledged without a bit of heaviness. One would think that perhaps this would make New Year's harder for me. But, in truth, it just makes it more special to me. I believe my dad looks over me and, seeing as this is such a time of year for reflection, I believe that I listen a little more closely. As much as I love a good soiree, NYE/NY means so much more to me than a night on the town. It is still an emotional day, but it is anything but depressing.

Each New Year, I want to be a better me than I was the year before (and, really, day to day). I want to know more, experience more, learn more, appreciate more, love more, forgive more, understand more, laugh more, feel more, see more, and embrace more. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." Simple, yet well said. 

So, at this time of year... I don't know that I will create a list of resolutions. But, I will take time to reflect on what makes me me. What defines me? What makes me who I am? I will reflect on all the good in my life. I will take a special moment to breathe all that in and be thankful. I will also reflect on the direction of my life... is it where I want to be? What personal and professional goals do I have? What steps will I take to get there? And whether it is physically or mentally, I will make a list of attainable goals to keep my dreams, hopes, and aspirations alive. Lastly, I will take time to reflect on my relationships... with family, friends, colleagues, strangers, potential life mates, and people of conflict. I will take a moment to be thankful for the amazing people in my life who inspire me, encourage me, challenge me, cheer for me, lovingly correct me, balance me, support me... for those who make me laugh, make me see life through a new lens... to those who help me see the worth in myself and in others... for the people that have been a blessing to me.

This is also a good time of year to reflect on the weeds in our lives. The people, things, circumstances, etc that maybe need to be plucked. Forget maybe-- we ALL have weeds. And, they all need to be plucked! Maybe this new year will give us the clarity and strength to do so.

If I were to sum up all that I want in the year 2012, I would say that I want to be a blessing to others and that I want to receive blessings. I am saying... I want to accept blessings. To truly embrace them and be thankful for them and to nourish and cherish them. And, I want to bless those in my life-- strangers, family, friends, colleagues, students, etc.

Continued growth. Continued passion. Continued love in 2012. That's my campaign ;)

We are on this incredible journey of life. Each of us experiences loss and heartache to some degree. For those of you who celebrate NYE in the traditional American way, I challenge you to make your New Year's monumental. Find your passion. Surround yourself with those who encourage your growth. Be inspired. Make the time to live, laugh, love. Goodbye 2011. 

Happy New Year, everyone!

Auld Lang Syne - Lea Michele

Top 10 Countries Viewing

I'd just like to give a shout out to the top 10 countries currently viewing this blog:

1) US
2) Netherlands
3) Israel
4) France
5) Ukraine
6) Russia
7) Canada
8) Germany
9) Greece
10) South Korea

Thanks for your interest! Expect more blogs to come in upcoming months, as official research is about to begin! Being a lover of Cross-Cultural Studies, it is super exciting to see the many different countries that are represented in my viewers. You inspire me to write <3 Quyana.

November Moose Dogs... Thanks, Kathy!

What Are You Speaking?

Words That I Value (in no particular order)

Indigenous

Inuit

Becoming

Owning It

Reflection

Determination

Perseverance

Definition

Value

Cross-Cultural

Evolving

Seeking

Longings

Knowledge

Purpose

Vision

Identity

Laughter

Authenticity

Transparency

Soulful

Forgiveness

Joy

Twenty-Seven

Yes, he DID win the pot! Second place was his honey :D

Ocean's Eleven?

Casino Royale, baby!

Cupcake tower :)

I sure do love my friends... they get my humor, and I get theirs! :P

And the gag gifts keep on coming!

Glacier Brewhouse with some of my city gals for some DELICIOUS peanut butter pie!

Celebrating 27 years of life!

Money, money... yea!

"Life dealt us a good hand."

So, this is the second year that I have celebrated my birthday while in Chevak. For the other two years, I happened to be in the city for one reason or another. I am all about celebrating birthdays-- usually I even have a countdown (got it from my mama)! :P Since it is SO expensive for me to fly back out of the village to Anchorage, I have decided that I most likely won't be walking for my graduation. Instead, some family and friends are planning on celebrating with me in Vegas after the school year is over! This being the case, and the fact that I LOVE themed parties, I decided to have a casino-themed bday party for my 27th! It was SUCH a good time. Lots of laughter, despite the fact that I didn't win the poker game... darn Kings!

As I was thinking of this new year of life, I was thinking of all the life lessons that I have had thus far and how thankful I am for them. Some people have been in my life that have truly blessed me, others I believe were put there to be my sandpaper and help polish me up. Regardless, I really am thankful. I feel so fortunate that the good Lord has given me eyes of discernment, a heart of compassion, a desire to learn, and so many longings that I seek on a daily basis.

I am imperfect. I am not always approachable. I don't always understand why people can't see things the way I see them. I can be quick to speak. I could probably go on (and, maybe you could, too!)  ;) But, the awesome thing is that the great man upstairs has a plan for me and always has. The older I get, the more I learn to take time to reflect, to absorb, to seek a deeper answer, and to find out how I can be a better me today than I was yesterday. This alone is a true gift... I couldn't ask for much more.

Today, I am so glad for where I am. Even more so, I am super grateful for the people in my life who have cheered me on to get where I am today, and who encourage me to keep going after my heart's desires. I am one blessed young lady. Thank you for being a part of my life-- if you are reading this, I thank you! Here's to year #27!

"The Beat of the Drum is the Beat of the Heart"

Beautiful view from the hotel room.

Seward, AK

Pow Wow style

Southeast representation

Native American drumming w/ Buzz Daney

Pamyua

The gorgeous drive back to ANC. This drive is always special to me.

Love, love, love the fall. 

3rd Graders Attend the Opera!

A couple of weeks ago, we were studying "Performances" in our Treasures reading program. We talked about the many different kinds of performances-- figure skating, yuraqing, acting/plays, instrumental (symphonies)... and, the opera :) News got to me that our new superintendent's wife has experience with singing in operas. I don't know her at all, but I am all about giving my kiddos as many opportunities as possible. I just happened to pass by Mrs. Pine on my way home from school one day, and was so thankful that she agreed to perform for my class. My partner teacher, John, and I transformed my room into a theater and prepped the students on performance etiquette. We ALL enjoyed it so very much. For a moment, it felt as though we were truly sitting in Anchorage's Performing Arts Center! Our kids were really engaged and curious about this "opera" thing (not to be confused with "Oprah"! :). Their questions were inquisitive and appropriate, they got to experience something new, and we are all hoping for another performance in the future :) Thank you, Tricia! I love seeing the wonder and appreciation in their young, bright eyes.

The chairs were lined up and numbered.

We created a program and welcome sign for the students.

They were given a ticket with their assigned seat number.

My partner teacher and I were the chaperones/ushers.

Our class was so entranced with the performance!

Quyana, Calista Corporation!

I received a FB message from a family member last month, informing me that my students and I were featured in the professional First Alaskans magazine! The Murkowski staff sent in our picture from her visit here last spring when my students yuraqed for the Senator. It was a very neat surprise. After I showed my students, I knew I just HAD to get them each a copy. I sent an email to First Alaskans magazine, and before I knew it-- I received an email from Calista Corporation letting me know that they would be donating enough copies for each of my students and then some! What a blessing-- QUYANA, CALISTA CORPORATION! Before we knew it, Murkowski's office sent each of my kiddos a signed copy of the special photo. This reminds me of a quote that I have really embraced in the past couple of years: "You never know unless you ask." Truly, we are thankful for the generous donation. It is so good to know that people are willing to support and make a difference in the life of my Chevak kiddos. Just look at all those smiles! :D

Planking in Chevak

On a fall evening, John and I decided that it was a good night for a fall fire. We headed to the store to get some snacks, but I warned him that I'd be bringing my camera... we were going to plank along the way :)

My coat got pretty darn dirty from this one! 

And, he caved.

Determined.

Planking... sometimes, you just have to do things out of the ordinary...

The Rose- Lyrics

Goodbye, Alaska's Rose

October has always been my favorite month... my birthday, Halloween, Grandma Rose's birthday, opals, dividends, the feel of fall in the air... I didn't anticipate going home prior to December this school year, but God had another plan...

On October 3, Grandma Rose turned 82. On October 5, she went to be with the Lord. As my sister stated at the service, "Grandma Rose lead a pretty full and good life." She was very strong. When my mom and stepdad met, Rose and Bud took us in as their own biological grandchildren. Some of my most vivid memories with Grandma Rose were: Christmas Eve opening gifts at their house downstairs (Christmas music playing, lots of wrapping paper and gift bags, laughter, love, bags of loot, family and friends, etc); going with Grandma Rose after school and working diligently on my spelling packets with her help (PS I am a pretty darn good speller these days ;); special "days off" from school to buy a special outfit and have a special one-on-one lunch with her; and, let's not forget my 3rd grade haircut (had to go to Grandma Rose's hair salon... :)

We knew that Grandma Rose was sick and had been fighting illnesses for awhile. Though we are sad to see her go, as the deacon said, "It's time to allow her to go." There seemed to be a common theme from the people who spoke at the service-- Grandma Rose had a purpose to help and to serve others.  She really has a neat life story, having had served in the USAF as a nurse. She met Grandpa Bud while in Athens, Greece, they were engaged in Italy, and had a civil service in Switzerland! :) Feel free to read Rose's obituary below and thank you for your love and support. RIP, "Gma."

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=rosemary-irwin&pid=153991224&fhid=10410

http://youtu.be/HfUWub8xjdY

Melissa Shelby Photography: Summer 2011

Thank you, Melissa, for another fun photo session! I first met Melissa years ago when I was a childcare provider for her two handsome little boys. Dave and Melissa became more of friends than employers as a I graduated college and began my teaching career. I am fortunate in that Melissa takes me out to various Alaskan locations to try new photography techniques and to play with her different photography equipment. My next thought is to get her to come out to the village... how awesome would that be?! :D Thanks, Melissa, for your friendship and photography skills... it was very nice to catch up and I adore the photos!  ;-)

Year Number 4!

That time of year has come... school is back in session! The past few weeks have been busy-- shopping and shipping, traveling, unpacking/getting settled, setting up the classroom, and getting set for the school year... WHEW! :)

Bethel to VAK... ready for my fourth school year!

I am super happy to say that my mama came to Chevak with me to visit for a few days. The weather was cruddy, but we still managed to have some good mother/daughter time. My mom got to see my cute little apartment, meet all of my new co-workers, and meet many of the wonderful faces of Chevak that have been part of my life for the past few years. We both shed some tears when she got on that plane :( It was a little hard to see her go, but I am so proud of her and so thankful that she came out... it meant a lot! <3

Mom and I at Bethel Beans Cafe waiting for our flight to VAK

Mom about ready to get on her first bush plane!

Mom-- Chevak style :)

Our ride from the airstrip to my apartment

Giving mom a tour of VAK (dump, cemetary, post office, stores, river, etc)

Mom at one of our local stores (where I do most of my shopping)

 This year has already proved itself to be a whirlwind... we have many new staff members (great additions!) and there are many new changes, overall. I have moved up to the third grade (I looped with my kiddos from last year) and that has been AWESOME. It is sooo nice to already know my students, they know my expectations and classroom routines, and I know their academic levels... love it! Teaching has begun! :)

Send-off dinner for mom, welcome dinner for staff

Aside from teaching a new grade, I am working on my master's project and have the goal of graduating in the spring (2012)!!! There is much to focus on and some steadfast work to be done, but I know I can do it all if I just set my mind on it! (a Cup'ik value). It has been interesting trying to get my mind back in school/work mode... I have been EXHAUSTED every day after work this week! Lol. I ask for your prayers and good juju as I work on getting my master's project together, perfected, and submitted all in good time. Thank you so much, in advance ;)

I am looking forward to a great fourth year of teaching here in Chevak and will do my best to give the occasional update, however, I am thinking I will be pretty focused on work and grad school this semester. Thanks for following my Alaskan blog!

Until next time,
Misty Dawn