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!

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

Oprah's Farewell

I have not been an avid Oprah viewer, but she has been in our living room at my mom's house for 25 years. So, it would only make sense that my mom has the final show recorded and today I happened to watch it... absolutely beautiful messages. Here are a few things that I took from Ms. Winfrey's show:

*You are enough-- just as you are. To not only believe that you deserve to be validated, but to also know that you are inherently worthy of being validated is truly a beautiful message to hold and value.

*Be responsible for the energy around yourself and and energy that you give to others.
This one is such a beautiful, yet simple message to grasp. There came a time in my life where I realized that I don't have to have certain energies in my life, and what a freeing and truly more enjoyable life it is to live when one can come to this realization. It also reminds me of the philosophy we have in my classroom... "We are responsible of minding other people's buckets." With every interaction we have with others, we are either filling or emptying their emotional buckets. Be responsible.

*And, what I hope I teach and bring to each of my students... you have the power to live. Not to just exist, but to truly live and to live with passion. Take whatever it is that you are passionate about and serve the world. Living with a purpose and passion for positive living is within the reach of each one of us.

So, if you are not an Oprah fan... you have been missing out on some empowering and inspirational messages. The show finale was certainly worth the watch ;)

Pura vida

Perfect Poster for My Blog!

"Life is short. Live your dream, and wear your passion."

Laugh, Live, and Love... THAT'S Life!

"There comes a time in life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, you forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE... getting back up is LIVING!" ~Unknown


Someone shared this on their Facebook page today. It goes perfectly well with the theme of my blog... life is too short-- enjoy the ride! I just love it! Take time today to give something good to the world. Pluck the weeds, and watch the flowers bloom! Just live the dream...