Update Time!

Hello loyal followers, I am pleased to bring you yet another thrilling installment containing the very latest updates from my amazing Alaskan life! It is October, and already the first quarter of school is coming to an end. I can't believe how fast this year is going! Some days I feel like I have accomplished very little in the past two months, and other days I am just amazed by how much my life has changed in so short a time. Teaching is going well for the most part. I am still working on finding my groove in the classroom and in my teaching practice, but each day brings more confidence and that much more experience. There have definitely been days where I wonder if I am really doing OK or if I am just doing a really good job of faking it, but on those days I know I can turn to my wonderful support net of friends and co-workers who are more than happy to prop me back up.

The weather has definitely turned in the past few weeks. It actually snowed a bit a few weeks ago, and temperatures are consistently in the 30s. The sky is blue, though, and the sun is still shining most days, though our daylight is shrinking rapidly. I am trying to enjoy it while it lasts - stocking up in preparation for the long winter, I guess.

Roman is enjoying his new life in Alaska, though I know he misses his poodle family. He has made lots of new human friends, and is a favorite of the staff and the students. To say that he is the most popular poodle in Stebbins is in no way an exaggeration! He enjoys his newfound celebrity and all the attention it brings :)

Volleyball season started for me two weeks ago, though it barely seems like it, as my team has shown up only sporadically. It frustrates me because I take volleyball perhaps a bit too seriously, but still - coaching is such a nice stress release, it would be a welcome addition to my day. We still have time to get it together before competition begins, so I hope my kids decide to make the commitment to come to practice every day. If not...well, Lord knows I have plenty of other things to keep me busy!

Overall, life is good. Stebbins and bush life in general seem to be agreeing with me, which is a pleasant surprise. It's nice to feel like I know where I am going with my life - this is something I can see myself doing for a few years at least. I am finally somewhat able to answer one of the most frequently asked questions I get about teaching up here: "How long are you going to be there?"At this point, another year (or more?) seems more than doable...provided I do, in fact, make it through the winter ;)

XOXOjane