You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone

I've been back in Indiana about 8 days.  Count 'em EIGHT days!!! I know I can't believe it either.  I'll use this post as a way of letting future rural teachers know the ups and downs of being a "world traveling" teacher.

Letting Go
When you spend 2 years of your life putting roots down it's hard when you have to make the move back home.  I didn't expect my leaving to make such a fuss, but there were several tears and not from my students but from adults and teens in my village.  My last few days were spent getting rid of junk and cleaning.  Lots of helpers walked away with free stuff because let's be frank here... I am not spending almost $20 to send home EVERYTHING in my house.  The night before I left I was invited to the dance sponsored by the village.  I have never had so much fun dancing like a fool with 3 year olds to 60 year olds.  The day I was leaving I had two little girls walk me from my house to the airstrip and gave me presents to remember them by.  I am tearing up just thinking about those girls right now. 

I will not forget my experience in the village because it has definitely had an impact on who I am today.  I will not forget the kids I worked with or the families that opened their arms to me.  I can't forget the tears and hugs I gave away during those last few days.  Will I ever return?  Never say never!

Flight Back Home
Alright so my trips take 24+ hrs to get from my village all the way to Indianapolis.  God must have been watching out for me because I was picked up on my last bush flight by a caravan, which is like the limos of planes and ran into other teachers leaving their villages at the same time.  When I got into Anchorage I managed to find a comfy spot to do a bit of reading and relaxing during a 10hr layover.  About 4 hrs in I got a call from a colleague asking if I wanted to do dinner in the city.  And finally when I got on my overnight flight, I had a row to myself.  (I repeat:  A ROW TO MYSELF) Yours truly managed to get an uninterrupted 6 hours of sleep on a plane!! 

SURPRISE!!!

 

Have I mentioned before I am blessed with a pretty rocking boyfriend?  He showed up at the airport an hour early with my favorite color of roses... kissed me in front of complete strangers and managed to plan surprise party with his family.  I walked into his house after being a complete pill complaining that it wasn't fair we weren't going to my favorite restaurant (arrival tradition) and saw his sweet family all yelling surprise and a huge banner with balloons, cake, and presents.  Yeah I'm pretty sure he loves me.