Around June I accepted my first teaching position from my first job offer and my first job interview. It did take me 3 months to decide and a couple other interviews and applications–but I knew this one was the one I wanted. The teaching job I was meant to have.
I didn’t have much time to think about it after I accepted the position. I moved out of my apartment and a week later started 8 weeks of summer camp. Another job I live to love.
At the end of this summer of camp I started dating an amazing amazing man.
On August 8, 2013 that AMAZING man offered to drive me to my brothers wedding two states away. (Knoxville, TN)
On August 10, 2013 My little brother, Johnny, got married to a beautiful woman Melissa.
On August 11, 2013 Clint (aforementioned amazing man) and my parents took me to the airport in Knoxville, TN and I started flying to Alaska.
I still wish I would have gotten just five more minutes with him before I left.
School started in two days (August 14). I had two days to do what most teachers do in a week (or slowly all summer.) My flight took me from Knoxville to Chicago quickly. I actually sat behind my brothers best man and wife. When I got to Chicago I had to walk a mile across the airport and under the airport to the terminal for my 8 hour flight to Anchorage.
That flight was awful I felt like I was in a scene from Wall-E. Nobody spoke one word to anyone. There were T.V.s on the back of every seat. The flight attendants were pretty people with pretend smiles–robotic.
I stayed overnight in Anchorage and flew out to Bethel and Eek in the Morning. Eek, Alaska my new home.
I was met off of the small (about 10 person plane) at Eek airport by my principal. He picked me up on an ATV with a wagon. He gave me a quick tour of town as we rode.
Principal: That’s the airport, that’s the post office, that’s the store….that’s it.
Saying I was tired or emotionally and physically drained is probably an understatement. I had traveled for over a day, just experienced my brother getting married, and had to say bye to a man I loved. (love*).
None-the-less, after getting dropped off at my new apartment, spending 15 minutes looking around and thinking to myself “WOW, I am here”—I was ambushed by my new co-workers.
*Knock at door*
I opened the door and was immediately hugged by Julia and greeted by Caitlyn. Later, I met my apartment mate Kayla. All were so nice and made me feel welcome. Then I received a short tour of the school and got to see my classroom for the first time.
Sunset by the old airport.
local foliage.
view of village outside my window.
The red building is my class room at the school. The White building is my apartment.
Typical Horizon.
That’s all I can say for now. I have had my first three days of school–and met so many students and children. That’s another post though.
p.s. I love it here.
Jesi
Teaching on the Tundra 
