Friday, May 23, 2008

One Crazy Year

It's about 8:30 on Friday night. I'm looking out the window of the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska. The mountains are, as always, an incredible view. I wish I could be deep inside them with a tent and a fishing rod.
The contracted school year is over. I've elected to not renew my contract and their was a great outcry of disapproval by the parents of the children in my class. I have heard people say that they want to beat me up because of my decision to leave. I agree. I feel like a failure. I want to stay and teach school to the students of Atmautluak, Alaska forever, but I don't feel that I can do that and serve my family too. I am torn.
I have had some wonderful experiences with the folks of the delta and I've been invited to have many more. I've hunted and fish with some of the friendliest people I've ever met and I liked it.
On a totally different note. This is the end of my first year in Alaska, but not the end of my Alaska adventure. I'm going back soon to do all of the things I missed out on in my rookie year. Hopefully, I won't suffer any more deaths in my family or any more life-threatening illnesses so I can get on with the business of living in the bush. I hope to get back early enough to do some subsistence salmon fishing and to have a successful moose hunt. Only fate will tell if I make it or not.
Until later, Jerry

2 comments:

Shade Hopper said...

Hi Jerry!
It's a sorry state of affairs when your mentor has to read your blog to see what you're up to! Keep me posted on your job prospects, please.

I guess you probably already know that hunting swans, ducks and geese is a fall hunting season only! Oops...you may want to delete this comment and those on your blog!

Have a wonderful summer! Hi to Pam, and please keep in touch.

Pat

alisha said...

Hey Jerry,

are you going to start blogging again now that you're here in Bethel? I was happy to meet your wife today and hope to have the two of you over for dinner once the year gets rolling.