Down the Rabbit Hole

When I was offered the AmeriCorps position I'm now in I knew I would have a multitude of adventures and make new friends and basically have an all-around, brand new type of life experiences.  I had no idea, however, that I would be having the time of my life while simultaneously learning so much about myself.

November was already set up to be an odd month work-wise.  For three weeks in a row we have not had a full work week.  First, there was Veteran's Day and a conference day.  Last Monday brought another conference day, and so only four days of school.  Friday morning the kids were all abuzz with anticipation of an impending snow storm that was scheduled to come in that night.  I had to leave school early to attend an AmeriCorps meeting with my local, Port Angeles, team.  There I got to share the news that one of my students, who had previously done everything in her power to show her disdain for me, had actually asked me for help in class the day before!  This was probably my biggest success thus far.  I literally wanted to skip down the rows of desks because I was so excited about this one encounter.  Before the meeting I went to lunch with Paige, and had such a delightful time talking with her and learning more about her and her life.  She and I traded stories that have more depth than a 10 minute break at school will allow.  She and I both commented on how having a built in community with our AmeriCorps team members made being here fairly easy, and way easier than I had anticipated.  I recently realized that I am much more independent and self-sufficient than I had previously thought.  This is a huge step for me personally because I had been very used to  sort of having my hand held through things.  That being said, I'd be lost without the unique and balanced group of my AmeriCorps teammates.  

Ferry ride back to Anacortes

Fisherman's Bay on Lopez at sunset

On Friday I drove over to Port Townsend to catch the ferry to Whidbey Island so I could meet up with Riley.  Michelle was nice enough to babysit my car, and drop me off and pick me up at the ferry terminal.  I didn't have to worry about if my car was safe, and I didn't have to walk in the freezing rain that was falling Friday as I left.  Just another testament to the kind of people I am fortunate enough to be working with.  After Riley picked me up we made a little stop in Anacortes, loaded up his truck and hopped on another ferry to Lopez Island.  Just as we were boarding the ferry it started to snow!  We jetted out of the car, pulled on our hoods and ventured up to the decks of the ferry.  The snow swirled around us and made a kind of tunnel over one of the sides on the deck.  Some other passengers decided to have a snowball fight with the snow that was accumulating on various parts of accessible windows.  I was a little hesitant to walk out because I could see that ice-cold water below and snow whirling above, but I'm glad Riley convinced me to walk out with him.  It truly was a magical experience.  I got to see a lot of cool spots on Lopez Island and had a great, relaxing and thought-provoking weekend.  The snow stuck the whole time, and it just added to the already beautiful scenery.  After narrowly making the ferry off Lopez Island, I had some coffee with Riley and his mom at her house.  The sun was streaming in the living room window as well as reflecting off the water of Burrows Bay.  His mom asked me if I was ready to "go back to reality," meaning Port Angeles and work.

My mailbox this morning; apparently
Mother Earth thought it needed some
more decoration! 

I thought about it for a second, but I already knew the answer.  Of course I was ready!  The students I work with have become the reason I am here.  As great as it is to be able to saunter over to a San Juan Island for the weekend, that's just a side benefit of getting to work with the students I do.  I wonder about what they're doing over the weekend, and what stories and adventures some of them might share with me.  With others I wonder if they have enough food to eat or are safe over the weekend.  Today brought a snow day, and anywhere between eight inches and two feet of snow.  We already got the call that we won't have school tomorrow, either.  Even though I had a fun time romping around in the powder and sledding down hills with Megan, I will be happy to see "my kids" on Wednesday and be able to check in with them, even just for a day before Thanksgiving break.  They'll be hyped up, I'm sure, and probably a lot restless, having only to go to school for one day this week.  Selfishly, I will be happy to see them so I can try and find a way to tell them that they are what I am most thankful for this year.