A New Year

   So, it's now officially a new year - January 1, 2010.  The start of the new year brings upon me a time of reflection, as it does for many people.  It seems hard to believe that it's been a full decade since the start of the new millennium.  Ten years ago when everyone was paranoid about what the year 2000 would bring, whether the world's computer systems would crash, some people going to extremes of stashing cash in mattresses, stocking pantries, and filling up gallons of water "just in case."  It's also been a decade since I did my student teaching at Genesee High School and graduated from the University of Michigan- Flint, which means it's been 14 years since graduating high school.  It just seems strange to think of it that way.  It's also been 10 years since Zac and I met and began dating, and now here we are with two boys who are six and seven years of age.  It's interesting to look back and reflect on the question, "Where will you be 10 years from now?"  In 2000, ten years ago, I never would have answered that question by thinking that I would be married to Zac, the boys, living and teaching in Alaska in a small community, etc...  Actually, a year ago I never would have imagined living and working in Alaska, let alone in such a small community and area.  I actually had never even imagined that a place such as Port Alexander, AK even existed now a days.  A city like Port Alexander is definitely not the norm.  There are so many things that don't exist here: no cars, no city power, no cell phone service, only way in or out by plane or boat, no grocery store...  But, the things that we do have here you can't find just anywhere: a close knit community where everyone helps each other, simplicity while still having all of the necessities, children growing up without worrying about strangers or other external dangers, a school with a staff to student ratio of 3:1, the beauty of nature that is beyond what I knew existed, kids who care about their community and are kind, polite, and helpful at all times, a place in which all members of the community (even those without children) support education and the school in every way they can, etc...  I'm not sure that it's where I want my children to grow up for there entire lives, we have yet to see what will happen... but, it's so nice to have a simplicity and ease of life that we never knew before and family time is never an issue here.  I miss my family and friends desperately at times though and it's so hard to be here and feel like I'm hurting my family and friends at home in Michigan by not being there.  But, I had to make some decisions based on what was good for my children and my immediate family.  Most times I think I made the right decision, but I very much take other peoples feelings to heart and it breaks every time I think about how much I feel I am hurting some by being here.