What's Next for Pam?

Time for an update...! Lots going on...

As you know from my last post, I was offered a contract for next year, and I signed it. However, I do have feelers out for jobs in other parts of Alaska as well as Wisconsin, so who knows...? At this point in time, though, I feel extremely fortunate to have job security anywhere - let alone in my field with decent money...!

You may be wondering why I have feelers out anywhere else, so let me answer that question: I will always have feelers out in Wisconsin. In order for me to break my contract with this district, though, I would have to land the "perfect" job. But, things will work out as they will, so I will look and see what happens. Regarding have feelers out in other parts of Alaska, there's one counselor job in particular that I'm looking at. The village is also remote and only accessible by plane, but it's 150 miles from Fairbanks as opposed to 800 miles from Anchorage. This school, where I am now, is also extremely political, and that has been more challenging than living in the bush has been, if you want to know the truth! So, as I am known to do, I will throw my hat in the ring and see what happens.

I am no longer making the drive from Anchorage along the Alaska Highway. My friend, Bryn, with whom I was going, is still doing the drive, but she would like to spend the time with her daughters, solo. I'm disappointed for me, but I'm happy that she will have such rich quality time with her family. So, I'll be flying back to Wisconsin or, more accurately, to the Twin Cities airport.

My last day of school is May 16th - yes, it's a Saturday. Someone, in their infinite wisdom, made that Saturday a staff workday - oh, joyful! I don't think I'm leaving right away, though. My principal here, Harold, is also a very good friend. Harold isn't coming back next year, and this means that he needs to pack and ship his belongings back to Oklahoma. This is a daunting job for anyone, but I think it would be even more so doing it after all the other staff was gone for the summer. Harold has to work extra days as an administrator, so during that time, I've offered to help him get himself packed and organized. The bottom line is that the latest I would be back is the end of May.

Then what, Pam - you ask...?

Well, I've got the housing thing all taken care of - so I can breathe a sigh of relief! I'll be living in Danbury, although it's actually closer to Webb Lake than the town of Danbury - about a mile from the intersection of 77 and H. I'm renting the second floor of a house. The kitchen and laundry room are downstairs, but I have complete access to them, and the owner of the house runs a restaurant so is often not home and seldom uses the kitchen. Here's the best part - once I unpack and set up my living space, I can leave everything the way it is if/when I return to Alaska for the school year in August! This means that I can have a place to stay if I decide to try to venture to the lower 48 for the holiday - and I have a place to store my stuff for the winter - and I already have my living arrangements for the next summer! SWEET!

So ~ that's what's up in my world! I have to tell you that I am counting down, and I can't wait to get back! I miss trees, Mexican food in a restaurant, driving with the music blasting, being able to get whatever I need easily at the store for a reasonable price ~ and YOU!!!

Eight weeks left.....