Glory Days

My 1st time on a bush plane

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, when he said to me: "I don't know why you don't talk more about your Alaskan adventures. If I was you, I'd be mentioning it every 3rd sentence."

Oh, I have my reasons.

I know people who have done amazing things in this world. And they have amazing stories to tell. But some of them really only have that one amazing story. Which they continue to tell, many times....just...that...one....story.

And that's not what I want. 

My 1st boat ride to Bethel

I don't want my glory days to be when I spent 3 years teaching in rural Alaska, driving down the Alaska Highway and then leaving for Iceland alone a month later. Because as awesome as that is....I don't want that to be my crowning achievement. I don't want that to be my one story.

Which then begs the question: What do I want then?

Oh my gosh! So many things!

But more importantly, what am I doing about it?

Because I'm finding that wanting & wishing for things aren't enough. You have to go out and make things happen. 

My 1st experience living in snow (modeling my new boots)

So here are some changes in my life that are coming around the bend:

Writing: I really want to write. But not about my life. I want to write fiction, so I plan on devoting more time to writing and not just trying to blog more.

My 1st time plucking birds

Career: One thing my experience in Alaska taught me, is that a teacher without a union backing him/her can be so mistreated. I was bullied, threatened, mistreated, and unfairly assessed by my administration in Alaska. I decided "Never Again" and have become more involved in my local teacher's union. There's a backlash against unions right now, that is really unfair to workers. Because corporations aren't after their worker's best interests, and when left alone, they will mistreat people. I've seen that first hand. I like the idea of standing up for people and helping them, being a voice for those in need. 

My 1st time on the tundra

Business: I became a Distributor for It Works! a little while ago. I used to sell bags and I liked that for a time but I am not a big party person. And that's the big thing for selling the bags, you have to have parties to increase your sales. So I took a break from that. I was using the It Works! products as a customer and I decided to try selling them. I really liked the business model It Works! uses (I actually have a business degree before I got into teaching) and I have been really impressed with how well I have been doing with this. And I don't need to do parties to be successful. And the product is consumable so my clients will need more at some point, which is important. Because once you buy a bag that lasts forever, well....there's only so many bags you need. Plus, I really stand behind the products. (For compliance purposes, I am not allowed to post my business links on my blog, but it doesn't say that I can't say that I am a Distributor.)

My 1st helicopter ride (pictured with my mom)

Weight Loss: Man, this is my Everest. I am determined to accomplish a major feat this year! I was down almost 30 pounds, but I put back 10 with summer vacation (I am so active during the school year that it's a hard adjustment for me.) So, I'm still 20 pounds down but I am ready to commit to my health. I don't really even talk about it anymore because it's so personal and my results are up and down. I haven't found anything that's clicked with me yet. I've noticed that when I don't eat processed foods that I see faster results. So that's important. 

My 1st very own dog (Dakota)

I'm reading Jack Canfield's book, 'The Success Principles' and that book has been very eye opening. I was feeling really bad about my weight recently and using his methods just in the beginning of the book have helped me pull myself out of a deep dark slump. 

I thought hitting rock bottom would be a number on a scale but it turns out that wasn't the case. 

Sometimes, I think there are messengers here from the universe (or what ever you believe). They help tell you the next step. Sometimes, they come in the form of actual people but in this case, I think the message from the universe came in the form of a book. Stay positive, set goals, make affirmations, & visualize your success. That's what I've been doing so far. Also, his book has really helped me zero in on what I want from life. 

And it's not to have peaked in Alaska. I've got more stories to gather. I plan to have Glory Years!

My last picture in Akiak