I've encountered a lot of "firsts" since coming to Alaska.
Some are a bit scary,
first plane ride
first time living alone
first time trying pickled fish and akutaq
first time seeing a bear
first time catching a salmon
but they usually turn out to be a lot of fun too!
I've learned and grown a lot during my time here, but Alaska never fails to challenge me. I purchased a Honda when one of the other teachers left last school year. Then I had to learn how to drive it, another first. It was a challenge for me, learning to shift and handle such a machine, especially in the deep sand.
Even though I have gotten confident in driving the Honda, this weekend brought about another first: hill climbing and tundra driving. We were taking a beach ride and the other teachers took off up a huge hill.
I said "No way am I climbing that. I can't do it! It's too scary" and contended myself with watching from the bottom.
But, it's not so exciting at the bottom. With much persuasion and coaching, I went for it.
Did I want to? Not exactly. Was I scared? Definitely. But I went for it, and you know what?
I made it to the top, with no issues at all.
And the view, well, it was spectacular. A lot better than looking up from the bottom.
Go out and do something that scares you, the view you find may just be worth it.
Some are a bit scary,
first plane ride
first time living alone
first time trying pickled fish and akutaq
first time seeing a bear
first time catching a salmon
but they usually turn out to be a lot of fun too!
I've learned and grown a lot during my time here, but Alaska never fails to challenge me. I purchased a Honda when one of the other teachers left last school year. Then I had to learn how to drive it, another first. It was a challenge for me, learning to shift and handle such a machine, especially in the deep sand.
Even though I have gotten confident in driving the Honda, this weekend brought about another first: hill climbing and tundra driving. We were taking a beach ride and the other teachers took off up a huge hill.
I said "No way am I climbing that. I can't do it! It's too scary" and contended myself with watching from the bottom.
But, it's not so exciting at the bottom. With much persuasion and coaching, I went for it.
Did I want to? Not exactly. Was I scared? Definitely. But I went for it, and you know what?
I made it to the top, with no issues at all.
And the view, well, it was spectacular. A lot better than looking up from the bottom.
Go out and do something that scares you, the view you find may just be worth it.