Emily M

Alaska Is

            Alaska is a second home. I look around and I see mountains, bodies of water, and many loving people. From Marshall to Chicago, Chicago to Seattle, Seattle to Anchorage, Anchorage to Palmer, Palmer to Denali, Denali to Fairbanks, Fairbanks to Denali, Denali to Palmer, Palmer to Seward, Seward to Homer, Homer to Palmer, Palmer to Anchorage, and back home. What is home? A place with people you love? A place with beautiful scenery? A hometown? Home is a place where you are surrounded with loved ones, a place where you make work play, you choose your attitude, you play, you’re there for those who need it, and you make someone’s day. I’ve experienced all of these this year. I’m here with 74 others that I love dearly. We sing and dance while doing dinner. I wake up every morning and know it’s going to be a good day. We play Red Rover and soccer. I lost someone on day two. Being 2,000 miles away from home made it super hard but everyone was there for me when I needed it the most. And last but not least, just by giving someone a fish, a smile, or just by making someone laugh can make their day. These are all reasons of why Alaska is my second home. Yes, I could see myself living here.

Final Reflections

I’ve learned that it’s not about you; it’s about the other 74 people behind you. It’s not about being the first in line, it’s not about being first up the mountain, it’s about the order you do them in and if they’re done the right way. Coming back as a junior leader I thought that the kids probably wouldn’t like me, oh some other little thing that would make my first trip back to Alaska horrible, but as these past 3 weeks went by I found myself getting closer and closer to the class of 2016. It makes you feel better about yourself when you get to watch other kids that are your age, older, and younger accomplish things they probably never thought they would.
            Being a junior leader for the Alaska Great Lakes Project opens so many doors for not only myself but many others. Coming on this trip I knew it wasn’t about me and I knew it was for me to watch the people around me grow and also I knew it was for me to set my mind to a lot of things and I got to watch myself accomplish many different tasks. My trip back to Alaska was way more than words can explain. Yes, I do have many stories to tell! Alaska is a great life changing experience. Without AGLP I never would of meant 140 plus amazing people. Without AGLP I would NEVER of became the person I am today. I do hope to come back on this trip as a driver some day. I do hope this trip continues for many more years. I will honestly be there in high school for these young teens that I’ve spent my past 3 weeks with. I truly do love them, they’re just like siblings they annoy you but you learn to deal with them, even if you have a lot on your plate to deal with.  I will truly miss hug time and then van rides. Hug time, because it’s our way of showing each other we’re there for each other and our way of showing that we love each other. Van rides, because my van connected from our first ride from palmer to the pool. I will miss my van so much. They are like a family away from home even though nothing can compare to my family but that’s how we kept each other from missing back home. I’m going to miss Mama Barb, Han Ban, Grace, Matt, Clay Clay, my fellow J-Leads, my van mates, my tent mates, all the drivers, and last but not least the class of 2016.
             It’s been my pleasure coming back and being a junior leader on this years Alaska Great Lakes Project. A special thank you goes to my parents for supporting me and allowing me on my return, my grandparents for your support and for telling me to take showers and to do my laundry, my sisters for supporting me even if you never want me to leave you again, I love you both so much and I can’t wait to see you, and last but not least Ishtar for choosing me to come back, for allowing me to get the chance to watch the people around me grow.  I truly to thank you for letting me get the chance to learn more about myself. I love all 74 of the people in this family and I’ll truly miss you all so much. For now farewell!