Forty Third Stop: Mr. and Mrs. Lind

Part Two:

     The second part to my Saturday was the "other" main reason for me coming back to California.  My best friends,  Joe and Christy, are getting married!  I cannot believe that it is already time for these two to say "I do."     

     From start to finish, it was an absolutely beautiful day.  There is no doubt that these two are absolutely perfect for each other.  The love that they share can be felt by everyone they are around.     

     For two people who do not like to be the center of attention, they did beautifully.  I look forward to watching them start the rest of their lives together and continuing to be an example for the rest of us on how to love unconditionally and whole heartedly.     

     hank you so much for allowing me to be apart of your day and the honor I had to help interpret.  I love you two so much!

An absolutely beautiful couple, who had an absolutely beautiful day. I am lucky to be able to call them my best friends and was able to witness them say "I do." Truly magical day!

Forty Second Stop: San Rafael Graduation

    October 18th was made up of 2 parts. It ended up being the day that my sweet girl Solstice was going to be graduating with her new person, and my 2 best friends were getting married.  Here is to one day that was full of so much love, happiness, and sweating eyes!

Part One:     
     I was not able to sleep because: a) I was with the guys celebrating Joe's last day as a non-married man...and b) knowing that in a few hours I was going to be headed up to San Rafael to spend an hour or so with my sweet girl and her new person. Both events left me with so many emotions.                                                                                                                                      

     I was over the moon that Solstice had found her match and was going to start her new life working.  Solstice is one of my most proud accomplishments.  She brought so much joy to everyone that she met and is now on her way to helping make the life of her new person, 

Mr. E.

     I am not going to lie... During the entire ride up to San Rafael I was crying my eyes out.  The unknown has been so hard to accept.  Waiting week to week to see where she's as and what phase she maybe in, and then to hear that she was getting pulled for graduation was a last-minute shock to my system.  I was so overwhelmed with emotions.     

     The moment that my sweet girl and her person walked in was one moment of complete happiness.  She walked into the room with her nose sniffing away.  Then she made eye contact with me and Mr. E dropped her leash and she wiggled her way over to me in a hot hurry.  That moment... knowing that she didn't forget me and was still so excited to me.. is something I cannot explain.  She was so excited.     

     I finally sat on the ground and she continued to wiggle, circle/rub on me, and lick me.  She finally sat in my lap facing me practically nose to nose and looked into my eyes... it was as if she was saying to me, "Mom.. where have you been? I have so much to tell you!"     

     We were then able to sit down at the table and get to know her person.  Mr. E is such an amazing person.  He already had so much love for her.  That feeling of the unknown melted away because I could see she was going to be in great in hands.  Mr. E was at the head of the table and I was to his left.  Solstice had positioned herself between Mr. E and me.   Her head and paw on my feet and her back and tail on Mr.E's feet.  It was a total "Solstice moment" as if she was bridging her past life with her new life.     

     As we continued to chat, my heart continued to grow in happiness.  Mr. E is truly a great person with a big heart.  To hear how important a guide dog is to him just solidified why I did this.  All the emotions that I was going through was all worth it to see the impact that this sweet girl will have on him and the confidence that she provides him.     

     Thanks to Mr. E being willing to keep in touch, I will be able to keep you all updated on how his sweet girl is doing and adjusting. She will be adjusting to life in Houston, Texas working with her lawyer.  I can hear her now snoring in an important trial tucked under his chair.    

  Big puppy hugs and lots of love and great success sent to these two.  May they find a way to become the best team around!

Another BIG thank you to Mary Harris and the Guide Dog School for the Blind for providing me with this opportunity. I am forever thankful! 

Part two to be continued... 

 

After lots of tears I finally get to see my sweet girl! 

Solstice curling up on my feet just like she use to. Feel asleep too!

                    

Solstice bridging her past life with me to her new life with Mr. E. Totally a Solstice moment!

                                  

Mr. E getting Solstice ready after we got to visit! No more green vest.. hello handle harness! 

My heart melts seeing Mr. E and Solstice together. He already loves her so much. Makes all my concerns melt away. They are great together!

So grown up. Love this girl!!

Sure I will pose for you. Check out my new handle!! 

     

Forty First Stop: Burbank, Ca

 I have made it to Burbank!  It was a very long night of traveling with a 6-hour layover in Seattle.  I completely forgot about my friends that live in Seattle to see if I could get a tour of the city at 2 o clock in the morning, but I made the most of it by crocheting and meeting new people that were in for the long wait as well.  

     I am normally good about sleeping on planes and/or for layovers, but I think the unknown... and being back in a "BIG" city, kept my mind from getting sleepy because I did not sleep at all.  8 o'clock (a.m.) came rather quickly and I was ready to start the last flight for the start of this trip. 

     Arriving to the beautiful Burbank'  I was able to see my little sister Alyssa.  She and I were able to catch up all day and cause havic in Burbank.  I, surprisingly, was adjusting ok.  Driving on the freeway made me a little nervous and I may have closed my eyes at parts, but other than that it felt good to be back.  

     We were doing some shopping in the mall and I was  so excited to see a Target!!  This was my favorite store back in Fresno.   It was my go-to for shopping or if I  just needed to distract myself after a long day.  The Burbank Target is not your typical Target either... it is 3 floors!!!  I was in awe standing on the third floor just soaking in how epic this was.  

     After running around, it was great meeting up with the rest of my Jucksch family.  It was so great being able to spend some time and not just do a 5-minute drive-by to or from Fresno...Even though hours later I was leaving to make my way back to my Fresno peeps.  

     One the way to Fresno, I rode up with my Aunt.  After living in Fresno for 9 years, we finally were able to make this work.  Loved spending time chatting about Alaska and teaching theories.  Was able to get some great feedback and "Aunt" advice which I am forever greatful for and look forward to incorporating it when I work with my kiddo.  

      Arriving at the house where I would be staying was one of the many amazing moments of the trip.  It was so great to see Duda, Joe, and Christy.  Could not believe the time was upon us for Joe and Christy to get married.  Seemed like they just got engaged. These two are the reason for the trip and I cannot wait to be able to share their day with them.  

     After functioning on an hours sleep, it was so great to curl up on a real bed and know that waking up was going to start so many wonderful adventures that waited ahead of me. 

Fortieth Stop: California Bound

     As I pack my bags and get everything ready to head back to California,  I wonder what it will be like to back in my old stomping grounds.  I have had so many wonderful memories in Fresno and Carlsbad; and some that are not so good.  They all have helped shape me into the person I am today.  Being away from that life is something I miss, but I am really curious to see if it is the life style I miss, or the people?

I have become accustom to the simple life I have for myself here in Alaska.  I never sit in traffic.  I never am around more than about 70 people at any given time.  I rarely have to wait in line for anything.... Therefore,  I am really curious to see how everything will go down with my return back to California.  I truly think it will be a great reminder as to why I have started this adventure... or it will leave me with the feeling I had when I left back in August-the uneasy feeling and unsureness of what lies ahead.

Thirty Ninth Stop: Last Friday...

As I have mentioned before, I have not been trained to be a teacher, but I have been working really hard trying to find ways to make my kiddo enjoy reading and learning more entertaining and applicable. Putting Ms. Renee's brain power and mine together, we came up with the idea of researching famous Deaf individuals...hoping to develop a sense of belonging and endless possibilities.

     From what I have been told, being Deaf can very isolating. Being Deaf and living in a bush village in Alaska multiplies that to the 100th power.  So, by her reading and learning about other Deaf individuals, we thought 
                                                         would help her not feel so isolated.    

      The person we researched was Heidi Zimmer.  She is a famous mountaineer, in attempt to conquer all 7 summits of the world...accomplishing some of them already.  She also, along with a group of 35 other women, engaged in a cross-country biking expedition dedicated to celebrating and promoting the physical, mental, and emotional health of girls ages 9-18 for "Women on the Move".     

     Trying to expand our kiddo's perspective even more, we were able to email Heidi Zimmer, herself.   I figured she was a busy lady, but she got back to us right a way.  Watching my kiddo read Heidi Zimmer's response Friday morning melted my heart.  She was so excited and was jumping around telling everyone.     

These are the moments that I think every teacher lives for.  This interpreter had that moment and I am so blessed!!

Thirty Seventh Stop: Mama's Birthday!

 Today is the day that a very special lady was brought into this world, my Mama.  My Mama is one of the strongest, hardest working, devoted, intelligent, inspiring, and loving women I will ever know. She has a heart of gold and patience of a saint. Has always been there as my #1 fan... even if the idea took persuading. I have been so blessed to be able to call you my Mama, Ma, Mom.

     You may not agree on every adventure, and often times think I am crazy, but I am your daughter and want to  

                                          wish you a BIG ALASKAN Happy Birthday, Mama!   

I love you to the moon and back, times infinity, and hope you have the best day to start off the best year yet to come! Love you Mama, Happy Birthday, and see you soon!!

          

Thirty Sixth Stop: Mama Kim's Birthday

Mama Kim ( my editor):  you have to read this and stay neutral as always, but feel free to add how awesome you are.   (editors note..... It's easy to love you, Ryan, you are a gift to me.)

                                                 I Want to dedicate this blog to Mama Kim.  

     Today is her birthday and she deserves to have the best day to start off this wonderful year.    

      She is like another Mom to me, Aunt, editor of this blog, and major supporter through every single decision I have made in my life.  I would not be here, where I am today, with out her.     

     Thank you, Mama Kim, for everything.  There are no words to truly express how much I appreciate you.     

Happy Birthday!