If you are from Seattle, and if you lived there in the ‘70’s, you know the emotional meaning of "Will the last one out turn off the lights!” Well, today, that would be me. This amazing PolarTREC orientation week has come to an end. This gathering of strangers that became so connected and bonded during our 7 days together have parted trailing behind strands of a huge web of friendship as we spread out to cover the globe from pole to pole. We shared lessons, geography, dreams, dog sled races, Musk Oxen, reindeer, permafrost, snow, cold toes, warm hearts, smiles, tears, hugs and cameras this week. I propose that, like a gaggle of geese, a herd of reindeer, or a school of fish, we call ourselves a "wonder” of PolarTREC teachers! That seems to capture the essence of our experience better than any other plural term I can think of. Viva the Class of 2009!
So here it is Sunday morning, March 1st and at 4:10 AM one of my departing comrades knocked on my door to say goodbye on the way to the airport. That thoughtful action will stay warmly with me all day. It is lonely leaving by myself. I ate breakfast alone today; just me amid the ice carvers and the dog mushers and the tourists. (No! I am not a tourist….I am part of PolarTREC!) I walked down the hallway and looked into the empty Yukon and Minto rooms: no computers, backpacks, screen, loud speakers, Janet or Kristin; no Reija ready to hand out binders and bookmarks; no Ronnie or Zeb providing counsel to the frazzled, tired teachers with "insurmountable” tech problems; just echoes and memories of a week packed so full of challenges and promises and wonderful people and experiences that l will likely never run out of stories to share. Oh, yes, and the knowledge that this is all just the beginning!
So I sighed…. and turned out the lights…. and left, because everyone else had flown out of town already; my flight was the last to go.
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