Done... for now

June 10, 2006 – 9:08 PM – Back in… Utah?

One year in the Marshall Islands has officially come to an end. The seniors held their prom, which I chaperoned, and then graduated five days later. The following week was finals week and the academic year concluded on May 26^th. May in general was kind of a blur, to say nothing of the final week or two. I was simultaneously trying to wrap everything up for this year while planting seeds for next year. In general I think I left fairly elegantly. Most loose ends were tied up and I tentatively anticipate an established infrastructure upon my return.

In the middle of all that hubbub I took a few moments to evaluate whether or not my students had indeed improved over the course of the year. The answer is probably what I should have expected all along; some did, some did not, and all to varying degrees. This is the life of a teacher, a never-ending up-hill battle without a pinnacle. Kudos to those who dedicate their lives to this profession, for they have much more fortitude than I.

Leaving the Marshall Islands was a trying ordeal. My flight was initially delayed 24 hours just flying out of Majuro. Since the dorm where I lived was already inhabited by volunteers returning from the outer islands, Continental was forced to provide a hotel room for me along with three accompanying meals. Truthfully I rather enjoyed that extra 24 hours. Since I worked up to May 26^th (heck, I even had a staff meeting on May 29^th) and was scheduled to leave on May 29^th, I had absolutely no time to catch my breath between the end of school and my departure. That extra day gave me a much needed opportunity to simply stop and look at my surroundings, especially since all my work was completed due to anticipating a May 29^th departure.

From Majuro I flew to Honolulu and arrived 16 hours before I departed. After negotiating for an earlier flight to Chicago to no avail, Continental again provided me with a hotel room and three accompanying meals while I was in Honolulu. Unfortunately I was so exhausted and wasn’t able to take advantage of being in Hawaii for 16 hours, but I did capitalize on my first hot shower in 10 months and, of course, the high-speed internet. Man, I cannot even imagine how much more productive the Marshall Islands would be if it had high-speed internet. Just the thought of having a broadband connection aid me in my college counseling efforts freaks me out. But alas, it will never happen.

After my brief stint in Honolulu I flew to Los Angeles and rode stand-by to Denver and once again to Chicago. Being back in Chicago was eerie. I spent most of the time trying to determine whether or not it felt as if I had been gone for a long time or not at all. On one hand most of the people I saw were unrecognizable and a surprisingly large number of new buildings and establishments had popped up in my absence. On the other hand, from the minute I stepped foot onto campus I felt old but inveterate routines resurfacing and guiding my actions and thoughts. I walked into the Reynolds Club and looked to see if the new issue of the Maroon had been released. When entering the Reg I instantly braced myself for the gush of air that’s created by the outside and inside doors interacting with each other. Even walking down stairs I instinctively stuck out my hand to reach for railings I knew would be there. What I rather enjoyed was the sense that, despite not being a student any more, there was still something about the U of C that I felt invested in. Something about it was distinctively mine, or even me. I felt that I had ownership and agency, and I liked that.

Seeing old friends was wonderful. I think it was my first reunionesque experience, which is surprising given how many times I’ve moved. However, I can’t say I’ve been very good at keeping in touch with old friends and it was great finally to be able to do so. It’s terrific being able to come from the middle of the Pacific Ocean and instantaneously reintegrate yourself into a group of friends. It’s simply comforting to know that no matter where I am there will always be people somewhere out there who know me and support me with their friendship. That, more so than anything else, convinces me that I can keep doing what I am doing.

Now I’m in Idaho, ready to do some serious R & R in front of the TV and stocking up for next year.