On the Rez at long Last

A couple days ago my parents and I made the seventeen hour voyage to my new home, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  I met four of the other volunteers (Claire, Liz, Anna, Greg) and settled into my new home.  This morning I got to see my classroom.  It is flipping HUGE!  It's seriously the old gym, has a massive supply closet that's three times as big as my room in Valpo, and has it's own library.  Talk about epic!  When I went in, I couldn't believe that it's my class.  Twenty little Lakota Sioux children will walk in that door in less than a month.  I'm a bit overwhelmed at the large supply amount which the old kindergarten teacher left behind.  My rents and I managed to move all of the furniture around to make the phonics, math, play, and social science "centers".  I couldn't even begin to think about all of the actual decorating until they repaint part of my room anyway.

After dinner, I had to say goodbye to my mom and dad.  It was harder for my mom then I expected. I was really proud of her for not crying, but I could tell in the hug that she gave me.  We are very close and since I'm the youngest that makes it worse for her in a way.  From what they said, both are extremely glad that we drove out together.  My mom and dad definitely understand the Rez life a whole lot better.  They feel safer leaving me out in this area and know what more to expect.

I absolutely love SoDak so far.  The weather changes are intense but so fun to watch.  Yesterday it was sunny and then all the sudden golf ball sized hail fell from the heavens.  Last year when I went to Nebraska, I had a funny feeling that it was where I belonged.  Look at me know, right on the SoDak/NE border.  My life has changed so much since last summer. Well, even from the Fall.  I'm a better and stronger me then I've ever been.  After alot of praying, I've decided to use the counseling services at the school.  I don't want to get back into my old habits and in a place like this it could happen all too quickly.