As the summer season draws to an end the winter swiftly approaches bringing it's flurry and fury of wind, snow, cold and darkness, I can look back on the past five months of my life and be certain I've made the right choice by coming here. I couldn't imagine my life being any different then it is now. There are hesitations and reservations about the winter and what it will have in store for me, but the experience that I'm about to embark on is one that I look towards with excitement.
The people I have met down here are unlike any I have ever met before. I liken the connection with one another to the camaraderie you find in the military. There is the common tie that binds to be sure, but the mutual desire for adventure and the obscure will connect us all forever. As we move our separate ways we hope our paths cross again in the future, and for most people I have met down here, I'd wager they will...and in some cases, often.
I have learned a lot about myself this season as well. Not only have I been on the adventure of a lifetime but I've ventured deeper into myself to discover more of who I am. I've allowed myself to open up in a way that I haven't done in a long time. I have found things about myself that I should improve and work on, and other aspects that I now realize I need to let shine more often. I need to stop seeing myself a certain way, and stop thinking that others see me a certain way, and except the fact that I am me, and you know what, that's ok. I know my resolve, I know my foundation and my capabilities, and I need to stand strong with those and I will get along just fine.
I've fallen in love, and let it go. I've hugged, and kissed, and cuddled, and danced. I've smiled and laughed everyday, I've gone outside of my comfort zone and made friends, I have helped others through hard times and they have made mine better. I've stayed up all night talking, slept all day, and done it all over again. I've drank like we had no more time to, and felt the repercussions of it but also managed to continue to get better all around.
I've seen an endless day draw to it's close and see the sky set ablaze in flashes of orange, red, blue and white while I squint into the sun to feel it's warmth. Experienced clouds that nowhere else in the world you could ever find. Soft strokes of white dancing like lace through the endless blue canvas above. I've felt the sting of wind that will make tears stream from your eyes then freeze those very tears to your cheek. I've had an arm wrapped around me while I share an amazing moment with someone who cares about me, as we stare out at an abundance of mountains, ice, snow, sky and breathtaking beauty. Watched from windows when the sun hides behind those mountains only to cast it's light out with more strength and light up glaciers and ice like windows to heaven.
I've seen whales, penguins and seals in abundance. I've seen 1,200 faces become familiar, and now I watch most of those faces move on to their next journey and I sit here waiting for mine. I have faith that I'll see most of them again, at the very least when they return next summer, and if not, on some other adventure.
I can say that I have loved this place, what it's done for me, what it's allowed me to be a part of, and what it will continue to be long after I've gone. I wait with excitement to see what this next season has in store for me, and hopefully I continue to grow, to become a stronger person, a member of a community that means more then what most people think. We have each other, and that's all we have, 160 people for the next 6 months. I have faith that we'll be better off for our time together, we will learn from one another and I couldn't imagine a better place to be right now, then right here.
