Sunday, October 28, 2007

The school year is off to a grand start!

Well here I am, having written very little in the past months, wondering where to start. I've had several "avid blog readers" ask for a post, so here it is, to satiate the need. :) A bit of my life.


My school and classroom is my second home and I could not ask for a better family. They have embraced me and I have truly found my place.


I will begin with the biggest and the best "detail" of my life. I have started my career! And in the middle of pageant madness it is stable, rejuvenating, and exactly where God wanted me.
I am a first grade teacher at Christ the King Academy with the greatest group of children I could have asked for.


I am not "Miss Poulsbo" to them; instead I am "Miss Duchemin" their teacher and very little has ever felt this good or satisfying in my entire life.


I get to school each morning with a renewed sense that I am doing what God created me to do. I think back to "college days" when I was lonely and wondering what would come next for me. I remember days where I would go without being hugged and I'd think to myself, you are supposed to get at least 10 hugs a day, and here I am with not a single one. Now, I get at least 15 hugs a day from 15 first grade friends.

My family (pictured here is three generations on my mother's side) have been a huge support and even lend a helping hand, on a regular basis, in my classroom. Mrs. McGuire and Mrs. Duchemin (my aunt and mother) are absolutely adored by the students.

Miss Poulsbo adventures are great, and the best part is being with my "Miss Poulsbo's little sister" Molly Lemmon. She has grown almost a foot since we met last Spring, and she is the most wonderful addition to my life. The other added bonus is my friend Megan Hornbuckle, Miss Kitsap 2007, who has been like a life ring in the middle of a rampant sea.
We have learned so much, and have made a great team. Whoever it was that first emphasized to me that the young women who were selected as Miss Kitsap and Miss Poulsbo must be team players, was absolutely correct. We are a team and need each other.
We took a break after Miss Washington and did very few appearances. With the holiday season fast approaching, we have done a select few events.

We recently served at the Martha and Mary Heritage Gala and here we are pictured with Mayor Kathryn Quade sporting our fabulous red dresses and Megan with a new doo. :) It was a black and white affair and boy did Megan and I serve as the cherry on top the sundae.

I was also recently an honored guest at the First Lutheran Church's lutefisk luncheon last weekend. I was accompanied by Tina Lemmon (Molly's mom) and Miss Molly Lemmon herself. No, we did not taste lutefisk, but we got to sample some mean Swedish meatballs.

Next weekend there is the Sons of Norway Lutefisk dinner and soon after that I get to be a part of the Yule Log lighting ceremony in downtown Poulsbo.

Many want to know, "What of Miss Washington?" "How was the experience?" and to be honest all I can say is read the blogs from those days. It was a dream come true and even better the second time around.

I made wonderful friends and we have an incredible Miss Washington. AND Miss America will be on TLC this year! That is exciting news. I want to emphasize that having started my first teaching job, I am almost completely debt free and that is only after earning over $16,000 from the Miss America Organization. Please if you know a young woman who might be interested, or even really skeptical, feel free to pass on my email. misspoulsbo2007@gmail.com Encourage her to visit the Miss Poulsbo website, or even the Miss Washington website for other counties where she may be eligible. This experience will can be life changing.

Life changing is... having bought a home... living near famlily... having started a life... HERE in Poulsbo. I am so lucky to call this home. I am near the ones I love and get to see them every day. Friday nights are full of walks in downtown, movies at the local theatre and dinner with extended family.


This weekend we brought in the holiday season with a Pumpkin Party, good food, a trip to the Pumpkin Patch and great friends.


I am so blessed to call Poulsbo my home and am proud to represent this incredible community. It is time to wrap up, but I long for our community to know that there is a proud young woman out there, singing its praises to anyone who will listen.



I hope this rambling is a bit satisfying for those looking for "the scoop" and if not, I will be back! I will have more to share and I'd love to continue my musings another day.
Thanks for following my tangents and know that this is my pleasure. Leave comments, ask questions, this is a forum for anyone who is interested.


God Bless,
your Miss Poulsbo, a truly local gal.
Alex Duchemin


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