What a dAy!

Pretty much sums up my life in Alaska...


Anyone who thought I would be bored out here... it hasn't happened yet... even at 2 AM! Last night I was sitting on the couch watching a movie and working when I heard a knock on the door. I decided to ignore it (it was 2:00 AM.... who would be knocking at that hour). I texted Garnet to make sure it wasn't her needing something- No. Knock again-- I looked out and no one was there. Then the knocking just kept going. Garnet looked down the boardwalk and a group of people by my door so I decided to answer and tell them it was too late and to go home. When I answered I found 3 boys who had just gotten back from the ocean (they were seal hunting) and had fish and birds for me. I decided not to be rude and to accept the gifts. What they handed me were two dead birds (I later found out after Garnet told me they were actually Geese... yea, I'm an idiot...) and 9 cod fish. WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL OF THAT!? I left the birds in my entry room (it is a cold room which separates my outside door to a door leading inside my house...) and put the fish in the fridge. This afternoon Garnet taught me how to get the breasts out of the Geese.

I decided to even try helping- big step for me... made me gag a little but not too bad. I am pretty sure the pictures explain it all.

We had a group of girls standing around watching and 6 village dogs as well.

Never did I think this was what I would spend my Sunday doing! We plan to clean the fish and eat the Geese tomorrow... I think. I'll let you know how that goes.

(After we took the meat out of the geese- the kids wanted to keep some of the parts for their dogs... NOT MOOSE! They also decided to have some fun as you can see... no, this is not me holding the head!

On the BrIgHt SiDe... can I just add that I have the best principal! How many principals make homemade sticky buns in the morning and bring them to school for any teachers to eat as they work on a Sunday?! Mine does:) MmmMMmmmm delicious- and I got the leftovers!

A day in the life...

BEAUTIFUL




Headed out to pick berries


Village Post Office


His blanket finally came!


Moose loves Garnet


Moose and Peter


@ my first Throwing Party

So after I posted last night ... I was told there was about to be a Throwing Party and I needed to put on my boots and head down the boardwalk. I was SO EXCITED that something was actually happening in the village so I rushed home to change and we headed out. A Throw Party is called when a child has his first catch. All the women and kids in the village gather around and people THROW tons of things into the group (sort of like candy is thrown in a parade). I was first hit by a flying saucer (literally they threw a plate and it hit my leg... and left a mark!) and later caught candy and a tupperware bowl. One of students gave me a headband she caught. Some of the people caught dishcloths, towels, homemade items (I really wanted a hat), school supplies and even the big Roughware bins were thrown! GARNET was lucky enough to catch a fruit by the foot and eat it in front of me very slowly... I was G-louse! (Which reminds me... if you are bored, get on You Tube and watch A Dramatic Reading of a Break Up Letter... you will laugh... A LOT... and understand why I wrote G-Louse!)
After the Throwing Party Rachel had Moose and I over as well as Garnet for Stir Fry (delicious) and a movie night. We watched Anchorman (<3 it) as well as Stardust(Rachel and I talked through this whole movie- I have no idea what happened). Had a good time but it turns out that Moose loves Rachel and Garnet more than me :( He only wanted to sit by them (they give him real food and I don't). I don't know what it is about Moose... he has only had one accident in my house- it was minor. In Megan and Rachel's houses though... he always has an accident. It tends to be in the bathroom which is really odd to me.
Anyway... moving on... I WAS SO HAPPY because Moose slept in until 10:00 today when I was the one who woke him up! Seriously, so happy. We got up and Megan, Rachel, Garnet and I headed out on the tundra to go berry picking! We brought Moose, Lacy, and Tootsie (a student's dog who has adopted Rachel... Moose is in love with Tootsie). I enjoyed the berry picking and I hope to go again tomorrow. We also walked around the village for a little while. Tonight I will be eating more of my Salmon and I am babysitting Peter (Rachel's cat). She is heading into Bethel to pick up her dog Midnight- another friend for Moose!
For now, I am spending my Saturday afternoon at school attempting to get work done. My "inspiration box" FINALLY came yesterday so I will be writing back to you all soon!!!! I miss everyone!

TGIF

WHEW Week 1 of teaching is down and I am so glad to see the weekend!
My mind if FULL TO THE MAX with new information and I am on overload. Kids have still be coming to my practices and running. I had a really big turn out today in the gym... they did tons of suicides, laps, lunges, and we played spud. I am pretty excited for our meets.

Yesterday the kids, Garnet, Moose and I ran to the graveyard (pictures will come soon) and the boardwalks were covered with mud and water. Moose held out for the 30 minutes run or so but was crying when we got back. He was also covered in mud! He got his first bath (in the Kitchen sink) last night.

Tomorrow a couple of girls said something about berry picking and fishing with Garnet and I. I hope it really happens but we will see! For now I am off to Rachel's where we are having stir fry and a movie night :)

O...and I can't believe I forgot to tell you but I did visit the Honey Bucket site on Sunday. Something I would be ok with if I NEVER had to do again. I mean seriously... you carry your 'honey bucket' through the middle of the village and take a boardwalk up to the 'dump'. Then, while gagging, you dump it over a fence into the lagoon where EVERYONE else dumps.... apparently it is pretty bad in the winter for many many reasons. Moose came with Megan, Garnet, Lacy (Megan's dog) and I. I know you are ALL jealous.

Day 3 (I promise I won't do this all year...)

Another school day- feeling better about things though finally... I think. Moose ran with the Cross Country team and I today-- he made it the whole way (we only did like a 15 minute run though). Since it is so flat out here I decided to have the kids do a stair workout. They ran up about 10 stairs (there aren't any more than that around here) and down a ramp then up the stairs then down the ramp repeatedly for about 5 minutes. Some kids chose to go longer- made me happy to see. We also did some core exercises and crunches (they didn't know what crunches were). I had 14 kids out again today-- a really good number for this school! No more boxes have arrived... hopefully soon!

O- did I mention that I suddenly became a coffee drinker?! Never thought I'd see the day but sure enough I drink it daily now :)

Day 2

Day 2 down and I am completely exhausted.... already. I don't know if it is the stress I feel, the lack of sleep, or the 3-4 mile run I went on with my team. I really love coaching so far... granted today was our first run but we did it (they walked a lot but still... only one of the students has run cross country before). There were about 20 kids running- only 11 of which are currently on the team. Garnet ran with us too- thanks Garnet!!! We ran past our new school (which is about a 7 minutes run alone!... I can't imagine walking that in the winter!!!!) and out to a tower. Total run time for me was about 36 minutes. After the workout we even did core excercises... I don't think I ever did them all when I ran on my own but now I am suddenly motivated... strange. Anywho... I don't know much else- I am finishing up laundry in the school then heading home.

DAY 1

Day 1 ... Down.
Feeling a little overwhelmed but I need the first week to finish before I feel better probably. I can't believe I'm actually a teacher now though... wierd.
Good news is I have 16 kids signed up for my cross country team- they actually came to the meeting after school and most of them seem pretty excited. Now I am in my room and they keep coming in to visit. We have a highschool orientation in a few minutes - sorry this was so short but I will blog more another time. Tonight someone from out of town will be staying in my classroom so I won't be back here to get internet either.

Moose made it to Kong!

After a llllooonnnggg wait Mr. Moose has finally arrived! (I know I told some of you his name was Sammy but my Uncle Rick suggested Moose and I like it... but he needs a new tag that doesn't say Sammy) He was born on June 4th (2 days after my birthday!) in Wasilla, AK (probably neighbors to Sarah Palin but I haven't asked him yet). He didn't get in until yesterday evening but we have still managed to go on a few walks and make new friends. His new friends are Lacy (Megan's dog... even though he growled at her a lot) as well as Peter (Rachel's cat). Unfortunately he decided to break Rachel's house in by wetting the floor-linoleum luckily- but has not done that in my house ;) Sorry Rachel! As you will see he loves his toy duck... sadly none of his other toys have arrived yet- Maybe today!
The past two weeks I have practically lived in school and meetings. I THINK I am finally used to the idea that come Monday I am a teacher... Crazy! Not only am I a teacher Monday but I am the new CROSS COUNTRY COACH! Now I know what you are thinking... WHY is SHE coaching Cross... but I am REALLY EXCITED about this... I just hope some runners decide to join my team. Sounds like we either have 1 or 3 meets (not sure how many yet... communication in Alaska is awesome) and we leave on Friday evenings for the meet then race on Saturday. I miss my Marian team soooo much (GOOD LUCK GIRLS- Coach, don't kill them) but I am so excited to run (or at least attempt on broken boardwalks) here in Kongiganak! OK my workday today starts in 15 minutes and I have TONS to do! I hope you love the pictures of Moose as much as I do! Feel free to come visit us whenever- I don't have anything scheduled I am sure ;) Miss you all!

P.S.- I posted lots more pictures of inside my house now that it is a little more homey for me!