Thanksgiving in Kotzebue

I know that Thanksgiving was nearly two weeks ago and everyone is well past the event and on to Christmas. Understood. I have done the same. However, I did not give Thanksgiving a proper Thanks just yet.

My Thanksgiving was spent here in Kotzeube. It was quite delightful. This town could not possibly be less of a blessing to me. I am so grateful that I was placed somewhere where there are plenty of people ready and willing to make my time here special, and not lonely. I happen to live with a family of girls all in their twenties like myself, which is great. They all have parents and aunts and uncles and brothers and sisters elsewhere in town also- so naturally, I am invited to all the family events so as not to be left alone. It is wonderful. I have my own little Kotzebue-an family. BUT, that is certainly not the best part of Thanksgiving break. The entirety of break consisted of nearly too much happiness and comfort for me to withhold within my body.

It began when school ended one hour early for the break on Friday afternoon, at 2:30. Anyone who has ever had a job knows Friday afternoon is the best feeling in the world, especially when it ends early, this rule stands even if you love your job. After that, I borrowed a sno go (snow mobile) and went to the airport to pick up Kevin! YAY! Kevin came to visit! Then after only one near death experience because of my driving, we made it to my apartment where we all just hung out and played cards all night. It was so much fun to have him here with me. ( Of course, I did have my stage of just sort of staring at him and being baffled by his arrival, after 4 months it takes some adjusting back into each other). Then on Thanksgiving we made pumpkin cheesecake for pie fest and headed off to the West home. This is the aunt and uncle of my roommates. There we feasted on many things, including sweet potatoes and green bean casserole (my favorites!). After that was the big event. PIE FEST! Throughout the whole event we totaled near 40 pies brought in from all over town to just simply eat and enjoy with everyone. We cut the pies into little slivers so you could taste as many pies as your body would fit. I personally tasted, throughout the weekend, about 8 or 9 different pies. FABULOUS! What a fun way to get everyone together over the holiday, I want to bring this idea back home with me!

The remainder of the weekend went as follows: Friday, Snowmobiling all day onto the ocean, over the tundra, all the while the sun was somewhere between sunrise and sunset, and positively gorgeous in bright orange and pink shades. Friday night Kevin and I tried out the Nullagvik hotel for a whopping $245/night! ( DON"T BE FOOLED- THAT IS JUST KOTZEBUE PRICES. IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A $50/NIGHT PLACE IN COLORADO). I watched Elf, Kevin wandered around the room being miserably awkward until he finally got the nerve to propose! And HOORAY, now we are getting married. This followed by a midnight cross country ski event on the Ocean in an attempt to find Northern Lights for Kev to see ( we were unlucky, but there were great ones the night AFTER he left). Saturday we did more snowmobiling, a tour of town, a post office visit, and had a bit of a party at our house. Sunday, sledding with the kids I live with, and Christmas movie watching.

All in all it was a wonderful Thanksgiving break. I was very thankful for the entire weekend, and I needed to share the glory with all the world. :)

Most Hilarious Moment.

I have been asked millions of time in my life the question: "What is your most embarrassing moment?" I always hate this question, and here is why:  First, because I just don't have a moment that I felt so embarrassed that it sticks out more than any other embarrassing moments in my life. And secondly, because it is usually asked during a silly "ice breaker" game with a bunch of strangers. So everyone is looking at you and judging your most embarrassing moment- they are hoping for something hilarious, and I usually can't preform in the way they that everyone wants- thus their first impression is that I obviously must be boring. However, I have recently found a new story to tell, should this event ever occur again.

Now, I titled this post "Most Hilarious Moment," in place of "Most Embarrassing Moment," and for good reason: this happened in front of 6 year olds, and thus, they were unphased and totally unreceptive to the event, making the whole event less embarrassing and more hilarious. However, with a different audience, it might have turned out differently.

I was having a particularly "cranky teacher" day, in that I spent a good deal of time having to lecture my students on following the rules and being respectful and less time just laughing with them and enjoying that day. I have told them about 39 times that when it is time to put the legos away, they have to put the legos away, rather then place their creations hidden under book cases and behind other classroom tools. It infuriates me to find lego pieces throughout the room. I had warned them on this day that if I found any hidden lego creations around the room I would have to put the legos up for one week, and they would not have it for indoor recess, or choice time. So, we had just finished cleaning up and were seconds from starting centers. As I walked up to the front of the classroom I noticed a giant spaceship lego creation stuffed between the shelf and the heater. Naturally, I was annoyed. ARGGH! So, i said, "Boys and Girls, unfortunately I just found some hidden lego creations, and that menas I have to put the legos up." The kids moaned and and watched as I bent down in a fit of rage to dislodge the hidden legos. It was well hideen, this first grader meant business in hiding it. So, I really had to bend and squat to get this one out. As I did so, I heard this...
"RRRRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPP."
My eyes nearly burst out of my face, I quickly stood up, and to my surprise said something out loud that I meant to say to myself (all the while, my surround sound microphone is turned on): "did my pants just rip!?!?"
The class loudly responds with: "YES!"
Well, in the words of Rachel Green, "isn't that just kick you in face, spit on your neck, FANTASTIC!" My pants had ripped just next to the center seam above my right cheek pocket all the way down to mid thigh.  My bright purple underwear were available for all of my class to see. I was wondering if there was enough of a rip for their little eyes to catch the black lace at the top of my underwear- the last thing I need is a first grader to go home and tell their parents they saw my black lace underwear at school.
But oddly, the first graders seemed unphased. After they stated "YES!" I just turned around and tried to "act normal." They were still on the legos being put away. They still moaned. They still were blaming kids for the lego creation that was hidden. They did not care even a little bit about my purple underwear- THANK GOD!
So I sent them to centers in a VERY awkward maneuver around the perimeter of the classroom, and walking with my back to the wall at all times found my snow pants- located directly on the other side of the classroom from where I had been- and put them on over my regular pants. Not a single kid said another word about it. I however, fought back strong urges of uncontrollable laughter, and mourned the loss of my very favorite khaki Maurices pants my sister had bought me for Christmas. RIP wonderful khakis. :( 

First Grade Mumblings (part 2) +some middle school mumblings

Since my post in September titled "First grade mumblings" I have had many requests for a second volume. Ask, and you shall receive, I will give the people what they want! But, also included this time are some middle school volleyball mumblings- because after having coached middle school volleyball for two months- I found they have quite a few funny things to say as well...

Scene: Camon and I dancing and singing BSB during Volleyball practice...
Me (to volleyball team): "Do you guys know who backstreet boys are?"
Player: "EW! My dad listens to them!"

"Ms. Ray. It is raining glass outside!" -1st grader, interpreting the arctic weather

"Ms. Ray, I am sorry I was being risdespecful." -1st grader

Wildlife presenter: "Does anyone know what hibernating is?"
Student: "It is like baby turtles."

"Ms. Ray, It is backwards day. You are the kid, and we are the adults. So YOU sit criss-cross-applesauce now!"..........(another student)..."but. Ms. Ray is a teenager." bahahahahaha.

Scene: Volleyball game vs. Kivalina
Me (to players on the court): "Ok girls, sideout right here!"
(a moment passes....)
player on bench: "What is a sideout?"

(previously in the year, weeks before, I had told my class that I had eyes in the back of my head, and I could see EVERYTHING...)
Me (to class): "1st graders, I should not need to walk backwards in the hallway just to make sure you guys are being respectful. I should not need to keep my eye on you every second. You're first graders now."
student: "but Ms. Ray, you don't need to walk backwards, you have eyes in the back of your head. Use those eyes."

scene: while standing at recess one of Ms. Baker's students comes to us real serious and says:
"Jaqlyn just called you an ass-hole, Ms. Baker! And he meant (then turns around and points to her butt and says)..."this kind!"


:)

Kalyn Peterson

This is a side note from everything Alaska, and everything teaching. This shall be an ode' to Kalyn.

A dear friend to so many people has lost her life this week. On Thursday, Kalyn Peterson, at age 21, found herself at death's door and to so many's disappointment, did not live through the day.

                                   

Kalyn in Chile this summer

There is nothing I can say to make it better, nothing I can do that no one else can do. But, I simply want to take a moment to praise Kalyn's life. She was a beautiful girl for so many reasons. She had a smile and a spirit about her that made everyone near her feel happy. She had an amazingly genuine way of loving others more than herself, and living life as though she knew it might be cut short. She was so very gracious and humble, and full of joy. Kalyn simply loved her life, and everyone in it. She was not afraid to love with her whole heart, and see only the positive in others. And her smile! Oh, Kalyn's smile was the most wonderful smile! She seemed to smile with her whole self, and never ever stop.

Death is the most confusing and difficult thing for me to understand, especially from such a wonderful person, at such a young age. I just keep wondering, "why?" It seemed that Kalyn had so much to offer this world- and now, she is gone. I can only trust that God has a plan for Kalyn, a plan that is far greater than anything I can imagine, and anything she can do here on earth. I pray that everyone grieving for our loss right now can somehow find the strength to celebrate the life Kalyn had- and the love she so willingly shared with all of us.

Thank you, Kalyn, for the blessings you shared!

"I hat you Ms. Ray"

As a first grade teacher I get lots of love. First graders dish it out like candy...i get hugs, drawings, love notes (mis-spelled, of course), and even verbal praise. You have to do very little correctly to gain their love. I have a whole wall devoted to the little notes and pictures I have received from them. It is a much needed Wall O' Support for the days that are...lacking in love.

Unfortunately, not everyday is filled with constant joy and smiles. It is just as easy to gain a 6 year old's hatred, as it is love. I sometimes must lay down the law, punish, discipline, and disappoint these beloved little friends I spend each day with. Yesterday was one of those days. We were taking a test. The kids know this routine. We do it twice each math chapter, and every Friday for spelling. They get it. And they know that cheating will get their paper taken away and I will get very frustrated with them.

Just because they get it, doesn't mean that they won't at least attempt a little peek at a neighbors paper, or a little side conversation when they think I am not looking. BUT, as we all know..I have eyes in the back of my head. So I see EVERYTHING! :)

One little girl could really use some tips and pointers from the people I went to high school and college with, because she sucks at cheating. Very loudly, she started up a conversation with a girl ACROSS THE ROOM about the answer to number 13. REALLY!? As though I would not notice. I promptly "moved her clip down" and took her paper explaining that cheating just is not acceptable. She has heard this before, from another boy who used to have a problem with cheating in the classroom. Yet, she acted as though I just took her Halloween candy and threw it away. She then pouted for a moment. Put on some fake tears (which I easily ignored), and went to work on a "hate note."

She is ridiculously un-sneaky. She then tried to run to my desk, and put it there without me seeing. I obviously saw. I simply took the note, and read it. I was rather impressed with the front of the paper..in perfect writing it stated "This is for you Ms. Ray." SWEET, she even spelled 'this' correctly! But then I turned it over to find this, "I hat you Ms. Ray." Now, I was clearly upset. I have heard plenty of "I hate you's!" in my day while working with kids. Kids will hate you for anything. But, this is my first written note. She meant business. But not only that, we have spent ALL WEEK learning the long /a/ sound! We spent the last 3 days specifically practicing and discussing how the e at the end of these words makes the a says its name.....hate. it should say HATE! Oh my, not only does she hate me! But she doesn't know what we have spent all week working on!!!

But, first grade is simple. So, it was a simple fix. I gathered the class for a class discussion. We talked about our classroom rules. We talked about respect and disrespect. We talked about how this makes me feel- how it makes anyone feel. (all done anonymously..she did not know I had seen her put the paper there). Then I gave the culprit of the note writing a chance to come and talk to me about it while the rest of the class got ready for recess. If the note author did not come and fess up the punishment would be: 10 marbles from the marble jar.

...you're on the edge of your seat now, aren't you?....you're wondering..did she fess up? did she let the class lose 10 marbles?...did i really make the whole class lose marbles for one girl's mean note that I actually KNEW who wrote it!?!....

...she fessed up. she came weeping to me. saying how sorry she was. how she just wanted the right answer on her paper. how she was wrong. she cried and hugged and apologized over and over.
...and the class kept their 10 marbles.

And just like that...from hate to love.

Kotzebue in (early) Winter

It has been weeks since I have posted. But a whole lot has happened since Halloween- both fun and work- and my free moments are spent sleeping, not on the computer.

Sure, my job is tiring. And sure, I keep plenty busy to keep me needing sleep. But no, I don't need sleep THAT bad...but what else is there to do when it is dark? For instance, right now, it is 11am, and it feels sort of like early sunrise. There is no sight of the sun rising yet, but its not really dark. It is dawn-ish. So what do my eyes want to do? Sleep, naturally. All this darkness makes a person LAZY. It is not nearly as dark as it will be- but it is dark, much darker than home. And for me darkness means sleep time. It is that simple. So when I get home instead of being extremely productive like I usually can be, I sit on the couch and think about how early is too early to go to bed. When I am home (in Colorado) I can usually wake up and without ever seeing a clock guess the time with great accuracy. Here, I wake up and am completely clueless to the time. It could be 9am just as easily at it could be 8pm or 2:30am. My internal clock is ridiculously incorrect these days. Which is kind of a fun, mind-boggling, event each day and night. But also, can throw a person off.

With shorter daylight hours, and more darkness, come more coldness. Its not been too miserable at all yet. It is bearable or sure. We had one sorta-kinda blizzard which brought some snow- but really, there is not tons of snow. There are snow drifts from the wind. The temperature all the days this week were within 5 degrees of 0. I don't think the actually temperature got below -2 or above 10, but with wind chill and humidity the coldest it felt like was like -13 or so. Which, believe me I was cold. But, not really very many other people were. haha. I wonder if I will survive January, when with wind chill it can be something like -50. Hmm...that will be wild!

With the snow on the ground we have officially made the switch from fall to winter. It is most noticeable by looking at the lagoon behind my house. No more boats... Instead, dog sleds. :) They have begun taking the dogs out everyday for training. When there are not dogsleds, there are ice fisherman, cross-country skiiers (that's me!), and snow-go's (snowmobiles). It is very fun to see. It is hard to tell there was ever even water behind my house- as far as anyone can tell, it was just a big patch of grass.

The Northern Lights have been out a lot more this week than the last few weeks. I saw them a few times this week to or from school. I saw them from my bedroom window yesterday. But unfortunately I have not snapped a picture. They go away FAST! And. I often am not prepared because I need my tri-pod, and camera and everything. Not to mention that it won't really work in town. There is a lot of other light to ruin the picture, It would be best if I could get even just over the bridge to cemetary hill to not have any light pollution. But I am on a mission..hopefully I can even do it tonight!

In other news and updates:
-Last week I was able to to go to one of the villages, Noorvik, about 700(ish) people. We played Volleyball there.  Kotzebue defeated the bears! :) It was fun. It was was neat to see the village. Basically, the exact same thing as here, but smaller. Still the same things existed. I was absolutely floored to hear my volleyball team make jokes about 'the Natives." In the villages, many people are more Native. By this, I mean that in Kotzebue there are more non-Natives. Many of my students are 3/4 or 1/2 Native. IN the Villages, many more people are around that are full Native, fully Inupiaq. And they girls from Kotzeube were making fun of this! It broke my heart to see and hear that. Why on earth is that they way it is!?! They are all Inupiaq, and all share the same culture. I could  not believe it. Interesting, huh? It made me sad to think that a few more years of that kind of treatment and much of the Native traditions and culture will be lost.

- My Volleyball is playing against Nome this weekend. We are playing both today and already played last night. We won both games! And really well! This is big news because they lost to Nome in October when we went there to play them. It was neat to see the girls be so excited.

-KEVIN COMES IN 11 DAYS. I am VERY excited. :)

That is all for now. More to come I am certain. :)

lunch break

today for lunch i watched the sunrise.

'that's wild. :)

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is always a treat. It fun. It's not my favorite holiday- but not because there is anything to dislike about it, but simply because there is Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter that are all better, and all come with a feast- but Halloween is certainly fun. One reason that I think there is something to enjoy about it is that I am given the chance to see tons of adults act just like kids. I spend all day with kids, and I get to act like a kid whenever I want to, but not all adults get to do that. I didn't dress up this Halloween (outside of school) but I did get to go out and see a plethora of costumes in Kotzebue, and on every face a smile, and cameras, and people just enjoying being in character for the evening. That is a treat.

Halloween in Kotzebue is is celebrated as follows:
1)School-wide assembly and parade in costume (I was dressed as a pirate)
2)Classroom party complete with "Magic School Bus-Haunted House!"
3) CARNIVAL- the school puts on a big carnival the Friday before Halloween each year. This is basically a giant fundraiser for the school. The teachers of the school all make their own 'carnival booth' and attempt to make money off the games or things they have designed. Its really fun. It is also insane. Everyone is there, and everyone spends TONS of money. But its neat. And the kids get another chance to wear the costumes they will have to cover with layers of warm clothes while trick or treating.
4)parites all weekend.
5)Trick-or-Treating

So, Halloween here really is no different than most Halloweens I have experienced. Same school events. Same kids costumes. Same girls dressed in almost nothing (although in much smaller doses because they often have to drive the Honda's in those teensy-weensy dresses- but there are a few determined girls), same drunken parties. The only difference is- everything to make it all happen was flown in one of 3 flights: the 151, 152, or 153 for Alaska Airlines.

Halloween is really just a marker for me. It is how I mark the beginning of the end of the first semester of each year. After Halloween its a quick push to Thanksgiving, and then I am in Christmas Bliss until Christmas Break. It has been snowing here on and off all week in order to get me REALLY psyched on christmas. :)

The weather is really beginning to change here. The ocean is frozen enough to walk on now. Snow covers everything, and there are drift piles from the wind. The temperature should be -10 at some point this week to come. It is exciting and fun. The air is cool and dry- which feels good.

I have been teaching for about 11 weeks now. I am thankful that my students and I have found a rhythm. Sometimes I think back to the beginning of the year and wonder how I earth I made with through each day, and I bet in December Ill look back at October and wonder how I made it through each day. Every day is progress, everyday we learn more and work better together. Also, everyday I have a list of things to do that just does not seem to get shorter. Everyday I have to re-think this and that. It seems just when I think I have figured it out and can stop making changes for bit and just roll with it, I think of a way I could do it better. Just when I think I can stay home for a weekend, I realize that I would really like it better a new way. I put it near 12 hour days at least 5 days a week (sometimes more like 15 hours), and often I come in on Saturday or Sunday, or both. I sometimes feel like I am putting too much of me into the classroom....

But then I remember why I came up here. I came up here to teach. I was given a great opportunity to put my whole self into the students and into becoming a successful teacher. I am able to live with few distractions and outside forces drawing me from my work. Though it seems like a lot of work- I am so very thankful for it.

 In other news-
-Seward/Anchorage with Kelsey was so much fun. It was wonderful to see a face from home in real life- not on a computer screen. It was fun to be with someone I know so well- inside and out. It was sweet to see my first moose ever, and to hang out with some trees.
-It is getting pretty dark here, the sun is rising around 10am and going to down pretty early now too. but the sun rise and sun sets are just beautiful, and last forever.
-My latest mission : photograph the Northern Lights. :)

snow:)

It is beginning to look a lot like winter here.

 no more pretty colored tundra. no more sun before 10am. no more temperatures above freezing. the water around us has frozen. (not the ocean just yet...but its starting to!) and now...there is snow, too!

I am perfectly accustomed to snow in October. In fact, Halloween without snow just would not feel like Halloween. I love the snow. It is so sparkly, and sounds cool under your snow boots, and smells and feels so crisp and fresh. I love it. I couldn't hardly wait for it to snow (especially because below freezing without snow feels silly). So, now that it snowed. There is a pretty good chance it won't go away. There are few days that are above 32 now-a-days. So, it could potentially melt, but maybe not. The snow that fell all day yesterday whil my first graders oo-ed and ahh-ed at the winter is more than likely going to be there until Spring. When I asked someone in Anchorage on my move up what they though of Kotzebue when they visited they simply stated, "It's White."Now I know why. :)

Time to get the cross country skiis, sno-go's (snow mobiles), and snow shoes out! Its winter here!

p.s. Wildlife update! Last weekend as I visited the post office, and went to curch (both on the coast) I saw TONS of seals in the water. Literally, like 20 popping their heads up. Then we also saw them on the ice!!! The ice is kinda far off the coast, on the sand bar. But, there were like 6 seals laying on the ice soaking up the sun! That was cool.

Update on current happenings: Going to Nome tomorrow to coach volleyball. :) and going in Anchorage tomorrow night to visit Kelsey! We are going to Seward..so I can't wait!!!! :)

apparently, I am a grown up.

Remember when you were little and you used to peer up at adults and listen to them gripe to each other saying things like "time goes way too fast!", "I am so busy!", and the very best "The good old days."

I have become that adult. Turns out, adults weren't talking about "the good ole' days" in reference to some magical time before cars were built and there was no television and they had to walk 30 miles to school in the snow. They were talking about college, when they got to enjoy every aspect of life including the walk to school! The adults of my past were not kidding, those were the good old days. And they probably were too busy, if being an adult when I was a kid is anything like being an adult now. When an adult used to say "time goes by fast," I used to imagine life in fast forward and wondered how on earth adults lived in fast forward while kids seemed to live in slow motion. Turns out, they don't. But for some reason, and at some age, life just starts to feel quick paced. And with each year, it gets quicker and quicker. Or maybe we just move more slowly so its just taking us longer to do each given task? Not certain. But time does go by way too fast. 

Now, not that I am at any old age here. I have only made it to the ripe age of 22. But, I have begun to reach that age where people can call me "an adult." So, it only seems fitting that I contribute to the talk of good old days, busy lives, and time...Up next, as an adult, I shall discuss the weather...

Weather here in Kotzebue is a nearly tropical high of 20's lately! Today was almost scorching...low 30's. Turns out the Arctic Circle is pretty cold. My daily recess attire: jacket #1, Puffy vest, Jacket #2, hat, mittens, snow boots. Am I warm at recess? Absolutely not. But in my defense, I am saving my down jacket for below 0, that way it actually feels warm to me. BUT, I am adjusting, and much better than I do in Colorado. Back home, generally if it is below freezing, I am freezing. But, 20's is suiting me well thus far. I don't really complain much, but the kids at recess see it written all over my face, and they always hold my hand to keep me warm. I wonder if they will make a dog pile with me right at the center for below 0 days at recess? (Side not: we have outside recess until -19 or something ridiculous). Which brings me to my next adult conversation.....kids these days.

Kids are tough here. While I am looking similar to a marshmallow at recess some kids here dress in a light jacket, no hat, no mittens and run like crazy. Usually, they want gloves at some point, after touching the metal recess equipment. But that does not stop them from complaining and arguing when I tell them to put a warmer jacket on. Kids in Colorado, time to buck up. You're proving our state wimpy!

In Other News:
1).Seeing the Northern Lights is totally normally here. You should all be jealous.
2). When the northern lights come out you can pick the rookies from the vets in a second here for two reasons...first, newbies can't stop talking about the northern lights and are bursting with excitement. secondly, if you aren't bursting with excitement, all the vets assume you must not have noticed them and ask you like 59 times if you have gone outside to check out the lights.
3). The sun rises at about 9:45 currently..or at least that was when I began to notice any light this morning.
4). I got a Nook! It's super sweet.
5). Kelsey is coming in a week! I am going to visit Kelsey in Anchorage in a week!
6). My Volleyball team was killed by the village Kivalina last weekend...in our defense, the girls were at least 200lbs. and REALLY strong, and co-ed. We are barely 100lbs a person, not really strong, and only girls. So take that, Kivalina. :)
7). My knee is starting to heal a little bit! I mostly walk normal. If you know why I might have fluid in my shin below my knee. Please tell me...a doctor of this sort is hard to come by here. Gracias:)

my first time!

last night at midnight while i was sleeping away, my roommate, Erica, barges into my room. Herself being tired mumbles..."Mom called. The Northern Lights are big and green and dancing."

After a moment of trying to gather my mind around the idea of the northern lights at such a sleepy hour I finally leaped out of bed and rushed to my window as Erica directed me to look to the far left. And alas! The northern lights were bright green and covering a large part of the sky. But I was not satisfied with seeing just a glimpse from the window. So i hobbled down the stairs on my gimp knee, put on my boots, and rushed to the lagoon shore. there i could see so much more! they are beautiful. They were making spirals and lines and ripples that i could not tell were moving at first glance. But then if I looked at them, then looked down, when i looked back up i would be looking at a different picture. It was fabulous.  So Erica and I got in the mini van and drove up out of town a bit..just up the nearby hill. and there we sat and just watched them take new shape and form over and over again. We only stayed for about 5 minutes...but it was 5 minutes of my night well spent! As we drove it was like looking at something new each minute. When we were on the bridge over the lagoon they reflected off the water in a very cool way..and the stream of lights seemed long and to cover the whole sky. Then when we were on the hill, it looked more like a giant blob covering mostly the tundra and trailing off into the ground. I could have sat out there and watched them forever...but it was the middle of the night. and i was in my jammies. and its not that warm at night in the arctic. 

and thus..it was my first time seeing the northern lights. :)

first grade mumblings...

if you think first graders are not adorable, I am here to convince you otherwise.
first grade quotes this year:

"Ms. Ray, I just want everyone to be the very best that they can be today."

"Ms. Ray, let me hold your hand so that you don't fall over..." (when i am limping from a bum knee)

"oooooohhhh! a tricky one! give me more tricky ones! tricky, tricky, tricky!"

student: "Ms. Ray, how do you spell love?"
me: "oh. that one is tough. see if you can sound it out."
student: "I'll use the word wall!"
me: (already moved on to next student....)
..five minutes later...
student: "Ms. Ray! I made you a note and a picture!"
me: "Oh! It is says 'I little you Ms. Ray"
 (hahaha. at least she knows to use the word wall..too bad love is not on our word wall!)

"I just don't think I can sound out dinosaur"

student: sitting quietly with hand raised and waiting patiently for me to call on him...(VERY out of character for this particular student!)
me: OH MY! I LOVE your quiet hand! Thank you so very much for raising your hand and quietly waiting for me to call on you!
student: I farted.

student: "MS RAY! I HAVE TO Onuk(sp?)"
me: "what?"
student: "I need to onuk"
me: "what is onuk?"
the entire class: HE HAS TO POOP!
(gotta love them knowing a different language than me)

there are also a few handfuls of just devastating quotes from here as well. things that break my heart every time i hear them uttered.

i guess i'll just "love. like. crazy." (thanks, karen, and eric church..or whoever wrote that song!)

letting go laughing.

let go laughing. a good friend, Karen proudly posts this on her facebook information. and thank you for that. along with "Love. Like. Crazy." it is silently leading me through my current state in life.

my life currently could be made into a sitcom. one with dry humor, and believable (yet ridiculous) and disheartening moments occurring on cue- every time.

for instance. i trained my butt off for months to run a marathon i was SO excited to do. I paid tons of money to travel a plane ride and 3 hour car ride. rented a car. and stayed in a hotel. and just when i was doing faster than my goal pace and feeling good- my knee gave way to painful tendonitis, and now i could easily pass for a knee replacement candidate when walking my students down the hall.  to top it off- my students hold my hand in the hall "so you don't fall over, ms. ray." -thank you first graders, BUT its humiliating enough to have to tell everyone how horrible the race went. you don't have to hold me up too.   (it is precious to hold a kids hand every moment of the day).

on friday, just when i realized i had forgotten to put my students papers in their friday folders and i have 15 minutes to do it before they go home a student comes to me because she had "an accident" and needed new pants. AND just when i call her mom, stop her crying, and tell her to let me know when she has to go to the bathroom another first grader runs in yelling, "ms. ray! i need new panties. i had diarrhea in mine!" ...so much for prompt friday folders.

there is really nothing to do in either of these situations but laugh. honestly, its hilarious.

today, when i told my students they had a chance to earn 5 MARBLES! (basically christmas in september) if they could just sit down by the time i count to 9 (basically an eternity to 1st graders)...they didn't sit down. they didn't earn five marbles. BUT, i am cartain if i asked them to run around like a chicken, they would do it.

i wish i could get away with selective hearing like that..too bad i would lose my job.

speaking of my job.
i am supposed to leave on the night flight from kotzebue on oct. 22 because i can't leave inservice early. well, the night flight is full. SO...i deliberately do what i am told not to do...or i cave, and leave the next day. blah.

my first observation from my principal is friday...i'll bet that right as i get going- i'll remember i left my copies for the students on the copier--and i'll have to wing it. maybe she appreciates teachers who are forgetful, and wing it?

i guess the only thing left to do is "let go laughing"

TORNADO!

That is what I thought after the kids left my classroom today. my classroom had seen its worst today. I find that often there are three parts to a school day. the before lunch chunk. and the after lunch chunk. and the after P.E. chunk (we have P.E. every day). Usually each chunk is given its chance to shine..and its chance to be a smooth running machine. Likewise, each chunk is given its chance to fail miserably. and usually it mostly depends on me: my mood, my attitude, my strength, so on and so forth.  Today, i was probably close to 0 for 3. It started out FABULOUSLY. i was hugged. i was greeted with smiles. I mostly had students come in and do what they were supposed to..except the usual 2 or 3 i have to ask like 13 times. Then, it fell to pieces. Some students just know how to push every one of your buttons. and one of my buttons is constant interruptions..and a great big giant button of mine, one that when pushed makes me get an intense tick and scowl, is deliberate disobeying. now, i hate that word. "obey." but i have a few students who dileberately do disobey (for lack of a better term). This classroom for some students is not a "I say jump, you say how high?" kind of classroom. For some it is an "I say jump, you say fuck you" kind of classroom. Well, at least that is what it feels like. And it is never right off the bat. They always sit in their seat, let me get going in the middle of a story (and feel great about my outstanding first graders that are acting like rockstars) and then right at the best part of the story, there are about 2 MAYBE 3 students who stand up and start playing with leggos (or cutting out paper for a future center, or pulling the pieces of the calendar apart...etc). No matter how many times I ask, they pretend they can't hear me. No matter how many methods I try, they only respond momentarily, until I try to teach the whole class again. I have tried be nice, I have tried asking, I have tried explaining the "why" in situations, i have tried applying to our classroom rules, I have tried getting mad, I have tried the "walk a mile in their shoes" method. I have tried to change me and my methods. I hace tried to rearrange seats, and the classroom. I have even called the prinicipal. Some students just must love trying to kill me. That must be the case...right?

Wrong. I know that is wrong. I know I need to do something. Surely I can be more prepared, more consistent, more...just better. right? I know a well-prepared lesson makes all the difference. But what happens when I am well-prepared and the students just want me to ALWAYS be calling their hame, want me to always stop the lesson to pay attention to them doing everything they are not supposed to? I know they are doing this because they are just waiting for me to tell them to stop. And if I ignore them they get louder, more obscene, more distracting.What happens when I have tried every method? I feel like I can't ignore them more, love them more, be more patient, be more forgiving, be more engaging, be more fun, be more mad, be more explicit. I also feel like I can't take another second to try to get the few kids not being attentive on task, when the whole class has to sit there and be affected by it. My heart breaks for the students in class who do a fabulous job  of everything and yet, are punished because of the few students who just will not cooperate at all. Their learning is affected, their school day is affected, and their annoyed and frustrated. I am trying to "build relationships." I have been told mutual respect will help the problem. And it totally does...for 8 minutes. I have had personal discussions moment after moment with a number of my students. In fact, the ones I spend all day in a constant struggle with, are the ones who hug me at the end of the day, hold my hand every chance they get, and want me to play with them at recess. Bonds are forming. I feel like i have taken my text book, taken others advice, taken all the good ideas i have been shown and given and just plastered them all over my classroom. I have displayed them in my every self. I have learned so much. And I am tired...the good news is. I am not yet exhausted...maybe, just maybe, there will be a second wind..?

But first. answer me this: WHAT NOW!?



also. updates:
I am now the Middle School Volleyball coach! SWEET!
I am going to Kenai this weekend!

thanks God, for a super sweet September

If you take one look at my Facebook photos you will see a plethora of beach photos filled with sunshine and beautiful sunsets....YAY! This is, as I have heard, rare for September in Kotz. Generally it is rainy and overcast. But we had that my first three weeks here in August, and now it is beautiful. So I have gotten my fair share of thrilling sunshine-y events. And boredom has been put in it's place!

To start the month off me and my roommate, fellow first grade teacher, and friend took a jump off second bridge. This bridge is over the lagoon. The lagoon empties into the Chuckchi sea. And the Chuckchi sea empties into the Arctic Ocean. SO, does that count at being a member of the polar bear club...? Anywho, we jumped.

and then we were freezing..but enjoying ourselves..

Then, after our jump, we made our way down to the beach. This beach venture was my first time out. I forgot my camera. But luckily I went with my roommate, Camon, and her mom and sister and niece. Camon's mom was visiting and Camon's sister lives here in Kotzebue with her husband and daughter. We took a 4-wheeler up, roasted hot dogs, made smores, and enjoyed some beach side frisbee. Then on the 4-wheeler ride back we took a path on the beach that took us to a old sod hut. This is a house that natives lived in many, many years ago. It has since caved in and become a bit of a party spot for Kotzebue...extremely unsafe. BUT, so neat.

Then, later on the ride we went through South Tent City. This is a place just outside of town that natives sometimes go to to fish and live. Usually it is just for a portion of the year like summer. But on occasion people live here year round. There is no running water or electricity. It is a way of living a subsistence life. The tents are like wooden frames with a canvas top and wood stove in the center coming up. There are probably 25 tents or so in South Tent city. Then there is North Tent City which is the same thing. But apparently it does not really exist much anymore and there are not many tents there any longer. Many people also go to camp to fish. Camp is usually farther away and they go for weeks at a time.

But to further my current adventures. The next week I went to the beach again. This time with my roommates and a few other friends. There we found again roasted hot dogs, and marshmallows. We found moose horns. And a dead seal. And, a beautiful sunset, again.

 

 

 

Above are the beautiful pictures from that night. My roommates Erica and Camon and the seal, and the moose horns. The sunset was unbelievable. It always is. 

This weekend we went to the beach again on Friday night. This time with the kids I live with an d a few other friends from town. We went earlier, this time with cookies instead off smores, but still gladly eating hot dogs heated with campfire. I am loving taking pictures with the kiddos, and of everything. Tons of those can be found on facebook. Their names are Skyler (4) and Fiona (6). The sunset was again, amazing. And this time we got to use a canoe to go out on the ocean with. It as so peaceful and fun. We strapped the canoe to the top of the minivan to get it there. It was awesome. No pictures though...unfortunately. :( 

Then we went on an adventure to find the "Kotzebue National Forest." We went on the tundra to find it. No luck. Apparently it is between town and devil's lake. But no luck yet. In the midst of our search we got the mini van stuck in the mud. REALLY stuck. The bumper was even stuck. It was deep. We had to wait a long time for someone to come pull us out. And finally we were out. 

Our next adventure begins tonight. 

The northern lights are supposed to be really good tonight...but not until 2am-ish. So, despite the school night we are going to go to bed in a few minutes and get up in the middle of the night in attempt to check out the lights. It should be gorgeous. We will see if we actually get up for it.

Then on Friday. I leave for Kenai with Erica. It is marathon time...YIKES.

Wish me luck! 

boredom shmoredom.

Kotzebue thus far has been relatively easy on me....OR, perhaps my sense of ease is gone. It is my first year teaching...everyone said I would cry a lot. No tears yet. But, it has certainly been a challenge... nothing I couldn't look right in the eyes and wrassle to the ground...or at least fight until we both tired and moved right along to the next challenge.

Kotzebue thus far has been exciting. Lots of new people, things, views. Lots of free time to let my mind be flooded with the thoughts I used to set aside until there was time to think. pa-lease. who has time to think in the lower 48...? no one. right. and probably no on in Alaska either, unless they just moved here and have one commitment each day, work. so, my mind is wandering. my mind is being fancy free. my feet are foot-loose too. i go and do as i please. its pretty sweet.


.......................

for a while.......
..........until the edges of boredom begin to creep in. i can feel them trying to grab at me and force me from my blissful state.  i have never handled boredom like a mature, busy adult. instead, i moan about it. being bored is so dang....boring. though its nice to be free of responsibility i still can't help but wish i was begging to sit on the couch and relax..instead of actually relaxing. haha. gosh. i am so lame. and a typical american at that. i beg and beg for some free time to just relax and so i give myself the perfect recipe for relaxation...and here i am complaining of boredom.

anywho. i have made a pact. no more letting life live me. no more just sitting back and complaining that life is boring. rather, i shall make my life something thrilling. i know moving to alaska should be enough thrill for one girl for a year. but the town i moved to has two restaurants, a store, a gas station, a long road, and an ocean (which i can't go in cause its too cold to swim and i am boat-less).

but there is SO MUCH i could make of this little gem of place here in the arctic. and i shall. i will not be satisfied with simply resting for my weekend. i'll rest when i am dead. i will be a modern day explorer. and i will explore this life here in the arctic. because that has got to have more to offer than the extremely comfortable couch in the living room...right?

here is to adventure.
here is to excitment.
here is to conquering boredom.

one down. eight to go.

On August 7th I arrived in Kotzebue with very little in expectations and a lot in the way of fear and curiosity for the year to come. Now, September 7th, I am feeling....about the same...ha.

I have been here exactly one month. And a fast month that has been. I have learned a lot! And I think I probably have grown a lot..not the kind of growing that hurts because its too  much too fast. Or the kind that makes you change who you are or where you were going. Just growth. General growth in knowledge and in strength...is that a kind of growth? Here are some things I have learned from the Arctic Circle thus far..

1. Fun is way more fun when you make it up on your own.
2. Going out on a limb doesn't have to be scary. It is sometimes fun.
3. Arctic Waters do make you catch a cold.
4. Patience truly is a virtue.
5. Running the same 8 mile loop over and over again is really boring.
6. Colorado should never take their bright sunshine for granted. Even places that are bright all day and night don't compare to those bright Colorado rays.
7. The arctic tundra changes colors in the fall also. Its not just tall trees.
8. Life really is what you make of it.
9. 1st graders are adorable in every culture.
10. You can easily be a lazy teacher...but it is not nearly as fun or rewarding to do so. 
11. To be a not-lazy teacher one must work their buns off!
12. Riding on a 4 wheeler is always colder than walking- only ride if you're dressed accordingly.
13. Reindeer meet tastes good.
14.My hands are constantly swollen in humidity.
15. Dirt+ Rain= MUD, MUD, MUD!
16. Setting high expectations does not discourage- it motivates.
17. 1st graders can be annoying in every culture.
18. Laughter really is the BEST medicine.
19. When laughter doesn't work- hard work probably will.
20. Alaska is a cool place.



I am certain there is much more of Alaska and Kotzebue to take in. For now, things seem like they are starting to settle down and my life and place here is beginning to form. So far, I like it. But I miss home a lot too.

 Today when I walked to school there was no sunrise like usual. Instead it was dark. And the street lights guided me.

I have a lllloooooooooonnnnnggggg and ddddddaaaaaaarrrrrrrkkkkkk winter ahead of me.

lice.

Today started a day unlike any other.

don't get too excited on the juicy details. i don't have lice.

BUT we started our day in school today by putting every students belongings in a trash bag to be hung on their hooks. and we will begin every day this will until may 7.

there has been no break out of lice yet....in my classroom. but there will be (so i hear). its quite the problem here. when i was in elementary school we had everyone checked and went through the steps to ensure everyone was lice free.. here, everyone bags their items. and prepares for the lice ahead of them. which apparently is quite the load. i have heard i will "see them jumping." the kids wear fur. its part of life here. and the lice will live in that fur. and jump from fur to fur.

intense.

thank you fellow teachers.

I finished week two. it felt long at the time...but looking back, that was quick!

It was a mixture of fun and frustrating. I felt like it was more of a "daily grind" feel than the first week. I felt like I was pushing through material more than simply getting to know the students. I didn't like that as much. I felt like there were moments I was trying harder to fight the students and control the students than to be with the students learning and teaching together as a team. So that was frustrating. But as the week went on. I lightened up. I decided to quit fighting, and quit trying to do it all right, and simply do the best I could. I decided it was far more important to be a positive force in the students' lives than a controlling force. So that was my focus" to support the students." It was NOT perfect right away. And it still is a uphill battle. But, it certainly is better for everyone in the classroom. So that is what I am doing- supporting the students. Perhaps if I support them, they will support me in return? :) Still though, I feel a little be like this from time to time!....

I live with another first grade teacher here and two other student teachers. I am surrounded by teaching pretty much constantly. Obviously, when I am at school teaching is my life. I am at school at least 6 days a week. When I come home I am greeted by teachers. When I am at the AC (the store) I encounter many teachers. When I go to church, other teachers are at church. When I go for a run, other teachers are running, or berry picking, or walking. ...this is a gift from God...at least right now. You see, part of the reason I moved here was to commit myself to teaching. Back home I could teach all day, and play all night. I could easily leave the school and never think of it again until I had to be there again. I have distractions at home- tons of friends, tons of activities, and a plethora of other activities I could commit myself to. But here...there is not a lot. Except teachers. And when we get together, we talk teaching. We agonize over our tough kids, we laugh about the funny moments, we dread and dream about the year to come. We help each other on the hard days, and congratulate each other on the rather creative and outstanding moments. We giggle in the hallways as we overhear each other disciplining kids, or cheering them on. We roll our eyes at each other when the "too talkative" kids won't leave one of us alone. And at recess, we laugh about the moments that kept us going through the day.

Then when the day is done I am given a chance to connect with all the people back home I am missing. And low and behold, all of them are supporting me too! I can't thank everyone enough. It seems every corner I turn there is another person shooting advice, tips, support emails and always giving me a chance to further reflect and grow as a teacher. To all of the teachers back in Colorado, the ones I graduated with, the ones who taught me, and the ones who simply want to help. Thank you! You're support is valuable and appreciated.

Being a first year teacher. I couldn't possibly love and need this more. Sometimes I wonder what the hell I am doing in that classroom. Or ask myself "WHY DIDN"T COLLEGE PREPARE FOR THIS!?!?" or "What happens when your behavior system doesn't work!?!? What then?" But then, I hear the same questions asked from my colleagues and friends. I am able to vent about my struggles and hear constant suggestions on how to improve my teaching...I even get to give some advice out myself! I find myself in a constant state of reflection on my teaching. And I don't think I could become a successful teacher without this right now.

So to fellow teachers and supporters. THANK YOU. :)

surival of the fittest.

I made it through my first week. My last blog was written on Tuesday during the week- when all was happy and glorious. Turns out, that was the honeymoon stage. By Friday, I was barely standing. Don't get me wrong, I still love teaching, and my class. But good Lord, my classroom has become a test of my strength- it is survival of the fittest. May the strongest win...that's the students. They are relentless in their quest to defeat me. They have chosen one path- the loud, running, jumping, climbing, fidgeting, breaking things, defying path.

Now it is still clear that they want to learn. And when I come up with brilliant ideas to keep them from spinning cicrles around the room and get them engaged it is wonderful. But it can wear a girl out to keep that up from 9-3:30 5 days a week.

You see, in the summer here kids do whatever they want, whenever they want. The sun is always shining so the parents let them play during all hours of the night. They eat when they want, sleep when they want, play when they want. They pretty much are their own bosses. It works great for the summer. But then school begins...and the kids do NOT want to go to sleep, or listen to directions, or be told where to go. And why would they? They just had 3 months of complete freedom from rules. If I was a kid here, I would have a hard time adjusting back into school as well. After all I spend all day telling them where to be, how to be there, and when to be there. Recess is their escape from classroom expectations, but it is short lived.

They really do try. And they really do want to do well in school and listen to the teachers around them. But they are six- and sometimes that is tough for them. So for now I am keeping my expectations high, and attempting to stay strong and consistent. For if I don't, by December my classroom will not be run by me, but rather my students. So these first few weeks will be an adjustment for all of us. But I think we might make it there in time.

On another note. I had a good weekend. Not work free. But mostly relaxing. I went for a long training run-16 miles yesterday! My knees hurt. I also met some new friends who work at the hospital and we ate at a restaurant! That was thrilling- it was called Bayside. It is one of two in town that you can sit down at. It was pricey, but really fun to go out and do something out of the house.

AND the past two nights I have gone to bed after midnight or around midnight. Both nights- I saw the moon! And it was dark! That is the first time I have seen the dark since I left Colorado. From here on out it will be short lived- the light. They said it won't be long before I will watch the sunset right after school- and then I won't ever watch the sun set. From the time they start losing daylight they lose about 8 minutes a day..so even when I got here the sun was up for a much longer time. As it gets closer to winter, and to December and January they will start losing 10 minutes of light a day. But then, after January, we will begin gaining daylight quickly again at 10 minutes more a day and then 8 minutes more a day until again in June it is always light. I am learning quickly to not watch the sun for a clock like I can in Colorado. I need to actually watch the clock because the late night hours can really creep up on you before you know it when the sun is still bright as day at 11pm.

I am beginning to miss home. Especially with the start of football season. Ha. Weird, right? Watching football reminds me of home and Sunday afternoons with Kevin. It reminds me of going to Broncos games and autumn. Autumn won't really exist here. There are no trees to lose their leaves. That very specific smell in the air in Colorado during autumn won't be here. BUT there will be lots of costumes and "The Dance" (a party thrown at the Lions club here every now and again...I hear it can be quite outrageous). I can probably carve a pumpkin (for a price!) and I will even get trick-or-treaters. AND it will be snowy, which is JUST like home at Halloween. So, I suppose it won't be all that different, after all. :)

being a teacher

i love this...being a teacher that is. i have never worked so hard my whole life. last night, on my walk home from school, i calculated my number of physical hours at the school for work since i got here. In 8 days I had physically been at the school working for about 84 hours. but the great news is..i really think i am getting a handle on this teaching thing. and i sure do enjoy it.

the first five minutes was painful. so awkward..maybe not for the kids. but for me it was. but i got back into the swing of things. and we have had so much fun already. today we added dramatic gestures to a story read aloud, we marched around the room like a train. we danced to our clean-up music. we sorted insects and dinosuars and frogs. we played "magic ball" to get to know each other. we made a list of class rules: 1.be safe. 2.be kind. 3.be respectful. 4.be ready to learn.5. be happy. SMILE:)....they helped me with this. but the last rule was all on their own. its fabulous......but not everything is. after all, at any given point i have three to four kids rolling off their chairs and laying on the ground, flipping over in their chairs, getting up and trying to use the smart board instead of allowing me to, crying, running in circles, and punching their neighbor. and then i tell them they are not following our class rules. and suddenly they begin to learn again. we don't have recess until it is almost time to go home. and that kills them! and me! but we have made due thus far. we are already getting through the curriculum more smoothly than i expected to. and we are beginning to grow quite a bond as a classroom, regardless of how new it is. we work together so far. and we have a system that is beginning to arise- one that works for all of us. its not perfect- and sometimes its not pretty. but it is wonderful all the same. :)

and. it has been raining all day. its muddy. i wore my winter coat today. and i was cold at recess...i might need to do some shopping soon...REI lookout!

p.s. pictures to come on facebook! i promise! by the weekend.

OH BOY!

I can't believe I have only been here something like eight days. It feels like a month already....on a side note to those back home: I am sorry I have not been in much contact thus far. I really do intend on calling you. I have been at school for like 12 hours every day this week (including this weekend!) and just have not been able to call afterward cause the time difference...but I really do intend on calling everyone as soon as things settle down...


Speaking of settling down? When will that be!?! Tomorrow is the first day of my teaching career...as far as actual teaching goes. I am a bit nervous..and feel slightly unprepared...well, really unprepared. My classroom so far looks like it is mostly put together..kinda. But my brain. that is not put together in the least. My lesson plans exist. in some form...but like that will follow through. It will be an interesting day. But one to remember I am certain...Thank goodness for my co-workers though. Everyone is so kind and helpful and fun. Without them I would not have made it this long. They are all always helping me and working with me and inviting me to the events and such. I am so very thankful for them..

The same goes for everyone in the community here. I don't know that I have ever felt this welcomed. It started right off the plane last saturday with the big dinner of Pike. Then on Sunday the berry picking. Then Monday night, for my 22 birthday (WOAH!) a couple teachers made me ice cream cake and we celebrated. Then on Thursday I was invited to a dinner (I unfortunately could not attend due to work), and Friday we had game night at our house with members of the Baptist church. Then Saturday we had a BBQ after work at a 2nd grade teachers house. Then tonight my roommates made a big dinner and the neighbors came over..for a town with little for entertainment there certainly is a lot to do. But I enjoy it. And I enjoy them.

SO. On to tomorrow!! I hope it goes well. Wish me luck!

Running in the Arctic

Today I went for a long run.
This included an 8 mile loop on a curving road through the arctic tundra..at roughly 8pm...in shining daylight.
..my run concluded with an ice bath in the arctic lagoon behind my apartment.

...can't do that just anywhere. 

Thus Far

Woah. Where to begin?

I left Colorado on August 5 for Alaska…and that was the last time I ever saw the sky anything but light.  It is sunny about 20 hours a day right now.

Thank goodness my sister, Veronica, joined me on the trip here. She kept telling people it was for “emotional support.” That kept pissing me off…I had decided it was for fun- and fun alone.

We had a great time in Anchorage. We went to a furrier and tried on fur coats, and we did the tourist thing through the shops. We ate at a sweet café, Snow City Café. We played around and enjoyed each other’s company. It was so nice to have that time.

Then we got to Kotzebue. The first night was a blur. We got off the plane where the school district had a big sign and about a third of the plane went there for their ride. Veronica and I went to Dave Mason. He is the Middle High School principal here in Kotzebue. He took us home to his wife Linda Mason. I was to be staying with them; either temporarily or permanently was not determined. After I had just enough time to put my luggage down on the bedroom floor I was rushed off to The West House. The West House is one of the larger houses in town. The West family was making Pike for dinner. And that is was we ate, with about twenty other teachers and such from the area. That was fun, and overwhelming right off the plane.

That night I was offered a place to live in teacher housing with two student teachers, another 1^st grade teacher and two little kids (Fiona and Skyler).  SWEET..so add that to the list of thigns to do (move, find a bed..etc.). Then I went to bed at the Masons, at about midnight to a light sky. Then I woke up on Sunday morning for some berry picking on the tundra with some teachers I had met the night before. It was really cool to be out on the tundra. It is like walking on a giant sponge., literally. And there are berries and other plant life everywhere. We picked tons of delicious blueberries. They were so fresh and yummy! Colorado blueberries will never be the same to me. About half way through the berry picking I realized why Veronica came along—“emotional support.” It hit me. I am here to stay.

Sunday was mostly a day to “get settled.” Mostly that just meant I got really scared and wandered around town and from motion to motion wondering what this year would bring.

I spent the rest of Sunday walking town, watching football and eating free food from the school while I played on my new MacBook the school gave me while I am here. I started to feel better. Then on Monday I was given my classroom, my schedule, my classlist, and a lot of inservice information. This was followed by a group of teachers from a surrounding village armed with air mattresses and sleeping bags. They will be sleeping in my classroom all week for the district inservice and thus I cannot set up my classroom. I am forced to sit and think about how much I could be doing, but can’t. The good news is that I have a few giant Teachers Edition textbooks to read through in the next week, a new apartment to move into, a P.O. Box to get, an Alaskan I.D. to get and a lot of phone calls to return that I can work on until the teachers get out of my classroom.

Some background knowledge on my district- the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. This is a district in Northwest Alaska. It is comprised of 11 different villages, or 10 villages and one “town.” The town is my town, Kotzebue. It is the largest and has a bank, two stores, three restaurants, a DMV, a handful of apartment complexes, a few houses, a lot more trailer and mobile homes and a national forest (one tree!). It also has an airport where all ten villages must first fly to in order to later go to Anchorage, Fairbanks, or anywhere really, including the inservice. So for the district inservice the week before school starts each village flies in every teacher and sends them to Kotzebue school(s). They sleep on air mattresses in the classrooms and from there we inservice. It is kinda fun. We get free breakfast, lunch and dinner all week from the school and snacks during break times!

All this free stuff and fun inservice does not make us new teachers feel less overwhelmed. It makes us more overwhelmed. I am scared to death. How the heck do I do this? Not only am I living north of the arctic circle, away from friends and family and daylight- I also have to teach 1^st grade!?! YIKES! This will certainly be an adventure.