As per request, the cute kiddos have recently proclaimed:
Student:"Ms. Ray, All day people tell me what to do...ALL DAY people are always telling me what to do."
Me: "How do you feel about that? You don't like that?"
Student: "They're just always telling me. All day."
While looking at a picture of apple pie in a book we were reading about apples...
Me: So, what kinds of things can we make out of apples after they grow and we pick them?"
Student: "PIZZA!...made of apples...? (very skeptical of their own response)
Student: "Who won the silver war?"
Me: "You mean, The Civil War?"
Student: "Yeah! Who won the silver war?"
In the middle of math...
Me: "Did you have a question?"
Student: "I smell play-doh. It stinks like play-doh in here."
(we don't have play-doh anywhere in the classroom)
Student: "Ms. Ray, yesterday I...wait. Not Yesterday. What was Yesterday?
Me: "Wednesday."
Student: "What come behind Wednesday?"
Me: "Tuesday."
Student: "Yes. On Tuesday, my cat ate a spider."
Me: "Ew. Gross."
Student: "No."
Me: "What is your cat's name?"
Student: "His name is: 'I don't know what to name him.'"
Me: "Today Ms. Ray and Mrs. Douglas are having the grand opening of our store. You can get this sports car for only 98 cents. This snow machine is only 20 cents..."
Student (interrupting): "I want the Wii! How much is the..."
Student 2 (interrupting student): "Ms. Ray, I am going to buy you. How much are you?"
While walking to music.
Student: "Ms. Ray. Do I look pretty?"
Me: "You look beautiful."
Student: "You too. But I just really need to fix this. (tugs on my shirt in lots of angles, then puts it right back how it was) Now you look pretty too."
Turned in Book Report...
Book Title: The Little Book About God
What was the book about?:
FOR GOD IS SO SO SO GOOD.
Me: "When I say the magic word, please find your desk" (the current magic word being Spring).
......"Cring,...Bling,....Bring...." (the class laughing and enjoying the jokes....)
Student: (not enjoying the joke). "Ms. Ray, you keep wasting my time."
"Ms. Ray if it is raining outside that means God is crying. But if it is snowing outside, that means God is barfing."
Writing Homework:
"When I grow up I want to be a Doctor because I want to help people so they could feel good to go to school every day that's why I want to be a nice good Doctor."
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Alaskan Vacation- SB '11
As promised, here lies a detailed description of Spring Break.
Spring Break here in Kotzebue can hardly be defined as "Spring Break." Although, it certainly is a break, it is only two days off. But, I'll take what I can get. Because our school district begins summer vacation May 7, we have nearly no days off, as many other districts do. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, etc., are sacrificed holidays for a long summer. We even have in-service on Saturdays. Though while those days are in session I am jealous of those taking the day to ski or relax back home, I am pleased that come May 7, I am set for a 3 month summer.
That being said, I took of Wednesday night on a much delayed flight to Anchorage, where I missed my connecting flight to Fairbanks. Well, that is Alaska. Never travel in this state, or to Kotzebue, unless you're prepared to be flexible. After spending a delightful night on the airport floor I FINALLY met Kevin in Fairbanks. I was so excited to see him i promptly told him not to talk to me while I took a 2 hour nap immediately after arriving at our hotel.
After my nap, and feeling refreshed, we caught our shuttle to the memorable Chena Hot Springs about 60 miles from Fairbanks. Chena advertises themselves as a "resort." So, it was slightly unexpected to find what we found, which was a somewhat outdated and fancy (by our standards) in almost no way at all. But, that does not mean it was lacking in character or enjoyment. The first, and most thrilling event (for me, not for Kevin) was the hot springs. The hot Springs are natural from the area and come naturally at 165 degrees. It is cooled to about 104 degrees, and sometimes 107 degrees, for their hot springs tub. It is surrounded by rocks, and filled with a rock bottom. The rock bottom for me acts as a massage tool, for Kevin it was like a knife stabbing into his feet at all moments. Needless to say, I was more excited to soak in the pool than he was. Along with hot springs we went on a dog sled ride, a ice museum tour, a geothermal tour, and an Aurora snow ride (with the hope of finding Northern Lights). The Ice Museum is in a building year round kept at 20 degrees. Inside are 4 rooms you could stay in for the night, a bar (where we drank Appletini's!), a small "dining" area, some stairs, and a wedding alter (where they have held 125 weddings!) It is a very neat place. The Geothermal tour was also very cool, and taught us all about how the entire site of Chena is heated and run off of Geo thermal energy, provided by the hot water of the hot springs. And, of course who would not LOVE a dog sled ride? But no, we did not get to be the musher, just ride in the sled. Then there was the snow ride where we got in a snow cat and drove to the top of the mountain to see the Aurora...on a full moon. So, while we did see the Aurora, it wasn't the brightest I have seen them. They were only out for like 3 minutes and so faint, but Kevin was pleased, so I too was pleased.
The fun did not stop there. Then we went to Fairbanks to spend the next two days until our flight out to Anchorage. We started it out right with seeing a movie (such a treat when you can't see one in Kotzebue). After that we ate at Chili's (SOOOO GOOD!). Later we attended the World Championships of Ice Sculpting and also had a later dinner at Silver Gulch brewery outside of Fairbanks where we proceeded to insist upon the cooks making us a pizza not on the menu, which ended up being delicious. This is where our first ridiculous event took place. After dinner we checked out the souvenir shop and bought a GIANT brewery sign for our house- knowing we weren't certain how to get it home.
The next day began with a trip downtown to watch the North American: a 3-day 20+ mile dog sled race that takes place in Fairbanks which was cool in itself. To top it all off, there was a Alaska Fur Trappers auction. As Kevin and I watched the items sell from Bear skins to Musk Ox furs, we were in awe. When we should have walked away, we instead got our money out, got a number, and bought a fox (for Kevins dad) a wolf (for my mom) and a Lynx (for ourselves). After some extensive buyers remorse, we wondered what in the world we were going to do with these furs. He could not take them home with him (because he was not going home), it was silly to send it to Kotzebue with me (and then pay for it to go to Colorado), but it was Sunday, and there was not an open post office in sight. SO, off to Office Max we went, furs in hand to spend WAY too much to FedEx our newly purchased furs. It was one of our more irresponsible, and less than financially sound choices yet as a couple. But hey, when in Rome, right?
The entire weekend was absolutely fabulous. Probably my best Spring Break to date. :) I hope those of you receiving furs in the mail are grateful! :)
The pictures are on Facebook, if you're interested. Unfortunately we did not snap any shots of the furs.
Spring Break here in Kotzebue can hardly be defined as "Spring Break." Although, it certainly is a break, it is only two days off. But, I'll take what I can get. Because our school district begins summer vacation May 7, we have nearly no days off, as many other districts do. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, etc., are sacrificed holidays for a long summer. We even have in-service on Saturdays. Though while those days are in session I am jealous of those taking the day to ski or relax back home, I am pleased that come May 7, I am set for a 3 month summer.
That being said, I took of Wednesday night on a much delayed flight to Anchorage, where I missed my connecting flight to Fairbanks. Well, that is Alaska. Never travel in this state, or to Kotzebue, unless you're prepared to be flexible. After spending a delightful night on the airport floor I FINALLY met Kevin in Fairbanks. I was so excited to see him i promptly told him not to talk to me while I took a 2 hour nap immediately after arriving at our hotel.
After my nap, and feeling refreshed, we caught our shuttle to the memorable Chena Hot Springs about 60 miles from Fairbanks. Chena advertises themselves as a "resort." So, it was slightly unexpected to find what we found, which was a somewhat outdated and fancy (by our standards) in almost no way at all. But, that does not mean it was lacking in character or enjoyment. The first, and most thrilling event (for me, not for Kevin) was the hot springs. The hot Springs are natural from the area and come naturally at 165 degrees. It is cooled to about 104 degrees, and sometimes 107 degrees, for their hot springs tub. It is surrounded by rocks, and filled with a rock bottom. The rock bottom for me acts as a massage tool, for Kevin it was like a knife stabbing into his feet at all moments. Needless to say, I was more excited to soak in the pool than he was. Along with hot springs we went on a dog sled ride, a ice museum tour, a geothermal tour, and an Aurora snow ride (with the hope of finding Northern Lights). The Ice Museum is in a building year round kept at 20 degrees. Inside are 4 rooms you could stay in for the night, a bar (where we drank Appletini's!), a small "dining" area, some stairs, and a wedding alter (where they have held 125 weddings!) It is a very neat place. The Geothermal tour was also very cool, and taught us all about how the entire site of Chena is heated and run off of Geo thermal energy, provided by the hot water of the hot springs. And, of course who would not LOVE a dog sled ride? But no, we did not get to be the musher, just ride in the sled. Then there was the snow ride where we got in a snow cat and drove to the top of the mountain to see the Aurora...on a full moon. So, while we did see the Aurora, it wasn't the brightest I have seen them. They were only out for like 3 minutes and so faint, but Kevin was pleased, so I too was pleased.
The fun did not stop there. Then we went to Fairbanks to spend the next two days until our flight out to Anchorage. We started it out right with seeing a movie (such a treat when you can't see one in Kotzebue). After that we ate at Chili's (SOOOO GOOD!). Later we attended the World Championships of Ice Sculpting and also had a later dinner at Silver Gulch brewery outside of Fairbanks where we proceeded to insist upon the cooks making us a pizza not on the menu, which ended up being delicious. This is where our first ridiculous event took place. After dinner we checked out the souvenir shop and bought a GIANT brewery sign for our house- knowing we weren't certain how to get it home.
The next day began with a trip downtown to watch the North American: a 3-day 20+ mile dog sled race that takes place in Fairbanks which was cool in itself. To top it all off, there was a Alaska Fur Trappers auction. As Kevin and I watched the items sell from Bear skins to Musk Ox furs, we were in awe. When we should have walked away, we instead got our money out, got a number, and bought a fox (for Kevins dad) a wolf (for my mom) and a Lynx (for ourselves). After some extensive buyers remorse, we wondered what in the world we were going to do with these furs. He could not take them home with him (because he was not going home), it was silly to send it to Kotzebue with me (and then pay for it to go to Colorado), but it was Sunday, and there was not an open post office in sight. SO, off to Office Max we went, furs in hand to spend WAY too much to FedEx our newly purchased furs. It was one of our more irresponsible, and less than financially sound choices yet as a couple. But hey, when in Rome, right?
The entire weekend was absolutely fabulous. Probably my best Spring Break to date. :) I hope those of you receiving furs in the mail are grateful! :)
The pictures are on Facebook, if you're interested. Unfortunately we did not snap any shots of the furs.
Monday, March 21, 2011
March
Well Hot Dog. It is March.
March has been a whirlwind.
I ended February in style by taking a weekend trip to Alyeska, AK for some fun snowboarding, among other exciting events like a movie and dinner outings. Alyeska is a wonderful ski resort with a delicious diner at the top. But it wasn't up to par with Colorado, except for the price of that delicious diner. But, a challenging course was not on my agenda for the weekend- just a simple course did the trick. When the jet landed in Kotzebue, it was game time.
I began March with Report Cards- which can be stressful, and time consuming. Even though I only assign grades such as N, U, I, S, and E (Needs word, Unsatisfactory, Improving, Satisfactory, and Excellent), I find myself often torn over the proper grade for a student. There are so many things to take into account- there is the actual grade given per assignment and recorded in the gradebook, there is notes and observations made during class, the conversations, their growth, etc, etc. It can be time consuming when all is said and done- don't be fooled parents: teachers do take time to do it, and they care very much what grade they give, there are just so very many variables to take into account.
After a week of reporting came a week of parent teacher conferences: no comment. We can all assume it was a blast had by all...BUT, it is always a pleasure to meet the parents of students and get to know them a bit more- always gives some insight into the child and their actions and abilities at school. Unfortunately, getting the parent to the conference is the first step in that experience, and it is much easier said than done.
After conferences I was promptly greeted with two days off (via my personal leave) to hang out with my visiting sisters and mom! HOORAY! My family came to stay for a long weekend (Thurs.-Sat.). Despite one broken arm, a few flimsy pillows, an air mattress, and a rescheduled inservice at school, the trip went swimmingly! So, we ran into a few hurdles along the way- it would not be a proper family vacation without it. For their arrival we were blessed with the most glorious, long lasting Northern Lights I have seen yet. They were unbelievable. They were colorful and dancing across the whole sky all night long. Normally, this is where I would post my amazing pictures of such an event, and brag about my sweet camera, that takes the best long exposure pictures. But not to worry, I still have not figured out how to use that thing (this weekend is promising, I hope)! It was absolutely wonderful to have them visit and see Kotzebue. I hope they enjoyed it, too.
Then, back to school Monday morning, for a quick week then our (much too short) Spring Break arrives. And I was off once again to Anchorage Airport where I spent a sleepless night playing "Words" on the guy's phone who attempted to sleep on the floor across from me. Then, on to Fairbanks Thursday morning to meet Kevin! YAY KEVIN!. That was a treat and half. We went to Chena Hot Springs, and played in Fairbanks..but that might require a whole new blot post in itself (more to come).
Now, I am back at school ready for action. There are seven short weeks remaining until school is out for summer. I find myself in a mixed state: sometimes thrilled to get the show on the road, while other moments begging God to slow it down momentarily for me to soak up all the joy that my class brings. The thought of leaving them not only for summer, but for good is breaking my heart. So, while still attempting to stay as focused as the returning sunlight will allow, we have happily decided to enjoy our classroom."We" being the kids and I. We did not discuss this, but we have grown so into each other this year that if I feel it, and I am in the mood to soak up every ounce of their love, they will dish it out in large increments. However, they will hold tight to it in moments of disagreement or frustration. So, we have worked together lately to work out the kinks and lessen any frustration. Instead of rushing through, or demanding maturity, we have taken to appreciating laughter and enjoying a good joke. Somehow we have found a way to be silly, and smart.
Or at least that is how I am feeling today- it is entirely possible that tomorrow brings a whole new me, and them, filled with something brand new altogether, and potentially frightening. Here is to hoping the joy lasts!
March has been a whirlwind.
I ended February in style by taking a weekend trip to Alyeska, AK for some fun snowboarding, among other exciting events like a movie and dinner outings. Alyeska is a wonderful ski resort with a delicious diner at the top. But it wasn't up to par with Colorado, except for the price of that delicious diner. But, a challenging course was not on my agenda for the weekend- just a simple course did the trick. When the jet landed in Kotzebue, it was game time.
I began March with Report Cards- which can be stressful, and time consuming. Even though I only assign grades such as N, U, I, S, and E (Needs word, Unsatisfactory, Improving, Satisfactory, and Excellent), I find myself often torn over the proper grade for a student. There are so many things to take into account- there is the actual grade given per assignment and recorded in the gradebook, there is notes and observations made during class, the conversations, their growth, etc, etc. It can be time consuming when all is said and done- don't be fooled parents: teachers do take time to do it, and they care very much what grade they give, there are just so very many variables to take into account.
After a week of reporting came a week of parent teacher conferences: no comment. We can all assume it was a blast had by all...BUT, it is always a pleasure to meet the parents of students and get to know them a bit more- always gives some insight into the child and their actions and abilities at school. Unfortunately, getting the parent to the conference is the first step in that experience, and it is much easier said than done.
After conferences I was promptly greeted with two days off (via my personal leave) to hang out with my visiting sisters and mom! HOORAY! My family came to stay for a long weekend (Thurs.-Sat.). Despite one broken arm, a few flimsy pillows, an air mattress, and a rescheduled inservice at school, the trip went swimmingly! So, we ran into a few hurdles along the way- it would not be a proper family vacation without it. For their arrival we were blessed with the most glorious, long lasting Northern Lights I have seen yet. They were unbelievable. They were colorful and dancing across the whole sky all night long. Normally, this is where I would post my amazing pictures of such an event, and brag about my sweet camera, that takes the best long exposure pictures. But not to worry, I still have not figured out how to use that thing (this weekend is promising, I hope)! It was absolutely wonderful to have them visit and see Kotzebue. I hope they enjoyed it, too.
Then, back to school Monday morning, for a quick week then our (much too short) Spring Break arrives. And I was off once again to Anchorage Airport where I spent a sleepless night playing "Words" on the guy's phone who attempted to sleep on the floor across from me. Then, on to Fairbanks Thursday morning to meet Kevin! YAY KEVIN!. That was a treat and half. We went to Chena Hot Springs, and played in Fairbanks..but that might require a whole new blot post in itself (more to come).
Now, I am back at school ready for action. There are seven short weeks remaining until school is out for summer. I find myself in a mixed state: sometimes thrilled to get the show on the road, while other moments begging God to slow it down momentarily for me to soak up all the joy that my class brings. The thought of leaving them not only for summer, but for good is breaking my heart. So, while still attempting to stay as focused as the returning sunlight will allow, we have happily decided to enjoy our classroom."We" being the kids and I. We did not discuss this, but we have grown so into each other this year that if I feel it, and I am in the mood to soak up every ounce of their love, they will dish it out in large increments. However, they will hold tight to it in moments of disagreement or frustration. So, we have worked together lately to work out the kinks and lessen any frustration. Instead of rushing through, or demanding maturity, we have taken to appreciating laughter and enjoying a good joke. Somehow we have found a way to be silly, and smart.
Or at least that is how I am feeling today- it is entirely possible that tomorrow brings a whole new me, and them, filled with something brand new altogether, and potentially frightening. Here is to hoping the joy lasts!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Death by Jillian Michaels
As most of you can either read in this blog or assume, because it is the Arctic, Kotzebue is really cold. We have been in a constant state of winter since October...and I won't see anything but winter and fur hats until the day I leave here. Needless to say, I am a little bit tired of snow, and extremely tired of bundling up to step outside.
Along with ridiculously cold outside for what seems like an endless amount of time, Kotzebue is also 500 miles from the city. That is code for really expensive food. Our grocery store, if fully stocked, proudly displays its $10 gallons of milk, $1single bananas, and $11 bags of grapes. However, a box of Shells and Cheese, made by none other than Velveeta, rings up at only around $3 a box. Even if you splurge and buy all healthy items...they are half-way to rotten the day you take them home thanks the the few day trek it took them to get up here....SO, eating healthy can be less than thrilling in taste, and empty your wallet fast.
So what do most of us do? Sit inside, eat junk, and gain weight. And, we are hiding away in the Arctic...so it is easy to justify such an act. After all, not a sole will find me here.
The truth: I am venturing south in less than 3 months. It will be swim suit season, and more importantly wedding season- my wedding season. SOOOO..weight gain at this point is less than preferred.
With healthy snacks tricky to obtain at all times for a reasonable cost, exercise is a must- but how does one exercise when it is below zero outside? Well, there is the tredmill and the eliptical that I can get my hands on after school if I find someone with a key to the room to let me in...and if I don't, or its the weekend...its workout video time!
Now, don't get me wrong, workout videos have been a great invention- they have helped many people reach their goals when say, they can't get to a gym, and its too cold to exercise outside. But month after month of Jillian Michaels telling you how badass she is can bring a person to anger in seconds. If I hear Jillian tell me one more time that SHE, not me, SHE is shredding my glutes as she stands there on the screen in a bra and yoga pants while I jump up and down sweating to death in my living room- I am gonna lose it.
This new found resentment of working out in my living room or classroom cannot all be blamed on entirely for Jillian Michaels- after all I (yes I) have begun to shred those glues, but anyone ever so much as heard the voice of the P90X guy? On the upside of things, he does entertain the idea of it being YOU actually doing the work, not HIM. But the man can't count he says 1,2....3,4...5, as though you take a break between 2 and 3 and 4 and 5..and Mister, I am not a "kid" so stop referring to me as one.
So, what I am asking for, is a specially designed Arctic workout video. This video will hold all the right elements..a normal looking human being who did not eat apples for an entire day before shooting the video half naked. It would cast normal people struggling through the workout, wearing clothes, and looking as miserable as I usually feel. It would also include a less than cocky leading individual who would tell you how to do the workout, and turn up the tunes loud and fast to pump you up during each routine. And not once will anyone say "I am watching you," because everyone knows you can't possibly see me through the TV screen on the tape you shot over a year ago. I will watch myself thank you. If I have the stamina to move my kids desks everyday and go through the motions of this workout while the janitors come in and out changing the trash in my classroom, certainly I can be trusted to do the workout without you "watching me."
To those of you with a warm sun to melt your snow and warm the air- USE IT! :)
Along with ridiculously cold outside for what seems like an endless amount of time, Kotzebue is also 500 miles from the city. That is code for really expensive food. Our grocery store, if fully stocked, proudly displays its $10 gallons of milk, $1single bananas, and $11 bags of grapes. However, a box of Shells and Cheese, made by none other than Velveeta, rings up at only around $3 a box. Even if you splurge and buy all healthy items...they are half-way to rotten the day you take them home thanks the the few day trek it took them to get up here....SO, eating healthy can be less than thrilling in taste, and empty your wallet fast.
So what do most of us do? Sit inside, eat junk, and gain weight. And, we are hiding away in the Arctic...so it is easy to justify such an act. After all, not a sole will find me here.
The truth: I am venturing south in less than 3 months. It will be swim suit season, and more importantly wedding season- my wedding season. SOOOO..weight gain at this point is less than preferred.
With healthy snacks tricky to obtain at all times for a reasonable cost, exercise is a must- but how does one exercise when it is below zero outside? Well, there is the tredmill and the eliptical that I can get my hands on after school if I find someone with a key to the room to let me in...and if I don't, or its the weekend...its workout video time!
Now, don't get me wrong, workout videos have been a great invention- they have helped many people reach their goals when say, they can't get to a gym, and its too cold to exercise outside. But month after month of Jillian Michaels telling you how badass she is can bring a person to anger in seconds. If I hear Jillian tell me one more time that SHE, not me, SHE is shredding my glutes as she stands there on the screen in a bra and yoga pants while I jump up and down sweating to death in my living room- I am gonna lose it.
This new found resentment of working out in my living room or classroom cannot all be blamed on entirely for Jillian Michaels- after all I (yes I) have begun to shred those glues, but anyone ever so much as heard the voice of the P90X guy? On the upside of things, he does entertain the idea of it being YOU actually doing the work, not HIM. But the man can't count he says 1,2....3,4...5, as though you take a break between 2 and 3 and 4 and 5..and Mister, I am not a "kid" so stop referring to me as one.
So, what I am asking for, is a specially designed Arctic workout video. This video will hold all the right elements..a normal looking human being who did not eat apples for an entire day before shooting the video half naked. It would cast normal people struggling through the workout, wearing clothes, and looking as miserable as I usually feel. It would also include a less than cocky leading individual who would tell you how to do the workout, and turn up the tunes loud and fast to pump you up during each routine. And not once will anyone say "I am watching you," because everyone knows you can't possibly see me through the TV screen on the tape you shot over a year ago. I will watch myself thank you. If I have the stamina to move my kids desks everyday and go through the motions of this workout while the janitors come in and out changing the trash in my classroom, certainly I can be trusted to do the workout without you "watching me."
To those of you with a warm sun to melt your snow and warm the air- USE IT! :)
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