Today it is a pretty cold February day. On the walk to school it was something around -33 or so. It was mostly caused from wind chill, but cold all the same. Then, by lunch it was snowing QUITE hard. By the end of the school day the after school activities were cancelled and everyone was to go right home after school- blizzard warning in effect until the morning.
So, with all this free time I had without coaching basketball we decdied to borrow a sno-go (snow mobile) and take a ride to the post office (such a treat! normally we have to walk!). On the way back from the post office the conditions were getting windier and snowier (I don't think those two adjectives are words...). We had three of us all together so two were on the sno-go while I rode in back on the basket sled (this is a sled that resembles a dog sled in shape but is made of wood and turned backwards and hooked up the back of snow machines). So, as I was sitting there, the snow was blowing into my face with great force. So, naturally I would close my eyes from time to time...
Well, by the time we stopped, my right eye was stuck shut. I just could not open it. No matter how hard to fought to open that eye-lid it would not. It didn't hurt- it just wouldn't open. It was probably only stuck that way for about 2 minutes before I went inside to thaw it out. BUT MAN, that was wild!!
And there is the story of the day my eye froze shut. :)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
First Grade Mumblings...part III
First Graders are the reason I like my job.
"That smart board ain't that smart, Ms. Ray. It always do the wrong thing."
Me: "Get your shirt out of your mouth, please."
Student: "Ms. Ray, shirts just taste SO good."
Me: "You really need to stop talking and jumping and playing army in the hallway, please."
Student: "Ms. Ray, I CAN"T CONTROL MYSELF!"
While coaching 1st and 2nd grade basketball...
Me: Ok. Husky Pups on 3..1, 2, 3...
Whole team minus 1: HUSKY PUPS!
Student: Ms. Ray, I didn't do the cheer.
me: Why is that?
Student: 'Cause I don't like huskies. I like Pirates!"
-After eating lunch in our classroom: "Ms. Ray, it stinks in here. You need to Febreeze this place."
We have a bunch of "Wild things" that fifth graders made after reading the story "Where the Wild Things are" in the library...."Ms. Ray. Those things are Chubacas (sp?...character from Star Wars..)
me: Actually, those are wild things from the book "Where the Wild Things Are..see, the story is right here..."
(moment of contemplation......) Student: No. You're wrong. they are chubacas.
student: "Ms. ray! You go paint on your shirt during art!"
me: "I know! Bummer, huh?"
student: "You need some clorox 2!"
student: "This looks like Boliva."
me: do you mean vanilla?
student: "what is boliva?"
me:"vanilla?"
student: "is boliva the white one?"
me: "yes. vanilla is white."
student: "what's the pink?"
me: "strawberry."
student: "oh. this pink paint looks like chabunny. YUM! Chabunny!"
student: "Ms. Ray, you're eating our party cupcakes."
me: Yes, I am. YUMMMM!"
student: how come i can't have one?
me: eat your lunch first.
student: ok. but ms. ray...are they good? do you like your own cooking right now?
me: alright first graders take a minute and think..do you want your dragon hat on your head or in your cubby? make a choice right now by the time I count to 10. Once you choose that dragon hat needs to stay where you put it and you may not play with it anymore until recess...because you guys are making ms. ray crazy with them."
student: well ms. ray, then you should not have let us make these....
:)
"That smart board ain't that smart, Ms. Ray. It always do the wrong thing."
Me: "Get your shirt out of your mouth, please."
Student: "Ms. Ray, shirts just taste SO good."
Me: "You really need to stop talking and jumping and playing army in the hallway, please."
Student: "Ms. Ray, I CAN"T CONTROL MYSELF!"
While coaching 1st and 2nd grade basketball...
Me: Ok. Husky Pups on 3..1, 2, 3...
Whole team minus 1: HUSKY PUPS!
Student: Ms. Ray, I didn't do the cheer.
me: Why is that?
Student: 'Cause I don't like huskies. I like Pirates!"
-After eating lunch in our classroom: "Ms. Ray, it stinks in here. You need to Febreeze this place."
We have a bunch of "Wild things" that fifth graders made after reading the story "Where the Wild Things are" in the library...."Ms. Ray. Those things are Chubacas (sp?...character from Star Wars..)
me: Actually, those are wild things from the book "Where the Wild Things Are..see, the story is right here..."
(moment of contemplation......) Student: No. You're wrong. they are chubacas.
student: "Ms. ray! You go paint on your shirt during art!"
me: "I know! Bummer, huh?"
student: "You need some clorox 2!"
student: "This looks like Boliva."
me: do you mean vanilla?
student: "what is boliva?"
me:"vanilla?"
student: "is boliva the white one?"
me: "yes. vanilla is white."
student: "what's the pink?"
me: "strawberry."
student: "oh. this pink paint looks like chabunny. YUM! Chabunny!"
student: "Ms. Ray, you're eating our party cupcakes."
me: Yes, I am. YUMMMM!"
student: how come i can't have one?
me: eat your lunch first.
student: ok. but ms. ray...are they good? do you like your own cooking right now?
me: alright first graders take a minute and think..do you want your dragon hat on your head or in your cubby? make a choice right now by the time I count to 10. Once you choose that dragon hat needs to stay where you put it and you may not play with it anymore until recess...because you guys are making ms. ray crazy with them."
student: well ms. ray, then you should not have let us make these....
:)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Eskimo Tough
I am NOT Eskimo Tough.
Today on my walk to school, about a fifteen minute walk, I saw another Eskimo Tough individual.
I have begun to notice the true difference between me and the natives:
No, it is not our skin color, our hair color, our eye color, or our difference in language-though all of these things do set me apart- it is their sheer ability to withstand the cold, and my inability to do so.
As I walk to school, or the store, or anywhere, I proudly flaunt my whimpy Colorado self. And when I say proudly, what I mean is I almost always lower my head in shame and hope no one notices who I am under all that winter attire. When I go outside this is what I wear (usually): snow pants, two jackets (one A GIANT down), boots, thin hat, fur hat, face mask, mittens and boots. What I see many extremely tough natives wearing: a thin coat, boots. MAYBE a parka and boots (parka being a beautiful jacket lined with fur). Are they hiding from the cold? no. Can you see their face? yes. Are they freezing? God, I hope so; otherwise I am such a sorry excuse for an arctic dweller.
Perhaps it is because they have lived here so long, that when the temperature hit -40 it simply seems like a chilly day; perhaps they just like to show off to all us white people how much better adapted they are; perhaps they have so much frostbite all over their face that they can't feel a damn thing. Whatever the case, well done: I have been put to shame.
By the way. It was -54 yesterday with windchill (-38 before wind factor). Today, a -50, -29 before wind. We did an experiment yesterday...we threw boiling water into the freezing air to see what might happen. It FROZE instantly, and then, evaporated so quick it never so much as begins falling to the ground. It was fascinatingly fun. I have a video. Now, when you watch this video, be certain to look just below the top of the railing of our porch. There, under all the steam, you will notice some rather "rainlike" pieces for only a second, then they will be gone. Those are the sheets of ice that form so quick, and disappear immediately.
Today on my walk to school, about a fifteen minute walk, I saw another Eskimo Tough individual.
I have begun to notice the true difference between me and the natives:
No, it is not our skin color, our hair color, our eye color, or our difference in language-though all of these things do set me apart- it is their sheer ability to withstand the cold, and my inability to do so.
As I walk to school, or the store, or anywhere, I proudly flaunt my whimpy Colorado self. And when I say proudly, what I mean is I almost always lower my head in shame and hope no one notices who I am under all that winter attire. When I go outside this is what I wear (usually): snow pants, two jackets (one A GIANT down), boots, thin hat, fur hat, face mask, mittens and boots. What I see many extremely tough natives wearing: a thin coat, boots. MAYBE a parka and boots (parka being a beautiful jacket lined with fur). Are they hiding from the cold? no. Can you see their face? yes. Are they freezing? God, I hope so; otherwise I am such a sorry excuse for an arctic dweller.
 |
| This is me, bundled up, after a walk home from church. I almost always collect a good hatful of frost. :) |
Perhaps it is because they have lived here so long, that when the temperature hit -40 it simply seems like a chilly day; perhaps they just like to show off to all us white people how much better adapted they are; perhaps they have so much frostbite all over their face that they can't feel a damn thing. Whatever the case, well done: I have been put to shame.
By the way. It was -54 yesterday with windchill (-38 before wind factor). Today, a -50, -29 before wind. We did an experiment yesterday...we threw boiling water into the freezing air to see what might happen. It FROZE instantly, and then, evaporated so quick it never so much as begins falling to the ground. It was fascinatingly fun. I have a video. Now, when you watch this video, be certain to look just below the top of the railing of our porch. There, under all the steam, you will notice some rather "rainlike" pieces for only a second, then they will be gone. Those are the sheets of ice that form so quick, and disappear immediately.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
100 days of 1st Grade
Yesterday, January 21, was the 100th day of 1st grade here at the Northwest Arctic Borough. The 100th Day does not mark anything too significant, other than a party and excuse to celebrate and play at school. It also marks my first 100 days as a teacher of my very own class.
How have the last 100 days been?
hard.
tiring.
enlightening.
silly.
heart-breaking.
hilarious.
interesting.
fun.
ridiculous.
discouraging.
joyful.
confusing.
successful.
unsuccessful.
ever-changing.
playful.
creative.
There are a million words to describe teaching, and especially one's first year. Every day, every lesson, is a chance to better improve teaching, and to reflect on what goes on in the classroom. Reflection often just brings up all the hundreds of ways to reach a student, to treat a student, to understand a student, to be be patient, to enjoy the moment, to survive the moment, and to teach. There is almost always a different way to have gone about things- and I am certain there is no right answer. BUT, I have learned there are some wrong answers.
I have learned that in reality, the way to handle particular teaching moments don't depend on the teacher, nearly as much as they depend on the student. Obviously, the outcome is dependent on both parties, teacher and student, but what needs to be done depends on the student. Often it seems like my day can be broken down into consequences: punishments and rewards. Every student requires their own set of reinforcements. Certainly, there is a class-wide system of management, but there is a certain level of individual attention for every student, either spoken or unspoken. For some students they need stern and unbroken discipline and structure, for others they need a bit more love, for the next one, perhaps they need extra explanation, while others might need to be left to work it out in their way and time. For some you must ignore them, for others you must be always attentive.
Each student has their own list of needs, all the while, the facts, the curriculum, the stories, the worksheets, the answers to questions must all get done. Each student needs to improve, needs to learn to read, needs to know basic addition and subtraction, and must be able to tell me what all living things need to survive; above all else, in first grade we are learning how to live in a world with guidelines, with structure, with a list of things-to-do, with a million personalities, with different needs, with different rewards, with different punishments, with a "one-size fits all" that doesn't fit quite right, and how to do it well- while getting along and smiling the whole time. In first grade we learn how to say what we like, and don't like, what we need and don't need, and we learn how to play with the person who does it completely differently than you, but realize that might just be ok. That book called "All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten" is dead on.
NOW, the only question left remaining is: HOW IN THE WORLD DO I DO THIS!?!?!
I have 72 days left to attempt the impossible- AND teach them to read and write.
Dear Lord, HELP! ....please. :)
How have the last 100 days been?
hard.
tiring.
enlightening.
silly.
heart-breaking.
hilarious.
interesting.
fun.
ridiculous.
discouraging.
joyful.
confusing.
successful.
unsuccessful.
ever-changing.
playful.
creative.
There are a million words to describe teaching, and especially one's first year. Every day, every lesson, is a chance to better improve teaching, and to reflect on what goes on in the classroom. Reflection often just brings up all the hundreds of ways to reach a student, to treat a student, to understand a student, to be be patient, to enjoy the moment, to survive the moment, and to teach. There is almost always a different way to have gone about things- and I am certain there is no right answer. BUT, I have learned there are some wrong answers.
I have learned that in reality, the way to handle particular teaching moments don't depend on the teacher, nearly as much as they depend on the student. Obviously, the outcome is dependent on both parties, teacher and student, but what needs to be done depends on the student. Often it seems like my day can be broken down into consequences: punishments and rewards. Every student requires their own set of reinforcements. Certainly, there is a class-wide system of management, but there is a certain level of individual attention for every student, either spoken or unspoken. For some students they need stern and unbroken discipline and structure, for others they need a bit more love, for the next one, perhaps they need extra explanation, while others might need to be left to work it out in their way and time. For some you must ignore them, for others you must be always attentive.
Each student has their own list of needs, all the while, the facts, the curriculum, the stories, the worksheets, the answers to questions must all get done. Each student needs to improve, needs to learn to read, needs to know basic addition and subtraction, and must be able to tell me what all living things need to survive; above all else, in first grade we are learning how to live in a world with guidelines, with structure, with a list of things-to-do, with a million personalities, with different needs, with different rewards, with different punishments, with a "one-size fits all" that doesn't fit quite right, and how to do it well- while getting along and smiling the whole time. In first grade we learn how to say what we like, and don't like, what we need and don't need, and we learn how to play with the person who does it completely differently than you, but realize that might just be ok. That book called "All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten" is dead on.
NOW, the only question left remaining is: HOW IN THE WORLD DO I DO THIS!?!?!
I have 72 days left to attempt the impossible- AND teach them to read and write.
Dear Lord, HELP! ....please. :)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Home for the Holidays= Realization of missing facts
It's been many weeks since I wrote. That is simply because I was home for the Holidays Which, by the way, was lovely. I was free to eat at any number of restaurants, with any kind of food I could possibly desire, and drive in cars, and wear no jacket, and sleep in late, and see the sun! All wonderful treats. It was an interesting transition both back to Colorado, and back to Kotzebue.
When I first got back to Colorado, I was not thrilled to be home. The sun was too bright, the city was too much, there were too many cars blocking my view of the horizon. I couldn't watch the sun rise and I was exhausted from too much activity. BUT, that lasted about 2 days, then I was excited and pleased to see everyone, and enjoy all the thrills of life in the "lower forty eight."
Just about the time I was certain I never wanted to leave Colorado ever again, it was time to leave Colorado. DOOM. So, back in Kotzebue I find myself randomly feeling at a loss because this weekend when I wake up I won't have a single plan, a single person to see, or a thing I must do. But, I am beginning to adjust, and the first graders have already tired me out enough I might just be perfectly content sleeping for the entirety of the weekend.
While I was home I was asked a number of questions. All questions I somehow didn't see coming. For some reason I was under the impression I was thorough in my blogging- and never left the facts out. WRONG. Here lies the answer to the FAQ's. :)
1) No, there aren't polar bears. They live a little farther north for the most part. But, even if they did live right here, they would have zero reason to come to town. There are miles upon miles of open tundra and ice...no reason to go to town where they would be instantly shot.
2) Yes, my house, and most houses, are on stilts. The perma-frost in these parts is simply too much for houses to withstand. Many buildings are raised up from the ground a few feet (maybe 4?).
3)Ya know, I am not certain what everyone does for work here. There is the hospital, and the school, most of which are mostly worked by lots of people from the lower forty eight who came up for work, aside from secretaries and such. There are two stores, a post office, a art gallery, a museum, a hotel, and a few other odds and ends that need running. Other than that, there is a mine like 90(ish?) miles from here called Red Dog Mine, some people work there. There is construction currently on a new hotel (Marriot! My oh my!), and otherwise I have no idea. There is very cheap/free health care for natives, and large sums of money for different things given a few times a year- so they get a lot of help that way. But, I don't know exactly what all is done for work here in Kotzebue. I will find this out, and the answer will come!
4)The entirety of wildlife I have seen since I was here includes:
Ravens
a moose (in anchorage)
Seals
Musk Ox (in Nome)
are here, but i have not seen:
caribou
fox
walrus
Beluga Whale
Grizzly Bear
(probably more as well...)
5)YES! I do see the Northern Lights. They appear every now and then on my walk to school. But on a clear night, if I go out in the middle of the night they can be spotted often. Clear night being the key word...its not always clear here. BUT, they are usually green here. They have been pink before, but for the most part, they are green.
6) YES! I do enjoy it here. YES, I probably would do another here or so here, if it weren't for the whole getting married and have a wonderful life in Colorado awaiting me.
7) It's not the coldest place on earth. haha. It is certainly cold, but more than anything it is because of wind chill. It si often a good -10 or so but the wind chill can bring that temperature WAY down to -20's and -30's. The coldest I have felt thus far is -35 with wind chill. It will get much colder than that I hear...but currently its warmer in Kotzebue than Colorado....The interior of the state, such as Fairbanks, is much colder. I live on the coast, and the ocean helps to regulate the temperatures...so people tell me. :)
8) Most people get around town here via 4-wheeler (known as "Honda"), and Snow Machine or Snow Mobile (known as "Sno-Go") here. There are lots of cars, but it is RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE to fuel up here, so other modes are far more common. I have no form of transport myself besides my own two feet. I walk everywhere, for the most part. I do enjoy this very much though.
That is pretty much all I can recall, but I am happy and willing to answer any other questions that arise. :)
For now I am happily teaching my wonderful class of 6-7 year olds and enjoying every moment. I am readjusting to being away from my Colorado life, but still certain moving here was a wonderful choice!
When I first got back to Colorado, I was not thrilled to be home. The sun was too bright, the city was too much, there were too many cars blocking my view of the horizon. I couldn't watch the sun rise and I was exhausted from too much activity. BUT, that lasted about 2 days, then I was excited and pleased to see everyone, and enjoy all the thrills of life in the "lower forty eight."
Just about the time I was certain I never wanted to leave Colorado ever again, it was time to leave Colorado. DOOM. So, back in Kotzebue I find myself randomly feeling at a loss because this weekend when I wake up I won't have a single plan, a single person to see, or a thing I must do. But, I am beginning to adjust, and the first graders have already tired me out enough I might just be perfectly content sleeping for the entirety of the weekend.
While I was home I was asked a number of questions. All questions I somehow didn't see coming. For some reason I was under the impression I was thorough in my blogging- and never left the facts out. WRONG. Here lies the answer to the FAQ's. :)
1) No, there aren't polar bears. They live a little farther north for the most part. But, even if they did live right here, they would have zero reason to come to town. There are miles upon miles of open tundra and ice...no reason to go to town where they would be instantly shot.
2) Yes, my house, and most houses, are on stilts. The perma-frost in these parts is simply too much for houses to withstand. Many buildings are raised up from the ground a few feet (maybe 4?).
3)Ya know, I am not certain what everyone does for work here. There is the hospital, and the school, most of which are mostly worked by lots of people from the lower forty eight who came up for work, aside from secretaries and such. There are two stores, a post office, a art gallery, a museum, a hotel, and a few other odds and ends that need running. Other than that, there is a mine like 90(ish?) miles from here called Red Dog Mine, some people work there. There is construction currently on a new hotel (Marriot! My oh my!), and otherwise I have no idea. There is very cheap/free health care for natives, and large sums of money for different things given a few times a year- so they get a lot of help that way. But, I don't know exactly what all is done for work here in Kotzebue. I will find this out, and the answer will come!
4)The entirety of wildlife I have seen since I was here includes:
Ravens
a moose (in anchorage)
Seals
Musk Ox (in Nome)
are here, but i have not seen:
caribou
fox
walrus
Beluga Whale
Grizzly Bear
(probably more as well...)
5)YES! I do see the Northern Lights. They appear every now and then on my walk to school. But on a clear night, if I go out in the middle of the night they can be spotted often. Clear night being the key word...its not always clear here. BUT, they are usually green here. They have been pink before, but for the most part, they are green.
6) YES! I do enjoy it here. YES, I probably would do another here or so here, if it weren't for the whole getting married and have a wonderful life in Colorado awaiting me.
7) It's not the coldest place on earth. haha. It is certainly cold, but more than anything it is because of wind chill. It si often a good -10 or so but the wind chill can bring that temperature WAY down to -20's and -30's. The coldest I have felt thus far is -35 with wind chill. It will get much colder than that I hear...but currently its warmer in Kotzebue than Colorado....The interior of the state, such as Fairbanks, is much colder. I live on the coast, and the ocean helps to regulate the temperatures...so people tell me. :)
8) Most people get around town here via 4-wheeler (known as "Honda"), and Snow Machine or Snow Mobile (known as "Sno-Go") here. There are lots of cars, but it is RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE to fuel up here, so other modes are far more common. I have no form of transport myself besides my own two feet. I walk everywhere, for the most part. I do enjoy this very much though.
That is pretty much all I can recall, but I am happy and willing to answer any other questions that arise. :)
For now I am happily teaching my wonderful class of 6-7 year olds and enjoying every moment. I am readjusting to being away from my Colorado life, but still certain moving here was a wonderful choice!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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. :)
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. :)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
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. :(
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. :(
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