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! :)

Kotz in Winter

There are lots of things Kotzebue is...and many it is not. But there certainly is one thing it isabove all else- WHITE!

Since the week before Halloween there has been snow on the ground. Now don't think there has been a constant light dusting. It has been piling up into HUGE piles all over town. I don't remember what was where in town before snow..I don't remember how wide the streets actually were, I don't remember which streets were the paved streets, I don't remember which piles were once piles of dirt and which are just giant piles of snow. The most glorious part of these large amounts of snow is that is is as white as the day it fell. There is not an ounce of brownish slush, or black snow from vehicles or melting. It has been of 32 degrees maybe a handful of days since October, and the low traffic volume is not enough to melt the snow on its own.

It is awesome.
And beautiful.

Skyler and Fiona on the lagoon making snow angels...

Here are some pictures from around town int he past few weeks...

The snow drift next to our house...That on the left is our neighbors roof...

Snow drift in the parking lot.

The Lagoon at sunset.

The road into our apartment complex, VERY skinny...normally wide.

Our front porch

Frozen SHUT!

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. :)

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....


:)

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.

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.

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. :)

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!