Happy Alaska Day! Let's go ice fishing! One of my students told me that I was supposed to drink a red bull and eat a burrito to celebrate. Not exactly sure what that's all about.
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Thursday, October 18, 2007
Happy Alaska Day!
This is just one of those funny "only in Bethel" kind of pics. I thought you'd enjoy this!
Happy Alaska Day! Let's go ice fishing! One of my students told me that I was supposed to drink a red bull and eat a burrito to celebrate. Not exactly sure what that's all about.
Happy Alaska Day! Let's go ice fishing! One of my students told me that I was supposed to drink a red bull and eat a burrito to celebrate. Not exactly sure what that's all about.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
No pics today!
Well, blogger is apparently having problems with uploading photos because I tried to upload a photo for my blog today and it said that it was unable to do so, but that blogger was aware of the problem and trying to fix it. Hopefully I'll be able to upload some photos again soon. Until then, I thought I'd just give you an update on things.
Things are really good for me at school. My students are really great. They are very attentive(most of the time) and just generally better behaved and more focused on their school work. The staff here is great too(most of them) and our administration is very supportive and effective. I learned yesterday that we are NOT a title I school, which I was surprised to hear. I'm not sure exactly why that is, but i'll find out eventually. I'm really busy...too busy...that's really my only gripe about school, but that's how it always is. I take on too much...it's my own fault. I am coaching the 8th grade robotics team. It has been a great experience so far. They use legos to build robots and have missions that they must accomplish using their robots. I am quite impressed with the program. At first I thought it was going to be cheesy, but it is actually pretty cool. Each year, they have a theme. This year the them is alternative energy. I have a link on the right side of the blog if you'd like to learn more. My team consists of 8 students. they went to the state competition in anchorage last year as 7th graders, so i am anticipating that we will be going again this year. they decided they wanted to fund raise to cover the cost of t-shirts for the team, so this weekend we are running the concession stand during the wrestling tournament and next weekend we are running two games at the halloween carnival. robotics is definitely keeping me busy. I am also one of the advisors for the 10th grade class. the 10th graders are in charge of the haunted house at the carnival each year, so i'm helping with that too. we have a pretty good haunted house laid out, but we havent started putting it together yet. the carnival is on the 26th, so there's not much time. I really wish i had all of my halloween decorations. I love halloween and it's a really big deal here so that's cool. I've heard that this carnival is kind of THE event of the season, so that's cool. I'm excited about helping with the haunted house, you all know how much I LOVE HALLOWEEN.
Avery will be wrestling in his first tournament this weekend in Bethel. Next weekend he will fly out to a village called Nunapichuk for their next tourny. Thanks Edna...for donating to Avery's push up a thon. He did 45 push ups in 1 minute! Wrestling is going well for Avery, but I'm sorry to say that he has been having some troubles at school lately. He has been getting in trouble at school. Nothing major...just little things, but still more than he has in the past. I'm not exactly sure what the deal is...a combination of a new place, new friends, and puberty, I think. He is still at the elementary school because his school is a 3-6 building. They do something called the "phase system" here. There are no grades. students take tests after learning something to prove that they are proficient in that subject before they can move on to something else. This lets students progress at their own level. It really is a great system and a great idea, but coming from a world of grades, its hard for us. I have for so long relied on grades as an indication of how he is doing in school, but there are no grades so it's hard for me to know how he is doing. He did tell me last night at dinner that he just passed several phase tests, so I guess that means he is doing well. I am hoping to meet with his teacher soon to find out.
Taboo has a cold in his eyes...it's kind of like when humans get pink eye. He's pretty miserable, but other than that he's doing pretty good.
It is cold here. It has been below freezing for well over a week now. The snow we got this weekend is still on the ground with no sign of going anywhere. the sun has been shining during the day, but it does not warm things up really. we are down to about 10 hours of daylight. we lose over 5 minutes of daylight each day. it is still dark in the morning at 8:00 when i come to school. It gets light at about 9am and dark again at about 7pm. pretty soon it will be dark when we go to school and when we come home. come november, december and january, it will only be light for a few hours while we are at school and that is it.
Dont forget to write me comments...many of you are getting better at it. I love hearing from you, it gives me something to look forward to. And if you do write a comment, be sure to check back at that comments section because i usually respond to your comment with another comment. I miss everybody! I everyone is well. love and hugs...and besos!
Things are really good for me at school. My students are really great. They are very attentive(most of the time) and just generally better behaved and more focused on their school work. The staff here is great too(most of them) and our administration is very supportive and effective. I learned yesterday that we are NOT a title I school, which I was surprised to hear. I'm not sure exactly why that is, but i'll find out eventually. I'm really busy...too busy...that's really my only gripe about school, but that's how it always is. I take on too much...it's my own fault. I am coaching the 8th grade robotics team. It has been a great experience so far. They use legos to build robots and have missions that they must accomplish using their robots. I am quite impressed with the program. At first I thought it was going to be cheesy, but it is actually pretty cool. Each year, they have a theme. This year the them is alternative energy. I have a link on the right side of the blog if you'd like to learn more. My team consists of 8 students. they went to the state competition in anchorage last year as 7th graders, so i am anticipating that we will be going again this year. they decided they wanted to fund raise to cover the cost of t-shirts for the team, so this weekend we are running the concession stand during the wrestling tournament and next weekend we are running two games at the halloween carnival. robotics is definitely keeping me busy. I am also one of the advisors for the 10th grade class. the 10th graders are in charge of the haunted house at the carnival each year, so i'm helping with that too. we have a pretty good haunted house laid out, but we havent started putting it together yet. the carnival is on the 26th, so there's not much time. I really wish i had all of my halloween decorations. I love halloween and it's a really big deal here so that's cool. I've heard that this carnival is kind of THE event of the season, so that's cool. I'm excited about helping with the haunted house, you all know how much I LOVE HALLOWEEN.
Avery will be wrestling in his first tournament this weekend in Bethel. Next weekend he will fly out to a village called Nunapichuk for their next tourny. Thanks Edna...for donating to Avery's push up a thon. He did 45 push ups in 1 minute! Wrestling is going well for Avery, but I'm sorry to say that he has been having some troubles at school lately. He has been getting in trouble at school. Nothing major...just little things, but still more than he has in the past. I'm not exactly sure what the deal is...a combination of a new place, new friends, and puberty, I think. He is still at the elementary school because his school is a 3-6 building. They do something called the "phase system" here. There are no grades. students take tests after learning something to prove that they are proficient in that subject before they can move on to something else. This lets students progress at their own level. It really is a great system and a great idea, but coming from a world of grades, its hard for us. I have for so long relied on grades as an indication of how he is doing in school, but there are no grades so it's hard for me to know how he is doing. He did tell me last night at dinner that he just passed several phase tests, so I guess that means he is doing well. I am hoping to meet with his teacher soon to find out.
Taboo has a cold in his eyes...it's kind of like when humans get pink eye. He's pretty miserable, but other than that he's doing pretty good.
It is cold here. It has been below freezing for well over a week now. The snow we got this weekend is still on the ground with no sign of going anywhere. the sun has been shining during the day, but it does not warm things up really. we are down to about 10 hours of daylight. we lose over 5 minutes of daylight each day. it is still dark in the morning at 8:00 when i come to school. It gets light at about 9am and dark again at about 7pm. pretty soon it will be dark when we go to school and when we come home. come november, december and january, it will only be light for a few hours while we are at school and that is it.
Dont forget to write me comments...many of you are getting better at it. I love hearing from you, it gives me something to look forward to. And if you do write a comment, be sure to check back at that comments section because i usually respond to your comment with another comment. I miss everybody! I everyone is well. love and hugs...and besos!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Think about me
Next time you're cussing out the gas pump...think about me! The good news is that I only have to fill up about once a month (which IS good news, because we only get paid once a month). The bad news is it costs about $150 to fill my tank. I'm only getting about 12 mpg. I've only put about 500 miles in two and a half months. Which is alot, when you consider there are only about 35 miles of roads, but not much when you consider I was averaging over 1000 per month back in Ohio.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
2 inches...at least
Brian and Janelle~ I got your invitation to the wedding today. I'm so excited for you, but bummed at the same time because I can't be there. The invitation is beautiful...I love the ribbon! I'll be thinking about you and hoping that everything runs as smoothy as possible from now until the big day. Miss you!
We got our first REAL snow today. We woke up this morning to about 2 inches on the ground and it has continued to come down all day. Winter came so fast and is in full force now. It seems like just last week that it was warm and rainy. It's been below freezing for about a week now! It just seems too early, but everyone said it would be here soon. Who scrapes their windows in October? Me, I guess! The snow seems more slippery than usual, but maybe I'm just imagining things. I almost slipped three times just walking from the truck into the post office.
We got our first REAL snow today. We woke up this morning to about 2 inches on the ground and it has continued to come down all day. Winter came so fast and is in full force now. It seems like just last week that it was warm and rainy. It's been below freezing for about a week now! It just seems too early, but everyone said it would be here soon. Who scrapes their windows in October? Me, I guess! The snow seems more slippery than usual, but maybe I'm just imagining things. I almost slipped three times just walking from the truck into the post office.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Push-up-a-thon
Here is a transcript of the letter I got from Avery's wrestling coach today...
Kilbuck Wrestling is having its annual Push-Up-A-Thon. This is done to raise money so we can travel to the villages to compete in tournaments. We also raise money to send qualifying sixth graders to the State Middle School (Tanana) tournament in the spring. All proceeds go directly to Kilbuck Wrestling, which consists of grades 4-6, boys and girls. The Push-Up-A-Thon is simple. You pledge a wrestler for as many push ups as they can do in 1 minute. They will come to practice on Friday, October 12 and do as many push-ups as they can in 1 minute. However many push-ups they do in 1 minute will be multiplied by the pledge amount you promised. If you wish to make a straight donation, you may do so. Please make checks to Kilbuck Wrestling. Example: $1.00 per push-up or $25.00 flat donation. It cost approximately $100.00 per wrestler to travel to the villages and $600 per wrestler to travel to the Tanana tournament, so any donations would be greatly appreciated. Travel is based on several items:
Here's a pic from last years wrestling season...
Feeling better...
I am feeling much better today, although my throat still hurts a bit and I still feel run down. I finally have my voice back, at least most of it. It is still a little hoarse. I spent all of Friday feeling like crap. I did end up staying home Friday and sleeping most of the day. Saturday my throat/voice was a bit better, but my body started feeling sore. I thought sure I was on my way to the flu. On Sunday morning, I woke up feeling about 90% back to normal...thank goodness. Today I am about 95% back to normal. Thanks for all of your well wishes.
Kilbuck Wrestling is having its annual Push-Up-A-Thon. This is done to raise money so we can travel to the villages to compete in tournaments. We also raise money to send qualifying sixth graders to the State Middle School (Tanana) tournament in the spring. All proceeds go directly to Kilbuck Wrestling, which consists of grades 4-6, boys and girls. The Push-Up-A-Thon is simple. You pledge a wrestler for as many push ups as they can do in 1 minute. They will come to practice on Friday, October 12 and do as many push-ups as they can in 1 minute. However many push-ups they do in 1 minute will be multiplied by the pledge amount you promised. If you wish to make a straight donation, you may do so. Please make checks to Kilbuck Wrestling. Example: $1.00 per push-up or $25.00 flat donation. It cost approximately $100.00 per wrestler to travel to the villages and $600 per wrestler to travel to the Tanana tournament, so any donations would be greatly appreciated. Travel is based on several items:
- Eligibility (academics and behavior)
- Fund-raising (wrestlers who bring in donations get picked first)
- Practice attendance
- Overall attitude and effort
Here's a pic from last years wrestling season...
Feeling better...
I am feeling much better today, although my throat still hurts a bit and I still feel run down. I finally have my voice back, at least most of it. It is still a little hoarse. I spent all of Friday feeling like crap. I did end up staying home Friday and sleeping most of the day. Saturday my throat/voice was a bit better, but my body started feeling sore. I thought sure I was on my way to the flu. On Sunday morning, I woke up feeling about 90% back to normal...thank goodness. Today I am about 95% back to normal. Thanks for all of your well wishes.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
SNOW...that's right...SNOW!
I took a video of our first Bethel snow, but the file is too large and it won't load on the blog. It is a cool video and I'll try to figure out a way to post it. So, for now you'll have to live with a still pic.
So, it's official...our first snow in Bethel happened on Friday, October 5th from about 4-5pm. It came down pretty good off and on for about an hour. Big, fluffy, white flakes. The ground is still too warm, so it didnt stick, but it still snowed. Avery was just coming home from wrestling practice when it started coming down pretty hard. It's been in the forecast for about a week now and it finally came. It's strange how quickly the seasons change on you here. It rained everyday in September and then we turned the page on the calendar and BOOM...Snow! It's cold now too, below freezing most of the day yesterday. It was just 60 and rainy the other day and now all of a sudden it's winter. At least we've got our winter gear taken care of, but i still need to get my truck winterized. I have to get an engine block heater at minimum, maybe even a oil pan heater and a battery blanket, too. People have said you need them all when it's gets really cold, others have said the more you get, the more you have to plug in. Electricity is VERY expensive here. Everyone is very conservative.
Snow...and on October 5th, no less.
So, it's official...our first snow in Bethel happened on Friday, October 5th from about 4-5pm. It came down pretty good off and on for about an hour. Big, fluffy, white flakes. The ground is still too warm, so it didnt stick, but it still snowed. Avery was just coming home from wrestling practice when it started coming down pretty hard. It's been in the forecast for about a week now and it finally came. It's strange how quickly the seasons change on you here. It rained everyday in September and then we turned the page on the calendar and BOOM...Snow! It's cold now too, below freezing most of the day yesterday. It was just 60 and rainy the other day and now all of a sudden it's winter. At least we've got our winter gear taken care of, but i still need to get my truck winterized. I have to get an engine block heater at minimum, maybe even a oil pan heater and a battery blanket, too. People have said you need them all when it's gets really cold, others have said the more you get, the more you have to plug in. Electricity is VERY expensive here. Everyone is very conservative.
Snow...and on October 5th, no less.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Bethel From Above
These are some cool pics I took of Bethel as we were flying over on our way home from Anchorage. Click on them to enlarge! Enjoy!
Thursday, October 04, 2007
I've Lost It!
I've lost my voice. At first, I thought I had lost it in Anchorage from all the hooping and hollering at the club. But it still hasn't come back yet and my throat has started to ache. I felt like crap at school today, just completely worn out and run down. I'm thinking about taking a sick day tomorrow. I really probably should, but I really don't want to. It's just harder to stay home than it is to just be there. I dont know...I'm debating. I slept for awhile after school, now I'm up late, but still not feeling well. Hot then cold, cold then hot. Can't sleep now.
Well, anyway, there are so many things I've been meaning to post on the blog. I'll try to get around to some of it soon. There have been several people who have emailed me lately and told me they were checking the blog. Hope everyone is well. Keep the comments coming...love you guys! Miss you too!
Well, anyway, there are so many things I've been meaning to post on the blog. I'll try to get around to some of it soon. There have been several people who have emailed me lately and told me they were checking the blog. Hope everyone is well. Keep the comments coming...love you guys! Miss you too!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Anchorage Mountains
Last weekend in Anchorage was like stepping back into the country after being gone in some far off third world place. The had paved roads, street lights, booming shops and restaurants, trees, and ...mountains. It was so nice to get a glimpse of something other than flat tundra. On Friday after we got off the plane, we caught the hotel shuttle to the hotel(days inn), then headed straight to the mexican restaurant next door for two HUGE margaritas. After thuroughly stuffing ourselves and having the drinks...we had a nice little glow. My friend from Anchorage met us at the restaurant and took us to a sports bar called the SeaGalley. We stayed there and had drinks for awhile before heading back to the airport to pick up luggage(they had put it on an Alaska Air flight because our plane was too heavy). After that, we headed out to the club, Chilkoot Charlies...AKA Koots. It was a pretty cool place. The concept of the club is just like Pierre's...5clubs in one. Except Koots is about 5times smaller than Pierres. We had a good time people watching, dancing the night away, and stumbling into random conversations with people that we met. This one guy was too funny...one time he got himself so worked up...his gum came flying right out of his mouth. Which reminds me...people are gumaholics here. I've never seen so many people who chew gum constantly. 
Well, anyway, on Saturday, I spent the day running errands mostly. Although, I did get to see the Harry Potter movie, which was awesome. Saturday night my friend from Anchorage took me to this great restaurant called the Cattle Company. Then we went out to that club again. We saw a live band perform and they were quite good. They did a rock version of Rianna's song "Umbrella", which worked out surprisingly well. The pic above is the view of the mountain from our hotel window. The snow line was about halfway down the mountians, there should be snow by the time we go back.
It was just so nice to get away for the weekend and let loose a little. Anchorage is a nice little city, doesnt seem like a HUGE city. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it.
Well, anyway, on Saturday, I spent the day running errands mostly. Although, I did get to see the Harry Potter movie, which was awesome. Saturday night my friend from Anchorage took me to this great restaurant called the Cattle Company. Then we went out to that club again. We saw a live band perform and they were quite good. They did a rock version of Rianna's song "Umbrella", which worked out surprisingly well. The pic above is the view of the mountain from our hotel window. The snow line was about halfway down the mountians, there should be snow by the time we go back.It was just so nice to get away for the weekend and let loose a little. Anchorage is a nice little city, doesnt seem like a HUGE city. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Avery's weekend without me
While I was away in Anchorage for the weekend, Avery was being watched by three other new teachers here in Bethel who have become our friends. They live on the next street over(we can see there house out the window), so it was easy for them to keep watch over him and Taboo while I was gone. They had a skate night in the gym of the elementary school and Avery dressed up in a chicken suit!
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