Fun times

Happy Birthday Lance!!!

Today I came home from work and quickly threw together a desert pizza, called to wish my brother happy birthday and headed out the door to Kat's. Iain and Kat made calzones for supper and Jana the speech language pathologist was there. We had a great time and had many laughs....Kat and I don't find as much time to laugh over stupid stuff as we used to :) but always seem to have fun when we get together.

didn't take time to putz with making the chocolate look fancy today-but was still tasty :)

My sewer pipes are frozen making for an interesting situation....Since Travis plans to leave next year I'm seriously contemplating moving. The house is bigger, no flush toilet so no sewer problems, a bigger water tank, away from the traffic of the school, a bathroom door, and more room for Rocky to run...sound like reasons to move? Still contemplating.... :)

This week we have spring break and so we get two days off. WHO-HOO!! am going to get lots of work done.

Well I have some more papers to finish tonight.

Have a wonderful week :)

Culture Week

Culture week 3/12/07-3/16/07

Net Mending: when out fishing in the fall big nets such as these are used, when the nets get holes, instead of purchasing a new net, the holes are repaired. In this picture, this elder is teaching a student how to sew and actually make new knots to repair the net.




Fluffy Knitting: a tough project, but turned out to be a lot of fun. This is the classroom I was in this week. We learned how to make a scarf and the kids had an amazing amount of dedication.




Some of the little guys learning how to make pot holders.













More of the younger kids making felt hand puppets.

Here we are nearing the middle of march with about 11 weeks of class left. Where has the year gone?

This past week brought around lots of thoughts (surprise,surprise). Next year my position was to be divided differently as the district office said we only need one Special Education teacher at our site and we have two. The principal was given permission to hire another regular education teacher so that meant the other SpEd. teacher and I would likely be doing half sped and half regular ed. (are there enough hours in the day to do that job?) ;) However this week my colleague told me he will be leaving. Meaning I will be the only SpEd teacher here; at first I was stressed,thinking about next year and the challenges it will bring; it will bring a lot of work and I will learn more about teaching high school special education. However after much thought, I realized...I will have my VERY OWN classroom :) :) This makes me so happy and balances out the fact that I will double my workload.

The weather dipped into the frigid category this week. Regular temps were down to -20 F with windchill readings as low as-45. One day found us with no water in the school as the water was frozen and another day found us with no heat in half of the school. The dentist spent another two weeks camped out in our workroom and he flew out on Thursday.

Our high school girls basketball team is playing in the district tournament in Bethel this week, they flew out on Wednesday, just before windchills dipped below the point when they could fly. So far they remain undefeated; the final championship game will be tonight. Go Lady Blue Jays.

Next week will be culture week and Child Find (looking for kids that haven't entered school, who may have special needs) The following weekend brings around spring break and the end of 3rd quarter and then the last week we have parent teacher conferences again.

Days are getting noticeably longer, and though it's been cold the sun is warm and remains up for nearly 12 hours. I am getting spring fever and ready to be outside doing things. Tonight we will lose an hour of time due to daylight savings.

My verse right now continues to be.."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Have a blessed weekend.

haha...tundra life :)

Well..most of you that have followed my blog, know about the challenges in getting a sewer pumped here in the village. I know my sewer is approaching the full status, so I decided to try and beat the system and call before it reaches capacity. I called a few days ago and asked to get it pumped. I had to laugh because the response I received was "We are on hold, there are snow drifts in the way" Not a shocking response:) However on my way home from work today I was pleasantly surprised to see them backing up to my sewer tank to pump it out. A few minutes later, I heard a knock on the door. One of the guys who pumps sewers was knocking to say...."Your tank is frozen, you'll have to plug it in" Again....what else is there to do, but laugh. They will hopefully come back next week to pump it. I'm thankful that I've learned how to conserve water; and if I don't have water, the school is right next door :)

Many things to thank God for, and to smile about.

This morning brought another incredible sunrise and mountains were again visible in the distance. The day looks beautiful though is deceptively cold much of the day windchills are still -20's F or -30's C. I think kids are getting spring fever, they are more restless and ready to be out in fresh air, rather than cooped up inside.

This weekend brings about a weekend, full of lesson planning, writing papers, and writing IEP's . It should also bring around some nice weather, and maybe some time to go walking, or maybe if I'm lucky a ride in the sled ;)

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Wow...time sure flies

Wow, here we are already in the beginning of March. Time sure does fly by.

This weeks news....the dentist has returned, and once again the workroom has been turned into a dentist's office. He realized what a great site Tunt is ;) The water guys are also back, I think the colder it is, the more they like to work.

Temperatures have dropped again, and in the last few days windchills have dipped to about -35 F and -38C. Tonight Kat and I braved a walk to the store, and found an eclectic assortment of stuff. (like a bucket for pooper scooping :P and a tea kettle) The walk to the store was bitter cold, but the wind pushed us on the way home. Planes cannot fly for school sports or other school activities when the temps drop to -35 F...it's too dangerous, even with snowpants, coat, and all skin covered. Planes will not fly when the ambient air temp is too low. Travis and some students were headed to Bethel yesterday but were stuck in the village due to the cold temps.

The highlight of my day today...I received sermon tapes in the mail from my church at home, it was so nice to hear a sermon and it spoke to my heart. God is good.

May you have a wonderful weekend, God bless.

BRRRR!!! but what an amazing sunset

Tonight, Kat, Iain, Rocky and I all went for a lovely walk...very frigid but beautiful. We walked along the river from near my house, all the way down around the runway and airport. We then followed the boardwalk back into the village.







Bundled up from the walk....current temperatures read -1F and -18 C with windchills of -18F and -28C

Incredible eh?--Taken while we were standing on the river

Taken by the airport, while standing on the river...so pretty

Who-Hoo!!

The only thing I can say is WHO-HOO!!! I feel like I've just finished a week of finals.

After about 15 hours of paperwork preparation and testing of a student. I had my biggest IEP meeting to date. I feel so much lighter and more relaxed now that I have that out of the way :) I have also completed my training for the alternate assessment....good reasons to celebrate I'd say :)

Now, the remaining task at hand is to catch up on my homework and I'm good to go.

Hmmm...other news....the washeteria has closed down indefinitely. This means that there is no laundromat for the people to use. The school washers have become more busy than ever.

This morning we had another incredible sunrise, and it was so clear once again the mountains were visible in the distance. Sun was coming up by the time I left for work, days are getting longer :). I wish I could try to explain the sunrises and sunsets; God has done an amazing job with His creation.

Happy Wednesday, have a wonderful day!!

Tundra Times

This past week, sped by in a blur, and the weekend flew by even faster. Already nearing the end of February and we are in our 24th week of school...unbelievable.

Contracts came out and I have signed on for another year in the Tundra. Love the job, and feel I am getting to know the ropes and learning new systems for doing things. Next year the position could be a bit different, as we currently have two special education teachers and funding from the district office will only allow for one special education teacher next year. Travis or I may end up with new or additional job duties.

This week, I am in the midst of preparing for my biggest IEP meeting ever....will be a time to learn more and ask questions to people if I don't understand, and spend many hours in the next couple days in paperwork :P I am also working on completing my training for being an Administrator for the Alaska Alternate Assessment, I have had 10-12 hours of polycom (2 way video) classes, and spent about another 5 hours working on training on the internet from home. This week I am giving a practice test, which will be sent to the district office. The people in the district office, sped department, will grade my scoring of the practice test and then I should be a certified tester for Alaska. The actual alternate assessment won't take place until March and into April.

Hopefully..I will be able to get out and go jigging in the near future, maybe once I catch up on homework and school work :)--or maybe I should live life and go before I get that done...if I wait it may never happen ;) The weather has cooled off a bit but was clear and beautiful...today temps were about 0F and -18C; windchills are back between -20 and -30 F.

Verses I'm focusing on this week...."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him."

May your week be peaceful and filled with joy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
wishing all of you a beautiful day
Some of my Valentines--I love being a teacher :) don't those melt your heart?

News

What do I have for news...hmmmm???

To start with, Kat and Iain had a beautiful wedding, the weather changed from frigid to sunny and beautiful and the day was perfect....Again CONGRATS!

The most exciting news that I have is that I HAVE WATER!!!---yes again, I went a few weeks with no water; let me add it makes things more interesting when you have the stomach flu and no running water...YUCK!

The weather here has been warm, around 32F/0 C however it has also brought on a surge of rain (great for the water tanks :) and many days we've had no planes due to wind, freezing rain etc.

One afternoon I saw a new person arrive, wondered who in the world this qassaq man was....the next day upon arrival at work I discoverd the staff room rennovated into a dentist office, complete with dental chair, and all things you see in a dentist office..The dentist took up residence in our workroom for about two weeks.

Throughout part of this time the water treatment building people were here, working from 7 am to 9 pm. making constant noise. This also meant water in the school was turned off for a weekend and a few weekdays after school. Hopefully the new water treatment center will be up and running with decent water by May. :)

As for me, my work load is gradually picking up speed. I am taking two classes and find the subject matter interesting (most times). I am working on getting my teaching license renewed for next year. I am certain about staying in Tunt. for another year, and beyond that....only God knows. I've had some opportunities and information sent to me for positions in Africa; God will open those doors if/when the time is right. I continue to think philosophically...I know that the semester I had philosophy was the worst of college....but now it's the way I think....who would have thought??
God continues to show his faithfulness, it is hard sometimes to stay on track and remain accountable while I'm up here. I have been blessed with online friends who either encourage me by sharing my beliefs, or challenging me because we have different beliefs. Though it's difficult...God continues to show me that He loves me more than any man in this world ever could and I need to have faith in all areas of my life---faith as a mustard seed, that will grow and branch out. We need to have a desire to follow, and act upon that desire. Desire can be asking the one we are closest too--our Heavenly Father, "ask and it shall be given unto you"

In the past few months, some of my online friends have challenged me and prompted me to do more research about the relations of religions...what are there similarities, and their differences? What are the fundamental beliefs in these religions? Most of the research has been in regards to Islam and Christianity; I've learned many things and come to understand more of what I believe, and to ground myself firmly. I've also had the chance to think, bounce questions off of, and discuss with my good friend, Abdelghani,who will explain the views he holds and ask about my views. I believe God is doing something with my online interactions, and is using it as a ministry field for myself and others. Sometimes this something...means life lessons that tug on the heart and pull and pull til you wonder what makes you stand. All in all...God is faithful, and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

Not sure that I have any other news for now...Have a wonderful day.