Playing Mom

So, until Wednesday I am an instant Mom for two very active, very different boys and two dogs. So of course, got to church late and all those fun things. The younger one wants to be like his older brother which, of course, annoys the older one then it all starts. One starts something and the other wants to be a part of it (and do it better, of course.) It is quite an interesting situation. I was watching something and a line in it said something like babies come that way because parents are babies in ability and as the children grow, so does the ablilities of the parents. Don't get me wrong, they are great kids but it is definitely a different world.

I am not sure how tomorrow morning is going to go. The clothes are all laid out and bookbags are all prepped but you never know. My biggest worry is that the dogs are not used to being in the house all day, so I do not know what surprises will be waiting when we get home. (I am going to stop by on my lunch break and I hope that will be enough :)

This weekend was Stake conference which is held in Soldotna. The general session was going to be broadcasted this year to us. Usually it is recorded and sent later. Unfortunately, we were called on Friday night that the broadcasting equiptment from the HS was not compatible with the equiptment at our building. Everyone was so disappointed, they were so excited when it was announced that we would have stake conference in real time. We were able to see the adult session and it was so good. One thing about being on an island, you cannot just load up a van and drive over the miles in order to save the cost of the travel. Some of the lifers here have only been to one live session of stake conference. Even if you took the ferry instead of the jet, the cost to go is very high. (And that is assuming that the weather is cooperative.) It's definitely a huge change. I don't feel that removed from everything....I don't know if it just because it hasn't hit me yet or what.

The sun was out today, from inside it looked so warm, but then you went outside and it was freezing. I have a new appreciation for Satin Lips and my skin hydrator. The other day one of my students skin was so dry and cracked I just wanted to load him up with sample.

We are in hunting season. The island has black-tailed deer, mountain goats and of course the Kodiak Bear. Students are going out with their parents and there is a lot of side talking on what they hope to get and what they look forward to having.

Alaska Weather

So all week, I have been looking outside when I first get up to see what has happened through the night. Snow has been reported all over but not for the island. Well, this morning that all changed.... It was a warm 32 degrees around lunch time and the sunny areas have already melted. I have yet to get back up to Pillar, was going to go today but it is inservice day with several meetings this afternoon so tomorrow is another day.....sorry, Beth. (The pic above is at the school when it started snowing last week. That one only lasted about 5 min and nothing stuck.)

The temperature dropped dramatically about 6 pm tonight and I got my first experience with the ice here. There is no arguing, winter is definitely here! The storm is supposed to swing back through tomorrow and Saturday. I am glad the truck has 4 wheel drive. (This is looking out the door during a break of our inservice....)

As promised, I took a picture of the moon last week, it is so huge! (Just glad I did it before the temp dropped.) I don't know if it because we are so close but it seems like you could just reach out and touch it. Words can't describe it well, and the pic really doesn't do it justice, guess ya'all are goin' to have to just come up and see for yourself :0)

We start playing instruments next week, as the reeds come in....hopefully tomorrow. 100 kids on instruments for the first time, guess it's time to stock up on asprin... Actually, I don't know who is more excited about it. It will definitely be.................interesting.

Crazy Week

This has been one of the craziest weeks since I got here!

I have been taking courses at the college here, the district brokers the classes, so that the teachers can take certain graduate level courses for $40! It is a great support. Normally, they are on Tuesday and Thursday, but this week, the elementary school I service had an open house on Tuesday so I went to the Wednesday session. Every night this week, I didn't get home until about 8 pm. It was crazy, but next week we only have students for three days and then inservice for the remaining two.

The grading period ended on Friday, it was the short one for the year. (The next one is longer, so the length of both the semesters are the same.) It is definitely flying by.....leaves me with that "I'm always behind feeling." I am sure though, no amount of time would ever get me caught up since I am always thinking of something new I could do. Just like my theory on Christmas break, no matter how much time you have before to prepare for it, there is always something you will think of to add so it isn't restful. Time after the Holidays, however is spent cleaning and putting things back "in order" much slower paced.

Sarah, you will be happy to hear that people here are very fashion forward and they are looking forward to helping me re-establish my wardrobe. The second-hand stores here are fabulous and this weekend I received some donations as the yearly closet clean-out is in full swing. I have found a color specialist, and a hairdresser too....now to just go :0)

I received three of the boxes this week that were sent in late September (Thank-you , Mom!) It was quite and interesting feeling, on one hand I was very glad to have my stuff here with me, but it also brought a feeling of homesickness too. Nothing overwhelming, but it was an unexpected aftertaste. The blanket Beth gave me has not been delivered yet, and I will be so excited when it gets here.

It has been very stormy the last two days, with some ice on the road as well. The middle of this week also saw motorists on the side of the road on the way out to the base. The leaves have mostly all fallen, except of course on the evergreens, and the grasses have turned brown. The differences int he colors is amazing and beautiful, you can see the contour of the land better, in my opinion and the difference between the evergreens and the rest of the foliage is gorgeous. I went up to Pillar Point today, but forgot the camera. It was very windy, I could fill it rocking the truck a little bit so it was probably a good thing I forgot it, the wind was probably a bit more powerful than I would have been prepared for....and it was cold. I'll head up on a less stormy day and take some pics. Jason, you would definitely think we had mountains here. Often, you cannot see the peaks as they disappear into the fog or clouds (there is a difference of opinion on which it actually is at times.)

My neighbor is doing well, the rain and cold don't deter him much and he is so good. He never tries to come in the apartment, which is good since the carpet is white! The other day there were some other dogs on the street that come over to say hi as I checked my mail and Toby ran down the lane barking. (He was faster than I gave hm credit for.) He stood between me and the other dogs until he had sniffed them all out and deemed them good enough to associate with. It is nice being so well defended!

Well, I am picking up my neighbor and her son from the 10:30 jet and want to take my time on the road so I better get. Have a great week!

Things I Miss

So, the biggest question I am asked is what do I miss about Arizona. So, here it is. Yes, I miss the heat. I miss the warmth of the sun that goes to your very core at times. But to be out of the dry air is amazing as well. Ya, it's cold but there are some amazing coats, gloves and hats as well :)

I miss my gentlemen. Clint and Reece, I miss having someone to hang out with, go out to eat with and open my doors. I really miss my cats. Sometimes I come in and forget that they aren't here. It also hits me from time to time how far away everyone else is, I can't just pop in on Mom, Anne or most of the people I am used to. I am very glad for the phone and e-mail.

But it is really worth it...Everybody here is really great. I can't tell you how nice it is to be in a totally different enviroment. It really is an adventure. It is also nice to see how things are done in another state. All I have really ever known is Arizona, for the most part. It is really great to expand my horizons.

Besides the beautiful landscape, the great students and the wonderful people, coming to Alaska has given me a lot of intangibles that would be to hard to put into words. I can't tell you how glad I am that I did it and how I am looking forward to being here for quite a while. I am equally glad for all the experiences that I have had in the "lower 48" and I must tell you all how you need to come and see this place! Needs to be at the top of your to-do list! Well, got some work to do before bed...hope ths answered the question well enough... :)

Lovely Weekend

This weekend has seen a bit of rain, but also has had quite a bit of sun. It was gorgeous. While, I admit I am more used to the sun, I have always liked cloudy days and still like them. (So, for me, it is gorgeous all the time..hehehe)

Didn't do a ton this weekend, just kicked back and relaxed. Quite a habit I am getting into, seperating school time and my time. I did go over to some friends of mine for dinner...haystacks! How fun was that! They are really great people and tons of fun!

It is getting to the time of year where the Bald Eagles are very thick in trees, I am told. I am looking forward to that. (While I never wanted to see bears, I am excited about the Eagles.) I have a lot of trees outside my windows, so I am hoping for some really great pictures!

There is a flower here called the fire flower and it blooms from the bottom up. People on the island say they know it is time for school to start when the top flowers bloom. (I took this the week before school started.) We also have ravens here that are huge! I saw one at Safeway the other day and was completely impressed with it's size. (And a little intimidated about whipping out my camera and taking a pic...sorry) It perched right on a tailgate of a truck in the thick of the weekend shopping. I wonder one has ever flown in before??

It's Friday and Sunny!

I love Fridays, they really are great! (Means I get to sleep in a bit tomorrow...maybe.) And the sun is out in full force, or at least as forceful as it gets here. It should be in the mid 50's today...quite warm....ha!

Work is going really well, I think. My schedule is a bit crazy every other day and then wonderful every other day. The kids are really talented. I would really love, someday, to get all the students I have ever worked with together. It would be very interesting, in a very good way. Our first concert here is on October 30th. The elementary school I work with has only had instruments for a couple of weeks but they are doing really well. They know two of their songs and only one more to go. 6th Band played for the school board meeting (which is broadcast across the island to all the villages.) It was fun and different, the kids did well. (Magma is their fav in the 6th grade so far...)

So coming home today was kind of sweet. My next door neighbor was outside waiting for me. He is so cute and comes out everytime I come home lately. I sneaked a picture of him on my steps for Beth, since I know that she would never find my discription good enough.




His name is Toby.

Beth Wins...Again

You would think, after all this time, I would have something up on my youngest sister, but again, she wins....

The flight up here was quite interesting...We landed in Anchorage at 12:30 am and above the city, you could see the sun on the horizon. After a 5 hour layover, we were in the air again on the way to the island...once we got through the clouds, you could see the sun again. It was an interesting feeling to go to bed at 9:30 at night and it being a while until sundown. It really is gorgeous up here! When I got on island, it was rainy (so a regular day) but it was so green. The guy in front of me on the plane was taking it all in as much as I did. Come to find out that he was my counterpart for my job here....go figure. The mountains are amazing, especially on a coudy day, it looks like the disappear right into the sky. There is even a Shrek forest -(as my neighbor called it) tall trees covered in moss.



(I didn't take this, but it's exactly like the island!)














Yes, I have seen bears. Yes, they are huge!! Yes, they took off as soon as they saw the vehicle. Yes, I was freaked out. I have also seen salmon so thick in the streams that their fins stick out it was amazing! And yes, I have eaten fish...and liked it. First night here I had Halibut green chili enchilladas!! The best thing I have had was steak and ribs though. They were BBQed and amazing!

So I am heading into the first winter up here and it snowed two days ago. Just a dusting and it didn't stay - in fact it was sunny yesterday. Today it rained and was cold. It may snow this weekend....it is a wet snow and the main problem is ice. Fortunately studded tires are allowed here.