Another day, another chance.

There must have been something in the air yesterday. My kids were crazy! We seems to struggle with being respectful listeners... I guess we've got more work to do than I thought... Ahh! I don't really know what to do with them... Yesterday afternoon we were starting a social studies lesson and I had one student reading aloud to the class... Nobody was paying attention--they were all talking to their neighbor. So we stopped and talked about how we should be acting when someone is reading. Tried again--SAME thing happened.... I was so frustrated. I'm more than open to some help and ideas on this one.

I think I'm just going to put a bed in my classroom. Haha. I spend a good share of time here and its about to be more.... Lets look at my after school schedule for this week.... Monday-Online Alaska history/culture class 1630-1830... Tuesday-Volleyball organizational meeting... Wednesday-early releast at 1430, PLC 1430-1530, Sarah's birthday dinner at our house.... Thursday-After School Detention 1530-1600... Friday- Nothing yet! :) That doesn't even take into account my lesson planning or grading... So I think a blow up bed behind my desk is a great idea, wouldn't you agree? Haha.

I'm not complaining, I knew I'd be putting in long hours... And actually it makes the week go faster when I have milestones to look at each day. Happy Tuesday! Here's to a better day than yesterday.

End of Week 1...

Whew!! What a busy week... I felt like alot of the time I spent babysitting, but we worked alot on expectations in the classroom and school... We discussed appropriate behaviors. However, I also know we need LOTS more practice with that. Ha.

Its weird getting used to this new schedule... I am sort of stuck on Patrick's schedule of recess and specials and stuff... Kinda crazy. But, I do like this schedule... Kids don't get to school until 8:50, which means I don't HAVE to be here until 8, but I've been here by 6 most days because I have lots to do. Ha, this spring maybe I'll have an idea of what I'm doing before the day of school! :)

This weekend was much needed and wonderful. Friday afternoon I left my classroom and didn't look back. We went to the Tribal Hall for the dance to welcome the  new teachers to the community and welcoming the old teachers back. It was soooo fun!! I danced some with the natives and enjoyed getting to interact with some students in other classes in a setting outside school.

And then we had some family time... Minus Jana, the crip. Ha! Michael and I are going to convince the students that we're married because one girl asked me if I was "her husband." Gonna be a fun year... :)

Saturday was a sleep in day. :) It was glorious. I slept in until 9... Ha! Thats pretty late for me these days. I was lazy all morning then we headed to Michael and Zoey's for some breakfast around noon. Michael made us pancakes and bacon, such a tasty treat, and I didn't have to cook! :) Then I busted out Gramma Robison's white bread recipe... It was fun making the bread for the first time. While the bread was rising I went to visit Clark and Becca and Baby Emma... Nothing like an hour snuggle session with a 2 month old to put this girl in a happy mood. :) Thanks Clark and Becca for sharing your baby! Haha. Oh, and the bread was DELICIOUS!!! We ate 1 1/2 of the 5 loaves right away, while it was still warm.... Jana brought over some homemade strawberry jam and it was so scrumptious!

And Sarah and Jana enjoying the treat....

Saturday night we had a bonfire at "The Dock." We had lots of boxes to burn (the whole staff, not just Sarah and I)... It was a great time. I walked out in the Yukon for quite a ways... Got a pedicure, Yukon River style... Squishy mud, brisk water... :) Oh... And you'll notice the picture of me having a wet butt.... While it may LOOK like I peed my pants, what really happened was me being a goofball and trying to stand on one foot in the Yukon, losing balance and splashing one foot down to avoid falling in head first. :)

 Doing what I love.... Playing with fire! Haha. :) Someone asked what we should do if we caught the forest on fire... I told them it'd be fine, Smokey the Bear told me what to do. :)

 Me and my husband.... And someone's dog. Haha.

 Gotta love the weenie roast at the bonfire!! Wish we would've had some marshmallows and chocolate bars and graham crackers!! :( Next time! :)

 Not a very good picture, but this is the girls standing in the Yukon... Complete with Jana's crutches. Ha!

 Okay.... And the one above this comment and below is what happends on a Sunday night in Alakanuk... This girl gets bored watching the movie and begins to twist her hair.... Her roommate asks her if she is channeling her inner Bob Marley. But Sammy thinks its more along the lines of her 5th grade self when she wanted to be a hippy and have dredlocks, but her parents wouldn't let her... Thanks Mom and Dad for saving me from that. :)

 Then she straightened the dreds into long red straightness... Its actually really light, which is surprising for how little sun I've seen lately.

 Oh, here we are back to the Yukon... You can tell where the color changes a bit.... To that point its all about 1 1/2 to 2 feet deep... Past there it drops off a bit, I guess... I didn't make it all the way out there, next weekend! Ha.

 And apparently here I am channeling my inner gorilla. Ha!

 Burn baby burn!!!

 Little family shot... Sarah and Jana are "sisters" and Michael and I are "mom and dad".... Oh boy...

 Here's the pee pants pictures.... Haha... Gotta pee in every river I swim in, right?!

 "Here I come to save the day!!!"

 Eleanor was stuck in the mud in her boots... Like really stuck... In fact, we both almost fell over trying to get her boots out. Haha!

 And here I am being a goofball.... (I would say jacka** but I'm trying to keep this blog PG)!

 This is just a short walk from my house... I'm excited go out in a boat on the Yukon... Hopefully we can do that soon... And I'm also excited to see the river when its icy... :)

And there I am just hanging out in the river...

I know this post is super long and many of you have already seen these pictures because they're also on my facebook... But I think some people who don't have facebook are also following this blog...


So far I'm settling in just fine to living here... Someone asked the other day if I was homesick, and surprisingly I'm not really... I mean of course I miss everyone, but I haven't had a breakdown and wanted to come home yet... So I guess thats a good sign. :) We've gotten quite a bit of our food, but we're still waiting on a bunch of the canned goods.... Should be here this week or next, I'd imagine.

Oh, I had a WONDERFUL surprise in the mail from Danny and Susan and Noah and Ethan! A care package full of candy, books, chalk, and some pictures. It was soooo sweet of them and TOTALLY made my friday! :)

I would love to hear from you all, even just a card here or there. :) I don't know if I really want to put my address on here, so leave a comment and I'll figure out how to email it to you. :)

For now, I better go to bed... I'll be back at the school in about 7 hours, so I better get a little beauty sleep while I can. :) Love and hugs to everyone... Enjoy preparing for fair, or the last few hours/days of summer vacation!!!

AHHHH!!!!

Ahhh.... First day is over... I survived!! YAY! My kiddos are so sweet, one is VERY challenging, but it's gonna be a good year.

I've got a massive headache and I'm not sure if its from not drinking enough water or if its from being at school since 6 this morning, or if its because my bladder is full. Haha!! Oh well... One day down, 4 more til the weekend! Yay.

Definitely have lots of reworking to do but thats always an issue, right?

Here is a picture of my classroom this morning, before my munchkins showed up.

First Day of School

Well.... Kids will be in my classroom in approximately 20 minutes, and miraculously I think I am ready! Ahh!!! I've got all sorts of fun activities planned--mostly thanks to Mrs. Laeger! :) I love stealing ideas from awesome teachers. :)

I have a few pictures of my FINISHED classroom... I'll upload at lunchtime because its down to 10 minutes until kids are here! Super excited. :) Super nervous :S. AHH!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. Love and hugs!

End of inservice... Almost put together!

So much for daily blogging, huh?? Ha! Maybe once I get some lesson plans done and my classroom finished I'll have more time. :)

I had the last two full days in my classroom. I've had some wonderful help from our aides. They're the sweetest ladies and they are so helpful. I'll post pictures of my room when I remember to bring my camera to school.

Our house is mostly put together. I'm still waiting on one tote from Anchorage, should be here anytime. Sarah's and Michael's both came in already this week, so mine should be coming soon... My sewing machine and tote arrived from Paisley in good shape, thanks Mom!! :) You're the best. Now I've got to measure windows and get fabric ordered for curtains. Then to get started on some quilts. :) Haha.

This weekend is going to be busy... I've got a ton of lesson planning to do... I could use another whole week in my classroom before kids come, but we are running out of time, my friends. I feel like I need to do some cleaning of the floors in my room too.... The linoleum by the sink is gross...

Yesterday was like a heat wave in AUK. (Thats the airport code for Alakanuk, and its easier to type....) It was HOT! I was soaking in the sun, it was wonderful. Too bad we had to be in our classrooms most of the day... Isn't that how it always works?

Last night about 930 we walked to "the dock." Its down on the Yukon, I think... It was really pretty. There were some teens there than were laughing at the new teachers. Ha. I got some gorgeous pictures that I uploaded to facebook from my phone... I'll try to post them to this blog too so everyone can see. :) I need to get in the habit of having my camera in my pocket. :)

I better go get some stuff done in this messy classroom. We've got training today and then I've got a full evening of classroom and lesson planning. Might need an IV of coffee by tonight. :) I hope everyone is doing well!! Feel free to add me on skype or find me on facebook or email me. I miss you all and am looking forward to catching up over Christmas break! :)

XOXO

P.S. I'm thinking of buying a snowmachine.... Or maybe an ATV... Or MAYBE both?!?! :)

Inservice Week in Alakanuk

So... My classroom is starting to come together. I've been going crazy trying to decide where to put stuff and how to organize things. I know I'm forgetting all sorts of stuff, but thats okay. We'll work with it! :) I'll post pictures of my room tomorrow when it is all done and ready for the kiddos to come. :)

I have had some wonderful ladies helping me in the classroom. The aides here are natives and are very sweet ladies. I think they will be a great resource this year. The rest of the staff that is returning has been very helpful as well. They're constantly checking up on me to see if I need anything or need help looking for something. I am excited for the children to come on Monday. I just hope I will be ready! :)

We were supposed to go to an Eskimo dance tonight, but it got cancelled because many natives are still out fishing and such. So, we're going to maybe wander around and check stuff out... But I still haven't ordered my bogs or rain boots, so I don't know if I'll brave the mud in my tennis shoes... We might play some basketball and relax instead. :)

For those of you wondering about the roommate.... We get along great. We've both got first grade and she has some second graders as well. I think it'll be a good opportunity to do some kid swapping in certain areas. Our personalities are similar, but different enough that we seem to mesh well together so far.

Like I posted on facebook, I am in need of pictures from home in picture frames. So if anyone is DYING to send me some care package, that would be my request. :) I miss you all very much and will try to post every few days so you can keep track of me.

XOXO

Orientation in ANC

Hey all!
I am chilling.... No really... Its like 50 right now... in Anchorage for a few more days. We've had two long days of meetings and I've gotten to meet quite a few cool people. The roomie is cool. I think we'll get along just fine. We had dinner tonight at the Anchorage Museum... There was really cool stuff there. I'll post pictures after I get them on my computer. :)

I've got a new number, but my OR one still works until probably sunday.... Text me if you want my new number, but if you're Verizon you'll likely get a text back that says its a landline.... They're working on it. Hopefully they'll fix it soon. Ha.

Tomorrow is the big shopping day... I ordered a bunch of food online (You'll be sooo proud Ginny!) But we'll get some fresh fruit and veggies and some meat tomorrow to take with us on the plane.

I'm pretty stinkin excited that my district uses Saxon Math... We had a short training on it this morning, and its awesome. :) I didn't get to check out the reading as much, but its Rigby something. Hah, and step up to writing. You teachers out there probably know what I'm talking about. :)

I'm off to enjoy the remaining evening.... Its so strange that its still light here well after midnight. Its comparable to like 7 o'clock dusk... Its hard to get used to a sleeping pattern.

I miss you all, and I'll be talking to you soon. Night!

The Final Countdown

6 days.....

I had a wonderful weekend with all the family and friends that made it up to Mosquito Festival.

I fly out Sunday, early early early.... And I'm VERY excited for a new adventure... However, I'm a little nervous for the unknown... My next post will probably be next week when I arrive in Anchorage, then I plan to do a daily post about life in Alaska...

Feel free to forward the URL to friends you think might be interested in reading this blog. I'll leave it public so many can see it. :)