Saturday Morning Happenings

Right now, I am sitting on my couch with a dog sleeping away his nervous energy from this morning's track meet. Four teams came in to Toksook last night to come and be apart of our meet. It was good to see new faces in the village in addition to the ones that showed up for the Blackberry Festival.

Last night Dawne, Jessica, and myself offered to dish out the food for the teams participating in the meet. It was a fun experience in that we really enjoyed hanging out with our new cook in a really organized kitchen. Following that, we headed around the school and entered into the gym via another entrance for the Blackberry Festival. It was a this point that I was finally able to pick up a sweatshirt that was designed by a community member. I opted for the blue as I wasn't sure I could carry off the bright neon yellow;)

After sitting and watching people come in and dance as well as buy raffle tickets, we called it a night. Heading back to the house, I started feeling a little queasy. I guess it is what another teacher told me was the Toksook stomach bug. Thankfully, it's a three day weekend- which makes Saturday and Sunday days of rest.

This morning I was able to drag myself out of bed to see some of the cross-country teams run. It was quite the run for them as it rained overnight and made it quite muddy for the runners.

But they tried their best and ran their little hearts out. It was fun to cheer them on and speak with some of the chaperones that are new to the district.

 Here's to another successful event held at NIS!

Evening Walk.

New Kuspuks!

Something new to wear on Fridays!

Love the Colors of the Tundra

Seeing all the red has gotten me in the mood for Fall even though it's still a month out. I have been lighting my vanilla chai candles, drinking my chai milk in the evenings and putting on my favorite chunky sweaters.

And to end on an even happier note, my students today surprised me with their ability to hold it together until 3:30 with the less than normal hiccups. Thanks to a teacher that took my ELA class and split it in half- I feel like I can do what I am supposed to do reading wise. This is a full week and my students aren't used to that just yet- but thankfully I can keep reminding them that next week is a VERY short week as we the teachers head into Bethel for District Wide. Yahoo!!!

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

Apparently not Denali-even though she is in her cage. Bogart opted to stay out of Denali's line of vision for the evening and found a spot where he could not see her and she could not see him.

Taking a breather.

Today Dawne, Bogart, and myself took it upon ourselves to head out to a place that looks so far away, and yet really isn't.

I have, for the past year, always wanted to know what was on the other side of this chunk of land.
On the way to this point, I was able to watch as a tugboat directed the barge to sea:

And our school cook getting his boat ready for halibut fishing. He said that he saw some sharks in the waters. I wanted to ask if it was megaladon, but thought he might not have seen the movie just yet.

As well as one too many bones for Bogart to chew on:

And onward ho..

Once we arrived back home it was "internet hook up" time. That was a big bust until I invited Rita, our neighbor over. She is quite the techie and was able to fix our internet problem after trying a number of things. What a genius!! I am thankful for quite the knowledgable group of teachers up here. 

Now onto some rest and then lesson planning...or just rest. We shall see. 

50-50

we try to keep to our own sides, but sometimes one of us takes up more space as time goes on.

I Am Thankful...

for the reminder today that I am currently working for one of the strongest culturally sensitive school districts in the United States.

I have been struggling this week with trying to figure out to make this Dual Language Program work with two grades every day. It has been quite the challenge in that I look next door and I see my old students doing what I want my current students to be doing. But the fact that I have a classroom now that is filled with more cultural materials does help the situation. Well, that and the fact that my old students can come and visit anytime.

I also have to consider all of the support that this school does offer. I have a principal that listens, a vice principal that offers me breaks throughout the day, and co-teachers that lend me hand when my students become lost in the "procedures." I know that I am in a good place when I sit and consider all that is happening, I am just also hopeful that things will settle down and that my students jump on board with being in a fourth grade classroom as well:)

It Just Came...

and I love it!
My new teaching apron- no more marks on my back pockets from pen leakage:) no more "where are my keys?" all because of this new addition.