last of 2010

"The joy of the journey is in the ride"

Well friends this will be the last one from 2010 I believe---I'm still in Ohio visiting with lots of friends, eating tons of food, and just relaxing. I haven't hardly even shopped yet, but that is the plan for today!


I can't believe it's the New Year. The other night I was trying to figure out what is so special about the New Year and why we have such a big celebration. Then it hit me--its to reflect on the good, to be thankful for what we have, and then to look forward to the things to come in 2011. Some people often get stuck on the negative aspects of the year and dwell on those, but not this girl. I am living in the Now and celebrating all the great things that are currently happening. I am not sure how well I did that before this experience, but now I realize the importance of finding those experiences and things that make you happy. The whole FISH philosophy contributes to that mentality I believe and just being happy so in return I can help make others happy. I can honestly say that after this past year I am pumped for see where this journey takes me and what is yet to come. I am at a WAY different point then I was last year at this time and it is a FANTASTIC feeling.



10 great things that happened in 2010:

1. Meeting all my new friends and "family" in Quin. Sharing tons of laughs, embarrassing moments, and knowing that I can go to these people if I need anything.

2. Trying fish for the FIRST time ever as well as eating caribou, riding next to a dead caribou in a plane, and many other brand new experiences.

3.Finishing up my permanent sub position and landing my first teaching job in Alaska.

4. Building new friendships and strengthening some old

5. Surviving my first car accident with a deer. Probably one of the scarier moments of 2010, but def a very funny one looking back on it now.

6. Going on many road trips to see concerts and other exciting events.

7. Getting a tattoo 2 weeks before I left for Alaska that to this day still makes me laugh because it is so big and yet another funny story. (It is cute though I'll have to admit)

8. The last month before I left for Alaska having a great time with friends before I hit the road or plane in my case.

9. The song Dynamite

10. Attempt after attempt of trying to cook and it not turning out so well. I will have to say that this is getting better though.


My plans from here are to enjoy the rest of the week catching up with people, and then head back to Alaska on Sunday. My travels are not near as long on the way back, so hopefully everything goes smoothly and I'll be back in the classroom Tuesday morning to teach.




I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year. My great adventures will pick back up in January!

Ohio

So those of you who follow--I finally made it back to Ohio--after 46 hours of flying, long layovers, little children, and scary flying I made it. The feeling I had when I arrived was so much different then I imagined. I am super pumped to be home with friends and family, but I think it's making me appreciate the people and experiences around me in Quinhagak.

I appreciate the low key life style I think and the ability to just be me. It's only been three days and I miss kids screaming my name as I walk to school or to the postie. Going to the mall the first time was SUPER overwhemling and for a girl who LOVES to shop, I only made it for about an hour. I am pumped for this week at home though catching up and seeing familiar faces.

After being gone for 5 months--I feel this Christmas is different for me then any other. I think sometimes we get caught up in the "christmas blues" Hurrying around to buy gifts, making sure everything is perfect that we forget the meaning of Christmas. This Christmas to me it means being able to spend time with my family and friends. Being able to share my experiences and stories with them. The presents are a perk and I won't lie I will look super fashinable when I return, but this Christmas I am soaking up the laughs, the memories, the overall family experience.

Okay enough with the sappy sappy blog--- I want to wish ya'll a very Merry Christmas =) Bring on the new year! Can't wait to see what is in store for me!

Hallelujah

I just wanted to share this video created by Jim B. a 5th grade teacher here at Quinhagak and his students. He spent many hours working on it--so just take a look--it will warm the heart.

Merry Christmas from Quin.

how many more sleeps?

So I'm sitting here sipping on some hot cocoa listening to pandora (Britney Spears station of course) waiting for Al to wake so we can start the day.

Now I'll explain the title of my blog---here in the village to count down until something the children use the phrase how many sleeps. I think this is especially funny because before coming to Alaska I was using the same phrase when my days were numbered in Ohio. Everyone would get a confused look on their face when I would use this term and now its funny that its all I hear now. When leaving for Bethel or anywhere the children will ask How many sleeps until you come back? Lately though its been Al and I telling each other how many sleeps we have left until our trip home.

I have super exciting news--my camera charger is no longer lost-WOOOO---but I'm not surprised something else is. I am not sure how someone can manage to do it, but I lost an entire Christmas present. I can not find that thing anywhere. How does one manage to lose something like that I have no idea, but I do not put it past me. NEW GOAL: Stop losing things. I am sure we are going to find this present in a silly spot months down the road, but for now that thing is lost!

Saturday night we exchanged gifts with the family. It was great!!! I got tons of new owl things (owls are becoming my new thing). We gave Jim and Steph a mug with a picture of our faces on it--I mean come on--what could be better then that? Jim got a wolf shirt. I need to take pictures of this thing because it is just too good to be true. It was yet another great family night and a great way to end 2010.

That was written Sunday and NOW ITS TUESDAY WHICH MEANS I'M HEADED OUT TODAY...WOOOOOO. I don't think I have slept much in the last few days. Yesterday was our Christmas program at school which went pretty well and then today is a half day.

I'll leave you with some pictures of the past few weeks since I now have my charger. Merry Christmas from Quinhagak! Can't wait to see some of you soon =) I am planing to arrive at 12:40 this Thursday in Cleveland incase anyone was dying to know!!

it's dance party time

Last weekend before Christmas break--YAHOOO--and only 1.5 more days of school!! I am literally counting down the hours and minutes I believe. I am starting to get a little cold too so hopefully that will pass before the big trip! Monday is our Christmas program at school and Tuesday is a half day. I am excited for our Christmas program at school, my class will be doing the....WINTER POKEY...Now you are probably asking yourself what exactly is the winter pokey? Well I will tell you--it is exactly the same as the hokey pokey, but this time you throw in some fun winter gear. My kids are super excited to show our moves to the school as well as I.

Last night was our staff Christmas party at school. Al and I bought matching blankets to give as gifts. We also put some little treats inside which consisted of a slim jim, a pack of gum, and....a picture of us. It was fantastic. The Christmas party had the game where you pick a present and then you can steal from someone else. I had my eyes set on a present and in the end it became mine, what a victory! This gift was no normal everyday something you give in Ohio gift. Oh no my friends, this gift is something unique to this experience. Now that I have built up the anticipation....it was a BEAVER FUR....It is great--Al and I can't wait to hang it on the wall. Now months ago when I first arrived, something like this would have creeped me straight out. Now though I love it--you can see the eye holes and everything--quite the treat.

Tonight Al and I are chaperoning the school dance. Oh I can't wait to "bust a move". I'm sure I will have stories to share after this experience. If it is anything like the last dance, it should be tons of fun!!

I am looking forward to a weekend of cleaning, relaxing,laughing, and playing games with my roomie and who could forget? FAMILY TIME...

Towards Sunday night I shall start stalking the weather websites with updates of how the weather is looking for Tuesday. I'll have to say that lately I am becoming quite the weather girl. Weather is a big factor of everything here (mainly mail and travel) that why not make sure I am up to date on the visibility and cloud covering. I can't to impress you all at home with my new found weather skills! I enjoy when Al and I are walking home from school commenting on how the visibility looks greats, before moving here I would have had NO idea what that meant.

Shout out to my many of friends at Kent State graduating tomorrow--especially my little sis Sam!

That's it for now....It's DANCE PARTY TIME....

is it vacation time yet?

The Christmas blues are upon me. All I can think about while at school is visiting with everyone and catching up with friends. Every morning I must try and pump myself up with excitement before heading into school. I am excited to head home in about a week! I've been teaching my first year for almost half a year now, and it is time for a break!! The countdown is on: 4 more days of school!

Things have been going great lately and I couldn't be happier.

Last weekend was spent relaxing with the family. I'd like to say BIG happened, but that would be a lie. Just a typically weekend with friends enjoying life in Quin.

Al and I (well mainly Al) had a great Sunday night decorating our house for Christmas. It seems that I misplaced my charger for my camera, so I may not be able to take anymore pictures until I return home...BOOOO But back to the decorating--Al made some beautiful paper snow flakes for us. Trying to remember how to make a paper snowflake was quite amusing. Both of our first tries were not successful. After googling how to make a paper snow flake, we were able to figure it out. After the snowflakes, Al hung up our stockings and even cut out Merry Christmas to stick on the wall. If I do say so myself, our house is looking pretty magical. I got some great ornaments this weekend in the mail which added quite the look to our christmas tree.

I have been feeling like my blog has been lacking with exciting stories so here is one. This past weekend we were dog sitting. Since it was FREEZING outside, I got the great idea that I could just let Ani go to the bathroom and he would come right back. At first this did happen. He went about his business and then gave me "the look". The look that said I am going to run away now and you are going to have to chase me around the village in the dark in negative degree weather. Oh how delightful--so Al and I geared up to chase this dog. WE WERE NOT HAPPY--probably the most mad I have gotten my entire time here has been at this dog. Guess I still need to work on my dog sitting skills.

This weekend should be a good one, it's our last weekend in Quin before the new year! For those of you wondering, I'll be back in the great state of Ohio on Thursday afternoon!

I'll end with some pictures of us on the school bus. I took them from Rachel's blog and I think they are pretty great. This is how we arrive at school each morning.

O Christmas Tree

I feel as though this week is dragging, I am not sure if its because of my countdown til Christmas or what but I am so happy tomorrow is Friday. This week has also probably been the coldest since we have been here. Every morning is now filled with about 5-10 minutes of gearing up for the great outdoors. We must now put on our snow pants, mittens, hats, and gloves, and we can't forget the winter boots. I must say we look pretty fashionable once it is all on. And for those of you wondering how cold it is. I think its been 0 or colder everyday. With the windchill, it is about -10 or colder. I am slowly getting used to it, but it def never felt this cold in Ohio.

This week started...basketball. Al and myself are coaching the high school girls basketball team. It should be a good time. My body is aching after only three days of practice which I am guessing is a good sign.

This week Al got quite the surprise in package form. Her parents mailed us a REAL Christmas tree. It even has lights. Since typically the only packages we get are ones that we bought for ourselves, we were puzzled what was inside this little box. Little did we know it would be a CHRISTMAS TREE. Al is taking good care of that tree and waters it about 3 times a day. Our house is now filled with Christmas cheer! Thanks to Allison's mom, dad and brother!

That's all for now!

We're on a boat

So yesterday when Al and I got to our house, we found a surprise--there was a boat in front of our house!! We were confused on who would give us a boat so we did the only thing we could think of---TOOK PICTURES IN THE BOAT! We later came to find out the boat is not in fact ours, but another principals. For now though, we will just pretend it is ours. I think I love that boat.

This weekend has been a pretty lazy weekend thus far. Last night we went over to Steph and Jim's for some Friday night television. Decided to eat dinner around midnight, and then went to bed. I would say that is one productive night.

Today when we woke up we didn't have power. Not having power is a normal occurrence here. It seems that things need to be fixed, so we sit in our house in the dark. Today I tired to force myself to sleep until noon (when the power would be back on) but it didn't work. Highlight of the day was walking to the post office just for her to tell me that I got no mail =( Then I just worked on my online class for a few hours and we baked cookies. I will have to say that our baking skills when done together are superb! We made peanut butter cookies with Reese's on top and M &M's on the other (our hands were getting tired from unwrapping all the candy)

After the baking adventure, Allison tried to try her skills at something else...CARROT SOUP...Now at first I was very skeptical about carrot soup and what it would be like. I will have to say, that carrot soup isn't too bad. Def a new taste, but living in Alaska is all about the new experiences. Al says she is going to try to make new things on Saturday---should be interesting and exciting. We finished the night off just chatting and playing games. Just another typical night in Quinhagak.

I also included a picture of our Christmas tree since I once mentioned it. It has handmade ornaments designed by yours truly on it.

Hey there Decemeber

Happy December, it is nice to see you-

Whew I can't believe that in 3 weeks from today I'll be almost on my way to OHIO..There are great people waiting for me as well as great gifts I bought for myself.

I was in Bethel this whole week which was super refreshing. Got to see some friends from different villages, learn a ton of new information, and just relax. I am excited to get back into my classroom tomorrow and see the kids again. It's good to be back in Quinhagak with my room mate after being separated for a week!

I need to finish up the last two days of thanks and then I am finished for the month--

#29--Personality---I love how everyone can be who they are. I love that here in Alaska everyone excepts my personality and I can be loud, fun, and silly whenever I want. I just love that with our personalities we can do so much---we can use the little things about us to brighten up each other's days.

#30 Brownies---TOnight I made brownies for my class---but then something terrible happened---I ate one and then Al ate one and now a whole row is missing---so much for the brownies--time for something else.

I am going to post a better blog when I'm not so tired---theres a blizzard outside---goodnight moon