Happy Thanksgiving!

hello Timmy Tim. This is my update for you.  So I started this thanksgiving and got busy. Now I'm laying awake trying to let my migraine medicine kick in, so I was thinking of everything going on in my life. I am blessed. I am busy. But I am blessed.

I have a lot going on. First, I have a man who loves me very much and works hard to make me happy everyday. Jeremy and I are doing well and having fun everyday.

I still have the kitties, maverick and goose. They wake me up, sleep with me, and watch tv with me. They're my lazy companions.

Then, the first day of school, a puppy was crying because it got caught in the doors in the front of the building. I was worried it broke something. Jeremy stopped by to bring me something later on so I asked him to take the puppy home and make sure it was okay. It slept for two days and then ran around like a bat outta hell. He's fine. He's now ours and is awesome. He's loyal and funny and just a great dog. His name is Sheldon cooper.

I then did something I said I wouldnt. I took over student council again. A married first year couple were doing it and they were just not having fun and stressing a lot. I'm co-sponsoring it with another teacher and it's going great.

Most excitedly, a couple days ago, a teacher told me she was selling her snow machine. I have bought it (with help from mom and dad) for VERY cheap, and have been having a blast. Taking friends for rides, going outside of town, riding with jeremy, going to the store... Oh it's been amazing.

My two best friends up here, Laura and katie, have been wonderful also. We have weekly dinners to watch greys anatomy. We always help each other out, and we're having fun with Laura's son, Chris.

I must thank God for all my blessings. I'll be in michigan December 20, at 4pm. I leave December 30, at 5pm. I will see everyone at Christmas mass, parties, stop bys, and whatever's. Love you all! Bye Timmy!

Heading Home to My Eskimo

Don't hate me...my internet JUST got turned on... 

So, the plan was that I was going to leave on Alicia's birthday, July 25th at 6:20pm. As we all know, my flying never goes that easily. My flight out of Flint, MI was an hour late. Making me miss my connection at O'Hare making me miss my connection in Seattle making me not be able to get to Anchorage. 

The oh-so-friendly and helpful American Airlines attendant was wonderful (not). She was rude, not speaking to me, and just unhappy. She wanted me to drive to Detroit to catch a plane there. No. I fly out of Flint because I don't like Detroit. In the end, she booked me on a 6:10am flight the next morning (thank you Alicia for getting up early and taking me). I now fly Flint to O'Hare to Anchorage. 

After finally listening to my voicemail at 12:30am I learned I had to call Alaska Airlines for my connection in O'Hare and tell them all about my cat cages or they couldn't fly. I was on the phone with them until 1:30am fighting to get money back about the service I've received on this flight. In the end, I cried and got a $100 voucher for later. Okay. But I'm still talking to American Airlines about all their crap they pulled. Because I now have to uncheck and recheck the cats at O'Hare and pay another $200 for them to fly on Alaska. 

Now, 3 hours of sleep later, I'm at the Flint airport talking to the gateman and they can't check my bags or cats. Somehow my flight from Seattle to anchorage is still on my ticket. Huh? The girl from yesterday is an idiot. And she booked me under two different confirmation numbers. So I waited at the counter for an hour for them to get that straightened out. In the mean time I informed the guy that I was not paying for bags or cats due to American Airlinea lovely service (sarcasm on the service). He said he didn't like his job, he agreed with me, and I didn't have to pay. Well. Thank you. I was even over by 3ish lbs on a bag and he goes, "I don't care." I asked if I could unload my carry on a little to unload the weight and he said that I could. Jake, with American Airlines in Flint, I like you. Thank you. You made me not hate American Airlines. 

Now I'm sitting on the 30 person flight on my way to O'Hare Airport. I'm watching Hinger Games. I'll be there in about 45 minutes. I'm doing okay so far. 

I'll get to Anchorage around 1:30pm and Laura will pick me up and we'll shop. Then I'll be staying at her aunt and uncle's house. I leave for Emmonak at 9am tomorrow. And I'll see Jeremy at 11am Alaska time!!! (3pm your time) 1 day, 8 hours, 33 minutes until I see my Eskimo!!! :D

Whew! That was fun with the cats. I got to walk across the terminal to go to baggage claim, pick up the cats, find Alaska Airlines, and wait in line to check them for about another 45 minutes. I did meet some lovely people in line. We Alaskans just talk to each other all the time. There was a couple with four totes and two coolers all duct taped shut. I asked them if they were moving to Alaska or going back. They said that they were going back. I said that they looked too experienced with their totes and coolers. And then we say there for about ten minutes picking on the newbies who try to bring little suitcases or boxes that will never make it. It turned out he was a principal in Barrow, AK. He wanted my number to see if I'd ever move out there. He said they're treated really nice. Wow. Thanks. 

I then got to go through security again. And then I was able to get a tea and some food. When I got on the plane, I fell asleep right away for two hours. Now I can't sleep anymore. I've been watching Catching Fire and writing notes and went to the bathroom about fifteen times. I just like to walk around. And I needed more kleenexes. I of course am having an allergy attack and the guy next to me is looking at me weird. 

Haha. I talked with the guy next to me and he's going to King Salmon to go fishing. He said he has to take a Bush Plane to get there. I asked if it was a small one or how many seats. "Oh about 20 seats." Hahaha. That's huge. That's what I fly from Anchorage in! I said that it wasn't a Bush Plane. I ride in planes with 4-6 people. That's a Bush Plane. He agreed. :)

Whew. I landed in Anchorage, got my bags and cats, Laura picked me up at the airport, and we went to her aunt and uncle's house. We then went shopping, repacked my luggage (Grant Airlines only allows 50 lbs of baggage before charging $3 per lb over. Nope. I have it down to about 53 lbs I believe and the rest I shipped at the post office. Let's say, what I shipped was well over 50 lbs...

Now I'm laying in bed with it being way sunny out. I have two snakes around me and two dogs in my bed. I can't wait until tomorrow!

I'm at home!!! Jeremy and I are together again. Tomorrow is Jeremy's birthday and it's going to be wonderful. We're moving to a new house. Next to Laura. It's a three bedroom, has shelves, a full kitchen, closets, and room for human beings to live (and kitties). I'm excited. Everything is falling into place and is great. Now, if my internet could only get turned on... I've been trying since Friday. Love you all!

Leaving Emo going to anchorage

So we woke up to a call from grant airlines saying that our flight was moved up by two hours. Yay! But that meant I couldn't wash my sheets before we left. Jeremy's freaking out more. His face is priceless. The cats are drugged. Goose tried hissing and not being nice when we caught them to put into their cages. Then I told Jeremy to stick the pill in gooses mouth. Pansy:). 

We were driven to the airport by Tom. Wow. I've never been this high up in the bush. Usually we are only a few hundred feet above the ground. We're on a straight flight from Emo to anchorage so we're 27,000 feet in the air. Weird. All I can see is clouds. The sun looks gorgeous. 

So were now in Minneapolis (hi Alan!). We had a five hour flight here...a few movies and a few naps made the trip shorter. Goose and maverick are fine. They've made a mess of their kitty litter though... We have a four hour lay over so were taking it easy as were heading to concourse b. Plenty of time... I'm really good at wasting time in an airport:). 

Been a...........While

Yeah yeah. I've been busy. So I had surgery in anchorage. I ended up staying for for about a month. I was there for a week with some students for a career camp. Then I came home for two days and then Jeremy and I went back for an appointment. The day after I had a colonoscopy. The day after that I had a Meckels Scan. Then the next week we tried to come home but there was too much fog in Bethel so they turned the plane around and we went back to anchorage. Then I had an appointment with the surgeon the next day. Then I had surgery a week later. Then I had to stay in the hospital for five days. Then I had a follow up appointment. Then I finally flew home. In the end, a month passed. Whew! I had Meckels Diverticulum. Hopefully I'm good now:)

We had Easter last week. We went to Jeremy's house and had ham and spaghetti. We had church and there were about 10 babies who were baptized. It was huge!

This weekend was potlatch again. Jeremy danced:). He hasn't danced in the village in a long time. I said instead of him teaching me about his culture, I'm dragging him back into his:). 

Next weekend is prom. We didn't get nearly the stuff I wanted to decorate with. But I'll make it work. Were spending a few days decorating and things will be great. 

Ps look at my little Godson:) (not really. Laura's baby boy. So cute.)

Pps we went and saw how the new school is doing...awesome is the answer. 

This is the gym:)

The new student store 

The hallway for the high school

My "kitchen" for my classroom

My cupboards

My smart board

My bathroom (yup shower)

My office for my classroom. I told the kids I'm going in there and locking them out to get away from them. :) 

Simple Things Made Harder in the Bush...

You know...things that are so simple that you take for granted everyday down in the lower 48, I wish we could have here in the bush.  I've been trying to get stuff ordered for prom for about a month...the companies won't take checks.  It's the only way we're allowed to pay for things.  Which is a pain first of all, but when the only way to order things is online, then many of them won't take checks... So I'm stuck running around (calling around) to different companies that we can order online and will take checks... It's infuriating.  Then, I've been trying to order speakers for...3 months...?  We finally have gotten through...but the company won't ship to a made up address, a PO box, or the middle of nowhere.  This is very annoying...I'm angry.  So I've been trying to get a million things ordered for the past many months, but nothing can happen because of stupid rules and stupid systems.  Urgh.

...and I've run out of movies and tv shows to watch...I think it's time to get dish...

It's Been a While...

(Warning: none of the photos in this blog were taken randomly by an Eskimo...:))

OMG.  I haven’t updated in a while.  I know I’m in trouble.  But I have been busy.  And sick.  And I want to be home. 

I had Thanksgiving at three places.  I don’t know if I posted that.  I went to Stella’s, Mock’s, and the teacher Thanksgiving.  It was good.  I was full.  REALLY Full.

I don’t even remember what else has been going on.  It’s been Christmas Break.  I got off the 20^th.  I got sick around the beginning of December.  I had two days of nothing but sleeping, then I had two days of open gym, then I had Christmas Eve and Christmas with my adopted Waska family (Stella’s family).  I went to Christmas Eve Midnight mass, then over to the Waska’s house to open presents.  I just wanted to be around the family and watch them have fun and eat some food.  No, I got two presents too.  I felt like I was so welcomed.  Laurie (Mama Waska) made me a Quspuk and gave me some gloves to keep me warm under my mittens she made me for my half birthday.

I was able to open presents with the Chomic family over FaceTime (that was painful) and then it was back over to the Waska’s for Christmas dinner.  I went home early because I was sick.

The next day started the inevitable Christmas Tournament.  We make a lot of money for the student council, but it’s a lot of work and I was really sick.  Did I mention that?  We would get there at noon, clean up, games would start at 1pm, and then we would close the store at 10pm.  It was a lot.  I did that Dec. 26-Dec 30.  I had another teacher take over for me for the last day because we were traveling to the ROSE BOWL!!!

I made it to California perfectly fine.  I slept on the plane and got into the hotel room around 2am.  We then woke up at around 6am to go to the Rose Parade.  We didn’t make it long at the parade.  We got there, walked around for a little bit, then went back to the shuttle and slept until it took us to the game.

We made it to the game about 45 minutes before it started, so the tailgating tickets we bought didn’t extend very far….we had a few drinks, some food, and went into the game.  In case you didn’t hear, WE WON!!!! GO GREEN!!!!!

We then spent the next day with Mom and Dad in Hollywood.  Then left LA on our way home.  We got to Anchorage, did the shopping we needed to, and got ready to leave the next morning.

When we got to the airport, all the flight people told us we weren’t going to make it back to EMO so we should change our flights.  We changed our flights to Monday.  Needless to say, I have bad luck.  The other people traveling on the same flights made it back to EMO…L We were able to go to the doctor’s and get medicine though. 

Monday morning, we were on our way back to EMO.  We landed in St. Mary’s and they put us on Standby for EMO.  There were two seats.  A native made it to the counter before us, and I gave my spot to our counselor.  I decided she was more important to make it home.  So, we spent the night in St. Mary’s.  We’re now delayed in the airport because the Anchorage flight was late coming in.  I hope we make it home… It was $169 for the night at the “Bed and Breakfast” (it was cereal in the cupboard).  Then, I called for a ride from the airport and the woman said it would be $40, one way.  It’s about a 7 minute drive… Nice hospitality.

We have made it back to the St. Mary’s airport.  I walked in right before a lot of my students were leaving for the boarding school.  I was so glad that I was able to give them their hugs bye bye.  I had a few surprises that were leaving.  One of my students said that he went up to school this morning to go to my class, but it was a waste because I wasn’t there.  I was really glad that I was able to see them before they left.  I am, however, really upset because the kids who should be taking me to State for NYO are the surprises I had leave to go to the boarding school.  That means I probably won’t be going to Anchorage for NYO…L  I yelled at them.

Update to Relax

We ran out of water on Thursday, so we had to cancel school at 1:00pm. Wahoo! I then received many phone calls all Thursday night and Friday morning asking if we were going to have school Friday. Everyone in the village has my number so they all called me. I didn't know because a decision wasn't made until Friday morning. Fun times. 

We ended up having school Friday. That was fun. The kids are getting upset and the teachers are getting tired. Thanksgiving can't come soon enough! 

I proceeded to stay home and do nothing all weekend:). We had to change our district wrestling meet to another village because we didn't have enough water. :( therefore I couldn't watch my kids wrestle. Three of them took first and are going to state. Makes me angry I didn't get to watch!!!

I've been trying to walk more around the village. However it's freaking cold! I've been getting out for a bitch each day. It's getting gorgeous. 

Things That Are Different In the Bush

So as I was sitting in school the other day, I noticed how different things are in the bush than in Michigan.

You don't know exactly when your plane is going to arrive to take your sports team to another village, so the students miss quite a few hours sitting around school waiting for the call to run to the car to go to the airport. 

The students and staff have to travel in snow pants, parkas, hat, gloves, and snow boots, by district policy. This is due to if the plane goes down you don't freeze to death. In michigan, your near enough to a town if your bus breaks down that you can get another bus. 

There are no such things as snow days. When it's always 20 below zero, we can't cancel school Everytime it happens...

However, we do cancel school when we run out of water in the village. Has Jackson ever ran out of water...?

To get your mail, you dress up in parka, hat, boots, and thick gloves. This is due to the fact that you have to walk to the post office. No delivery here!

To go to church, you put on snow pants, a parka, hat, boots, and gloves.  You walk to church with a friend and have many Hondas and Snow machines pass you full of Eskimo families on them.

Busy Busy Busy

I've been yelled at again because I haven't been updating my blog. Well :p I've been a bit busy. Let's see...Halloween was fun. I had Stella (my aide) her husband, Katie (new teacher), and Sharon (our counselor) over for dinner. Then we handed out candy together. There were some good costumes. I went and trick or treated at teacher housing but everyone was asleep (lame) and then went to Stella's house with Katie.

The next day we had a wrestling tournament that I had to be at selling food from the student store because I'm student council adviser. I was running to see the kids and fell and hurt my knee. I've been having to mend it back to good health ever since. It seems to finally be healed on the cut. Now the inside is still trying to heal. I can't kneel on it or bend it too much. 

That Saturday we had a surprise baby shower for Laura. She has left now and is getting ready to have her baby in Oregon with her family. It is goin to be a boy. She was surprised and very grateful for all that we did for her. It was gorgeous. 

Then I kept having to go to doctors appointments for my knee. The first one was a nurse who said I was fine. Two days later I was in so much pain I went back and the pa said that it was infected and I sprained it and I had a bunch of fluid behind my kneecap. She SCRUBBED my knee. I almost kicked her. But it's been a lot better ever since.

Last weekend we had volleyball tournaments. Again I have to be there to sell things. I had a little open gym for a bit and then I was resting at home the rest of the weekend. It was so nice!!!

The huskies playing volleyball

This week has been a bit stressful with the students. It's a full moon and they are having hard times getting through their days. I'm trying all that I can to help them. Our counselor is gone, too. She's in anchorage. So it always makes it harder. We've had a few flood scares but we haven't had any damage. A lot of surrounding villages have been hit hard. It's strange that we'd flood this time of year. Usually some of the villages do, but it would be about a month ago. We never have to worry about it. This winter has been really weird. We haven't had much snow at all! The Eskimos are starting to get restless! :)

Today I'm having a tournament for open gym. It's going to be from noon until probably midnight...so pray for me. The kids are really excited. Then, I get to sleep tomorrow! :)

I had a really fun time on Monday night. I went to Stella's for dinner and then to church with her (there was a priest in town). Then we went to her parents' house for dessert. They all crack me up! It's like being back in Michigan with my family. They all pick on each other but get along really well. There are tons of kids. Makes me miss you all. 

On Thursday night I decided to go to pool hall and hang out to check on the kids. Turns out I had tons of fun. I ate dinner, played 4 or 5 games of pool (which I actually held my own in! Of course I didn't win, but I wasn't slaughtered! -think about it. What else do these kids have to do in this village but play pool? They rock at it). Then I played a few card games with the kids. Which I won a few of. It was fun. The kids seemed to have fun because I was out and having fun too. They all fight over who gets to play against me...:) 

Today will be stressful but it's with it when I get to see the kids have fun. They're going to enjoy it and they're so excited. I'll post pictures.

1st grader making free throws

We had two people shooting free throws at the same time.  These two are brothers:) They make me giggle.

The older brother

One of my new nieces

One of the teachers joined one of the teams.  It was hilarious to see him face off against my nephew...:)

One of our 7th graders blocking an inbound throw

Keeping score and order of the kids

I got to throw the jump ball.  It was the rules:)

Some of the players from the 3rd place team

My niece and my student

Watching the game with all my students:)

The first place team trophy :) I found it in a cupboard

Death in the Village

I know that's kind of a morbid title, but it's what I've been doing for the past week.  And it has been taking a lot of my time and energy.  My aide and friend, Stella, her sister-in-law Malea died.  It's a very sad story that Malea's husband died unexpectedly last year from stomach problems and Malea has been fighting cancer for a couple years.  She came home from Anchorage about 2 weeks ago because the doctors said there was nothing left for them to do for her.  She had four children: the oldest girl, a boy at boarding school, a 6th grade boy here in EMO, and a four-year-old boy.  It was the worst to watch those kids go through this.

Stella texted me Sunday night at 3:40am saying that Malea had passed a couple hours ago.  It has hit us hard in the village because she was a very strong and wonderful woman.  I took food over to them on Tuesday and talked for a few short minutes.  The custom in the village is that the family has 3 days of viewing in the home with the body and then the funeral is on the 4th days.  Then they bury the body and have an eskimo dance.

I begged my principal to allow me to go to the funeral because of how close I am to the family.  There were many teachers and aides already asking to go, but I felt it was right for me to go because I'm close with the siblings of Malea, even though I didn't teach the children.  In the end, I was able to go to half of the funeral.  The principals took turns going and I went for the second half.  After school, I took food over to Ray and Lauri's house again (Stella's parents-where everyone was meeting and eating everyday).  They insisted that I stayed and ate with them.  They then asked me if I was going to bury the body the next day. I explained that I had to work and that I felt it was just for family.  They told me that I could take the day off and that anyone was welcome.  They encouraged me to come.  So, in the end, I took a half day off of work and helped Stella get ready and headed out with them.

This is Malea's middle son and two of her sister-in-laws (Stella is the one on the right).

Stella's husband, David, and their niece

Malea's family

We had an Eskimo dance on Thursday night.  It was beautiful.  Then I went over to Stella's house to help her cook for the dinner the next day at camp.  I didn't get to bed until about 12:30am.  Then I woke up at 8am to give a couple of students some tests before I was going to head over to Stellas.  I ended up staying at work until 11am putting out fires and helping everyone with stuff.  So, I only took a half day.  I then headed over to Stella's house with all my snow, winter, and rain gear for the trip.  Her kids kept looking at me on the couch like I was a zombie.  She gave me her cold so I was feeling like crap already.

We headed off to camp at around 1pm.  We took boats (probably about 10 in all).  I rode with Stella, her husband David, her brother Zeke, and her sons Cunnie, Coco, and Stephen.  I sat toward the front of the boat so it was pretty bumpy and now my body aches...urgh.  We got to camp and got right to work.  The women were getting the food and things sorted out while the men walked over to the grave site.

We stopped halfway to camp to take a break...I think it was a smoking break...

Stella's boys...David, Stephen, Cunnie, and Coco

Stella's brother Zeke.  This is the first time I met Zeke (he doesn't come around a lot) and he is deaf.  I thought I knew a lot of simple sign language and that I could get by...I learned how much I really DON'T know.  They said they'd teach me:).

Getting to camp

It was about 10 men/boys taking turns digging the grave for about an hour.  As soon as they were done, they came into the house, warmed up a little, and then we all went down for the burial.  I took pictures for the family so that I can give them a memory.  It was very touching to watch it all.  There were probably 50 people there.  Between her oldest son standing in the background, her middle son helping to dig, and her youngest son (4) helping to bury her with a racket that he found, it was all very touching.  She now lies next to her husband, Hondo.

I don't know who is in the back (I can't see their face).  But I was moved to see Malea's middle boy watching his cousins dig his mom's grave.  It was a very moving experience.  Cunnie and Rudy are helping here.

More pictures of them digging.

It was very humbling to watch them bury her.  In Michigan, the grave is dug out when you get there, there is a rug to stand on, a mechanism to help lower the body into the ground...it's much more smooth.  In the bush, I was able to see the family work as a team to dig by hand and shovel, put a tarp around the inside of the grave, have her nephews and brothers put her casket into a box, watch her sons and daughter screw the box shut, see them put rope around the bottom of the box, and watch them work as a team to move her into the grave and lower her down.  Then the whole family (including myself when I was told I had to) throw dirt on her grave to help bury her.  It was very moving and humbling.

Lowering the casket into the box

Covering the casket

Malea's daughter screwed the first screw

Then her middle son

Then her oldest son

Her oldest son placed the cross/marker at the grave

Then they started lowering the casket

And worked as a team

And lowered it down

Everyone threw in a handful of dirt

Her sons and nephews helping to fill the grave

Her littlest son was fun to watch and it was great to have that memory for the family of him helping to bury his mother.

Malea's family

We then ate at the house, cleaned up, and were on our way back home.  On our way back, we saw a seal.  There were about 8 boats chasing it.  It was AMAZING to watch the Natives chase seal in their customs.  To see them work together, the determination on their faces, and to see how fun it was for them.  I loved it.  By far, it was my favorite thing I've done here yet.  I say that, but then I think of everything else.  It's amazing to see everything. :)  Every new experience is another great day.

Stephen, Coco, and Cunnie chasing seal

There were a bunch of boats

The boys hunting

Throwing a spear

Other boats are ready to chase