What? What do you mean I’m Human???

This past week was a flop.  

Unfortunately not falling asleep until 2am all the week before totally though off my sleep patterns.  By the beginning of the week I was feeling sleep deprived…and all who know me KNOW that I cannot function without sleep.  I become a short tempered, cranky, annoyed, jerk.  And that is pretty much what happened this time…except I brought it into my class. I’m sure my kids could sense I was annoyed and short-tempered…buuuut it didn’t feel like it stopped them one bit. 

Monday and Tuesday I felt like they were purposely doing things to piss me off.  Tuesday was the worse day of all, I wont go into details…but I was feeling so frustrated and upset that I literally cried for a moment in the closet.  Only for a moment, but it still was horrible :/ .  Tuesday night I took sleeping pills and went to sleep.  I felt more refreshed when morning came.  That morning however, we had our first big snow storm with gusts up to 60mph. Power was still on, but Internet and phones where out.  My morning routine was already out of wack (I normally email my sister in the morning and check email). Walking to school wasn’t the greatest…who would have thought that ice pellets getting blown at you at 60mph would have hurt as bad as it did? 
Never the less I trudged on.  When I arrive at school I started to get the morning things ready…including labs.  Today the kids were going to paint, so I was getting the paint ready…well…pretty sure it’s a good idea to check to make sure the lid is on before you start shaking up a one gallon jug of paint.  Within seconds I had green paint all over me :/  Sooo, I had to wear my parka most of the day while my clothes were in the washer and dryer. 

Now im sitting here, writing on my Thursday evening, and you know what? Today wasn’t so bad.  In class today we tore apart a pumpkin and carved it, as well as made our own pumpkin patch in the classroom.  Tomorrow looks even better…homemade applesauce in class, karate, and a coworker/friend’s birthday.  If anything this week has taught me…it has taught me that although this week started out shitty…it can always get better.  I am human…we all have those days/weeks sometimes.  :) Cheers to a hopefully good weekend

From Unalakleet to Gambell

      Just back home from October In-Service in Unalakleet.  Although not too many teachers really enjoy coming to these, i have to say that I actually do.  I think its fun to get off the island for a bit and see other teachers i havent seen for awhile.  I spend the main 2 days with the rest of the ECE teachers from BSSD.  The classes were sort of boring and tiring,  but i was still happy to be there.  Fortunately i had a friend in Unalakleet, so Monday and Tuesday i got to enjoy some delicious rum that i have missed ;) (It's a damp village).  I didnt fall asleep until near 2am each night...oddly enough a school classroom really isnt that tempting to go lay down in...especially when there are 18 other people in the same room. But eh, like i said...i would have rather done that then not gone.

     Tomorrow the Big School has school, but since i am not part of the grant, i dont :)  I get to use it as a workday instead and just organize myself and get caught up on some work.  Only 2 more months and i get to come to Washington!!

     Yesterday(or maybe it was the day before?) It snowed in Unalakleet...beautiful.  When we got to Gambell just a bit ago we had snow on the ground as well.  The differenace here however, is that we have the crazy winds.  I am happy to be home...but turns out our apartments dont have hot water or heat. FUN.  The matienance guy will not be back until this weekend either...

    Anyways, its still early but im exhausted...going to take a nap....hopefully we will get hot water back soon :/

Who would have thought?

“Say YES to life…even though you know it may Devour you…”

Who would have thought a simple 2 1/2 hours back in April would have changed my life?  Going into that dome, professionally dressed, resumes in hand but not expecting anything…exiting the dome, professionally dressed, new job contract in hand.  I signed the contract in 2 1/2 hours after just merely hearing about where the Bering Strait School district was. On the drive home I started to regret my choice. How was I supposed to do this? I don’t have money, what about my friends? What about my car? What about my life? How can I leave everything that I had known?  The next few months turned into a blur…finishing school, graduating, getting a credit card to afford the move, quitting my job…

    The day came that I had to leave.  I was ready…at least that is what I thought.  I had the most amazing last 2 weeks I could have ever expected in Washington.  I had 3 going away parties, I went out all the time with my best girl friend Mayra, I met boys, I drove everywhere…everything seemed perfect.  While I boarded the plane, my heart began to pound.  I began to think…no more going out, no hanging out with Mayra, no boys, do driving….nothing.  What did I get myself in to?  The following 2 weeks consisted of In-service training…I started to feel claustrophobic…I missed home.  I wanted to ‘live’ again.  I wanted to drive, go out, see Mayra, meet boys’….but I couldn’t.  I was stuck on this island.  I was stuck at school or home.  There was nothing here. 

    The third week up here I went to Nome for training for the ECE teachers.  Boy was I excited to go to a town that at least had stores and restaurants!  I don’t know how to explain it…but after Nome…things started falling in place.  I was happy to come back to Gambell at the end of the week.  A week later school started…. i was nervous.  First day of teaching, will I make it?  I did…the day went by quickly…I was surprised at how quick too. 

    Now I sit here, writing on my computer…first quarter of the school year has almost finished…wow. 

    This past quarter of school I have learned so much about my students, about my job, about myself.  I really don’t think there is any job that could be as rewarding as teaching is.  I thought I would drown, I didn’t even think I wanted to teach pre-school…but I did.  And I love it.  Gambell is beautiful.  Never have I ever seen such breath taking skylines when the sun sets and rises.  How could I be so lucky?  Who would have thought that 2 1/2 hours back in April could have changed my life so much? I love my life.  I am so ridiculously happy, its unexplainable...I made the best choice coming out here.

    After Gambell, I want to travel the world.  I want to teach everywhere.  I want to do things that most people only dream about.  I can do it.  I will do it. Just like I did 6 months ago…I took a chance …I said YES.

And now im 23...

Another week has passed at the blink of an eye.  I really am amazed at how quickly time goes by here; I can hardly keep up with everything.  It snowed for the first time this pass Monday, for just a little bit.  On Wednesday it snowed even more, it actually stuck for a little.  I’m surprised at how much it hurts to have snow blown at me with 35mph winds.

    I just turned another age older, now I am a beautiful prime number :) Here.... 23!  Is it possible for me to just keep it this age forever?  I’m done getting older.  23 works just find for me.  I spent my birthday like every other Friday.  Work, Yup’ik dancing, karate and dinner with the teachers.  I did get the chance to enjoy cake twice that day though :)  I invited my students and their families to come join me at school at 1130-1200 for some cake and Jell-O.  We had a nice littler turn out too. Then at the dinner with the teachers i had another cake :) Yum! I felt so sick and exhausted that day that i went to bed at 9:30pm.  Saturday was supposed to be my relax day, but i felt sick most of the day, so i just watched movies.

     I did however buy my parka and boots! Hurray!  Now I might actually get the chance to be warm this winter!  I also bought my flight home to Washington this December.  I am so ridiculously excited about coming home to do the simple things...like drive...go out to eat...see friends...see trees!  I do like it up here, but it definitely lacks some things that i have grown accustomed to over the years.  Eeeek! I am so excited!  Anyways, I need to plan on what I'm teaching for Math tutoring tomorrow...so I’ll post more another time.