Nothing too exciting..

So as I look at my blog right now, I realize that I haven’t posted anything in over 3 weeks. Since coming back home to Gambell I have been very busy.  A week or so after my last blog I had another great weekend where I actually ended up taking my test to get my Yellow Belt in Karate.  I was nervous, but it was very exciting. I hope in March /April to get my Orange belt when we test again.
Also that week I started coaching basketball cheer-elementary girls.  That has been going OK.  I wouldn’t necessarily say I am enthusiastic to the idea of trying to get 20 something 1st-6th graders to even remotely listen to any directions I am giving…but the fact that time seems to be slipping closer and closer to the finish date…has left me with hope.

Really other than that nothing to exciting has been happening here, a few days ago we had a ton of stow-the picture included was from like a week ago.  However two days ago the snow actually covered up the entire door way…now that was a bummer, seeing as I had spend about 45 min the other day digging myself out of that crap.
I can hardly believe that February is already here, and that I am a mere 4 months away from finishing up the school year. Where has all the time gone?  As of right now my kiddos are doing great, 2 of them are actually reading…definitely a proud moment in my life.  Attendance is still a major issue, cause several other students to be way far behind (some cant even recognize a single letter ☹ ) but I still hold hope for the next 4 months.
Wednesday will a celebration day for my co-worker and good friend Vala, as she will be moving over to the big school to work.   I will truly miss her as a co-worker; we have had so many fun and entertaining conversations, both between us two, as well as with the kids.  She is a wonderful educator and I know she will miss our crazy little pre-k kids ☺ Luckily enough we did hire someone to take her place, I hold high hopes that it will work out, but no one can take her place in our classroom!  We’ll miss you Vala!

What? What? WALRUS

Ahhhh, another step into the world of native living. 

Walrus meat, skin, blubber, sea peach, and cabbage

Today was the first day I got to try Walrus.  One of my native co-workers invited me over for dinner this evening where I tried Walrus meat, skin and blubber…and guess what?!  It’s GOOD!  I was very surprised at how good it actually tasted.  I prefer the meat over the skin and blubber, but it was all good.  I also tried a sea peach…not good :/

Language moment!  The Yup’ik name for Walrus skin is: Mung una and Yup’ik for walrus meat is: Kemikrak

Walrus blubber fermenting

Also I learned that people like to have Walrus blubber sit for awhile and ferments.  After a bit oils start to separate from the blubber.  When the blubber starts to get dry and smell, it is time to put into zip lock bags and put into the freezer. 

First ride on snowmachine!

Another fun thing about today?  I rode on my first snow machine!  Hurray!  I am excited, during spring break my co-worker and I are going to ride around on the snow machine and she is going to show me around the island…so excited for that :)

Last week we had a lot of snow again and the stupid drifts formed against my door, and so my lovely neighbor dug part of my pathway out so I could get into my apartment (since I was coming back late ☺ ) and I finished the rest of the way…sadly though…my hole I made last week got completely covered up…oh well…

Update on sunlight!  We have been having beautiful clear days as of late…and the sun and daylight is coming back!  The sun now starts to rise at about 10:30am…and sets at 5:30…hooray!!

This week has been a pretty good week, I started Tutoring and cheerleading…and this Saturday I test for my yellow belt in Karate…that’s right…Amber is becoming a Badass :D  After testing I will also get the chance to try other native foods :)  More pictures to come after that!  Hehe, am I lucky of what?!

I sure dug myself into a hole this time...

I know this blog may appear brief, but really it has so much depth! :D

To tell you the truth, the only reason why I wanted to post today was to tell you all a story about last night.

 After work today I walked home to a ton of snow on my steps and about 1/3 covering my door (as usual). I wasn’t too pleased about having to shovel it yet again, but of course I reluctantly did.  When I was finished I just stood outside in front of my apartment and listened for a good 5 minutes to the silence that snow seems to evoke out of its surroundings.  I gazed around at all the snowdrifts and finally my eyes rested upon the large drift that had formed against one of my apartment windows. 

This is when I got an idea.
Now read up boys and girls, ideas don’t come often for me. 

As I looked up on this massive snow drift I though: “‘How fun would it be to make a hole.?!?’ “ 
I know, odd right? Well, knowing me…perhaps this seems ‘normal’. 

So I set out to dig a hole. I only dug for about a half hour before I decided I would go inside (since it was 7:45pm and I hadn’t eaten dinner yet).  I went quickly inside to grab my camera to take a picture, buuuut surprise! You cant tell how deep a hole is when its surroundings consist of only snow.  Sooo, I threw my glove in the hole,. Still it was difficult to tell its depth. So after a few failed attempts…I knocked on my neighbor’s door to elicit their help.  Thank goodness someone answered!  When my friend Kathy answered the door I sped through hello and blurted out ‘I know this sounds odd, but I dug a hole outside…would you be able to take a picture with me in it??’  Now imagine my excitement when she said yes! What a trooper she was!  She was all cozy in her P Js yet she got her shoes and jacket on to do me this favor, what a lifesaver I tell ya.  

So anyway my friends, here is my fabulous hole I dug. I hope to expand on it in the days followed…we’ll see…. but for now, I am excited about its possibility :D

Did i really go home?

It’s weird to think that I’ve gone to Washington and back again already.  The anticipation of my visit was overwhelming…but now it’s already passed.  Somehow I was just thinking, dreaming that coming home would be the same as when I had left it only 4 months ago…but it wasn’t.  Not to say that that is a bad thing, it was just different. 

Why did I expect it to be the same?  Why did I try to make it the same?  Although it has only been 4 months that have passed at time it seems as if it’s been years.  I am no longer the college kid living at home and working at Starbucks, I am an adult, with a career, making my own way.  Why is that so hard to accept and understand?

Although I express such confusion of my current state of mind, that does not take away from the fact that I did enjoy my stay.  It was wonderful getting to see my family again, and those certain friends that although our lives have changed, have not forgotten about me.

My last night in Washington was by far my most favorite nights I spent there.  Sure I’m 23, but who says I can’t spend the evening laying in bed between my dad and step mom eating junk food and watching movies? 

I took picture during my visit back home to Washington, but I will have to upload them later…my Internet right now isn’t the best to upload.  Which leads me to one new years resolution I’ve made….TAKE MORE PICTURES :)  AND post them.  Thank you to everyone who made my trip to Washington enjoyable (My family, close friends and Cohort!)