On my way. . .

to Fairbanks for the Thanksgiving break. I have several hours in the airport, which means I have some time to update my blog, finally!! This week was fast and furious, and though I know I should be doing the grading I brought with me, I hear Deb saying, "Carrie, you shouldn't 'should' on yourself!" Well, okay. I guess :)

After this long weekend, we have four short weeks of school left. It is amazing to me how fast the time goes. It is never boring, that is for sure. This week I attended the music recital on Monday evening, and then helped fascilitate the senior presentations on Tuesday evening.
Here Karis is playing her violin in the community quartet Monday night.On Tuesday our seniors presented on their experiences during the ANC trip when they saw post-secondary career opportunities. It went over well for the most part, but there is always room for improvement :) For the last three years I have been lucky enough to go on the senior trip. Each year we have improved it, and made it more effective and useful regarding what the students gain from it, and what they come home with. I am very happy with how it has morphed into so much more than it was the first year.Our seniors that presented, also the group I spent 5 days with in Anchorage! A good group of kids!

Happy Thanksgiving!!
(***NOTE: I've added a slideshow of my birthday party pics on the right hand menu! enjoy!!)

Wrestling Week

NEW PICTURES ADDED TO THIS POST!!

Last week the BSSD junior high and elementary wrestling and cheerleading tournament was held here at the UNK school. For the week, we have students from 13 other sites (wrestlers and cheerleaders) living and competing in the school, an increase in our village population of nearly 200 students and visitors. Our classrooms turn into hotel rooms in the evenings. Stebbins stayed in my room and class continues as usual despite the pile of bags and sleeping bags piled high in the back of the classroom! It makes for a crazy week, but we made it through without any problems. I got to see some great wrestling too- it's amazing to watch these little guys wrestle. . . they've really got some energy and gumption!

Here the Stebbins group takes over my room as they work on their own homework! As they said, "Academics comes befor sports!" Impressive don't you think?!










Friday night we helped Conrad celebrate his own 30th birthday party. It was a fun time, with lots of good food - enchiladea's and lots of mexican treats! Happy birthday Conrad!


(girls in the kitchen, and boys in the livingroom. . . Jason! What are you doing?!?!)

This weekend I made it out for the first ski of the season! It snowed most of the day on Friday, and I took advantage of it on Saturday. I skijoured down the main road with the dogs, and had to walk out the rest of the way to get to the tundra. I found some lovely ponds- covered in a couple inches of snow and untouched by any other being. I skiied in circles and my dogs followed me in circles :) it was hillarious!

I also had some people over on Saturday to make some cards with my stamps- and for a birthday treat Karis joined in and made an amazing Kahlua Chocolate Cake! It was divine!! A sinful treat that I had to share with everyone so it didn't end up on my hips alone!

I am working on putting my birthday photos on a photo album link on the blog. . . I'll let you know when that happens :)

Senior Trip to ANC

Sunday, October 28th, I headed to Anchorage with 17 seniors for their opportunity to see some post-secondary options they have around the state.
We flew to town Sunday afternoon, and spend the evening eating, doing some shopping and then some planning for the week. You can read about some of their reflections of the week on the school wiki page.
We stayed in the Spring Hill Suites- a nice location for a large group of students for the pool, internet access and all-you-can-eat continental breakfast they serve. Here's the week in a nutshell. . .

Monday: Eagan Center, the College Fair and drive to Soldatna to Alaska Christian College and spend the night there


Tuesday: Drive to Seward, tour AVTEC (Alaska Vocational/Technical Education Center), drive to ANC


Wednesday: Tour UAA, drive to Palmer to tour Job Corps

Thursday: Go to the airport and return home. . . all except me :) heehee

I took a personal day on Friday and stayed in ANC for another two days- it was glorious!! After the whirlwind of the last two weeks, it was so nice to just sit, and relax and escape from it, even for just a little bit. I was able to hang out with my good friend Chuck who happend to be in town too- I took him (and myself) out for a birthday dinner at Peter's Sushi Spot. . . wow. It was absolutely delightful, a real treat.

I did some shopping, went to Tidalwave bookstore for the first time, sat in a coffeeshop and throughly enjoyed the hours I spent there. Chuck and I even attempted our hands, well our feet, at some Latin dancing at Club Soraya. They offer beginners dance lessons before the night gets started. We turned out to be the only ones there for the lessons, so instead of a full hour, the instructor gave us a quick fifteen minute introduction to the Bashette dance for free. Once the crowd picked up, we were content to sit and watch the professionals. It was great fun to watch some amazing dancers whirl their way around the dance floor. Spending a Friday night in a bar/dance club was a reminder of how much I'm NOT a city girl. I enjoy it, that isn't the problem, but I don't fit in. The clothes, the make-up, the walk, the talk. . . I'm okay with it, but it makes me realize the group I do fit in with doesn't live in the city :)

Being back in Unalakleet is nice in a way- coming home is always nice. I'm here watching Cate while Deb and Jason are in the big city themselves. Cate and I enjoyed a movie and popcorn last night, music and dancing today, and even baked a surprise for her parents return (Cate's great idea... Are you sure you want to make a cake? "Yeah, my dad's been gone a whole week!" :) ) I will eventually make it into the classroom to see the damage left from a week of being absent. . . it's never pretty. Only 2.5 weeks till Thanksgiving! and then Christmas is right around the corner! yipee!! Where does the time go?!?!?