Friday, August 26, 2011

What it looks like here

Out and about in Egegik isn't all dull like the pictures you see on Goggle when searching for Egegik show.  A quiet walk through town with the eye of a newbie can show the wonders of a small village that lies undisturbed for much of the year.  Those that are not here ask what it looks like, what I see and want to know more.  Those that are here all the time pass by wonders as if they have always been there.  (many might have been)  

The four-wheelers zip by all hours of the daylight, you know when the infamous liquor store is open, traffic seems to pick up a little.  We don't have the often thought of drunks (characterized by Alaska State Troopers on TV) around town.  If we do, I haven't seen them.  I see dogs chasing after their owners as they drive by in cars or on the ATV's, a friendly wave from just about everyone and the tide shifting every day where the ocean meets the river just out my window.

For now, these pictures.  Later, I'll catch you up on my week.  Enjoy!



Right in the middle of town, I'm not so sure this one has seen the water recently.  Pluto

Octagon house with a spectacular view that sits unfinished and has for years.  Sad really, it's beautiful! 
This guy was right outside my door yesterday.

Coastal scene, tide just about in, just before sunset.

I found a big tree!

And a little tree.  Yes, the only two trees I've seen!
Two grave sites overlooking the river/ocean

Fireweed.  Legend says when it blooms to the top, the six week countdown to winter begins


The school building.  My apt is the right hand portion.  Guest bedroom is that right-most window.  Any takers?

Old Faithful.  Yes, it's a Ford, Yes Matt, I'm sure you're happy!

Other side of the school, my bedroom window is the first, living room second.  Classrooms beyond the stairs.  Notice the yellowish pile near the walkway?  That's old bear poo.  Still no bear sightings though.


Monday, August 22, 2011

A thousand beeps


0600

Ok, who unplugged the power?  I almost feel like in this little village that it’s just a switch on a surge protector that got flipped (though I know that’s not the case) and someone just needs to hit it again to make it all come back on.  I know that's not the case, but it's pretty small out here.

I was told we had a back-up generator.  Right now, I’d like to know if that comes on by itself (oh obviously not right away) or if someone must turn it on/start it whatever.  When the power goes out, the servers (2 of them) have alarms.  They work for a little bit longer, about 30 minutes, and then shut down the internet abilities I found out.  Oh, I forgot to mention, one of those servers is in my front room.  Yes, I know about technology but I don’t play with servers that I don’t know how to work.  That could be a big mistake.  The incessant high pitch alarm is going to drive me NUTS!  I also forgot to mention that I have been sleeping in my front room on my couch while I wait for mattress toppers to arrive, imagine unknown alarms going off an hour before mine are supposed to.  Thank goodness I don’t overreact!

They were worth the shot.  The eyes...it's from the beeping!
So, it’s been 40 minutes now, I sit here typing my next blog wearing the only thing I can think of to help with the beeping.  My shooting earmuffs.  Problem is, it doesn’t take it away, it only mutes it a bit because it’s so high pitched.  I’m tempted to go for a walk but it’s early morning, and the bears could be out. (though I still haven’t seen one yet)  I might just take a quick shower while the water is still hot and take solace in my classroom with the door shut to try to get away from the beeping.  I know how to re-set the fire alarm system, I learned that yesterday when the maintenance guys were around.



Oh good, just thought you should know, the beeping gets faster, kind of like a ticking bomb.  I bet the power went out before 6 am and it was going on it’s last hour of power or something.  I’m so excited!

It sounds like that fast beeping means that it’s almost over.  The server shut off shortly after.  The server in the hallway still was beeping but the earmuffs took that one mostly away.  Then, about 3 minutes later, they all went away when the power came back on.  Hooray!

Now about that generator….


Sunday, August 21, 2011

If you don't like the weather....

In Oregon we have a saying; If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes.  It'll change.

In Alaska, it's pretty much the same thing.  I've watched it go from a beautiful sunrise this morning (that was way early) to some clouds, back to nice bright blue skies.  Then it turned sharply to a downpour for about 5 minutes and that blew off.  This afternoon it was sunny and very windy which is nice because it keeps the bugs away.  Now, for the past hour or so the wind has been blowing steadily and the clouds have been rolling in.  I'm sure there is rain in the forecast for tonight but I'm hoping that the sunset is a pretty one.  Though, I'm kinda hoping to be asleep for a long time before that happens tonight.

I now know what the fire alarms sound like in the building.  I know I know, you all want a great story that goes along with that.  There isn't one.  The guys were here from the district today testing the system.  I do know though how to reset the system in case one of the kids decides to pull the alarm!  We can even do a real fire drill now!  

I've been amazed at a few things today.  The "store" is not open today (which doesn't surprise) but the prices I've been told about are out of this world.  A doz. eggs for 7 bucks.  A pound of butter for 7 bucks?  I've also heard that when they do get some fresh milk in, it's 12 bucks a gallon.  I also am amazed at how intense the wind is.  The metal panelling on the side of the staircase is shaking a bit when the wind gusts and the fan above the stove is moving in the opposite direction because the wind is coming down it so forcefully.  

I'm doing well though I know that this weekend was spent on the couch just watching a TV series I had fallen behind on at home, tomorrow is a non-student day and my co-teacher is leaving for a week long inservice for special ed.  Since I have time to do whatever I want because there is no laundry to do, dog hair to vacuum or sales to visit with a friend, it's been easy to catch up.  The couch has served as my bed for the past two nights because I'm waiting for my mattress toppers to get here from Kohl's.  I might try another night in the bed just for a change but the couch is very comfy and I'm not sure I want to risk it.  Aside from that, I'm waiting on one more bag I mailed form Anchorage to show up (I sure hope it does!) and I'll be all settled in.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The first days of school

What do you remember about your first days of school?

As a student:  walking into classrooms that were unfamiliar, meeting teachers for the first time, getting syllabus after syllabus and learning what was to be done for the year.  Catching up with friends that you had lost contact with over the summer and getting back into the clubs and activities that didn't occupy your time while you were lazy during those long summer months.

As a teacher:  all of the prep time it took to get to that first day of school.  Meeting all the new students, trying to remember a TON of names and faces only to have to ask them again the next day.  (or the next minute) and worrying about where your resources were going to come from.

Before
After, from the front, my desk & student help area to the left
As a teacher in Alaska:  The first day; I only have 5 students so far?  Really!?  The other two are due to show up a little later but then I'll only have 7!   Wait, all the subjects?  Oh boy, that's a TON of prep time ahead of me.  Math, they are all in different levels, 2 History levels too?  Wait, Science, 2 of them as well?  How many standards, strands, etc?  How do I know when they are proficient?  Signing on the first time on the first day and the internet is down (quick email *which still worked oddly due to the bug) which was back up quickly.  Profile sheets for every subject.  Literature books too?  Oh gosh, I'm overwhelmed.  Thank goodness there was technology and Physical education.
Science area, books are now off desks because kids are here.


Technology.  I got this one in the bag.  Thank you WOU.  Oh ya, forgot one little part, I had not used a SMARTboard in 3 years.  Guess what, when a student tells you that "you can circle and tap to erase" you feel pretty dumb.  Yes, you can and it works really well if you can reach the top of the board.  It was hung for the last teacher who was nice and tall.  I have a great yard stick that has no metal points that I use for the top of the board and I basically write on the bottom 2/3rd's.  It's all good though and they were excited with what else I showed them the rest of the day.  Plus, when I introduced them to their MacBooks, showed them Photo Booth and then remotely accessed one of them to put onto the board while they were playing they figured out that I can see everything they do at any moment.  Oh honest statement;  "Oh!  That will keep me from doing a ton of stuff then!"

My books for all the different levels the kids are in, not even all of them
Physical Education.  A no brainer.  I've been doing this for years.  A year of student teaching and 3 years of teaching.  Nothing more than a band-aid needed.  Well, that streak is out the window!  What happens today?  The second day of school?  A great big broken arm.  Both bones in the right forearm, visible deformity and one trooper of a kid.  You get to be flown out of town for something like that.  He was awesome about it and is doing well at the last update.







The kids called me "Bone Breaker" for the rest of the day and continued to make me feel like a heel with comments all in good nature.  Time for science, better put those goggles on, don't wanna put out an eye, you know what happened in PE today.

It's all good, I just feel terrible.

On the upside, the class is up and going and seems to be doing well.








Stock that freezer!


Gone fishin'

Most people do it.  Down home, you put a pole in the water and hope for the best.  Maybe it's a bobber, a fly or just the old cast and drag.  Father-in-law likes to tell us it's "skill" that gets him the hits.  I think it's because he gets up earlier.  When we go, it's really to spend time together.  We love it when the fish bite and if we are really itching for a bite, we'll hit up the barrel (maybe). 

Sustenance fishing is a whole different world.  It's not really fishing, it's catching.  No bones about it, you're going to get fish.

Out in the water holding onto a fish
I was lucky enough to be invited by a local Native family to enjoy a BEAUTIFUL day out on the beach catching fish on their license.  They showed me the ropes once and I was out in the water by the time I could shimmy into the "preens"  I felt like a vacuumed pack fillet!   You set out a net and the fish can't see in the murky water, the swim right in, get caught and you gotta go and pick them out.  Some do a pretty darn good job of getting very caught.  Other's just kinda bite at it and you walk right up, unhook them and it takes only a few seconds.  *I like those kind!  They were impressed by my picking abilities and that was to be my main job for the day.

The student of mine that was with me, his main job was helping me out if I got a fish I just couldn't pick and watching for seals.  He held his .22 and made sure they didn't get to close.  They see the net and know there's an easy meal to be had so they get warning shots if they start coming our way.  If they get to close, he yells out seal which means I get out of the water and he starts shooting at it while I'm out of harms way.

Picking fish from the net
While waiting to pick, I was also helping clean slime off of the fish, clots out of the gills and watching for whales swimming up the river from the ocean.  We saw a pod of Beluga Whales cresting at one point but I was in the water and didn't get the camera in time.

The haul for the day was 50 Silver Salmon and 1 Red Salmon.  Only one of the Silvers had been up and started to spawn.  He still had half of his milk sac left but he looked to be a bit older as well.  That one was still cut into fillets and was cooked up for their hard working dogs.  Sorry Ciqu!



The half-spawned old guy.  Look at those teeth!

There are really 3 fish on each hand!  Each weighed about 10-15 lbs.
We filled the freezer of the Native family and my freezer is looking pretty good!  20 fish, 40 fillets.  It's amazing how much fish that really is!  I can't even imagine how much that would cost back home.  All this cost me was a beautiful day out on the river, 8 hours of hard work and a bit of a sunburn on the face.  Oh yeah, and some goofy looking glove tan lines.
























Monday, August 15, 2011

Getting ready...'cause they're a commin'

Oh my goodness.  I don't even know where to start.  It has been quite the busy past few days.  Arriving in Egegik, meeting the new "family", seeing my classroom for the first time, seeing my apt. for the first time, putting my apartment together and diving into what will be my life for the next nine months.

Flying in during some low clouds is interesting.  The pilot has to get a "special" to fly because it's not ideal weather.  It's common, don't worry.  We made it just fine obviously.  I could see most of the time from the co-pilot seat!  I didn't see any big wildlife though I did see some cranes on the many lakes we passed over. Being only 400 feet in the air allows for some great sight seeing while flying.  We drop down into Egegik and land on a gravel runway, hop out, grab our gear and off the pilot goes.  Well, there we are.  April calls her boys and we wait the five minutes while they come from town to the airstrip to get us.  Then we head to the incinerator for garbage drop-off.  Yep, they burn it all then bury it in the landfill so it doesn't attract bears.

I've had some great dinners with April's family (the other teacher).  Her hubby, Hoss, is a good cook and they are very welcoming.  The smoked Salmon was fantastic, I can't believe I was so lucky to get salmon and corn on the cob my first night here.  So yummy!  They also had the smoker going and showed me how it worked.  Quite the set up and I got some fresh out of the smoker the next day.  Super yummy!  Eric, I don't know that your salmon collars will be quite so safe anymore!  Though, I bet I bring home better!

I've learned that if you lead, the goat will follow and it's quite amazing how big her belly will get after about an hour of eating.  If you stick your face into the wind, the bugs don't mess with you as much (or at least you don't feel it).  I've also learned that I know how to crack a bull whip. *the first time I cracked it, it actually cracked.....on my shoulder.    OUCH!   But, after watching others attempt and listening to how it was supposed to be done, I did it.  It was awesome!  I must be a natural.  <<(brushes dust of her shoulders)>>

I've also learned how much I really do love my SMARTBoard again.  I missed having that thing.  This one is great.  Speakers and the projector all built into one.  I think they mounted it with tall people in mind though.  I can't reach the top so my non-metal tipped yard stick is quite the handy tool!  It will be so nice to be able to teach the kids how to use the new Mac laptops on it and will be great for presentations and everything I have learned with my degree.  I can't wait.  Now to order the right cord from Apple for the iPad2.  I guess I should get on that huh?

My classroom is coming together nicely.  Curriculum support was here today, principal will be here tomorrow and for the first day of school on Wednesday.  I'm a little nervous with so many people around, I'd like to just start off and have them come around once I've settled in but I'm also glad they are around.  Makes it feel like it's a little bigger school.  I should probably pop over into the gym tomorrow since I haven't even been in there yet.

I like watching the dogs run along side their owners cars/4-wheelers in town though when I'm told there are dogs w/out a home it saddens me.  I know I can't have or adopt one because that would mean taking one home with me in the summer time and I just can't do that but my heart goes out to them.  Plus, I miss my puppies.  That makes it harder to watch the one I've seen roam.

All is well, I'm waiting for a few more packages and my big black duffel to show up.  It will be a good day when everything is here and I don't have to worry about it being hung up in some locker waiting to go out on a plane to get here.

Anyhow, I'll get some before and after pictures up tomorrow when the room is ready for the kids.  I hope you all know I'm not neglecting you, I'm just super busy!




Friday, August 12, 2011

Jam packed days

We're here for inservice.  It's a lovely place and people really seem to enjoy it here.  The people are friendly and the food is excellent. Today was french toast, shepard's pie and mexican.  Between meals we talked about schedules, levels, standards and how school was going to run in general.  With a better understanding of how things will work out, I'm ready for a flight to Egegik and some time in my apartment.

Before that though, there were walks alone, walks with new friends and some experiences shooting a bow again.  Here are some more pictures to help paint the picture.
Boat docks looking toward the lodge

Another beautiful day in AK.  State flag, do you know what the stars are?

Alecia and I trying for the water bags
Kathy did the bow last night and had a little trouble with it getting her arm.

My mushroom finds on grounds



Mushroom family

Took a walk to the end of the dock.

Hang the big catch of the day there, didn't fish though, it was SPENDY.  I'll have enough of it in Egegik! 
Bear tracks on the sand bar, we did NOT see it, just the tracks.

MeMe, the sled dog.  She was shy but she could tell I'm a dog person.

 And the one, the only, AfterBite.  This is heaven right here.  I will be ordering some.  One of the gals had it and let me use some after she saw the bites on my hand, forehead and ear.  It was FANTASTIC.  Stopped the itch within 20 seconds.  




Thursday, August 11, 2011

Prime Real Estate

Tonight's blog will be mostly pictures.  Time is getting short and honestly, I'm beat!  We did a lot of run of the mill inservice curriculum today.  We had our three meals and the evening was filled with activities that some people partake in.  I did go and learn how to shoot a bow and arrow.  That video will come later.  While doing so the mosquitoes decided that my forehead was prime real estate and I now look like I have the chicken pox starting there.

Katmai does a wonderful job of making sure we don't go hungry.  In some cases I feel like I'm back in Disneyworld again eating so often I might get sick.  It's good though so I'm not complaining!  

Zeke, another lodge dog.  He's a sweetie

Posted in every room.  



Two Bald Eagles
The Bald Eagle viewing for me was the highlight of the day.  While the picture isn't the best, it was great to see them out in the open.  Thank goodness for the binoculars I put in at the last moment!

One more full day here and then Friday I'm off to Egegik.


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

There was a crooked little man...


Our Plane

(Cat-My) Lodge

Inside the main area



These two pics, about 30 minutes apart




End of the road
Chicken wire for traction




Our fearless Anchorage leader, Bill (and his antlers)

Our delay to Katmai finally ended and the first group was rushed away to the airport.  We drove right up to a back gate and because it's a taxi service again, drove right through a gate as our plane was coming up.  The pilot opened up the two hatched shoved more bags in then I ever though possible and loaded up the 9 of us.  There were only 8 seats though.  Oh, too bad, I had to sit co-pilot!

It was so cool!  "The picture" is on the superintendents camera so I hope to see that someday.  If I get a copy of that I'll get it up here.  For now though you'll have to deal with the video that has the landing on it with me in the seat at the end.  *Kinda, it was a turn-around and the top of my head is cut off but you get what you get right?

Dinner.  YUM!
Aside from that the time here at Katmai Lodge has been good so far.  We've had some fantastic food.  Last night's dinner was like Thanksgiving.  A good home-cooked meal was just what was needed.  They said the food was good here and they didn't lie.  This morning's breakfast was great as well.  Fresh fruit out in the bush?  Yes please!

Sun setting above the horizon at 10:30
Skeeter catchers...FULL





















Our beds are comfy, the best that I've had so far.  I slept like a baby last night.  So much so that I didn't notice the new bite I got last night on my knee.  I'm not sure what got me but it's a little painful.  Not too bad though considering when I went out to look for bears at 10:30 last night I was swarmed by skeeters and who knows what else.  That made for a hasty retreat back to Osprey 2 (my cabin name).  There were no bears out anyway so all you get is a picture of the sun starting to set.  Yes, at 10:30 it's just there above the horizon.

I've found the lodge dogs to get my puppy fix and though right now I only have this one picture, the other two are a golden retriever and a sled dog.  Makes me think of what a young Ciqu would have looked like.  This black lab mix reminds me a little bit of Mom's old dog Sprocket.  She would sit at my feet and when I would stop petting her for a minute, around came her head to look at me like "excuse me, why did you stop?"

Oh, and the sweat with April, oh my!  I was like 30 seconds in and DYING!  It was good though.

Today's more inservice and we gotta get going.  Stay tuned for more!