The day before..

Did the village know I was leaving?  It sure put on a show.  Frost and fire it seemed like.  A wonderful sunrise as I look past the school staircase.  It's those wonderful pictures that make you feel like you could watch this every day.  (even though they don't happen every day)  Did the village want to make sure I remembered what I was leaving behind, to make sure I'd return?  Well, I was coming back like it or not, I had a return ticket in hand (well, on the web - common, it's 2011!) and I'd be back soon enough.

Almost all packed and ready to go, there are other things to attend to in the village.  Shooting practice was arranged before I wasn't all packed.  I was close and I knew that I'd have all night.  (Lord knows sleeping probably wasn't on the agenda anyhow!)  Excitement has the funny ability to keep you up when you know something good is coming!

So, a student of mine took me out shooting.  We took his gun and mine, headed out to hand out some punishment on an old metal chair and experience a little time at the gravel pit.  That poor chair.  It seems to have been a target for many a shooter.  So many holes already, I just had to add a few of my own.I must say, that M1A has quite the accuracy!  It looks pretty bad-A too!

I had to make sure I got a picture too, maybe it's just a "show everyone what I've done" or maybe it's because I'll never own a gun like this but it was fun.  I know I don't play the shooting games or go out hunting for animals to kill, however it was fun to shoot!

After the beautiful sunrise and the shooting, packing was in order.  I had already gotten the frozen container pre-packed and then back in the freezer so it was basically a dump and run in the morning.  My clothes were almost dry and ready for folding.  I had to sleep on my pillows but they were the last thing to go in.  Making sure that everything was there, I headed for bed, ready to be ready to go whenever Mr. Pen-Air showed up for me the next morning.  I had a lot to do first thing but where was I going? 

Home.

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!

Purchasing Power

Day 3

So if yesterday's post wasn't enough.  We got to do it all over again!  Dry non-perishable foods ship through the mail just fine but what do you do for the frozen and cold stuff?  Opps, forgot about that huh? Well, here's what happens.

My coolers and me getting ready for Costco

You buy coolers (or totes we found out) take them with you to Costco and fill them to the brim.  That is, as long as it is under the 50 lb. weight limit the airlines impose.  Coolers are not as light as we thought.  Nor are the pounds of meat, cheese, egg beaters, butter, etc that we stuffed in them.  In addition to that I had my big suitcase to ship which had to stay with me because of the gun.

So here's what it feels like.  I go in with this well planned out list of the cold stuff I'd need for 4 months.  As I get to the ground turkey portion (my first stop) and start to pile it into the cooler I watch the space disappear.  What?!  I haven't even put a single other item in here yet!  Ok, let's see what half of that looks like in here.  Ok, half of what I had put down on the list....I can deal with half.  Head to the roast section.  Thank goodness, I can fit one of those nice roast packages in my tote, that took up a TON of weight.  Ok, let's not concern ourselves with weight, lets see how much we can fit in here.  How about pork chops, they were thick, I can half those before I freeze them for good, my fillet knife will go right through those.   Head to the frozen/fridge section and toss in some cheese and other frozen chicken etc.   Where is that other cooler?  This one is already full.   Ok, second cooler, now it's full too.  Darn it.  Um, how much is another checked bag or is it better to have one overweight?  Call Mom.  She's a lifesaver and I purchase another cooler.

So much luggage.  Not the kind I thought I'd have!

It was a good thing too.  I ended up with 4 checked bags, 3 of them coolers.  They were all overweight which was going to cost me money on each one so we did some shifting and made just one of them such.  A big pillow came out of my checked bag and into the carryon because it was too heavy as well.  Someone should have video'd the "lay and spin" technique I used to get that carry-on closed!  Instant classic, I bet the airport security had a blast watching that one on tape.

We were all checked in and then proceeded right to the gate.  Not through TSA.  No TSA.  At least for this airline.  Heck yes!  I don't know if I could have dealt with taking off the shoes, opening bags, opening computer cases and such after so many long days and then putting things all back together again.  Much less the thought that my carry-on might just react like Mentos and Diet Coke!

SAAB 340 to King Salmon

We got to King Salmon after a small plane ride of about an hour.  It was pretty loud and I'm glad I grabbed the earplugs they passed out as you boarded the flight.  I figured if they are offering, it's a good idea to get them!  Everyone has to give their weight for the flight so they can balance out the plane.  No switching seats if it's not full.  I didn't get the window seat so no great pictures this flight sorry guys.  Another time maybe.  We were met in King Salmon by a team of district principals and such that helped us with our bags.

Special Airport Greeter! He wanted to play fetch with his rock (chunk of asphalt)  I just couldn't resist!

Signs near the base

Right outside the airport

Spruce trees out my dorm window

We got into our decommissioned Military base dorms and went to the Superintendents house for dinner.  Met a few new people and enjoyed seeing part of the new "family."  Dinner was fantastic and the first home-cooked meal I've had in awhile.  Broccoli, roasted potatoes, carrots, prime rib, oh...and King Salmon.....it's like candy.  SO GOOD!  I think I'll be just fine.