Feel the Love...

Hi my friends, family, and anyone else reading this!

So much has happened since the last time I wrote; I don't even know where to begin.

Let's see two weekends ago we had in-service training all weekend. It was not really all that fun, but it was great to see Josh and Carl again. Carl was very helpful with my second grade math, poor Becky has been having such issues with them. So Sandra decided to switch Andrea, who teaches the upper elementary math with Becky. So far it seems to be going ok. During training we learned about the STEPPS program. It's the state's school improvement plan and in theory, I think, it's a great process to make schools think about what they need to do, but the language is what really brings is down. You could spend an hour debating what each part means. It was a long weekend. To make things worst Andrea received some bad news. Turns out her ex was found dead in Nome. The poor kids, even though he wasn't much of a part of their lives, it's still very sad.

So, for the last two weeks the kids have had their ups and downs. No surprise since the some of the kids lost their father. Actually the week right after training was a horrible week. the kids were off and so were the teachers. It didn't help that there were some many things going on in the village and the teachers didn't have a weekend. I know I was in Sandra's office a couple of times because the kids were driving me nuts, but she told me that there were things going on at home and it didn't help that we didn't have a weekend. That really helped me get through the rest of the week.

The week after was a great week! It went by so fast and the kids were wonderful, at least at the lower elementary end. During the bad week, Carl and Josh had to leave us, but on that Wednesday Alan, the counselor came and was going to be with us for a week.

Well, last week we had all kinds of fun. We had Alan and Willis over for dinner and a movie. Alan made most of the dinner, we has burritos with rice, beans, and meat. We watched Paul, oh how I love that movie! It was so hilarious!! Plus it was so fun to have company over and have good conversations with two world travelers. Willis has been to many places including Australia and Alan has been to southern Africa. Then Saturday night we, Jori and I, went over to the school to play BS with Alan and Joe. Then after a hand of BS I learned how to play Texas Hold 'em and even Sandra joined in. It was a lot of fun!

After a nice relaxing weekend full of fun and games, it was time to start school again. The week was awesome! It went by so fast and the kids were great! Also Destiny and McKayla came back from Nome or Wales. I'm so happy to have them back at school because school is the best place for them to be and they are such great students! This week also brought sadness. Thursday was the day of the funeral of Andrea's ex and it was here in Diomede. Thursday afternoon my class was cut in half because of the funeral. So instead of doing what I had planned we watched Bill Nye the Science Guy, the water cycle episode. It worked out well. The week also brought the mail and oh my goodness did I get mail! I got my snow pants, a care package from our mentor, and like eight or nine boxes from my family. Granted most of it was my grocery list, but there were some surprises like October's Cosmo, don't laugh it's a great read for the situation I'm in, and the movie Bridesmaids! Love the movie!!! It's so good!

Then to end the week, today I got to Skype with my family and friends, mostly with Dede, but that's what happens when I don't think. I know I'm gonna make it up to my family at Christmas. I'll have to make the rounds, maybe around the state, but that's alright. I have to since my family has been there for me and I wanna be there for them.

Oh and I almost forgot. I received some GREAT news this week! In March I'm heading to Nome for the end of the Iditarod Race for a class trip! I'm so excited since I didn't think that was possible, but now it is and it's going to happen! Also Sandra said that she booked three room so if any of my family would like to come they are welcome to. The way it sounds is my mom, sister, and brother-in-law are going to come. We'll see about my dad, but if my dad comes we'll have to figure out the rooming situation. But either way I'm going to the Iditarod! Sweet!

Here are some pictures I've taken since I last wrote:

Just Sail Away

Sunset on September 30th

View of Russia on a clear day without climbing

First Snow

North Side

Middle

South Side

Sunset on October 7th

Pictures from Sandra...

My First Graders

My Second Graders with Ms. Becky

I've Reached the Top!

Hi my friends! Well, it took over two hours, but I made it to the top of Diomede on Monday!

I was working with my tutoring kids and Jori says, that Sam is going to the top and wondering if we wanted to tag along. Well, I had a home visit to do with my kindergarten student so I wasn't sure I would make it, but Sandra said, go! I've come to learn that if the weather is nice you drop what you are doing and take advantage of it! So Jori, Sam, and I started for the top a little after four.

As we were climbing higher and higher I realized I wasn't afraid as much as I was in the beginning and I looked around more. It was really pretty and if Sam didn't have her boom box playing it would have been so peaceful. Some parts we had to use the grass to pull our selves up, well I did because I can't just walk up a mountain, I'd probably fall. Also there was the little problem of the fox running around so we, well Sam and Jori, armed themselves with rocks to throw at the fox. I was the sacrifice if the rocks didn't work, a job I wasn't sure I wanted, but I couldn't carry rocks so by default it was my job. (I say this with humor intended)

When we made it just passed "Shoe" (Pac Man) we could see the remains of a plane that crashed  close to 30 years ago. It was an eerie site; just the thought that people died right there, close to where I'm standing. Creepy! Sam told us not to step or touch any of the remains of the plane otherwise the people that died in the crash would haunt us. Again....creepy! Then a little bit passed the plane crash we saw what looked like a satellite dish, that fell from the sky, which that's probably what it is, but that's just crazy to think that something like that happens, but it does.

Oh and while we are making our way to the top we are starting to see Russia! Not just Big Diomede, which I'm told is just Big Diomede, not Russia according to the locals; but yes mainland Russia! It was so cool! Same said wait until you make it to the top then you can see more. So that was a bit of a motivator to make it to the top.

A bit later Sam said there's the top! I was so happy because my legs were turning into jello and my knees were starting to kill me, I'm SO out of shape! When I made it to the top I looked around and it wasn't like what I thought it would be. It was very rocky, more grass, not very flat, but still very cool. I looked East and I could see Alaska then I look to the West and I can see Russia! It was so pretty! Then I looked down where I came from and though oh crap how in the world am I suppose to get back down!

As I looked around top I was very proud of myself that I made it up the mountain without rope and without freaking out! I still can't believe it in a way. But the way down that's a different story. Sam showed us the way we're going, which was straight down and that didn't look fun at all! A lot of the edges looked like drop offs and I was scared to death! But as we got going it wasn't as bad, wait a minute, who am I kidding!? It was terrifying for me! I was so scared that the closer to the village we got the crabbier and scared I got. Going up was not bad, but coming back down is nothing but rock and some of the rocks don't stay put!

When I made it back to the house I was so happy to be on flat ground and off that mountain. After I calmed down and got some dinner in me I was a much better person and thought about what I just accomplished! I climbed a flipping mountain! Me!? The one afraid of heights! I did it! I'm so glad I took the time to do that even though I paid for it the next day!

Ah, Tuesday was a rough day. One, since I climbed the mountain the day before I didn't really have anything ready for that day and two my body was....killing....me! Every muscle in my body was like oh my we did major workout yesterday! But it was great and I'm glad I did it! Now I'm not sure if I wanna do that again. I want to because it was so cool and I would like to spend more time on top, but that way down was so scary that it's kinda stopping me in my tracks. We'll see if I ever do that again, not making any promises. Not only am I glad I did it, but I'm very glad that we had Sam take us up, because we did decide we should just go without anyone else and we could figure it out. I'm so glad we didn't do that because we would have gotten lost and/or stuck some where. It may be a tiny island, but things can still go wrong and you can get lost or misplaced.

So the beginning of the week started out great, even Tuesday was fine even though I was tired and didn't wanna be at school; but still a good day. Then Wednesday was a tough day for every classroom in the gym. One of my students who doesn't come to school much because she's a force to be reckon with, cute, but she has a temper. Don't we all sometimes? Well, she had a hard time coming to school on Wednesday and she cried for an hour! Literally an hour, in a gym! It was so loud, I felt so sorry for the my students, but they worked through it and did awesome! So I made sure to give them lots of Diomede tallies because I was amazed at how well they worked through the noise. Every time she calmed down I asked if she wanted to join us, but the screaming would start again, but I kept trying because I wanted her to feel like she was still a part of our class. Then Becky came over to try and the screaming got louder once again, and then the little girl's grandpa, he's one of our awesome janitors, came over to give it a try and that really raised the screaming volume.

But around 10:15, about an hour after this all started she just stopped. It was so weird, she just decided I'm done. So I asked her if she would like to get a book off the shelf and read with us and she said yes. So she got a book came to Story Corner and read with us. It was so weird, but awesome that she just stopped and she worked and participated the rest of the day. It was like nothing happened. Then the next day she had an awesome drop off and day. She came in and was ready to start the day and I never had a problem with her. I love when she comes to school because she's wonderful when she gets there. She might start the day rough sometimes, not all the time, but once she's ready to start the day she's great! I hope to see her more next week :)

After Wednesday the rest of the week was a little rough because the kids were just tired and didn't wanna be at school. So I felt like I was beating my head against the wall. But every day is not suppose to be perfect because perfect would be boring. But Friday afternoon the kids and myself were done we didn't wanna be there any more. We were definitely ready for a weekend. Next week will be a great one because the kids are going to rest of up this weekend and come in Monday and be ready to learn!

Even though I have those days that everyone has, I am loving my job. I like all my students, they each bring something to my classroom. I know one evening this week I took a little walk to the helipad and sat on a rock down there, since I didn't have kids hanging on me, I just watched the ocean for a bit and I felt happy! I'm happy with where my life is going and I love my job! I hope things keep looking up for me, but time will tell because life is very unpredictable.

I love watching the waves roll in

Pac Man, about half way up

Sam our guide and Jori

She's crazy! There's no way I'd do that.

Diomede is getting smaller....

And smaller....

This is how steep it is

30 year old plan crash

The trail

Diomede is SO tiny!

Russia!

Alaska & The Top

School, School, School, & More Schol :)

I've survived my second week of teaching and I've come to realize I am a natural born teacher and I'm loving every minute of this!

Before I head into the week, I have to tell you how the weekend ended. It ended......with......WHALES! The next day after we hiked to Shoe, we saw whales swimming around a just south of the island and soon between the islands! It was so cool! Also along with the whale watching we attempted to go to the top of the mountain, but our guide was taking us up the hard way, well, at least for us it was the hard way. Also she didn't want to continue because of the younger kids following us. So we didn't make it up as far.

But we did make it to Diomede's cemetery. That's right I say cemetery! Because of the terrain of the island they don't bury the people they build a grave out of rocks. So pretty much they cover them with rocks. As we were climbing I felt a little disrespectful stepping on the graves, at one point Sophie, our high school guide, said that I was touching one! Ooops, but at the same time not my fault because I didn't know. But before that, at the point where we were about to reach where the graves were Jori yells to me, "Go the other way, because there's a skull over here." So I listened, because I didn't wanna see that; I was already freak out about the "trail" we were on and how high we were. To give you a picture the way we were going was nothing but rock and some of the rocks moved when you stepped on them, so a little freaky. Plus we've had a lot of rain and sometimes there are rock/mud slides. So a little scary! Well, I'm climbing up and I look over at Jori, not a good idea. I saw the skull she warned me about. Well, I didn't freak out and I just let it go and thought it's just the way life is. But later after we climbed off the mountain I ha a little moment of eww!

After hiking I decided to do some whale watching. I wish I had a really fast camera because I could have gotten a great shot of the whale's tail, but the shots I did get are not horrible, but they are not the greatest either. I could have sat out there all day.

Before I get into how school was I have to tell you how after school's been going. Tuesday night I was working a little late it was about 5:30ish and Dave, one of the construction workers, came over to my desk and asked if I wanted anything to eat. I told him thanks, but I'm fine and that I was going to finish a couple things and then go home to eat. Well, as I'm saying that Tim, the construction workers' cook, comes out and says, "Come on Catherine, get something to eat we've got plenty." So I said, "I guess I will if you're gonna twist my arm about it!" So I got a free meal! The guys I've talked from the construction company are so nice and they have some stories. The Dave guy, he's from Washington and has like 5 pieces of land all over the northwest. I think the man is rich and is just doing construction to have something to do until he retires. But he was a really cool guy and he told us about businesses he's been in and things he's done. But the amazing thing is, the things he's done he had no training on them he self taught himself! Like, he ran a barge for a few years and knew nothing about boats. As I was listening to how he just plays with stuff and picks it up, he reminded me of my friend Matt. Just can look at something and get it.

I'm getting off subject. So Tuesday night I had tacos and fresh veggies. Oh and did I mention that Tim made this chocolate cake with cream cheese in the middle! OH MY GOD! It was SO good! Tim is the man! So after I got my meal and sat down to start to eating and Jori came downstairs. Jori was so jealous so she was like, "I'm gonna start coming down here to do my work!" Well, she asked Tim if she could have some and Tim said yes of course there's plenty! So Jori and I enjoyed a great meal for free. So the next day, Wednesday I'm working and I'm trying to get everything all done and Tim comes over and asks if I want anything to eat and again he wouldn't take no for an answer. He also said that if Jori would like some she can have some as well. So two, count 'em TWO days in a row we had a meal from Tim! This time it was steak and again it was SO good! The man can cook! He's such a great guy and the workers I've spoken with are all really nice guys.

Monday through Wednesday were pretty good days kids were starting to get rambunctious, but nothing I can't handle. But when Thursday afternoon rolled around, the honeymoon was over. They couldn't sit still for nothing and they are just not listening. I don't know if it was because they stayed up too late or what the deal was, but they were not the same kids. Well, later in the afternoon everyone, all the aide, parents, and so on, were heading off to Wales by boat because the store didn't get anything on mail day. So Sandra took over Becky's class and my group was being all out of sorts because tired and change in routine. But I lived through Thursday even though I had a VTC and then after that some work to do and got home a little before 7. But it's all a part of being a teacher. So today I went in thinking today will be better, until I heard the fact that our people were not back from Wales yet! Oh great the kids are going to be handfuls! Actually today was a little bit better than yesterday, so I was happy about that, plus it was Friday, which meant EARLY OUT! Kids were done at 2, I love Fridays when you get done early.

I was cleaning up my classroom and setting up for Tuesday and Jori says that she's going to Skpe our mentor and asked if I wanted to join. Of course! So I meant my mentor today. She is a really sweet lady and she used to teach the grades I'm teaching so she said if I needed anything she'd be more than happy to help me out and get it for me! Also she has friends that teach Jori's grades so she can help Jori out as well! Also the woman is sending us chocolate! She's a saint in my book!

After Skyping with her I went downstairs to pack up and make a list of things to do Tuesday morning and go home. Tim comes over and says he'll have the seasons of Dexter ready for me in like 8 minutes! Oh I forgot to mention, during one of the breaks I went to get the kids water and noticed Tim was watching what I thought a movie. So I asked him what he was watching and he said it was Dexter! I was like I love that show, but I'm on season 3 and he said he had all five seasons! I asked him if I could barrow and he said sure. He asked me if I had an external hardrive, well I didn't so he told me no worries he'd hook me up. So he lent me his external hardrive with seasons 3, 4, and 5! He told me no hurry to watch them, but I'll watch it soon because it's Dexter! So excited!

Now it's time for a 3 day weekend!! Should be great! Jori and I decided to hike to the top our selves since we've gone half way and we kinda know where we're going so we'll see how it goes or if we go (because we've said we're gonna go like 3 times and haven't). I'll keep you posted!

There's a whale there. If he camera would have been faster I'd got a tail here.

Another one!

Lead up a mountain by an 11 year old

Well, ladies and gentlemen; I survived my first week of teaching!! YAY ME!!! The week had its ups and its downs; but all in all it was a great week!

Monday was the first day of school and it was a little crazy because I wasn't sure what to expect of the kids or the schedule, that I put together by the way. I think teachers need to stop complaining about large class sizes because a small class isn't all its cracked up to be. I tried to have group discussions and the kids wouldn't talk! Ahh, it was a slight nightmare and to make things worst my expectations were set too high for these guys. Also I feel I didn't spend enough time on my lessons and thinking about what the day was going to bring. Thank goodness we were done by 2 O'clock because the day was just not going that well. But after I complained a bit and thought about the day, it was a great learning experience because then I knew more about the kids: some of their skills, some of their interests, and how they act in school. I have five first graders and one kindergartner that leaves at 1:30. They are great kids and they are very cute and I already have two of them that are going to be a challenge and test my abilities as a teacher.

After Monday I went back to the drawing board and rewrote my schedule and my lesson plans. When Tuesday came I was going along and it was going a lot better than the day before! I would have to say that Tuesday went better than Monday. I had a blast with the kids and was loving the fact that I'm a teacher and I have my own classroom, well a part of a gym. As far as the rest of the week went it was pretty good, but had its ups and downs, like I said earlier. Can't wait for next week when I get to start teaching reading. (The first week was community building and feelings curriculum; the boring stuff).

So now today's Friday and I lived through my first week of teaching and I also survived a couple of hikes on the island. Earlier in the week, on a really nice day, I was cleaning out the frig and Jori was working late. I heard a knock at the door and a voice yell "Miss G!" It was Samantha, one of Jori's students. She was looking for people to go for a "walk". I put "" around walk because on this island you don't go for a walk you go for a hike, since there's really no place to walk on the island. So I decided why not, so I went with Samantha and soon was joined by one of her friends. Those girls were so nice and patient with me. We took the south trail and Samantha couldn't get over that I couldn't see the road/trail. Well, it just looked like a bunch of rocks and grass, but apparently there was a trail in there. We were going along and some of it was VERY steep! I mean it was a drop off! We've had so much rain that there was a mud slide on the south side, well when we came to that part I thought I'll try it. Yeah, got less than a fourth of the way and said I can't do it, because the thought in my head was I have to come back and do this again. I was proud of me for doing it because I went a different direction on the island and went a little farther up than before.

Then tonight Jori and I are watching Oliver, she's crazy for musicals. And we hear a knock at the door then the door opening, the kids wanted us to go with them up to the Shoe. The Shoe is a rock that's the half way point to the top, in my opinion it doesn't look like a shoe, it looks more like Pac Man. So we decided yeah let's go!

We were going along then I started to look around which is so cool, but at the same time a bad idea for me because I was starting to freak out a little. But Mackenzie, an 11 year old sweetheart, told me to take her hand and told me "no worry. If worry bad happens". She is so wise beyond her years and that really helped me as we were going up the mountain; especially when we got to a spot where we had to climb basically strait up in long grass. Good thing that long grass can be used like rope! Oh and did I mention that this part what not part of the trail, yeah it was a little scary. But it was ok because we were almost to the Shoe. Finally we made it to the Shoe and it was so cool! The view was just gorgeous, there are no words. But the way back down was just scary for me. I almost tumbled down the mountain like fives times and Jori just about took a big time spill, but thank God she regained her balance because that could have gone a different way. When we made it back to our house I felt a lot better, one because we were on flat ground, and two I was very proud that I did it! Tomorrow I think we're going to go to the top, but with an adult, not just children. I think that was the most scary part, watching these kids hop on rocks so high up a mountain that is very steep! YIKES! Well, time for bed because I'm SO tired from this week and the excitement of climbing up the mountain in my backyard.

On our way up

On our way to Shoe, the half way point to the top (looks more like Pac Man to me)

Shoe aka Pac Man

Now looking more like a shoe, sort of...

Made it!!

View from Shoe

The top is right there

Time to go back down

Charlie got a baby bird or Pluk (pl-U-k)

My very wise guide, Mackenzie

Jori & Brandi

Until next time