On Friends

I'm so grateful for my friends; today was definitely a day for friends new and old. Here is today's after school experience:

One of my best friends from Indiana called me from her bother's house. We chatted a bit but the weather was nasty and I was on my way out of the building, so I needed to put my phone away. I apologized for, "Not being a really good friend lately." She understood and said, "You are busy being a grownup doing grownup things." The 4 hr. time difference can make it difficult to talk regularly, but we know that we are still friends. It is good to have friends who understand.

Recently several friends returned from conferences in Anchorage. I am happy they got back because they are integral in my experiences here. We were able to get together at another friend's house and talk, laugh, have a great time, and catch a documentary about Alaska's Statehood. It is so nice to have friends to sit with.

After,--at a different house, and after i melted the butter lid on a still-hot stove, the power went out 3-4 times in a 45-minute span. We got to talking about some of our life experiences, and i talked about my college experiences. All of my Ball State experiences are priceless and all of the awesome people I met there are unforgettable! Although, in Chevak, we don't have any bingeing inspired activities, the crazy night of losing power was entertainment to us. It was fun we just sat around and laughed and talked. It's fun to have friends to go crazy with.

What a week!

What an exciting week! Starting with Valentines, followed by an awesome day of training (with NO STUDENTS!), a new teaching contract, and finalized with solidifying my trip to Anchorage to watch the start of the Iditarod dog sled race!

I already wrote about Valentine's Day, and I don't think my day of in-service training would be very interesting to you readers, so I'll skip straight to the good stuff! Mid-week I was offered another contract to return to Chevak school to teach for another year! As some of you may have known, I was nervously awaiting this time of year because I so badly wanted to come back to the village. From what I was told new contracts would be offered in March, so I was contently waiting for next month to come, but this year the news came early! I'm excited to be coming back to the village for another year, I have heard that I may be teaching 4th grade next year with a team teacher; I would teach math and science, my partner teacher would teach reading, grammar, and social studiesI can't wait to begin year 2!

Second piece of exciting news...I reserved my hotel today in downtown Anchorage, blocks away from the Iditarod action! I will arrive in Anchorage the evening of March 3rd and leave in the morning on March 6th. I think that this mini-vacation could not come at a better time. If you are in Anchorage you will probably find me at a local downtown bar, come find me! During the week I will be shopping, eating out, and relaxing around Anchorage, and hope to have a day trip to Big Lake to see my mentor Kathy, her husband Martin Buser (multi-time Iditarod Champion), and their 100+ dogs at their family kennel. I have been told there are all kinds of activities around anchorage such as ice sculpting and other Iditarod festivities.The main event, however will be the beginning of the Iditarod race on March 5th, when the dogs and mushers leave from 4th Ave. in downtown Anchorage.

I hope to keep this page updated frequently during my vacation so be sure to check back often!

Valentines

Valentine's Day huh?


Valentine's Day in bush Alaska, a very different experience. School today was just like any other normal day, some students were aware of the day but there was not the traditional aura surrounding the day like you would encounter in the lower 48. Very few kids brought Valentines for their classmates, few brought candy either. I did what I could with what I have to make the day special (Special thanks to my mentor, Kathy Chapton) I gave my students some love with candy and computer free-choice time (their favorite!)


Anyways...
Valentine's brings up thoughts of those you love and I want to share some of that love tonight!


Mom-I love you more than you can imagine, mom! I mean, what can I say to the woman who has given me everything I have [you know, the charming looks;-) ] I thought of mom today and how during every other V-Day of my adult life I would look forward to a card and a phone call. No card came this year; no phone call. It was bittersweet, nevertheless I will never forget the love my mother had for me, dad, and Ruth; today I remember that love and I smile. Love you mom!


My family-What else could I say about you that hasn't been said? You all are so special to me! I may be thousands of miles away, I may not call or write enough, but you are always in my thoughts; I hope you all feel loved as I feel loved!


Extended family-To all of the ladies who have "adopted" me as a son, I am eternally grateful. The love and support you provide me are invaluable to my life's journey and I am so glad to have you all! I'm sending you my love today!


Friends-To all my friends back in Indiana...I love you. I can say similar things to you about not calling or writing often enough, and I can also say that I love you. You all have changed and shaped my life so much, I don't know if I would have been able to move so far away from you if I didn't know how strong our friendships are and that we can reunite just like old times when I return! Much love!


Chevak family/friends-WOW! Been here almost six months and I can't describe the level of joy I have here. Just as I wouldn't be able to survive with awesome family and friends in the lower 48, I also couldn't survive without the new relationships I've built here. Its so nice getting a simple message, "I'm glad u r here" and it makes me so much more confident that I'm exactly where I should be! You guys are awesome! Love you!


I've told you all I'm thankful for and who I'm sending love to today. Who do you love? Even if you don't have a significant other to share the special day with, there are still those who love and are loved. On Valentine's Day take the time to tell those you love how you feel.


"All you need is love!"

Iditarod

How lucky am I?? My new teacher state mentor is married to a former Iditarod champion. He still races, she is a retired teacher, and they own a kennel with 100+ dogs in Big Lake, Alaska (About 1 hour north of Anchorage). My mentor Kathy comes to Chevak once a month to visit to help me learn about myself as a teacher. During her February visit, she mentioned it would be neat if I could come to Anchorage to see the start of the Iditarod in March. Seeing that I have been here since New Years I thought I would suck it up and go and today I bought my tickets! I'll be in Anchorage from. The racer I will be rooting for is Martin Buser! More information can be found at:

www.iditarod.com/

Martin Buser Bio

Martin Buser & Family Dog Kennel

Tournament photos from coworkers

String players came for the opening ceremony

The Comet Boys making an enterance

Group Dance

Beautiful Chevak Weather :)

A sun halo on a bright, sunny day!