Lemons in Mud

I have been stuck in some negative mud and I try to get away but it is finding me even in my secret hiding places.  It isn't fair for me or all of you that care about me to retreat so I will do my best to stop.  I don't plan on spilling out all the negatives because the positives (the students and my personal satisfaction while teaching them) is far better than anything.  I am doing fine and making some great progress with my class.  They are good kids and work through all that they have been given to try their best.  I even had over half my class visit me for Halloween treats tonight!  I am glad I went into teaching and will get past the non-teaching issues soon enough.  Also, I am thankful for the many conversations I have had with people back at home as well as the care packages.  The fruit, student gifts (they are loving the gum, pencils, trinkets), puppy treats, and all the goodies for me as well, are well received.  The care for us definitely makes the trip!  So again thank you.

There is a lot that can be said by avoiding sharing the "down" parts of life but being so far away it isn't fair to hide them either as that causes acts of retreat.  I will do my best to keep in touch as I said good or bad...so until next time (hope I will post much sooner than the last one)...

Internet at HOME

So the last month or more I have been selfish with my daily activities and thoughts.  No worries though because I now have internet at home and I will be able to make posts way easier than before.  Most days I would leave school (and the internet connection) to go home to eat, but then decided I would much rather stay home than go back in to "work". 

Life here in Kipnuk is going well and I have a great group of colleagues that I spend a lot of time with outside of the school day.  I also have fixed my "roommate issue" with a very cute village puppy.  Her name is Aquila (which was derived from a little girl's Yupik name Quila)  The two of us are a pretty good pair and we share the living space well.  She lets me feed her and clean up after her.  She also makes sure I get out of bed and that I get to experience having a dog to walk in the Alaskan Tundra.

I have taught my new friends how to play my favorite games and they have had open minds to try new games.  It has been great to have that aspect of my "old" life here in Alaska.  The only problem I have faced is that I am a pretty good teacher and I am continually losing my own games.  I will take this problem any day as it shows I am getting to play boardgames regularly!

This is the "Truman Show" look to Kipnuk.  Those "roads" are boardwalks, sometimes barely big enough for four wheelers.  This is my Alaskan home and feel more and more a part of it each day!

:) Gia