Goodbye, Alaska's Rose

October has always been my favorite month... my birthday, Halloween, Grandma Rose's birthday, opals, dividends, the feel of fall in the air... I didn't anticipate going home prior to December this school year, but God had another plan...

On October 3, Grandma Rose turned 82. On October 5, she went to be with the Lord. As my sister stated at the service, "Grandma Rose lead a pretty full and good life." She was very strong. When my mom and stepdad met, Rose and Bud took us in as their own biological grandchildren. Some of my most vivid memories with Grandma Rose were: Christmas Eve opening gifts at their house downstairs (Christmas music playing, lots of wrapping paper and gift bags, laughter, love, bags of loot, family and friends, etc); going with Grandma Rose after school and working diligently on my spelling packets with her help (PS I am a pretty darn good speller these days ;); special "days off" from school to buy a special outfit and have a special one-on-one lunch with her; and, let's not forget my 3rd grade haircut (had to go to Grandma Rose's hair salon... :)

We knew that Grandma Rose was sick and had been fighting illnesses for awhile. Though we are sad to see her go, as the deacon said, "It's time to allow her to go." There seemed to be a common theme from the people who spoke at the service-- Grandma Rose had a purpose to help and to serve others.  She really has a neat life story, having had served in the USAF as a nurse. She met Grandpa Bud while in Athens, Greece, they were engaged in Italy, and had a civil service in Switzerland! :) Feel free to read Rose's obituary below and thank you for your love and support. RIP, "Gma."

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=rosemary-irwin&pid=153991224&fhid=10410

http://youtu.be/HfUWub8xjdY

Melissa Shelby Photography: Summer 2011

Thank you, Melissa, for another fun photo session! I first met Melissa years ago when I was a childcare provider for her two handsome little boys. Dave and Melissa became more of friends than employers as a I graduated college and began my teaching career. I am fortunate in that Melissa takes me out to various Alaskan locations to try new photography techniques and to play with her different photography equipment. My next thought is to get her to come out to the village... how awesome would that be?! :D Thanks, Melissa, for your friendship and photography skills... it was very nice to catch up and I adore the photos!  ;-)

Bears in Denali

Though I rafted the Nenana River a few years ago, I just had my first real visit to Denali National Park! This particular visit was a course entitled "Bears in Denali" with the instructor being Pat Owen. There were about 12 participants total, spending 3 days and 2 nights learning about grizzly bears and bear safety, in general. We were very lucky in that we saw 3 grizzly bears total... and, I spotted the one we saw out in the field! It was pretty darn neat! My dad absolutely loved bears and used to play this grizzly bear game with me and my sisters when we were at parks during our early years. I like to think he sent this one just for me :) There are a few pics here, but my camera died after the first day so I might upload more later. Thank you, Alaska, for a beautiful and special summer!

Murie Science and Learning Center (sponsor of the "Bears in Denali" course)

My welcome to DNP!.. No idea whose vehicle this is :)

Camp

Where we ate meals and had lectures

My bunk

Our transportation

This coyote had himself a little snack...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous... God's beauty is BEYOND gorgeous...

Ready for our first hike

Fireweed tat... you are calling my name...!

Sheila!

Some of the other participants

Denali... yay!!!

Berry picking... they sure were plentiful!

Forget Me Not (Alaska state flower)

This picture doesn't do the view justice.

Staying dry :)

Summer 2011 Photo Shoot

Recently I was able to reconnect with a friend and photographer, Melissa Shelby. We took a little hike near Flat Top and some fun was had! Check out the fabulous photos on her website and, hopefully, I will get some on here in the near future ;) Thanks, Melissa!

Melissa Shelby Photography: Nelson Shoot June 2011

Driving the Alcan Hwy from Seattle to Fairbanks= ROAD TRIP!

The Alaska Highway (also known as the Alaskan Highway, Alaska-Canadian Highway, or ALCAN Highway) was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in 1942, it was 2,237 km or 1,390 mi long, but is becoming shorter due to rerouting.[1] The historic end of the highway is near milepost 1422,[1] where it meets the Richardson Highway in Delta Junction, Alaska, about 160 km (99 mi) southeast of Fairbanks. Mileposts on the Richardson Highway are numbered from Valdez, Alaska. The Alaska Highway is popularly (but unofficially) considered part of the Pan-American Highway, which extends south to Argentina. (cited by Wikipedia)

The rig

Holding Bismarck the Buffalo

He was a little grumpy...

Black bear and her cubs... three of the thirteen that we saw within two hours!

I was in awe... completely enthralled!

Bad tourist... I know. HAD to mark it off my bucket list though!

Bijoux

Hell's Gate Airtram

Vancouver, B.C. = lovely place!

Notice the street name? :)

Chevak sunset in May

Beer bath cooler in Canada

Teaching in Rural Alaska: Part 2

For those of you who might be thinking of teaching in Alaska, here is a link to our ATP (Alaska Teacher Placement) website:

http://www.alaskateacher.org/doku.php?id=alaska_job_fairs

ATP is scheduled to be in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 10, 2011, Anchorage, Alaska on April 15 & 16, 2011, and Seattle, Washington on April 17, 2011 for job fairs.

As always, if you have specific questions about teaching in Alaska, I am happy to share MY experience ;)

Happy trails!

Advice by Ilam Shamir

Some words of wisdom found on the walls of my friends' bathroom ;)


Advice from a Moose

Think big

Spend time in the woods

Eat plenty of greens

Hold your head up high

Stay on track

Keep your nose clean

It's okay to be a little wild!

Advice from a Polar Bear

Live large

Be thick-skinned

Sniff out opportunities 

Learn some good icebreakers

Appreciate long winter nights

Be fearless

Keep it cool!