A Glimpse...

For my project, I have been taking photos and video footage of some of our life experiences, as teachers, here in Chevak, AK. These are a few of the shots (just from one evening):

Sometimes, you have to shovel your way out of your housing unit... 

... or shovel your way in.

During the winter, we must bring our trash to the dump by snow go (aka snowmobile aka snow machine) and sled. On this particular day, we had to sit on the trash so that it would not blow away on our drive to its final destination.

With freezing temperatures, the plumbing is not always cooperative. Here, we are mopping up the living room... we later found that there was probably a shop vac available for us to use...

In the meantime, we spread out towels, sopped up water, wrung the towels out into a bucket (aka trash can), and then threw the water out into the cold, gusting wind (hence the goggles)... and repeated. Again. And, again.
Side note/author disclaimer: There AREN'T any tanning beds here :P (lol)! 

PROJECT TIME

Well, it is crunch time... just about! I am officially enrolled in my grad school Project. This should be my last semester of grad school, as long as I work hard to meet deadlines and present my best documentation. My GAC offered the thought of blogging my project experience, and I have debated just how I would like to do so. If all else, I figured I would share with you what it is that I will be focusing on in the next couple of months.

For those of you who have been wondering, my program is Cross-Cultural Studies (with an emphasis on Alaska Native Education). For my grad project, I decided that I wanted to create an orientation video for future district applicants. The reason this came to be is because I have had a strong desire to prepare teachers as best as possible for their teaching experience here in Chevak, Alaska. Though I can provide a huge amount of information and personal experience, no one can fully understand what it means to live and teach out here until they do so (particularly if they have never taught in rural Alaska).

The goal of this project is that by having more information about our community, applicants will be somewhat more prepared as to what it would be like to live and work for our district. At the completion of this project, the administration can choose to use the video if they wish.

So  far, I am really enjoying my one-on-one time interviewing my colleagues. It is difficult to find time throughout our days, so that has been a bit of a challenge. However, I am really enjoying going through my footage and photos from over the years. It is hard to believe that next year will be my fifth year teaching in Chevak. I am hoping to capture my experiences in a productive and meaningful way, though it is important to me to be as real as possible-- not to paint a picture through rose-colored glasses. Each school year has most definitely brought challenges, along with moments that will always create a feeling of nostalgia.

The temperatures have been rather cold here lately, but we are up to two degrees fahrenheit today! While it is a little warmer, I will be conducting a bit of filming outside... brrr! :)

Please send your good juju my way as I take on this project and put it altogether for its finale. My hopes are to have it completed by March and to be able to graduate in May (prayers are appreciated)! Thank you for your support and interest. It's go big time!

The Raven's Gift Debut

Another intriguing novel that I have yet to read, but it is on my list!

***Celebrate the release of Don Rearden's novel, The Raven's Gift. Food, music, poetry, book signing, and fun. Where: Snow Goose Restaurant and Brewery. When: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 7p-10p.

The Raven's Gift by Don J. Rearden
 Synopsis: John Morgan and his wife can barely contain their excitement upon arriving as the new teachers in a Yupik Eskimo village on the windswept Alaskan tundra. Lured north in search of adventure, the idealistic couple hopes to immerse themselves in the ancient Arctic culture. Their move proves disastrous when a deadly epidemic strikes and the isolated tundra community descends into total chaos. When outside help fails to arrive, John's only hope lies in escaping the snow covered tundra and the hunger of the other survivors. His thousand-mile trek across the Alaskan wilderness grows more improbable when he encounters a blind Eskimo girl and an elderly woman. The two need his protection from those who would harm them, and he needs their knowledge of the terrain and their companionship to survive. The harsh journey and constant danger push him beyond his limits as he discovers a new sense of hope and the possibility of loving again.