I ate SEAL LIVER!!!

Lena's boys Kash and Conor.

Here I am gagging a bit, but I did eat it... and it did stay down. I like all of the expressions in this photo! lol

There is a program called "Sister School" that Chevak participated in this year. A couple of weeks ago, a small group of our middle schoolers visited Palmer and got to partake in city life. This week (which is our Cultural Heritage Week) the Palmer students came here! They were fortunate to be invited to watch the gutting of a seal. AND, they were brave enough to try the liver! If you know me well, or really for any amount of time, you know that I have a weak stomach. However, there are things that I can handle now that I couldn't prior to coming to Chevak. This is probably the third gutting that I have seen and each time I think I am more comfortable with the process (smells, sights, and even sounds!). I was so proud of all of these middle schoolers trying the liver, so I joined them- with their encouragement, of course! In fact, some of the people you see in these photos are from Chevak, but this was also their first time trying the liver. It was a challenge and first for many of us, but we did it! Enjoy! :)

Orange and Blue

Last night Emily and I went yuraqing (Eskimo dancing)... it was a lot of fun!

Never a dull moment...

Nothing like taking a fresh air!

Awesome Chevak Comet kiddos! What a beautiful day!

Miss Nelson isn't missing... I'm just in Chevak (you have to know the book series)!

Ice Fishing and more!

Kendall has a new friend to keep him on his toes... the puppy's name is Comet.

A much needed visit with my little buddies.

My first time ice fishing! So, out here they tie fishing line onto a stick and this is called your "manaq". I was using half of a fish head as bait (no, I didn't put it on the hook myself).

Stewart drilling the holes for manaqing.

We picked a spot by the mountains where some people from Hooper Bay were already set up. Coffee, dried fish, and manaqs. Oh, so as I sat there watching them I couldn't help but crave a piece of their dried fish! THAT is something new in my life (:

Emily and I waiting in line at the gas station on her "snowgo" before we headed out to the mountains for fishing.

One of my rest stops when I go out "riding."

A favorite point while I am out "riding." Absolutely beautiful. 

Our Cache, one of our main stores here in Chevak.

Naqucin and I checking out at the store... YAY for Fridays!

How cute is this?!

One of the beautiful sunsets in Chevak. 

Missed Pics from March

YAY, Dr. Seuss! They are so cute!
A couple of my students during our classroom Read-In.

Our boys taking first at Regionals in honor of Lena!
Celebrating Dr. Seuss' Birthday! I am holding my absolute favorite book of all time... Oh, the Places You'll Go (:
Our girls taking first at Regionals in honor of Coach Lena.
My little buddy and I cheering on the Comets!
The coaches: Lena's sister, oldest son, and grandson... and our principal with his daughter.

The Blackhawk has landed.

Happy Spring!

Photo: Chris and I borrowed the Walker's snowgo and went riding a couple of weeks ago.

It is almost April! I have decided that it is time for a new, happy post! (: The first few weeks of March seemed to drag on and be a bit draining; however, I think that this week will begin a quick downhill slope to the end of the school year! My students are pretty much ready for the third grade. Right now, they are singing Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry." It is amazing how different types of music can help set a tone in your classroom. They can even tell you that this is REGGAE music. lol. Teachers tend to teach things that interest them, imagine that! It is official- I will be returning to complete my second year of teaching next year in Chevak. I signed my contract without reservations. When I was first interviewed for the job I made a commitment to myself that I would stay for a minimum of two years. Well, I believe I am upping the ante and making it a minimum of three, easy! That is, if nothing significant changes in my personal life (; 

Anyhow, I just ordered a Nikon camera (all you Canon lovers- back off! lol). I am SO excited to take pictures with better quality. Documenting my life out here is extremely important to me. I am still contemplating whether or not I will bring the Nikon with me to Thailand... I have heard stories of things getting lost or stolen and that would, of course, be a bummer (knowing me and my c'est la vie attitude, I will probably bring it!). 

There is a small chance that we might be able to get my mom and the photography company she works for to come out here this fall and take our school pictures! That would be awesome! I would love for my mom to come and see where and how I live. As she has said before, "It will be a once and a lifetime opportunity."  

At the beginning of the school year, I could easily stomach the school coffee, but after having many espressos at the Walker's and Bass' house, I have concluded that I am willing to make my own coffee. So, I have purchased a coffee maker/grinder and some beans from good ol' Alaskan Kaladis! That is one of my new gifts to myself for next school year. I will start my mornings in my classroom with a fresh-brewed pot of coffee and maybe invite someone in for morning chats (: Perhaps I am becoming a semi-coffee snob... Happy Spring to you all!

In Loving Memory of Lena Ferguson

Photo courtesy of Chris Krejca

Photo courtesy of Cyndy Ussing

Yesterday I was informed that a friend was sent to Anchorage due to worsening health conditions related to lung cancer. Last night her grown son, Ulric, and her two high school boys (Kash and Conor) flew to the city to be by her side. Today she passed away around noon, surrounded by family.

Lena was a strong woman. She taught at Chevak School for many years. In fact, she was supposed to retire at the end of next year. She was wife to Harry and she was mom to Angelique, Ulric, Casey, Cody, Kash, and Conor. She was friend and mentor to many.

Lena was our "steam" partner out here. She loved taking steams and it was an honor to be invited. This was a relaxing time. A time where often I sat listening, not doing too much talking. It was here where she shared her culture, her heart, and her friendship. 

It is amazing to me that people can be put in your life for even for a short time and make such a difference. Lena has been a significant piece in my short time here in Chevak. I loved that she cared about who I am and where I come from. She was a good listener. 

So much of her journey reminds me of my dad. I think I appreciated her even more because she let me talk about my dad. And she knew that was good and she gave me hope for longings that I hold in my heart. Lena had a lot of faith.

I feel so privileged to have been a part of her life, even if only for a short while. She will always be a part of my life. Taking steams and berry-picking will never again be the same. But, in them she will be remembered and honored. 

The community of Chevak will mourn for they have lost a pillar in their community. I am glad that she no longer suffers, but my heart is heavy for her family and friends.  Life is too short and those we value and love should know it while they are here. 

This is the fourth funeral we have had in Chevak since August, and I can't quite explain the grieving and mourning here. But, I am really thankful to be a part of this community. I am on a journey and sometimes it is bittersweet. 

Lena, thank you for our "steams;" thank you for sharing your culture with me.

I found the following link just a few minutes after posting this blog. Every bit of it is true.

http://thetundradrums.com/news/show/4952

My First Wedding in Chevak

I really do have the bestest friend!

February almost seems to have come and gone...

Our post office.

The hills in the distance... a beautiful day in Chevak.

The time seems to be flying by more quickly than I had anticipated. The end of the school year is only three months away and I can hardly believe it. This month my students have to complete Terra Nova tests, LEP testing, AND DRAs... it sounds like a lot, but as we go through the testing one step at a time I am realizing that it is manageable (though it does take away from time that could be spent on more learning).

It's been awhile since I've been able to actually sit down and write about how I am feeling about the whole experience of teaching in rural Alaska aka "the bush." I have been trying to scrapbook, blog, and journal since the date of my arrival; however, time does still seem to get the best of me.

I am enjoying it here. I have read over and over again that the first year is the hardest and it pulls you in many directions, yet I honestly feel that I have had such a pleasant first year. My circumstances are different for many reasons, which is a huge part of why I chose to teach in Chevak as a first year teacher. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity.

Don't get me wrong; there are struggles. Many days our tub will get backed up and will refuse to drain... the other day I had to stand in a bucket to shower. Quite frequently our toilet will not flush and things get disgusting over a period of days before the problem is fixed. My friends are my co-workers and also my neighbors (you can never really step away from work). And I miss friends and family functions.

But, the experiences I have had, the friendships I have made, the learnings I have come to, and the difference I hope I have made makes it all worth it. There really isn't a day where I go to work and feel like I am at work. I wonder if that makes sense... I do feel like I am putting in effort and time, but I enjoy it... it is a passion.

I am continuing to take courses through UAA online and find that I am amazed at how well educators can network all over the state of Alaska. And I recognize that I will probably always be a student because I really do love learning and growing, especially when it involves delving into my passion.

Anyway, it is late and I need to get some rest. Madeleine (my bestfriend since the 5th grade) is coming to visit me on Sunday and I cannot wait! The weather has been a bit windy and stormy so have hopeful thoughts that the weather will allow for her to make the flights on time and that we will be able to visit as planned! As always, thanks for keeping an interest (:
Quyana,
Misty

My new kuspuk made by Ms. Laura Atcherian... don't you love it?!


Chris, Emily and I at Hoopfest 2009... GO COMETS!!!