Room with a view...

This the the view of the sunrise here in St. Michael. I took this picture from my classroom window about 11:15 today. The sun is coming up behind The Sisters mountains. The Sisters are part of mainland Alaska. The canal is between St. Michael Island and the mainland in this picture. It's completely covered with about 2 feet of ice now. The snowmobile and 4 wheeler in the picture are the usual mode of transportation. (I don't think the truck has moved in years.) Anyway, the sun really is beautiful when it comes up. For the record, it is coming up from the south today.

Surprise was on them...

What a surprise! Petunia, my roomie, is a clever one indeed! Saturday evening we had dinner at Jeannie's then back to our house where we were planning to host movie night. When we got back to our house there were balloons all over the living room floor. I was a bit puzzled about that but went with it. For the next half hour or so, Patty and Jeannie tried various things to get me to go to my bedroom. Honestly they were trying a bit too hard... Eventually I walked down the hall in that direction only to stop and turn the bathroom light on. When I did, my bedroom door flew open and the 6 of our friends/co workers yelled, "Surprise!" For the record, I was surprised. I knew they were all coming over, just had no idea they had been hiding in my room for at least half an hour.

I shouldn't have left them there that long. They did many things to my room. My dresser drawers were all rearranged, there were a few things hidden in my bed, my alarm clock had been set for 3:00 a.m., who knows what else. It was a fun evening!
By the way, I have no idea how many candles were on that cake but I am NOT 40, regardless of what Cynthia thinks!



Cynthia celebrating her release from my room.











Jill, Betty and Wendy in on the fun and games!

Having A Melt Down

WOW - We are seriously having a melt down here in St. Michael. It was 34 degrees out there this morning when I got up, which was an hour ago. The snow is melting and it is going to be a beatuiful day. They tell me it is a good thing because it helps to pack the snow down and makes for better trails. I am all for better trails... much easier on the body while riding!
Just wanted to update you all on the SMK situation! Have a great day!

Monday Morning...

This fine looking group of people is the Bering Strait School District Special Education teachers. We met in Nome December 2,3, 4, 2005.





Patty, Amy, Me, Jodi, and Morgan out on the loose in Nome. No worries... Fearless Jeannie was with us. We did some Christmas shopping, touring, and had a great dinner out. Thanks again to Pamela for the great meals she made us! And to Rebecca... Thanks for that wonderful breakfast Sunday morning!

It was great being able to see another part of Alaska. Nome is much bigger than St. Michael, with a population of about 3500. I was amazed at the roads and traffic. St. Michael's traffic consists of Hondas and snowmobiles, and a few vehicles.

Hey... less than 2 weeks now and I'll be home for Christmas!

December is here!

Patty and I showing off our muscles... ha ha ha
Actually we did a photo shoot for our Christmas cards the other night. We had a lot of great ideas but it was a bit too cold to actually do some of them. Perhaps we'll do them when it warms up one of these days.
Today it is about 3 degrees, but it is still pretty early. Patty, Jeannie, and I are heading for Nome this evening. I am very excited to be flying out, haven't been off the island in over a month now. We are going for our SPED cadre so we get to visit Nome, shop, eat, and get paid for it all! I'll let you know how it all goes!
Still lovin' it here...