Ninth Stop: Nature

How many of us take the time and look around us?  Do we take in the beauty that surrounds us?  

     I am guilty of not doing this.   I was blessed to live in California, specifically Fresno and Carlsbad, and never really took the time to enjoy where I was and what all it has to offer.  I am trying not to repeat the same mistake here in Alaska. 

     Every day, rain or shine, I have been going outside and trying to take in the scenery.  It is so humbling to see...... brings everything to reality. 

     Here are some pictures from the lower part of the village:  views overlooking the lagoon, the English Bay that meets the ocean, my own personal giving tree that has supported me for several hours already, the half mile run way, and the "top-of-the line" airport.  

     Please don't forget to take time to look at all the wonderful things that surround you and how truly amazing God is. 

Eighth Stop: Me

“Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving.  When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.”   Bell Hook

   This quote has never meant more to me than it does now.  I am learning a very important lesson that I have always been too busy to learn.  I have always been great at finding something to fill my time, or someone to hang out with as a distraction.  Here in this village... It is "me" time.  I cannot call someone to go grab dinner, I have no phone.  I cannot take my puppy for a walk because I do not have one... I can't spend endless hours at the gym acting like I am busy to avoid the underlying issue...ME.     

     I have been able to get in better touch with nature and see people living off the land.  Living with what many of us would classify as the basics is humbling.  It is refreshing to see kids outside being kids-Playing and being creative.  They do not have any video games, computer games, and whatever other distractions keep kids from exploring and playing.     Seeing that really has helped me focus on me and work on getting to the inner layers and issues.  My own personal therapist... time...  

Seventh Stop: Friday!

     I could not be more excited that it is finally Friday and absolutely beautiful outside.  I think I was more excited than my kiddos.  As soon as I heard the teacher said, "Have a great weekend!",  I was out of there.

     This week did feel like forever, but it was filled with so many learning experiences personally and professionally.  It has left me exhausted everyday and yet very excited to see what is going to happen next on this 9 month adventure.

    I just wanted to give a HUGE thank you to all my friends and family who are along on this journey and have helped me get here.  There are no words to express my thanks.  Today I received a box from my Nunez family full of all kinds of great goodies that will keep me busy and on the fluffier side (nutella and peanut butter... heaven!).  I could not do this wonderful trip without each of you.  So here is to the weekend full of recovery, exploration, and laundry.

     Hope you all have had a blessed and beautiful Friday. I think you guys should unbuckle for a little and enjoy it!!

Detour: I will take my ipad around the village tomorrow so I can upload some more pictures. :)

Sixth Stop: High Quality H20

We have water!!!   This, to some, does not seem like a big deal, but let me tell you... After 2 days of not being able to brush your teeth (without pouring water from a water bottle), not being able to wash your hands (having to depend on hand sanitizer), not being able to flush the toilet (janitor had to run around fill the tanks with water to flush), not being able to wash dishes (they are still up there waiting for me), and not being able to take a shower.... it is no bueno!   Survive??? Yes, we did.   Just makes me think about all the people in the world who don't have it and or never had it.  This really reminds me of how blessed I am and that I guess I am high maintenance because running water is now on my list of "must haves", unless otherwise stated.

     My kiddo went home sick today.  In any other job, that means I have the day off and still get paid, but may I remind you that I am in a village and you do not get off that easily.  So, today I got to help set up our welcome back picnic for kids and their family.  It was fun.  Had typical picnic food like hot dogs.   BUT someone brought these delicious hand made tacos.  They definitely give California a run for their money when it comes to fresh fish tacos.  They were delicious!!!  Homemade tortillas, fresh fish, topped with lettuce.  To die for!!!  There was also this bread that was amazing too.  I am a sucker for the good stuff.  I asked Mama A and she is going to teach me how to make it.  I am so excited to learn from this amazing woman.  She has seen and done so much and I am blessed that she is willing to teach me.     There is hope for me yet to be a homemaker, but there will always be other things happening too.     

     

     After the picnic was complete, I got put on "run away status".  One of our 3rd graders wanted to go home with their mom and he was not allowed to.  He has a history of running and hiding, which he executed beautifully today.  But I was on his tale every step of the way.   I even stood outside of the bathroom making sure he did not succeed in the great escape.  The principal was very impressed that I kept my cool and even talked him into working with his class for the last hour and half of school.  Who knew I could talk down the trouble kids and get them back on track.  I guess it is a gift, but a gift that cannot be executed everyday because it is exhausting. 

     To end the day on an even better note.. I added on to my workout and did some band work, jump rope, and run the air strip dodging planes again. 

     Hope everyone has had a great week and still with me. Buckled and ready to take on Friday. The next adventure awaits. 

Fifth Stop: Gone Fishing

     Today I went for  run after work.. shocker....I just said run.  Weird.  I do have to admit that after a month of absolute crazy it was nice to put in my headphones turn up my old school tunes (it is my very old ipod) and just go.  The smell of the beach to one side and the lagoon on the other - it was pretty perfect.  Just had to watch for the pot holes and rocks.. those were not that much fun. Making sure to occasionally look left, right, and up.  Yes.. I said up.  I was running on the strip which is about a half a mile long where the little bush planes land. These are the planes used to get in and out of the village.  Never thought that would be part of my safety check. 

Detour: Papa Mike (Merideth's Dad) use to be a pilot of these very small planes. Thank you for the briefing before hand so I could go in cool, calm, and collected.  

     After that pick-me-up, I was able to join Mama A (Mom of my Kiddo)  and her kiddos as they went fishing.  It was so much fun to be out there watching and learning how they do things.  My favorite technique, I have to admit, was executed by their family four legged friend Twiggy.  He would stand very still in the river and then take off chasing a fish, successfully grabbing it, and bringing it to shore while she watched it flop around.  Twiggy brought home 2 very large humpies, also known as boilers.  Mama A's son was using a harpoon for the first time.   He loves to fish and was getting very frustrated that he was not producing , so he gave up on the harpoon and went for the rod.  In a matter of minutes he had fish hooked and lined up.  It was unbelievable!  In less than hour he got 8 humpies.  This made time for my favorite part... I watched Mama A clean the fish and get them ready to smoke.     The natives here do not a waste a thing... Even down to the innards and heads of the fish.Once the fish are cleaned, all the innards and heads are left for the birds to pick through.  And when it becomes high tide, they get swept out to the ocean where other fish can pick - even down to the bottom feeders.  It is a truly amazing cultural custom and one thing that they have a lot of pride in.  Just to watch them explain it to me.. something I will ever forget...Their passion and love for traditions.     After all that was said and done, I got to go "bum" the use of a coworkers shower.   I have to admit after not being able to shower and finally get to use one that does not require shower shoes... it was pretty awesome.  Still no water in my part of the village.  Fingers crossed ACS (Alaska Communication System) gets it figured out.

On to the next adventure. Hope you all are still buckled and with me! 

Fourth Stop: Culture and Norms

     Never a dull moment in the village.  Today the construction workers that were digging ditches to lay new wires hit the water pipe... This means that half of the village has no water.  Thank goodness I took a shower this morning.  I am in that part of the village has none.  This means everything is coming from the 5 gallon bottles.  Going to the bathroom means.. no flushing.  We are hoping that is back and running tomorrow!

I have learned quickly that some of the cultural or Alaskan ways that we are not accustom to are: 

   ---Practically everyone drives an ATV ....Yes, even the kindergartners have ones that smaller.  Never thought you would hear the Kindergarten teacher say, "Everyone have a great evening and drive safely!" 

   ---It is normal for kids to stay up late because the sun is out... this is a great idea when it is summer... not so great when they have to get up early and come to school.  We have a ton of sleepy kids.

   ---When you go shopping, most people's concern is how is it going to fit in my car... Alaskan people are concerned with how much is this going to cost me to get it home?  Will it be ok on a plane or do I have to put it on the barge?

    ---When it comes to fruits and vegetables, I have been beyond blessed to have them readily available living in California.  That is not so much the case here in Alaska.  What I wouldn't give to go through a salad bar right now... or have a huge salad!

   ---In most states if you live in the outskirts, you can (typically) jump in your car and make it to the big city without an issue.  Here in Alaska if you live in the outskirts, or a village, you have to hope and pray that flying weather is good enough to get picked up and hope that it isn't too bumpy of a ride and that you can make it back... Schedules and ability to shop, do business, or travel depend on if you can fly or not.  This blows my mind. 

Something I am learning:  Everyday life that I am use to is much different here.  I am getting use to the norms here in Alaska more and more everyday! 

Everyone still buckled in?? On to the next adventure. 

These pictures were taken from right outside my room. Looking out over the beach. 

 

Third Stop: First Day of School and Teacher Appreciation

      I already had so much respect for teachers and all that they do, but after being here at the school and seeing all the extra time to get their room ready, (lesson plans ready, tables, supplies, ect, ect.)  it has grown ten-fold.  It is unreal everything that they do.  So, please, hug a teacher and say thank you!  Even if you are not a student ....  because you had teacher too who may not have felt appreciated.

     All in all today was a great first day.  I learned a lot more about my student and that my expectations for this year are not unrealistic.  I am very excited for everything that we will accomplish.  Our teacher is amazing and being in class will be an added adventure.     When I accepted this job, I knew that with it being a combo-class, and a small village, and community, that people wore several different hats with several different responsibilities.  Today just confirmed my suspicions that I would be no different.  I welcomed the challenge.  I am not JUST the interpreter... I am a teacher, a tutor, an aid, a nurse, and someone to make a joke when the day seems impossible.     During school,  I learned that this multi-task hat wearer is not appropriate and does not fall in our job description, but seriously: what interpreter has been able to JUST be the interpreter... there is always so many more dynamics to our job.  We are constantly having to switch hats between message conveyer, cultural mediator, and advocate.     Today, though, was different ...and, so far , I love all the hats I have to wear.  More hats, I am sure, will be added, but that is the benefit to living in the school... I have shoes to go with everything and I quickly change. :)Thank you again to family and friends who are teachers...you ladies and gentlemen are superheroes in my eyes!

Hope everyone is still along on this ride with their seat belts fastened!