Bush internet is not the most reliable...

This week has not been a good week for internet around here - so, I did not update last weekend. Also, I bought a new phone and cannot get the photos off the old phone to upload the Part 2 photos from culture week and Santa. So, moving forward...

These are a few I was able to find on my new phone though:

Students made ice-fishing rods

Later in the week, the kids actually used their new poles to catch smelt!

 The Governor of Alaska (Bill Walker) and his wife.

 The Air Force National Guard brought new backpacks for every student! 

(Plus hats, mittens and scarves and other gifts.)

Here comes SANTA!!! The Air Force hand-delivered him. I can't believe this plane landed in Togiak - we just have a little gravel unlit runway.

 Beading

 Story telling with drums and dance

 The parka presentation was impressive - WOW - so many beautiful furs and each parka has a special meaning depending on where things are hanging from and the type of fur used.

 Spotted seal fur - beautiful stuff. This was used to make traditional Yupik yo-yos. 

 NYO - Native Youth Olympics - This event, you hold your left foot with your right hand while sitting on the floor, then jump up without letting go and kicked the hanging ball with your right foot. I tried - and fell right on my butt!

 Survival skills

 Dancing - a favorite! (I have a lot of videos that one day, I will get together and put on here)

Happy Thanksgiving! We had a really nice meal at the school. The teachers, principal and vice principal all brought food to share and I was plenty full with turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, fruit cranberry salad and peanut butter cookies for dessert.

Our principal let us use the little truck to pile in and get to the school since we were carrying hot food. We also use this little truck twice a week to get down to the post office in the village. It's a COLD ride in the back of that!

 The spread! It almost felt like home :)

Yes, I ate every single bite!

My kids enjoyed weaving place mats to take home for their holiday. Art is not something that is taught in the school (and we also do not have music or PE or any other specials class). If the students are to have these subjects, it is up to the teacher to fit them in. I believe art is important and so does the 5th grade teacher; therefore, she and I get our kids together a few times a month for a project.

The tundra is frozen!! I should have known that living in Alaska would be a "little  colder than living in Kansas... huh? Well - it is BEYOND cold! I am so bundled up when walking anywhere (remember, I walk to school in the pitch dark freezing mornings... ) that I can hardly walk and see. This is the most terrible photo of me ever, but it shows just how squished I am inside all my clothing. I have 3 hats on, a hood, a scarf, a face wrap, a head wrap, triple gloves, long johns, leg warmers, snow bib overalls, a shirt, a jacket and a coat, heavy duty LL Bean snow boots with 2 pairs of socks - plus a head lamp on my forehead so I can see a little of my surroundings in the mornings.

 At the post office.

Another teacher friend and I decided to walk to the village across the tundra and frozen ponds. It was an exhausting walk and each step took a lot of effort and attention. The tundra is far from flat; it has hidden dips and drops all throughout it. Even though it was frozen, you could (and David did!) sink into a deep hole and fall. So, when walking, you have to be mindful of each step and set your foot down carefully to constantly test the surface. It was cold this day - I believe it was 5 degrees - we walked 2 1/2 hours to the village and back. But, we had fun and the views were spectacular!!

 David (our shop teacher) and me exploring the cold.

 Eating frosty, cold, delicious and crisp Alaska snow! It was so cold it burned my lips.

 The tundra...

 Frozen ponds...

 What do you do when walking across a frozen tundra pond? Well, you make a snow angel of course!

Today is Chloe's birthday! She is 1 year old... full of spunk, mischief and love. She is a challenging puppy for sure, but she makes up for it with her love and tons of warmth under the covers at night. Both Ginger and Chloe love to go deep  under the covers at night. Ginger is having a tough time with the cold; I bought her some booties on amazon and while waiting for them to come in I made a little felt pair for her. When I take her out, she whines and lifts her back feet; her little feet are not liking the ice and snow. Chloe is an indoor dog and is pad trained so I don't know to worry about her going out, but she still seems to get cold inside. I put a little sweater on her to help keep her warm - hmmm, I'm thinking she does not like it!?

Chloe

 Ginger

Enjoy your week and some random photos!

Sunsets are beautiful in Togiak! My apartment is just to the far-right.

Sunrise from my classroom...

Shaving cream math! (Not to mention the sanitizing of the desks benefit)

This is "Bear" - so we named him... he is a local stray and he is the sweetest giant ever. He walks with the teachers wherever they go; he makes me feel safe.

 Kids on the desks! So, we were learning about turkeys the week of Thanksgiving and what better way to learn the meaning of "roost" than to get on top of our desks and roost!

 My school shoes.

 A regular view around here. I love hearing them fly over to land and rev up to take off.

 Sunset

 This isn't my photo but from a local. Seal hunting is a regular activity. There is a ribbon seal in the back of the boat - also, see the ice on the river? Brrr

A Pampers box makes the perfect sled! This is below my living room window; the kids' favorite sledding spot.

See you next weekend - depending on the internet of course! :) Stay warm everyone...