Month Gone By Fast

I took a moment to count up how long we've been in school. This is our 5th week. It's hard to believe that I've been in Alaska this long. Where did the time go? It feels like time is moving slow until I look up at the clock. This experience is making me wonder more and more about time. How can it feel so slow but be moving so fast?!

In other news, I'm surviving here. My students test me as a person everyday. They make me better. I like to think I make them better too. I know for one, my little friend Daniel is not as out-of-control. He can follow directions. He can be nice to my other little friends. I think that has to do with me. However, that is just a thought. I like to make sure they know how much I love seeing them everyday. Everyday, we read my morning message to them. It usually starts with "I'm so happy to see you all here today." When the kiddos miss some school, they come back and I like to tell them "Hey! I'm so glad you're here. I was worried and I missed you!" If they don't have a lot of people showing them they care...they have at least one; that one person is me.

When it comes to village life, I'm doing pretty well too. I'm really close with two of the new teachers, Anna and Mary. I also feel like I can hangout with the other teachers too. A bunch of us all went berry picking last Sunday. I will save that memory for a long time. It was Peter (the high school science teacher), his family, Nancy (the high school social studies teacher), Anna, Mary, and I. I picked about 2 cups of berries! I'm learning all about the traditions. For instance, it is tradition to give your first born to your parents to raise. It is also tradition that when a boy catches his first large game, he give all of it to the entire community.

I miss home more than words. But I feel at peace here. I feel as though I'm in the right place. It's a weird and lovely feeling.

The Crying Epidemic

I had three kids randomly start crying in my class. Half the class left for Yup'ik and the other half was sitting at their tables while I was about to start their Phonics lesson. Then, all of a sudden I hear Daniel BURST into hysterical crying. Then, Angela started pouting and tearing up.

I couldn't figure out what was wrong with them because they don't like to talk to me when they cry, so, I waved across the hall to the office for the Counselor. "Uh, Linda...I have a crying epidemic...and I didn't do anything for them to be crying over..." She comes over, I bring her in and then I see Aiden crying hysterically. The other three kids were sitting their like why is everyone crying?. Linda (the counselor) starts talking to Daniel and Angela.

I start my lesson with the other three with hopes that they would just focus instead of paying the crying children any attention. Then, 5 minutes into the lesson Daniel and Angela come over with huge smiles on their faces. I'm thinking, did she drug them?

I say to them "Oh, I'm so glad you are back and feeling happy again." Then, Angela goes "We were fake crying..." and giggles like it was the funniest thing in the world.

I was like "Um...That's not very nice Angela. I was worried about you." Her and Daniel start cracking up some more. Aiden is still crying. Linda goes over to him. He won't talk to her, so she stays around till he calms down and then leaves. Aiden apparently was crying because the other two were crying and he was sad for them.


THAT, was my day in a nut shell. Not to mention that the whole district board and office stopped by to visit my classroom (so my nerves were crazy) Haha...it's always an experience here.