A Weekend in Nondalton

I wasn't the only one waiting on the plane to come

I am going to try to keep this post short and sweet because it is a beautiful Sunday and I want to go explore my village a bit! I just wanted to post about my Saturday at home in Nondalton (the first in over a month actually). Yesterday was a pretty lazy day in the scheme of things. I spent most of the day at school getting caught up on shows on Hulu and I loved every second of it. In the afternoon, I received the phone call that I was excitedly waiting for; a call saying that a plane would be landing in the village in twenty minutes. 

All of my yummy groceries!

The reason I was so eager for this plane was because it was bringing with it groceries that I had ordered the day before. When I had come out to tutor, I planned my shopping to last me until the end of March. However, I was offered an extension in my contract, and I accepted. This means that I will be in Nondalton until mid-May and it also meant that I would need more food. The easiest way to get what I needed was to place an order with a woman at Lake Clark Air. The service is great because I am able to order exactly what I want from basically any store in Anchorage. Once the woman goes out and does the shopping, she sends it out on a plane. I can’t describe the feeling, but the joy I felt at getting my two boxes of groceries was incredible. The almost sad part about that fact was that I knew every single item I was going to be getting, and I had just placed the order the day before. Nonetheless, it felt like Christmas morning when the plane arrived (over an hour late…)  and I got to take my stuff home to unload. 

Aqutak

Another thing that happened yesterday was that the village held an appreciation dinner for all of the workers, teachers included. We met at the community building for a potluck where I almost went into a food coma after ingesting mass quantities of smoked salmon. I also finally got to try akutaq (a-goo-duk) or eskimo ice-cream! This is something all of my students in PIP talked about, and something I have been hesitantly eager to try. The reason I was so nervous to try it is because the only three ingredients are: berries, sugar, and crisco. Yes, ice-cream made primarily of crisco. I tried one bite and while it was sweet and tasty, I just couldn’t erase the fact that I was eating spoonfuls of crisco. While I’m happy to try anything and everything native, I am content to leave more akutaq for everyone else from now on. 

The start of Indian Bingo

This Saturday night spent in Nondalton ended by playing a game called Indian Bingo. Why it's called Bingo I do not understand at all, but what I do know is that it got my adrenaline pumping. The game involves everyone putting a present in the middle of a large circle of people. Then they hand out a bunch of pairs of large fuzzy dice to every few people. When the game starts, you roll the dice and if you get doubles, you can pick a prize and roll again. If you don’t get doubles, you pass the dice to the left and wait for the next set to make it to you. It starts to get really fast, and then it lasts until all of the presents are gone. Sounds fun, right? But that’s not all! Once all of the presents in the middle are gone, a timer is set for two minutes. In this round, you play by the same rules except if you roll doubles, you can steal presents from people. This turned into two minutes of people running back and forth stealing gifts. There were two specific large boxes that people wanted which lead to it getting cut-throat and intense. When the timer went off, people ran off to open their gifts. I walked away empty-handed and mind-blown by how this whole game lasted no longer than ten minutes. Just another Saturday night in the bush!

The Biggest Event of the Year

Taking a walk on the edge of Lake Iliamna

This past weekend was the Newhalen/Iliamna carnival and therefore it was all anyone had talked about in the weeks leading up to it. Let me just clear up any confusion now and say that this is not your typical carnival. There were plenty of raffles, games, music, dances, and even a talent show to fill the weekend. However, other popular items on the schedule were ice fishing derbies, steam bath contests (to see who can last the most minutes, not hours, in the scalding hot steam), water warming contests, and many more "Alaskan" events. Throughout last week, my students kept asking me if I would be in Newhalen for the weekend and although I had told them yes, they didn’t seem inclined to believe me until they saw me in the flesh. I’m not exaggerating when I say that every single one of my students that I saw over the weekend looked surprised to see me there. This was not something I wanted to miss!

Watching the game with other teachers and students:) 

After school on Friday, a group of teachers from my school and I traveled in typical village fashion (3 people to a honda) across the lake to meet up with Sam who had a suburban to haul us all to the Newhalen school. Carnival is an event run by the village/tribal council but it takes place in the school of the hosting village. Not every village has a carnival however, and that is why everyone in Nondalton and many from Kokhanok (a nearby village) would spend the next few days traveling back and forth or staying with relatives in Iliamna. Friday night was an important night because there was a basketball game between Newhalen and Port Alsworth (another school in our district) and it was a game that everyone wanted to witness. It was a fun game to watch but it was just strange to be in a gym filled with so many people! I was definitely over-stimulated and it took me a little while to adjust to the large crowd. 

"I'm Sexy and I Know it" dance at the talent show

Once the game was over (Newhalen won!), Sam and I took the rest of the teachers back to the lake so they could get home and then we went back for the big dance. Again, this was something all my students talked about last week but of course none of them got up and danced. Itt was mainly a local band playing and then occasionally a few couples would get up and dance. It was fun to just sit around visiting with other teachers and students in a different environment than we are used to. Saturday and Sunday were filled with much of the same, ending each night with a dance. The main event on Saturday night had been a talent show which was cute to see. A few different groups of students got up to perform for the crowd. One girl did the cha-cha slide while she hula-hooped and I thought she was the clear winner, but a group of pre-schoolers beat her out with their cuteness. 

A young group performing cultural dances

I think my favorite event of the weekend though was the potluck on Sunday. I still love the idea of village potlucks and how a community can come together to feed the amount of people there were. I also like the fact that I got to eat some yummy foods! Once dinner was done and the rest of the raffles were finished, it was time to set up for the final dance. Sam and I didn’t stay for this on though as I’d gotten my fill during the first two and I had to get back to Nondalton. Due to the weather turning bad and it being really windy, travel by honda would have been miserable. A co-worker kindly offered us to borrow his truck for the ride home and we gratefully accepted. The ride home was much different than usual because it was around 10:00 at night at this point. On a back road. In the middle of nowhere. Where there’s no street-lights. Or cell-phone reception. Oh and did I mention we had to cross the frozen lake guided only by the glow of the reflecting flags marking the safe path? I held my breath the entire time. It might be a short distance, but in the dark it was terrifying. I was happy when we were safely on my side of the lake (and then again when I knew that Sam had gotten back to Newhalen with no problems). 

Miss Norman really came to carnival!

Carnival was not quite the event that I had been picturing but it was a fun weekend nonetheless! I always love the times that I get to get a glimpse of the village members with their guards down. Locals tend to be guarded and hesitant to let teachers in, but during carnival they just enjoy themselves and were very jovial. I still think hula-hoop girl earned the win at the talent show, but that's neither here nor there. I got to visit with a few different people from both Nondalton and Newhalen and I learned some new things that I hadn’t known before. Not only am I happy that I got to attend Newhalen’s carnival, but Sam and I also just booked flights to Kokhanok for their carnival weekend. My friend Kelsey lives there and I am so incredibly excited to spend the weekend with her and the tutor, Kylie, who is also in her village! I have heard from numerous reliable sources that Kohkanok’s carnival is one that you don’t want to miss, so I’m sure it will be another great experience to add to the books:) 

*The only reason I posted pictures (but not names) with students in them is because it was not a school sponsored event and it was on the weekend. Not only this, but the students were the ones who requested/took the pictures so I feel comfortable in adding them to this post. 

Time Flies!

As I looked at the date this morning I realized that it was six months ago today that I arrived in Alaska. As I write this I am struggling to wrap my mind around the fact that half of a year has passed since I took a leap of faith and moved 3,800 miles away for my first teaching job. I’ll never forget the overwhelming emotions I felt as I left my dad and sister behind at the airport and began my Alaskan adventure. I was leaving everything comfortable and familiar behind in search of adventure and independence; if only I had known then what an incredible journey was in store for me.

When I decided to come to Alaska, I never thought that this state could grab ahold of me as it has nor did I dream of seeing and experiencing all that I’ve witnessed and taken part in. In thinking of ways to commemorate my “alaskaversary”, writing was of course the first thing to come to mind. I’ve decided to write about six things that I’ve learned during my time on the last frontier; about myself, teaching, and just life in general. 

Lesson Number One: It’s okay to be scared- 

Had I not gone with my gut instinct and pursued a teaching job in Alaska, I know that I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. My motto before moving out here was “I’d rather say ‘Oh well than what if’” and that is something that continues to stay with me. I was terrified to move so far from home on my own, but I know now that if I had turned down the offer that I would have questioned “what if” every moment after. There have been so many experiences (running into a moose, flying a plane, chaperoning a trip to Anchorage, etc.) in which I have been scared out of my mind. There are also many times when I am certain that I cannot try what is being offered to me or do what is asked of me.  A quote that I always tell my students is “It’s okay not to know, but it’s not okay not to try”, and I have come to live by this as well. I’ve learned to put my fears aside or bring them along with me and just try every single opportunity that comes my way. As crazy as it sounds, the “rollercoaster” feeling that I get in the pit of my stomach when I’m facing the unknown has become one of the best parts of my many experiences. Being scared isn’t always a bad thing!

 

Lesson Number Two: Family and friends are everything-

I can’t imagine being able to push through my toughest days without the support of my friends and family back home. The care packages and letters that I have received have meant so much to me. Living in the bush can get incredibly lonely, so even just seeing the handwriting of a loved one can help get me through. We are separated by thousands of miles, but I know that I could call my family or friends at any time of the day and they would answer. Not only this, but the support system that I have gained throughout my district has been amazing as well. Whether I need help with ideas for lessons or just to talk to someone on the same time-zone, I have people I can turn to for help. I feel blessed for all of the great people in my life. 

Lesson Number Three: I can advocate for myself-

And it’s okay for me to do so. My decision to leave Pilot Point was one that I had to make on my own and for my own reasons. However, it was the scariest decision I have ever had to make. One of the most important things I have learned during my time in Alaska is that as an adult, I am the one who needs to advocate for myself. It is alright to speak up and reach out to people who will help me better my life. No one else is going to make decisions for me (as much as I want them to sometimes) and I have come to realize that it’s up to me to make the choices that will lead to my happiness and well being. 

Lesson Number Four: It’s not always about the lesson plan-

As a first year teacher out in the bush, I have had to juggle many grade levels and content areas. However, I have also come to learn that some days, what I have planned to teach truly doesn’t need to come first. Some days, all that matters is that I smile at my students, tell them I care about them, or laugh at their jokes. Many lessons have been put on hold or pushed back so that I can make sure that my students feel safe, cared for, and most importantly, wanted. During my time in Pilot Point, I sometimes had a hard time distinguishing whether I was a parent or a teacher, but that was just another hat that I wore. Do I want my students to learn addition and history and how to write a paragraph? Of course I do. I want them to use their little spongy brains to soak up everything I put in front of them. On the other hand though, it’s equally if not more important that I make sure my students have food in their bellies and that they feel safe when they are in my classroom. I have come to find the balance and decide what is the most pressing matter at hand. Sometimes the classwork can wait. 

Lesson Number Five: Always bring a camera-

Plain and simple. This world is a beautiful place and there are so many sights to see. I never leave home without making sure I have a camera. Pictures do little justice in terms of Alaskan scenery, but even at that they are beautiful. I think photos capture moments and memories better than any other souvenir. 

Lesson Number Six: It’s okay to be disconnected-

Sure I get frustrated when calls drop or texts don’t send, but all in all, I enjoy feeling disconnected a majority of the time. I do not have internet in my house and I look forward to going home at night and being away from the black-hole that is the internet (seriously I click on one buzzfeed link and suddenly four hours have passed and I’m still scrolling through different links). The world will not end if I can’t send texts or get Facebook notifications. I get to read and write letters and actually give my full attention to the people I am visiting with. I love every disconnected minute that the bush has provided me with and have learned to appreciate my phone/computer-free hours. 

Each day brings with it new life lessons to take in and leaves me with stories to tell. Life in Alaska is teaching me who I am, who I want to be, and what matters most in life. I am so thankful that LPSD was brought to my attention and that I was given the opportunity to teach in the bush. Six months has come and gone and I can’t believe the things I’ve done during that time. Who knows what the next few months will look like, but I hope they are just as amazing as my first six! 

*The pictures for this post are just randoms photos taken this month (Nondalton, Newhalen, and Port Heiden). The first one is a picture of my village as we were flying in. Much different from PIP!

In the Name of Fresh Produce

Forgive me bank account for I have sinned. Last week I made the decision to place my first Full Circle order simply because I have the ability to. Full Circle is a company that delivers organic fruits and vegetables all over the country; yes they even ship to remote villages in Alaska! The only reason I could not place orders when I was in Pilot Point is that you need to have a certain number of people ordering from the village for them to make a shipment. Luckily for me, there are other people in Nondalton who also cannot go without fresh produce. 

Due to the fact that my roommate orders Full Circle, I couldn’t help but try it out. Honestly it was as if her fruits and vegetables were sitting in the fridge taunting me as I ate my frozen and canned goods. I couldn’t stand their endless mocking any longer and forced myself to put in an order. The reason I say forced is not that I didn’t want the produce, it’s that there is a pricey bill to pay in order to get such goods. It truly comes down to what you value and where you’d prefer to spend your money. I chose to put apples and oranges before paying off my student loans (okay I’m being super dramatic now but you get the picture). Much to my delight, when I returned back from the basketball jamboree I had my first order waiting for me in the fridge. Thank goodness I have a roommate who was able to pick up my order and put it away for me! 

As much as I wanted to sink my teeth into my new yummy treats, bush life has taught me the importance of rationing and savoring fresh food. My little box of goodness included the following: 2 apples, 3 oranges, 3 kiwi, 4 pears, 4 avocados, and some little baby potatoes ( I’m probably missing something but that’s all I can remember right now). The best part is that you can choose from their list of available items each week and personalize what you get. If for some reason they can’t ship something, they will replace it with something else. You can get deliveries to the village as often as once a week, but I would quickly become bankrupt if I chose that option. I plan to get a box once a month and I should be able to spread it out to last until the next delivery. Going to Newhalen on the weekends has helped too because their store gets produce as well for a great price (for a village that is). This truly is just another adjustment that comes along with life in the bush, but it’s safe to say that this month I will be able to satiate my cravings for crispy apples and juicy pears! 

Everybody Loves a Jamboree

Another sporting season brings with it another LPSD jamboree which I was lucky enough to get to chaperone. Last week was the basketball jamboree for the district which means that students from all of the schools come together to take part in two and a half days of non-stop basketball games. The games started almost the moment that the last team landed on Wednesday and continued on until the first of the teams left on Friday morning. It was a long few days, but it was so much fun to be a part of it. 

One of the best parts to attending the jamborees is getting to know the students better. While I am an adult and their chaperone, the students I travel with always let down a wall that they normally work so hard to keep up. With each jamboree or event that I chaperone, I learn more and more about the students I am with and a bond begins to form or strengthen. I love seeing their excitement over being reunited with their friends and just getting to be kids for a few days. I couldn’t help but smile as the 8th and 10th grader from my school begged me to take them out to the playground where they were just so eager to run around and swing on the swings. Of course I told them not to do tricks and then when Sam came out and joined us he promptly did a back-flip; we’re all kids at heart right? I wish I could describe the looks of pure joy on their faces at the chance to just play on the playground for a few minutes. It often saddens me that these children grow up as quickly as they do, so I was more than happy to freeze for a bit so they could have some play-time. 

Another great part about sporting events is getting to travel and also seeing the other coaches and chaperones. This jamboree took place in Port Heiden, which is about a 15 minute plane ride from Pilot Point. Passing by PIP on the way down made me ache to go visit my students and the village that I miss so much, but unfortunately we passed it by without pause and quickly found ourselves at our destination. Port Heiden is also the home to some great friends of mine and it’s always fun to visit with them. During this short trip, I got to have some much needed girl time which I always appreciate and make sure to take advantage of because it’s something I really miss when I’m out here. 

As if the outing wasn’t fun enough already, it just kept getting better. During dinner on the second night, my friend instructed Sam and I to go visit her house because there were puppies there. They were three week old shepherd-malamutes and they were so tiny and adorable! I quickly fell in love with one of the pups and was incredibly close to bringing her home with me. Had it not been for my roommate back in Nondalton, I definitely would have gone through with it. It would have been nice to have a running buddy again, but maybe I’ll be able to find a dog in the village to join me (mostly they just stare at me and then go back to their business). As sad as I am to have left them behind, it was comforting to have such tiny little furry puppies to cuddle with for a bit! 

While the jamboree was a quick trip, it was another great one to add to the ever-growing pile of experiences that I am taking part in out here. I love getting out to see the other villages as well as catch up with the teachers, coaches, and chaperones; even if for such a short time. Nondalton's team improved throughout the games, but all I was worried about was whether or not the kids were having fun. I am eager to continue chaperoning whichever events I am offered to go to and I hope that my principal continues to ask me to attend the jamborees! Today I was asked if I’d like to chaperone the second basketball jamboree which is in a village called Levelock in two weeks. Of course I quickly said yes and thanked him for the invitation. Let’s hope the next one is just as fun as this last one!