what a week!

This was probably the most heinous week since my arrival in this great state. From teaching to problem kids to amazing kids to field trips to good food to lemon trucks to hanging with buddies, I definitely felt the burn and then some as I tried to balance all aforementioned things out. I'm going to try and sort out my thoughts with subheadings here.

Driving in Alaska
I can say that my driving has improved considerably after my move, mostly to avoid the not-so-careful drivers that AK has to offer. I am in constant amazement of the feats pulled off without instantaneous death on the roads. With signs, a more than adequate police/trooper force, ice, snow, frost heaves, moose, and of course, other vehicles littering the roads here, one would think that the licensed population would exercise a bit more caution when behind the wheel. Not so much. I have borne witness to three in-the-ditches and a rollover, and seen what a 4-door sedan looks like after colliding with a bull moose. The ice and snow are enough to make me travel well below the speed limit, and more often than not I need to pull over just to let the asshole with his brights on pass me. I'm not surprised in the slightest that 56 (56!) moose have been killed in accidents up here this year. What a transition. Now that my Bronco is all repaired and ready for winter driving (to the tune of a final grand, ouch!) I will feel that much safer on the roads.

Farm School
Teaching up here is going great. The kids are comfortable at school and their parents are absolute joys to work with, as are my co-instructors. What an incredibly fulfilling position; I am so happy that my assistantship allows me the luxury of playing with kindergarteners all day and calling it teaching hours. Actually, they are learning things. These little brainiacs already know what decomposition, topographic maps and photosynthesis are. Who cares if they can't spell it? Most college kids I know could do about the same. We've had a couple owies as the kids need to learn physical boundaries ("Keep your hands to yourself!" is constantly ringing out) but so far, I'm completely head over heels with teaching environmental ed at the elementary level. I will never again underestimate the brain power of little people in large groups.

We went up to Hatcher Pass this morning, and here are some pictures from our amazing trip. Even though we weren't at our normal location, school was still in session and the kids were responsible for gathering multiple data sets as we rose in elevation: temperature, weather, and signs of life. It was so incredibly beautiful and it completely reinstilled in me my sense of awe for our Earth.


holding on tight: the few and the proud (highbush cranberries)



Sierra and a little buddy


Zach the Snow Monkey



hi baby!



one of the dark spots in the middle of the picture is a moose climbing the mountain!




Health and Nutrition
So a great side-result of my being so active and concious of what I eat has been my losing 20 pounds since arriving. I was reluctant to say that I was trying in the case of hitting a plateau or not losing an ounce, but now that I've achieved this milestone, I feel comfortable in putting it out there. I'm happy with what I can do now: hike a long ways in deep snow, play tag for hours, even run a mile.

Basically, I have adopted an 'eat to nourish' mentality. As energy concious as I am, I wasn't thinking about the wasted fuel I was putting into my body. Now that I'm eating what I need and what makes me feel good, I'm seeing results besides decreasing numbers. My skin is prettier and smoother, my hair and nails don't break so easily and my mood has increased tenfold. The foods that I love are so good and yummy: oatmeal with dates/prunes/apricots/ginger/cinnamon/vanilla; whole-wheat noodles with olive oil, sundried tomatoes, an egg or baked salmon; baked acorn squash...I'm happy with what I'm ingesting because my body needs it. I don't miss the sugar buzzes and the feelings of being stuffed.

Smoking Halibut and Salmon. Wish I could have captured how awesome it smelled with my camera. I think you could guess, though.







The Farm
I love my little campus in the woods out here. With it comes friendly faces, playful pups and an ever-present reminder that I live in Alaska: the backdrop of mountains gracing the horizon. So beautiful. My classes are going great and even though I'm completely swamped in my homework, it is so gratifying to dig into what I'm truly passionate about: teaching people how to play outside. And love it. : )






I know I do! hugs and love to everyone.