Questions...

Have you ever been asked some really good questions, and been dumbfounded by your inability to think on your feet and offer that answer that is sure to make its way into the history books? The following are some of the questions that we have been asked while living in Alaska. Unfortunately, our responses did not do them justice. This is our opportunity to redeem ourselves.

1. What does it take to get Rachel and Kristen to leave when their contract hours are officially over for the day (4:30 p.m.)?
a. Initial Response: We did not have one. Previous to this March, leaving at 4:30 had never happened. If you don’t believe us ask our moms who frequently call us and only get to talk to our answering machine or our principal who stops by our classrooms on his way home and tells us to “Go Home!”

b. 2009 Response: Men in uniform. Just kidding. Well, sort of… After a particularly challenging day in the classroom and the first and only snow day of the year, our school became the barracks for several men and women in the armed forces. They were a team of doctors, veterinarians, dentists, etc. They were part of a larger group that was providing medical, dental, and veterinary services to villages in the area. We were feeling the need to entertain and express our gratitude for what each of these individuals do for our country that we volunteered to host a spaghetti supper at our house. (This sounds like a good idea, unless you’re familiar with Kristen’s first attempt to host a spaghetti supper for a large group of people back in college). That gave us 2 ½ hours to walk home and make the spaghetti, sauce, vegetables, garlic bread, etc. and clean/set-up our house to host that many people. Our first task to tackle was just how much spaghetti is needed to feed 20-25 people? We didn’t really know the answer to this question so we just kept making it until it felt like we had enough. Fortunately for us, the preparations went smoothly. Our first guests arrived around 7:30. More people arrived later. By 10 o’clock, we had had about half of the crew at our house and some of the school staff, but we still had tons of food left. Our second task to tackle was What do we do with all the leftovers? Our answer of course: Become the meals on skis program. Yes, we boxed up the leftovers (ice cream with toppings included), put them in the sled behind the snowmachine, and we delivered the food via snowmachine to the school. It was a huge success! Everyone was so thankful, ourselves included.

2. What are the perks for working out here?
a. Initial Response (March 2009: Long silence (I prefer to think of it as a long think time).
b. April 2009 Response: Rachel & Kristen’s Top Five List: The perks of working in the bush Frequent Flier Miles. Advantage: We earn them on every trip to visit families. Disadvantage: We use them almost as fast as we earn them.

Ample Opportunity to Earn Rock Star Status. Whether it be Rockband, Wii music, or guitar class at school. We rock and our students know it.

Free Dating Service. No boyfriend or girlfriend? Not a problem. The students and staff are willing to help you out with or without your permission.

Traffic. What traffic? We do not have the headaches associated with getting stuck in traffic on our way to and/or from work. No honking, no beeping, no finger flipping…just a pleasant walk home.

Fashion. The only fashion is your fashion. It’s different for everyone, but o.k. with everyone. No make-up? No problem. No teeth? No problem. Haven’t washed your hair in a week? No problem. You are loved for who you are not what you can make yourself become.

3. How long are you going to stay here?
a. The Obvious Answer: Until May.
b. The Realistic Answers:
Rachel: I’m building retirement here.
Kristen: I’m taking it one year at a time.

Back to the Bush....

Just how many times can one visit an airport in 3 nights/4 days? The answer for us: 5. Yes, in the course of 72 hours we visited the Ted Stevens International airport 5 times.
1st visit: Our arrival in Anchorage via Northwest had us arriving at gate C9. We collected our luggage (which soon multiplied during our stay), our rental car, and were on our way.

2nd visit: Our purpose of this trip was to pick up Jim. Needless to say we were early and Jim was late. Problem? For some? Yes. For us? No. We decided to play a game, a game some of you might be familiar with. It was an adapted version of a game that we used to play in the car. The game itself is quite simple. In the original version (the one we adopted it from), all participants take turns keeping or passing a vehicle. For example, before the participants can see a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, the participant must state whether he or she is going to “keep” the car or “pass” the car. If the participant chooses to keep the car, they win the first vehicle that passes, and it’s the next person’s turn. However, it the participant chooses to “pass,” they are automatically stuck with the second car that passes. Now, I know some of you are thinking, “There are cars in the airport? The answer of course is no. Thus, instead of keeping or passing cars, we kept or passed men as they walked out of security. The rules were the same as the original car version of the game, but we also threw in the rule that the men had to be at least 18.

3rd visit: It is often said that history repeats itself. This trip to the airport was similar to our second trip to the airport. The only differences were the co-worker we were picking up and the time of day (It was later in the evening). Fortunately, because of the experience the previous night, we were already prepared with a game to play to help pass the time. The rules remained the same, but instead of “keep” or “pass,” it was “hot” and “not hot.” Unfortunately, the lure of this game wore off after about the first ten minutes. It was then we realized that we were waiting for the wrong plane. Yes, our co-worker was not arriving via Seattle; she was arriving via Chicago. Once we had realized this mistake, we checked the arrival board again and discovered that plane was going to be a ½ hour late. Oops! Now we were in a predicament: 60 minutes and no games to play. How to pass the time? Create a movie. We have all the ideas, dialogue, and actors. All we need to do is film it! You’ll recognize it by its’ title “Freeze” (Coming soon to theatres near you).

4th visit: We did not go inside. We dropped our co-worker off on the curb and sped away. We were afraid if we stayed too long, we would be arrested on the suspicion of being possible stalkers and we did not need that on our records. After all, this was our 4th time to the airport in under 48 hours.

5th visit: No matter how early you think you are to the airport, it is never early enough (unless of course you are the one waiting for someone to arrive). Our fun in Anchorage was evident in the amount of stuff we were taking back with us to the village; our single suitcases and backpacks were now accompanied by a duffel bag and tote (times 3-the number of people traveling), and a dog with a kennel. Needless to say our roomy Trailblazer was now a little more cramped.

We arrived at the airport and unloaded our stuff. People drove by slowly and gawked at the amount of stuff, people, and animals that piled out of the vehicle. (Fortunately, we were not the cause of any accidents). It was a wonder all of that stuff fit. All we can say is that faith and logistics can go a long way... Once we had accomplished that feat and hauled it all inside, we returned the rental car and began the check-in process. We went first, while Jim took Chelsea (his dog) outside one last time. Here’s how it went down:
Kristen:
1 rolling duffle
1 body bag
1 bag of dog food

Rachel
1 rolling duffle
1 tote
1 gun case

Although the number of items to check was ok, the weights were not. Rachel was 3 frozen bags of broccoli over the weight limit and it turns out Kristen was that same number short. In addition, the gun case that was ok to travel all the way from Michigan to Anchorage on Friday was no longer ok for the trip from Anchorage to Bethel on Monday. A new gun case had to be purchased right there. What can we say, our stuff just keeps multiplying… After about 15 minutes, we were good to go and we headed over to tell Jim it was his turn.

Jim:
1 rolling suitcase
1 tote
1 regular duffle
1 dog with kennel

(Disclaimer: Whoever said women were heavy packers, never traveled at Christmas time with Jim). By now, a line was forming at the service desk. To maximize our time, we suggested that Jim fill out the paperwork for Chelsea as he stood in line, and we would bring him his bags when he was ready to check them. This worked well. Unfortunately, Jim had the right number of pieces to check, but once again the weight needed to be redistributed. This time a book and a case of tuna (16 cans?) had to be put in other bags. Not bad, whoever said you can’t lose or gain 10 pounds in 1 minute? Now, we were down to Chelsea. Once again, the rules were changed. This time it was the kennel. The combination of bolts and tie-downs on the kennel that traveled from Idaho to Anchorage on Friday were no longer ok for the flight from Anchorage to Bethel on Monday. After the customer service rep had tried for 15 minutes to locate a manager, a decision was made to let it slide this time, but a caution was given for it to be fixed for the next time.

On to security….our walk through security went smoothly. We got a bite to eat at Chilli’s, went to our gate (early), and immediately boarded the plane. The flight was fine. We arrived in Bethel to a heat wave (12 degrees) and no way back to the village. After 3 hours of sitting in the Bethel airport trying to find a way back to Kwethluk, we caved and ended up going to the Longhouse with all our stuff. This is where we are now, enjoying one last night of freedom before the hecticness of teaching catches up with us.

All in a Day's Shopping

Where does one begin to tell about the adventures one might have in Anchorage? As many of you know, Anchorage is our last shebang before heading back to the village for another semester of teaching. This year, our travel plans allowed us to enjoy Anchorage for 3 nights. Our usual agenda during this time is a non-stop shopping marathon to gather all the supplies we’ll need to make it through another semester. (If any of you are curious about the amount of energy our shopping marathon entails, feel free to contact Charlene or Sharilyn and ask them about their Thanksgiving “vacation.” They’ll be sure to clear up any misconceptions you might have about shopping being a leisure activity). This time was no different.

This stop’s shopping list included: treadmill, tennis shoes

Other items purchased, but not on the list: movies, exercise wardrobe (Clearance Target….good buys), gun case, 5th grade valentine activity, Wii accessories, PSP games, 25 pounds of frozen vegetables (none of which are carrots), tote for frozen vegetables, macaroni and cheese (1 case, for when we’re sick of vegetables), Beano (to help with the gas that accompanies vegetables), gifts for staff Christmas party

We know many of you are reviewing our list and wondering how in the world most of those items are considered supplies necessary to get through another semester. Trust us folks, at the top of our New Year’s resolutions was our resolution to maintain/improve our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The rest is just details...

Seriously....

It seems like we only have the opportunity to update everyone on our lives in the wee hours of the morning. We created this blog late one night while attending state cross-country, and now one of our first updates is being written at 4:19 in the morning? What's the occassion? There is an all-nighter at the school. 40 students, grades 6-12, earned the privilege to attend the first all-nighter of the 2008-2009 year. Currently, we're in game 6 of 6 of the basketball tournament, Kwethluk's winning. Up next on the schedule is some downtime enjoying a movie or video games. In just 3 1/2 more hours, we'll be able to get a little shut eye. No calls early in the morning please.

In other news, we are anxiously looking forward to Christmas break. We can't wait to see friends and family and update every one in person about our semester adventures in Alaska. I think the count is down to 9 full school days and 4 half school days. The break will be here before we know it and before we're ready for it.

This week, Kristen will be busy finishing her assignments for grad school and working on her master's research. Rachel will be busy planning a fiddle dance for a close-up fundraiser....weather permitting. Most likely, we'll both attend the event, but who will dance is open for bets.

The Top Ten Reasons This Is The Most Recent Post

10. We ran out of toilet paper. (Sanitation is of the upmost importance).
9. Incredibly tasty boogers, kept my fingers extremely busy. MmmmMMMMmmmmmm!
8. Frostbite....enough said.
7. Our students tried to sharpen them in a pencil sharpener.
6. We had to have them surgically reattached after cutting them off while carving our jack-o-lanterns.
5. Our keyboard was flooded. (There wasn't a warning to not use it while on the throne).
4. We hit a bump. Our computer bags went overboard and crashed through a weak spot in the ice. (Our fishing skills need improving).
3. The majority of you readers wanted to read about our social lives. Did you like it?
2. Who's Cookie? Stranger danger. Cookie are you out there? Please identify yourself.
1. Lac*ki$ng en@ouUgh com^&ments fr)97om o^ur s@)ubscrib!es, we #suf5fered fr(om* lo w seLlf-esteeem a%nd we@re just5 given o67oiur com#puter p%rivil^eges ba@ck at5 the i6nsane asy$5lum. (Yo@u Tr6y typ987ing in @ stra3$ight jac$#ket!)

Now that you've read our excuses, (we're out of them for the time being) we'll give you an update. Please see the next blog.

Winter Wonderland...In October?!?!?!

Hello All. Welcome to Thursday October 9. These beautiful pictures are only the first of many to advertise that Kwethluk AK could possibly be your vacation paradise. Don't complain about snow in October...that might mean we get an early spring. If you're having a bad day, just think about us...leaving school after working for 12 hours...walking home in these blizzard conditions...without proper winter wear. Pathetic isn't it. If we get enough snow I might be able to pull Kristen to school tomorrow in the sled I bought her for her birthday. Don't be jealous. Happy Day :)

We are still alive and checking our blog for your comments!

We just wanted to let you know that we are still blogging. We've checked our blog multiple times and we are waiting to hear your comments. We laugh at the fact that you want to hear about our non-existent social life. In that case you wouldn't hear from us very often. Seriously...our social life is that lame. We work, eat, work, eat, feed Attila...maybe sleep...and work some more. However...that being said we were invited to go dancing. Obviously this individual saw that we had some moves, born dancers I think. So we might fine tune our savvy muscle spasms with a group of guys and gals from school...or...we might just watch and make fun of the guys dancing with other guys.

So we are home (aka Kwethluk) and we are still working. That's good news because if we weren't working that means we would be fired or had a mental breakdown.

I wanted to attach a photo of mom and I and one of all of us during our last vacation. It was awesome!

This is what happens when you're sleep deprived and vacationing. We had just returned home from "Cabin Night" at Denali when we snapped this photo.