August 15, Day 2

Isn't every person's favorite thing to be required to come into work for a 6th consecutive day? (sarcasm). Well my Saturday morning started bright and early, waking up at 7:30, eating my breakfast (peanut butter sandwich and a Dr. Pepper), and making the short walk to my classroom (although the walk was made slightly longer by the fact that the custodial staff is doing waxing on the tile floors, meaning I need to walk to the opposite end of the school, and enter the Elementary wing that way. Even though it was a Saturday, today felt like a Tuesday. Before I talk about how I spent the rest of my day, I should note that my bags that were left in Kotzebue all arrived safely at my door Friday night. My classroom preparations today were much more successful. I got many posters hung, the books are ready to go, and I've got all the name tags on the desks. I've got my classroom arranged in 4 "clusters" of 3 students each, and I've already got warnings from the 1st/2nd grade teacher about kids to keep apart, ironically one of the suggestions was to keep his own daughter away from another student. Anyways, I'm getting real excited to meet the Nunachiam Sissauni (Buckland Belugas) class of 2019, my third graders.

Other than the boring cleaning of the classroom, we had an informal staff meeting, where I was appointed the school's cross-country coach. Our season is 3 meets long, 4 if you count the state meet. The sites that have meets for those of you interested in researching are Noorvik, Kiana, and Unalakleet. The first 2 cities are north of the Arctic Circle, and are also schools in the NWABSD. Unalakleet is in the Bering Straight Borough, and that is where the regionals will be. I'm looking forward to the trips to Noorvik and Kiana, because according to the fellow teachers at the in service, they have trees, it will be interesting to see trees north of the Arctic Circle. Also, at the Noorvik site there are two new teachers that I met at the new hire training, so it will be good to catch up with some friends. Our first practice starts Monday, however, other schools have already started, so we are behind the ball. This will help me get back into shape, as well as provide me a great chance to meet members of the community.

The other good news of the day was that my final Fred Meyer package, containing my macaroni and cheese and cereal was waiting at my front door for me, meaning everything I shipped has successfully arrived in Buckland! After dinner today, I went home to put in a relaxing movie, and I ended up falling asleep, which took up all of the time I had set aside to go see the village, I guess that will have to wait until next Saturday.

I think the reality of the timezone change has hit me, and of course it is soccer that makes me realize this. Sunday is Manchester United's first game of the season, and at home in Michigan, the game would kick off at 8:30am, which means in Alaska that game is at 4:30am. Not being able to watch my favorite teams is going to be hard at first, (until i get a TV up here with a satellite dish, then it will be no problem) but I will get used to it.

Anyways, if I am going to be ready for school Monday, I need to get back to fixing up my room, I will try and get some pictures up by the middle of the week.
Anyways, I'm going to put in a few more hours here at the school, thanks everyone for reading.