The Future

After four months back in terrific, non-dry Washington, I am still searching for a true conclusion for my experience in Alaska. Something in me says that it isn't a conclusion at all....more like, a beginning.

(Well I have to go back for six more years to get into the retirement system anyways).

Oh my is a Western Washington autumn beautiful. My brother's plowing in the field is stunning.

Goodbye......Shaktoolik

My flight leaves in a mere 2 hours. I've never announced this fact on the blog...but I do not intend to return here next year. This truth is leaving me with a somewhat ominous feeling, mixed with the elation of returning home, but there's one thing that I'll be glad about...

NO MORE SUNRISES AT 4 am!!!



This picture was taken at 3:30 am, before the sun started to come up. Everyone else is used to the light, but it drove me bonkers. Rain fell all last night, and the raindrops reverberating from the roof echo'ed in my mind, reminding me of home (I fell asleep instantly).

Leonard tooke me on a final walk down to Old Site, and as you can see, the snow still prevails. It was actually snowing on Saturday, real flakes falling from the sky. Here's where the beach ends and picks back up into melting snow:



Down at old site, Palmer's new puppies were making quite a ruckus. I wanted to take one of these sled doggies home, but they cost over $600 each.



Leonard and I picked some of the good ol' eskimo curative "stink weed," then we headed back. I'm going to miss happenings like this one:



Yes, that's a 12 year-old boy riding his bicycle with a loaded 12 gauge. He was looking for ducks! When we got back, I started a bonfire down by the beach and it attracted all of the village kids like moths. After keeping all the kids from starting the driftwood caches on fire, I reminded them that I was leaving the next day.



They seem pretty nonplussed and unaffectionate, which was only a reminder of how I am helping perpetuate the cycle of revolving teachers. Maybe it's hard for them not to take it personally that I am not returning next year...but I will miss them dearly. A few students did stop by quite often in the last few days, so maybe I'll have a lasting affect on a few students. There's too much to sort in my head right now, I'll shuffle through my thoughts and make a final post after I reaclimate in Washington next week.

Magooning and Michael Jackson

Well, the last day of school is tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about this day...I am very glad to return home to my family, but there is something I will always miss about Shaktoolik. Like a piece of myself is now stored here...does that make sense? I think so. In any case, the ocean is finally starting to break up and and kids are going "magooning," or jumping from ice block to ice block. Here's two students rocking a loose chunk of frozen sea:



I even took a turn at it! And those of you thinking, "Why is he out on the ice in shorts and sandals?" all I have to say is:

50 degrees is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



The unending day is really irking me though. I've never looked at a clock that said 8:30 and wondered to myself, "IS THAT AM OR PM!? Am I late for school? What day is it?" The bathroom is my only respite. Oh, sweet darkness of the bathroom.



As far as the Michael Jackson part of this post is concerned, I just won 25 dollars in a lip sync contest held in the community! Yeah! I was voted "Best Choreography" for my interpretation of "Billie Jean." I'm very hesitant to post this video on the site though. If I saw some serious commenting (like 5 or more) about wanting to see me bust a move, I might consider it.

Okay.....here you go. Too bad they didn't record the moonwalking part near the end.