Halloween Festivals

Talloofa (Samoan for Hello). I only put the phonetic spelling because the Samoan spelling has so many vowels I can't remember how to say it.

Pamyua (Inupiaq) for Rejoice or Sing. My vocabulary is growing. I hope yours is too.

Well, another beautiful week in paradise. I am now just like most locals. I have studded snow tires on my Volvo. I am ready. I told my fellow teachers now that I have them on it is guaranteed not to snow until mid-November. The pool is up to $400 for the first snow fall on the ground. I have entered twice hoping to double my chances. We shall see. I have Oct 10 (nope it passed already) and I have November 15. That may be a winner. I hope everyone is doing well.

First, I am sure it made Memphis news that Ft. Richards and Elmendorf Air Bases are going to join and be a bigger and stronger unit. So this week we have been blessed with air show rehearsals. I am not sure what they are for but at recess we stand and watch the formations. It is pretty neat since they are only about 3 miles away and we have a great view. I don't have recess duty but I find myself wandering out there when I hear the jets. They are loud and they look so close together.

You may not know this but Saturday was the "official" Christmas Light sale! You heard me correctly. Christmas lights. I, of course, made an off-hand comment about how I am boycotting purchasing any Christmas stuff until at least after Halloween. I walked away from the cutest snowman and you all know how much I love snowmen!!! Anyhow, the teachers all gave me a scornful look and said I had to get the paper so I would know what's going on. I am too cheap - I will let them keep me abreast of what I need to do and where I need to get it!! So why was Saturday the official Christmas Light sale. Well if the Alaskans wait until December to put up Christmas lights they will be 3-5 feet in snow and can't hang them on the gutters. So the weekend before Halloween (when the weather is nice) is the day most people put their Christmas lights out. I did not purchase any because I don't want to break my boycott. I will purchase them and decorate my porch once Halloween is over. It isn't like they are going to fine me like in Halle Plantation!

Saturday was also the Halloween Festivals at most of the schools in Anchorage. Up in Alaska there is usually snow on the ground for Halloween so they have found a wonderful solution to Trick-or-treating. The city of Anchorage hosts a HUGE trick-or-treat event at the convention center. You have to purchase tickets and you get to stay 2 hours. Then the next shift of kids and families are allowed to enter. They host about 10,000 people every year. This was created because there is usually snow on Halloween and the kids don't get to show off their costumes - just their snow gear. So they have a wonderful alternative to door to door trick-or-treating and the kids get to show off their costume. In addition to the Halloween Town in Anchorage, each school (elementary - High School) host fun games, food, face painting, rides (on tractors or trucks with hay) and cake walks. Cake walks are the big draw. They pay so many tickets to enter to win a cake. Do they know they can buy one at the store for less money than the festival tickets? I know, I know, it is a fund raiser for the PTA but this cake walk thing has me baffled. One little girl, Lika, won her cake shortly after the festival started. She clutched that cake so tightly so it would not be misplaced I am sure that after 3 hours of fun and games, the frosting was moosh and the cake was gooey. So my pictures are from both of my schools. I attended Susitnas for 3 hours and then went to Airport Heights for 3 more hours. I fibbed a bit. Every teacher was suppose to be volunteer for the whipped cream pie in the face booth. I told each school I did it at the other school. No way was I getting whipped cream in my face. I wouldn't waste it like that. I would put it all over my jello or pound cake! So the pictures are my kiddos from both schools. They are cutest little ones! The little girl in the wheel chair is one of my autistic children (Zoey). She looked cute in her costume. The fireman - yep a little boy - is cute but I called him a fire girl. His hair is long and curly. You would think by now I wouldn't make that mistake but I did!! The father was quick to correct me. By the way, the dad was bald. Go figure. Do you notice how "into" it the whole family gets. Parents dressed up as much as the kiddos. The fishing game was interesting. I should have known the fishing game was popular. I love the quilt that was made just for this event. The children have a fishing pole and they throw it in the river to catch a fish. Someone sits behind the quilt and loads up their fishing pole with a goodie. cute. Next is Mike, my principal at Airport Hgts, and the secretary, Deb. They just rinsed the whipped cream out of their hair and face. The gentleman in purple is Ben Elbow. Yep, you read that correctly. He is a northern native. He is the PE teacher. Then there is Emily as Mrs. Frizzle. You all remember Emily from our Juneau trip. She was out of school for 8 school days. She had the flu badly. She is back and teaching and having fun dressed up. The lady in the pink hair is Ms Karen, kindergarten teacher, who I play bunko with each month. The lady getting her face painted in my other principal, Kim. She is originally from Florida. She says she doesn't miss Florida because Alaska is so much prettier. The two boys enjoying the cotton candy are one of my favorite families. Their mom is expecting number 5. ALL BOYS!!!! Then another teacher, 5th grade, and some of her students. It was a fun night. I will tell you it is a big fund raiser. I sold tickets at each school for an hour and I can see why the PTA does this fun event. Apparently there is a winter carnival which is more fun. I hear it involves snow cones (using the snow from outside), sled racing, and snowball fights. I can't wait.

That handsome guy riding his bike is David. He rode 150 miles for Muscular Dystrophy research. His Medtronic team (24 total) did well. The mid-south bikers (about 700 of them) raised over half a million dollars for MS. They rode 75 miles from Memphis to Tunica, Mississippi. Spent the night and rode back. Unfortunately, a lady from Medtronic and her husband were in an accident. No one knows if they were hit by a car or their tires tangled or hit bad pavement, but they ended up in the hospital in serious condition. She was already riding with a broken jaw from hang gliding a few weeks earlier. She is back to work and looking well according to David. I am so proud of his effort and can't wait for him to enter the Iron man contest next. You know, bike, run and swim. I bet with some of your encouragement he would do it. Oh wait, that would have to be the other Iron man contest. Drive, chip and putt on the golf course!!!

So now let me tell you a bit about our daylight. It is getting less and less each week. I sure miss August! I called David on my way to work one morning, 7:30 am Alaska time, and told him it was dark and the moon was at 12 noon position. Strange. I thought it would be getting dark from the sunset side not the sunrise side. So I go to work in dark time. Not much different from Memphis after we turn our clocks back. I frequently drove to my school in Memphis in the dark. The big difference is the sun came up at 7:30 am in Memphis. In Alaska, the sun is rising at about 8:15 and I can already see it creeping towards 8:30 am. I am told that it will probably be 10 am by the time Christmas break rolls around. I guess that is why every classroom has two sets of lights. They think of everything up here. I wondered why there are two light switches. I have been turning on only one set of ceiling lights. I am told that my the end of November I will be turning on both sets to keep it lighter in the classroom. This is a way to avoid SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I have placed my order for a SAD light for my house. But here is what is strange. I drive home at 4:30 - 5:00 pm and the sun is bright and shining on the mountains so beautifully. Gosh I have such a majestic view! I watch my gorgeous sunsets about 7:30 pm now. Again, I am told I will be seeing dark time about 4:30 pm by Christmas break. Remember, Dec 21 is the shortest day of the year and then it starts getting lighter each day. June 21 is the Summer Solstice where above the Artic Circle they get 24 hours of day light for months. Anchorage, Juneau, Nome, Fairbanks and south (Ketchikan) get about 20 hours of day light. Then in the winter, above the Artic circle they are in 24 hours of dark time. So I guess I am glad I will be in Memphis for the two weeks of real darkness up here.

Now let me tell you about our weekly earth quakes. Yes, you heard me correctly. I use to tell Jenna that she would fall into the Pacific Ocean living in San Francisco. Well, I guess I have to eat crow. Anchorage and Alaska have earth quakes all the time. Most of the teachers keep the Earthquake monitors on their computer desktop everyday. Alaska sits on the Pacific Rim where the slabs of the Earth's crusts slides spasmodically beneath and alongside the continents. The largest, yes LARGEST, earthquake to hit the USA was in Anchorage in 1964 (9.2 magnitude). So I have been talking to the science teacher a lot about the earth quakes. I feel them more than I would like to. The first time I felt one I didn't know what was happening except my bedside lamp was shaking off the night stand and the bed was trembling. At first, I thought a truck went down my street but there was no truck. It was an earth quake. It registered about 3.1. at 4:30 in the morning. Just two hours ago Anchorage had one that measured 2.9. it was 77 miles ESE of Anchorage. I guess I am hooked like the rest of the locals. I check the earthquake monitor every couple of days just to gauge how big the tremors are and if I felt them. You can hear the earthquakes in the mountain valley before you can feel the shaking. The sound is a loud crack and then you feel tremors. I guess I am glad I live at the foot of the mountain. I will keep this in mind.
I have started my month countdown until David, Tyler and Jensina arrive for Thanksgiving in Anchorage. I bet that was the last place they thought they would be spending Thanksgiving a few months ago. I tell them I am unpredictable and just when they thought they had me figured out I put myself in Alaska. Isn't that just wonderful?
I hope all of you have plenty of trick-or-treaters visit your houses next weekend. We have parent/teacher conferences this week. We teach 1/2 day and conference 1/2 day for 4 days. I am sure the "gang" will be ready for WooWhoo Friday celebration after talking to parents all week.

Until next blog. Take care.

Sheryl the Nanook of the North.

Native Heritage Month - October 2009

Qua Kai!!! Remember that is Yup'ik for What's Happening or what's new? I hope all of you in the lower 48 are starting to dry out from the never-ending rain in the Mid South. I have to brag for a moment, Anchorage has been in the 60's and sunny for the last week. We had nicer weather than Memphis! I get to say that now because in a few more weeks I won't be bragging as much about the weather.

BIG NEWS!! I got to be the Moose Horn Blower on Thursday!!! What does that mean? Well, 5 minutes before we were to dismiss the kiddos from school to go home (walkers and bus riders) there were 12 - yup, 12 moose in the school yard. Many were looking in the windows at our classes. So I was handed an air horn and told to go to the corner of the building and blow it to make the moose go away so we can dismiss school. I was a bit hesitant since these were BIG moose (dads, moms and teens) so I asked a bus driver to go with me. He laughed at me because I was so excited to have such an exciting job. I was ready to run if the moose came my way. When the 7 teachers blew the air horns the moose looked up and sauntered away. We let the kiddos go about 10 minutes later. Now that is an exciting finish to a school day!!

I have been busy. I went to the Celestial Mead Opening Dinner. It was a 5 course gourmet dinner with a Celestial Mead for each course. Mead is the Anchorage wine made from Tupelo honey. Tupelo honey can be found in Florida and some other place. I had some of the wine and can't remember all of the presentation. I explained to the Mead person that Tupelo can be found in Mississippi - of course where Elvis was born. He said that may be true but they don't make Tupelo honey there. He was probably correct. Anywho, there is black tupelo honey, white and berry tupelo honey. It was okay. I don't drink so it all had the same flavor to me - kind of like drinking cough syrup! I have been busy taking a fused glass class. That is fun but I have discovered that I am not very artistic. I can copy a design just fine but creating one is a challenge for me. I forgot working with glass one can accumulate many cuts on her fingers. I went to school the next day with band aid fingers. I looked like I had battle wounds. I guess I did since the glass won!

My graduate class requires us to take field trips. Since this is Alaskan World Music Festival it was another learning experience. This doesn't quite measure up to the Memphis in May Music Festival but it certainly was cultural. The Native dancers were fabulous. The boys always have the major dance and singing parts. The girls are just decorative! They explained that they don't have many words so they sing stories. This particular group was another Yup'ik moiety (clan or tribe). They said sometimes they have songs with no meaning but it was a way to gather and share time together. I thought the "Family" song was neat. Each family has a special song. Some tell the family history, some family songs tell a special event in the family, and some pass along family medicines in a song. When it is your family song time only your family is allowed to sing and dance. Some family songs go on for hours. Now that is a dance-a-thon. They should try having a fund-raiser and get sponsors to see which family can dance the longest. Please note the wonderful mukluks they all are wearing. The photo is my favorite pair and they are made of moose hide, seal and otter fur, and the most gorgeous beading. I am going to have to save a long time for a pair of these. They start at $500. Next is my friend, Beth, and the two male dancers. We talked to anyone who would talk with us and explain more about the cultures. These young men are Yup'ik and had to come down from the North Slope for the weekend events. Each clan is required to work so many community service hours at the Heritage Center. They said they look forward to it because they can go to movies and eat a wide variety of food. Next is the "women's Yup'ik" house. Those are whale baleens in front. They stand about 14 feet tall. Baleen or whalebone enables the baleen whale to feed. These whales do not have teeth but instead have rows of baleen plates in the upper jaw that are flat, flexible plates with frayed edges, arranged in two parallel rows, looking like combs of thick hair. Whales use these combs for filter feeding to keep the debris out and only the food enters the mouth. I am trying to talk a few of my friends into taking the baleen weaving basket class. It is intense (one month) and expensive but we can be proud of learning a wonderful craft. In the womens house only the married women, female children and other married women (sisters) live in the women's home. Even though the women own the homes the men make them and keep them up. I like this tradition. The Alaskan homes are semi-subterranean which allows for a winter entrance. The ground cover provides a lot of protection from the elements and in the rainy season they would hand seal intestine blankets over the front door to keep the rain out. The Alaskan Yup'iks and Cup'iks did not build snow igloos. Snow igloos were used by the Inuits in Central and Northern parts of Canada. So stop building igloos out of sugar cubes when your children learn about Alaska. Build sod houses instead. Be sure to include a Totem Pole. This is the Raven Tribe. There are only two moiety in Alaska. The Ravens and the Whales. Each clan had many sub-clans. For instance, the Ravens have the frog, the bear, the snake and other sub-clans. Masha, the moccasin maker filled us in on all the clan. She said that the child follows the mothers heritage (just like the Jewish religion). So once a Raven always a Raven. However, when a young person marries, they had to marry to the other clan. That prevented "damage" to the clan. Those were her words and I got the picture. The lady who did the beading (Marge) showed us how to bead using porcupine quills and beads. That flower was part of a vest collar. It took her almost 2 months to complete this portion. I placed several porcupine quills next to her beautiful bead work so you can get an idea how intricate this method is. She has to get the quills (she said she uses road kill and freezes the carcass until she can get all the quills off of it - subsistence living) and then has to hollow out the quill. Apparently the quill is filled with a substance like foam. Her quill needles don't go through it well so she has an extra step in the process. Remember, this craft has been going on hundreds of years and most of these Alaskans wear glasses. I know why! Next is Masha, the moccasin teacher. She travels to Stanford University once a year to teach a beading and moccasin and mukluk class. These moccasins were so soft. Deer or moose hide, beads and lined with seal fur. I am still saving for my pair. I hope to purchase them by Christmas. She had baby ones for a very reasonable price. My friends thought I should by a pair and hang them from my rear view mirror and perhaps my children would get the idea. What do you think Tyler and Jenna? They would keep the little feet warm. By the way, did I mention Masha is 95 years old!!!! She is incredible. She showed us a picture of her 5 generation family - she is a very proud matriarch. Then we traveled to the Iditarod Headquarter Museum in Wasilla. In case you can't read the sign it the mail route, highway and gold avenue from Seward to Nome. It was the lifeline to Nome when the diphtheria epidemic hit in 1925 and mushers carried the vaccine to Nome. The Iditarod Dog Sled race (from Anchorage to Nome is 1050 miles) was created in 1973 by a musher named Joe Reddington. That is a bronze sculpture of Joe and his favorite dog. Joe died in 1999. The next picture is Joe's first dog sled and notice the moose antlers on the back. That was another of his prize hunts on trail and he wanted to display them proudly. There are female mushers and much more but the museum closed a few minutes before we got there. So that is what we learned from the signs around the museum. I am sure I will get back to the museum during the Iditarod in March. David and Poli and are coming up for that.
So now for a little bit of fun. I have been taking pictures of my students and classes for parent conferences next week. I want to see if you can tell the difference between my many cultures. Can you identify the children according to their cultures? (Hmong, Alaskan Athabaskan, Samoan and Caucasian) Don't let those smiling little boys fool you, they are mischievous and sweet all at once. The last picture is my class learning about how the eye works differently when it is light out (summer) versus in the dark (coming soon).

Isn't he just the cutest little Yup'ik you have seen? That is Michael and he is in 1st grade. One of my first grade classes has 17 students and they are missing a total of 55 teeth. When I asked the class to smile for a class picture I broke out laughing. Only 3 students had front teeth! So we sang a verse of "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Etelogi (on the left) is Samoan and Grace of God is Athabaskan (on the right).

Amei (on the left) is Hmong and Jaaden (on the right) is Caucasian.

All the boys are relos or transplants (parents are in Anchorage for jobs) and they are sweetie pies.

I hope you enjoyed my cultural events and children. I am soaking up as much as possible. We have completed one quarter of the school year already. I think time is flying by.

Have a wonderful week. Until next week,

Gee Kun Gee (I love you in Yup'ik) I am learning a word a week.

Sheryl the Nanook of the North

Juneau, AK October 2009

Hello everyone. I am blogging about Juneau, AK tonight. Juneau is Alaska's Capitol since statehood in 1959. The Tlingit (pronounced Kling et) people inhabited the Juneau and Gastineau Channel area. Lots of rich Tlingit culture. Juneau is a tri climate zone. I forgot the real word (from the guide). Picture this. You are walking along the river on the river walk. On your right is the Gastineau Channel and mountains - somewhat covered in snow. The Mendenhall Glacier is very visible. It is phenomenal. The glacier is so blue. You remember why a glacier is blue from previous blogs. The Russians have a strong influence in this part of Alaska. America purchased Alaska from Russians for .02 cents per 1000 square miles. Such a ridiculously low price for the vast resources the state has to offer. Juneau has only 20 miles of paved roads and almost 300 miles of hiking trails! Did you know that Alaska has one mile of road for every 42 square miles of land compared to the US average of one to one? I learned a lot from the walking tour, two museums and talking to locals. So sit back because this is a truly a "Warmboldian" trip to Juneau. I giggle now but I had my doubts as things happened. I have included a lot of pictures with each blog because those of you that know me well know I LOVE pictures. I hope you do to.

By the way, it was a football weekend game day. Have you ever thought about where Juneau is located? It is far far away from most towns. The football team from Nome was on our return flight. I never thought about how expensive it must be to have competitive teams in Alaska. Some teacher's have their children in competitive soccer and they travel to Washington State, Wyoming, Idaho, etc. for soccer tournaments. Talk about expensive - flights, hotels, food, etc.

Okay, here goes. Emily (teacher friend) and I arrive at the airport early (5:30 am). She states that she isn't feeling so and blamed it on something she ate. We board the 737 Alaska Air line. We take off and the view is incredible. The flight is 1 hour and 15 mins. For all of you who select an aisle seat you miss so much. I always select the window. I am in charge of what I get to look at. So I look out and all I see is a massive spread of marshmallow fluff with the sun shining on it so beautifully. Then the mountain tops are peaking through the top of the clouds. It is spectacular and all you aisle sitters miss this. So when you fly to Alaska for a visit, select the window so you can see all of Alaska's glory. I nudge Emily so she can see it too and she said she really wasn't feeling well. Uh Oh!!! The plane enters Juneau through the basin. That means just above the river leading into Juneau. I swear I could reach out and touch the thick forest just past the wings. Both sides full of thick lush greenery. I didn't realize Juneau had 3 climate zones - Rain forest, Glaciers and River basin. The Juneau airport is two small landing strips and a beautiful lake next to the airport. I have never seen so many float planes lining a lake. Again, that is the major travel system in Alaska - float boats. Juneau could be any small fishing village along the east coast. The same house styles, major fishing industry and local gear is rain gear!! According to the guide and locals, it rains more than 3/4 of the year in Juneau. Yikes!! My hair would be really curly and frizzy. So this weekend there was no rain and perfect weather. I boasted that I brought this wonderful weather. So we arrive at the Hotel (Native owned like almost every store and restaurant in Juneau) and Emily is looking horrible. Yep! She has the flu. She tells me to go and explore. I am no dummy so I leave her. I did provide a garbage can next to the bed - just in case. I justified my leaving so I wouldn't catch anything.

So the pictures are of some of the sites of Juneau. First is the State Capital building. The only US capital that has a view of a world famous Glacier on one side of the building and a rain forest on the other side of the building. Then there is the Governor's Mansion. It looks modest but it is nice. It sits on the mountain of the rain forest about 2 blocks from the Capital. The walking tour was great because I got a lot of local flavor with the tour. There were only 3 of us. We hiked up and down the hills all morning. My legs hurt by lunch. The "pigeon preventor" is next. This is what the locals call it. The tops of all the telephone poles, light poles, etc. have wire hair to prevent the pigeons from sitting there and pooping. You know the phrase - Some days you are the pigeon and some days you are the sidewalk! Then we hiked over the western side of town and I counted 40 some steps and we still were not half way up to this person's house. I have been told that there are 97 steps to get to the door of the house. I would hate to bring up the groceries or replace any appliance!!! I think I would hibernate all winter long. How do you shovel 97 steps just to get to the car? Not me. Next is the riverside of Juneau and this is a gorgeous day. No rain, no fog, and lots of color. You can't really see the marina but there are lots of boats lining this Channel. Next are some beautiful trees leading up to the rain forest. You can feel the different temperature on our walk. The rain forest was temperate and somewhat steamy (50 degrees) and the other side of the river where the glacier sits was about 40 degrees.

The sides of the streets were lined with local artwork. I felt like I was in Seattle with the "earthy" lifestyles. This is only one of the many murals that can be sighted all over town. The Totem Poles also can be found all over town. In the visitor season (summer) there is a walking tour for families so the children can locate all the totem poles around town. The guide said there are about 72 of them. I found at least 25 of them. They are so neat. The time put into these poles and the stories each one tells is remarkable. Then there is picture of one of the local flowers. I don't know what it was and neither did the guide. I thought it was very interesting. I was thinking weed vs flower but what do I know!! Next are two pictures of the lush rain forest. The local houses look like they could be located anywhere along the East Coast of the USA. I was trying to be artist with the single white bark birch in the foreground of the rain forest. I tried. Then the same picture as fifth picture (Juneau's river side) but on Sunday with the fog rolling in. This is much more like Juneau weather. The locals told me the only thing missing on Sunday was the rain. They were glad there was no rain because the fog was thick enough. Then the "Fine Dining" in Juneau. This again is a very typical site in Alaska. This is the livelihood for some Native. The locals tell me the best fish kabobs are served from this local establishment. I am sure it is more appealing in the summer when tourist are here. Those are some of the photos from Juneau. I had to take pictures of the furniture. Those chairs are very solid and difficult to move.

So I return to the hotel and no Emily. Apparently she asked to have her own room so I would not be infected. In reality, she told me she didn't want me to have to listen to her sickness all night long. Isn't she sweet? She is thinking of me when she is the sick one!!. Our night plans have been cancelled. I went to eat - some great seafood. I am in heaven with this fresh Halibut, Salmon and crab. When I return I check in on Emily and she can't answer the door at that moment. I go across the hall to my room and get my PJ's on since I am in for the night. I brought with me my book for my graduate class. I am required to take this class for State teaching license. I call it "Another Way To Make Money" scheme. So I get my book, notebook, pens, turn the TV on to the music channel (softly for background noise as I can't hear Emily) and my cell phone. I don't know about you but any time I have to read a class book I get really tired. I turned down the covers just in case. So I start reading. SIDE BAR - much needed for this event. Have I ever told you about Tyler's girlfriend some years ago who was living in Los Angeles and Tyler was living in South Carolina? Laura's house was being broke into and she huddled in the closet and called Tyler in S. Carolina. Tyler asked why she called him instead of the police. Laura admits she didn't know the phone number for the police in LA! TRUE STORY!! You will see the connection quickly. So I am busy studying, curtains closed and ZAP!!! It is pitch dark in my room. All the lights and TV are black. So is the room. I ALWAYS make a mental note of stairways when I stay at a hotel. BUT NOT THIS TIME! I was concerned about getting Emily to a bed and didn't pay attention to the safety information. I won't make that mistake again. So, I DIAL David. David who is in Memphis, TN. See the connection!!! I told him I am sitting in complete darkness and he asks "Why are you calling me instead of going downstairs to see what's up?" He does love me but he and I do not process at all alike! He is methodical and planned, I am spontaneous and I like to fly by the seat of my pants.
He is such a smarty pants. So I remember I always pack a small flashlight in my travel kit. I get it and put on my jeans and sweatshirt to find my way downstairs. I knock on Emily's door to tell her I am going down stairs to find out what's up. Did I mention they up-graded us to the SIXTH FLOOR!!!!!! UGH!!! Emily gave her usual response- the toilet flushing. So I feel my way to the end of the hall and find the stairs. Did I mention to all of you how afraid of the dark I am? I am very afraid of the dark. So my knees are knocking and I am shaking like a leave as I descend the stairs. I have to keep telling myself no one - not even a mugger- would be in the dark stairwell under these circumstances. I was right. There was no mugger. I get to the front desk and it is dark everywhere. The desk people ask if I am alright and I said yes but poor Emily. I ask if they have a candle that we could use and they looked at me strangely. "It is against fire code to have candles in a hotel". Well I think it is against code to have a black out! No one knows anything so I said I would go back up stairs - 6 FLIGHTS if I could find my way. The manager had a bigger flashlight and volunteered to walk upstairs with me. I hate when I get one upped in a black out situations. So what if his flashlight is bigger! So we start going up the flights of stairs. Now I think - I don't know this person and now there is a potential MUGGER in the stairway with me. Gee Thanks David for sending me downstairs!!!!!! Oh what a trip. We knock on Emily's room and reassure her things were going to be okay. I heard the typical response again - flush! So I make my way back into my very dark room. I decided I will sleep now and when the lights come on I will wake up and read/study for Monday's class. So I climb into the bed with my clothes on. I try to get comfortable without wrinkling my clothes. I don't want to be rescued in PJ's so I kept my clothes on. I didn't want to wrinkle my clothes because these are what I am going to wear home tomorrow on the plane. Like anyone on the plane would know me! Please Sheryl - get real. So I lie really really still to prevent wrinkles. Sleep is elluding me. No sleep.
Any other time I read this boring book for class I fall asleep instantly. Then I notice a flash of light in my room. I hold tight to my mini flashlight and go to the window. The person who shares the back yard with the hotel has a flashlight and they are flashing it in my window. So I flash back. That is I shine the flashlight back at them, not a naked me! Get your mind out of the gutter! So I spend 15 minutes playing flashlight tag (indoor style) with some stranger. New game - try it sometime. I think that person was sending S.O.S or love letters, I was sending stick figure drawings of a deer, children, boats, etc. Then it hits me!!! THEY KNOW WHAT ROOM I AM IN. I get scared and run across the hall with Emily. She doesn't care why I am there just turn on the TV so I don't hear her. Let me tell you, no TV can drown out that sound! FLUSH! I try to read her the newspaper with my mini flashlight but she really isn't interested. I try to watch TV and eventually return to my room when I can't stand invading on Emily's private moments with the porcelain throne. I finally fall asleep only to be woken up with the TV blasting, every light on and I am startled. Not exactly as I planned my trip but oh well.

I believe learning is the act of making meaning from experiences. So what did I learn. ALWAYS know where the stairs are in the hallway. I WILL NEVER, repeat NEVER stay above the 3rd floor again. I will always pack candles in my travel bag. And I won't call David in Memphis when I am in a black out. His advice to go downstairs was really not needed. So there you have it. Another "Warmboldian" adventure. Pretty funny now but not exactly when it was happening.

The crowning moment of the trip was on our flight home. Emily went to far as to change her seat on the return flight. She decided she didn't want me getting sick but didn't really care if someone she didn't know got sick. Isn't she sweet. Always thinking of me when she is sick!!! So we are about 15 minutes from landing in Anchorage and the captain said, please look out your window (which I am sitting near) and there was a pod of whales eating the bay. It was spectacular from the plane. It is a shame those aisle sitters couldn't see what I saw. I wouldn't move my head because I was so mesmerized by these majestic giants.

I hope my Blog finds all of you in good health, warm thoughts and a smiling grin on your face. I love sharing my Great Adventures with you. Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I will blog again next weekend.

Hugs to you,

Sheryl (Nanook of the North)

Eagle River

Hello everyone. I missed you. You know it is October and that is flu season. My computer caught the N1H1 virus. I had to have it repaired and it took a couple of days. You forgot how dependent you are on a computer to keep tied to family and friends. So I hope you all are healthy.

I can't tell you how much I am learning up here. The students are teaching me so many things. The natives I work with are getting use to me asking all sorts of questions about the different cultures and words for the different cultures. I am learning words but I have forgotten which "tribe" the word belongs to so I say "Oh it is Alaskan". It works!!!

I feel like a native when it comes to moose. I don't immediately reach for my camera and I am pretty calm when they are close to me. So on Friday night I was stopped at the stop light. On the left hand side of the road was Mr Moose (bull) and he was grazing. I was shocked how big his horns are. Then all of a sudden a THUD at my driver side window. I jumped - somethings are still the same - and there was Mrs Moose (cow) kissing my driver side window. I looked over once I realized what the noise was and all I could see where her boney knees (at my eye level). She is tall. Then behind her were her twins, also grazing in the median of the road. I have been told by the locals that a car to a moose is like a match box car to humans. Now how is that for a vivid comparison!! I washed my car for the first time to remove the moose goo from my window. Her snout was so big and very flabby cartilage. Actually very ugly snout. I was amazed she had about a 6" beard. I am sure there is a technical name for it but all I can think of is beard.

I have found the Dollar Store in Anchorage. There is only one and it is actually the $2 store. Everything is $1.99. I guess because things arrive on barges they are allowed to charge more. If you recall from last blog, I attended the "Coupon Queen" information night. Well, I won't be quite as serious as these ladies. She brought her grocery cart full (over the top) to demo and she paid $27.19. She spends about 3 hours a week clipping coupons, driving to different stores, receives the Sunday flyer from the lower 48 (more in a minute) and shops only when things are on sale. For instance, her big box of cereal cost her about $1.25 instead of $4.00. Okay so it does pay off but for one person I don't want to spend 3 hours clipping coupons, hunting down different stores and stock piling toothpaste! We do not get Sunday coupons like the lower 48. So for $8 per month, you can have a person in the lower 48 ship you their Sunday coupons and they are good up here. So, I have been much more conscious of the sale items combining it with my coupon and my sweet neighbors prints me off additional coupons. So my Dawn dish soap cost me .73 cents last week instead of closer to $3. Not bad. So my savings from store coupons is spent at the $2 dollar store. Go figure!!!!!

So I thought I would show you around Eagle River and where I live. Perhaps the next open weekend I will show you around Anchorage. Eagle River has a population of about 25,000 and is quite diverse (military, civilians, locals and imports - that's ME). The average rain fall is 16 inches and the annual ER snowfall is 69 inches. ER usually experiences several "chinooks" in the winter. These are unusually warm dry winds that melt the snow and gives a brief snow melt. Then in the spring it is called "Break Up" and that is when the ice breaks up on the rivers and lakes and the fishing season begins!!! Eagle River is the home of the first Iditarod Dog Sled Race Check point. Nowadays, Eagle River is no longer the first check-in point because ER has been so developed it is easier and safer for the mushers to check-in in Willow. Willow is a town just this side of Wasilla (Willow is also Sarah Palin's daughter's name). Eagle River also sits in the base of the Chugach Mountain Range and so we have a 360 degree view of these beautiful mountains and forest. I also have the luxury of looking out my back door towards the Pacific Ocean, Cook's Inlet and on clear days I get a great view of Mt. McKinley. Just a quick sidebar - Mt. McKinley is the highest peak in North America with a height of about 20,350 feet. The locals tell me that Mt McKinley is actually bigger (in rise) than Mt Everest because Mt. Everest sits higher up sea level from the base and Mt. McKinley sits lower on the sea level. I am just repeating what I am told by the locals. Mt. McKinley can get -60 degrees in temperature and -120 degree wind chills. I won't be attempting that any time too soon. So back to my back door view, I can see Mt. McKinley most clear days and it is about 160 miles north of me. I guess there is a lot to be said not having pollution or high rise buildings to block such a gorgeous view.

My pictures are from around Eagle River. The one closest to the narration is out my back door. The "Sleeping Lady" or Susitna range covered with Termination Dust. Two Sundays ago, I took a picture of this same view and it was filled with golds, yellows, and orange colors. Fall was upon us. On Monday, well you can see what we woke up to. I told the locals I call that snow not a Dusting of snow. It is funny driving to and from school with the sun shining on the fall colors and the snow capped mountains in the background. The next picture I am trying to be artistic as I hiked up the trail and got almost into the snow. Don't you love the bus stop. No that is not an out house. That "bus stop" has a cute wreath inside of it decorated with Halloween items. Some mom has too much time on her hands to decorate a bus stop!!! I asked how the school buses get up and down the mountains and I was told the buses have thick chains on the wheels. Next is a mailbox. I bet that person is a big fisherman. Eagle River takes pride in its artists. The fire hydrants are decorated to match the nearby industry. Here is the fire hydrant at the ER post office. Cute huh? Then the ER post office. See it looks like anywhere USA. Next is the long gray building, not so aesthetically pleasing is the library and municipal offices. We have a six-plex movie theater and the dark picture (operator error) is our 24 hour WALMART!!!! You can't see it well but it looks like a fishing/hunting lodge. So appropriate. Then my favorite grocery store, Carrs, and in the lower 48 it is called Safeway. I learned from the Coupon Queen that Tuesdays are "container days". That means the barges arrive with new food/clothing items so the best day to shop in Anchorage and Eagle River is on Thursday. See what important information you learn from the locals. Then our big bank in Anchorage is Wells Fargo. Looks fairly normal like most banks. Then there is the local Baptist Church. It is very small (not like G'town Baptist Church). Then the fire hydrant by the school - note the painting of a school crossing guard. Cute! Yes I know it is. Then our local liquor store. I had to go buy an airplane bottle size of vodka the other day. My recipe called for 2 tbsp. of vodka. I think it is the first liquor I have purchased in 30 years! Gosh, I forgot all those little things David did for me. Buy the liquor, take out the garbage, kill the spiders. Oh, wait, Alaska doesn't have household spiders. This is the electrical box many houses/apartments have so the owners can plug in their cars for the block heaters. I am so lucky to have a two car heated garage and I don't have to worry about this chore. Any my last picture is also out my back door up about 2 blocks and it is looking at the Pacific Ocean and/or Cooks Inlet. I have been told if I take my binoculars on some days I can see the whale migrating.

Well, I hope you have a better idea about where I live up here. I explore every chance I get. I drive, hike, or bike a new road, trail or highway so I can take it all in. Next weekend I am flying to Juneau with a teacher friend. I hope to have some great pictures of this ocean side town. The locals call that part of Alaska the panhandle. I guess I can see it. I like the Alaskan comparison to a hand. If you hold your right hand in a fist and then stretch out only your thumb and index finger that is Alaska. The kids taught me this!! The thumb is Juneau and Ketchikan (pointing down) and the index finger is the Kenai Peninsula (pointing away from the wrist). The kids love teaching me almost as much as I love teaching them. I hope to a few pictures from school soon. I told the students I think it isn't right to speak their local tongue when I am around because how am I going to know what they are saying. The boys respond, "That is exactly why we do it Miss Sheryl." I told them I am going to understand them one day!
Until next blog. Gee-Kun-Gee (That is I love you in Yupik. I can't write the words yet because it has so many vowels. I am focusing only on pronouncing the words.)

Sheryl (Nanook of the North)

September 20

Hello everyone. Today's lesson is about moose. Moose is both singular and plural. I have attached another photo of our beloved Alaskan moose so you can see how big this guy really is. Did you know moose are vegetarians? I didn't know that. They eat plants, leaves, bushes and berries. They are the largest members of the deer family and stand 6-7 feet tall and weight about 1700 pounds. You don't mess with this guy. The male moose (bull) grows huge antlers. The antlers are different from caribou and deer because they grow in a "scoop shape". The female moose (cow) does not grow antlers. These antlers grow traditionally about 5-6 feet across. In the beginning of the winter these antlers fall off. I have been told it will look funny when I see a moose in the winter and only one antler has fallen off. Eventually they both fall off. The beavers are especially grateful when these furry antlers fall because that is one of their main food sources in the winter. The food chain lives on! Our TV station keeps showing pictures of 100's of moose rutting (fighting for the cow's affection) and the sound of their antlers hitting is loud and thunderous. I called the station and asked where they filmed the moose so I can go and get a camera shot as well. They responded, "the Chugach mountains forest". Dah! Do they know the Chugach is over a million miles big and there are hundreds of entrances to the forest. They were not very helpful. I am still asking questions and hope to find them soon. My friend, Patty and I are determined to located the rutting area for pictures. Moose eat as much as possible during the summer and fall because if the snow is too deep they have a possibility of starving to death with no food. Moose do not migrate they stay where they know the territory.

So that is your moose lesson for the day. Why the moose lesson? A lot of moose stuff this week. First, 282 moose have been killed on our highway since July 1, 09. That is a lot of moose. Anchorage only has one highway that goes from South of Anchorage to Wasilla (75 miles or so) . Remember I told you that locals put their names in the lottery to receive the call to go and get the dead moose. That is their meat source for the winter. I have been told by my teachers that one year there were over 500 killed and they had to recycle names on the "pick up" list. Remember, I told you Alaskans recycle and live subsistantly. No joke. Then I had moose burger tonight. Remember from last week, moose meat has less than 1% fat. It was okay but next time I will be sure to add plenty of spices and veggies. It wasn't tough but had a slightly different consistency than beef burgers. The next thing about moose this week was the traffic jam that was caused downtown. Of course during morning rush hour. Apparently, according to teachers stuck in it and the news report, a family of moose were on the only highway in Anchorage. Dad, mom and several babies. They started to cross over the 6 lane highway and got half way and stopped. This of course, caused the traffic to stop in both directions. You don't want to hit a 1700 pound moose. The moose will win every time. So traffic was backed up for almost 3/4 of an hour. The news showed the Moose family strutting east and then stopping and deciding to strut back to the west lanes. The indecision was phenomenal. Eventually they headed east toward the neighborhood vs businesses. The next moose incident was a moose visiting our school's soccer field. So no outdoor recess. Indoor recess on such a beautiful day is such a waste. The kids were not that interested in the moose but I sure was. I took my school camera and took a few pictures. I don't have a lens on that camera so they did not turn out as good as when David and I met Mr. Moose earlier this summer. (pictured above). And finally my principal showed up for school with a broken arm. He and his family, wife and 4 children under 6! Do I have to remind you all what happens in Alaska when it is 20 hours of darkness!!! Baby explosion!! Anyway, back to the story, he and his family were strolling on one of the most beautiful hiking trails (I rode my bike there a few weeks ago), and they came upon Mr. and Mrs Moose with twin moose babies. I asked him how he knew they were twins. His quickly replied, "You are the health teacher I hope you know how that happens!". He finally said they were the same size. It is pretty common for moose to have twins. Anyway, Mr. Moose started to charge my principal and family. His wife grabbed the two little ones and the other boys followed. He tried to distract the moose in the opposite direction. Mr. Moose took his dare and started charging him. He was running for his life and looked back to see if he was winning the foot race or was Mr. Moose gaining on him. Just as he looked back he fell into a ditch and broke his arm. Mr. Moose stood on the path looking at him and then strutted back to Mrs Moose and babies. Mike said he was scared to death. He had a few bruises on his face but he survived and so did his family. Trust me, I am going to be so much more cautious now that moose season is in full swing.

I met the cutest guy this week. He has the most beautiful blue eyes and long eyelashes. We are going to be good friends. His name is Evien. I told his mom I love to change diapers. She took me up on my offer. Evien is 2 months old and a smily little guy. Then the ladies in the neighborhood and Evien went to IHOP for breakfast today. It just opened. We used our coupons and had a wonderful time. Not only did I get to hold Evien but we sat near Sarah Palin's father. He was there to celebrate the opening of IHOP!!! Robin, I hope my next meeting is with Sarah and not just her father. If I do you will get that autograph. He father was quite the friendly fellow and made sure he greeted everyone at IHOP. If I didn't know better, I would say he was raising money for something. Nothing in the news so maybe it is just his friendly way to meet people.

I drove to Mirror Lake (towards Palmer) and walked the path there. This is one of my pictures. The mountains look spectacular right now. Either they are purple in color or covered with yellow and gold tone from the trees. The lake is named appropriately. It is like looking in a mirror. Clear and still as can be. I hope to hike to the Thunderbird Fall (huge waterfall). I am checking out the cross country ski path in Chugiak area before it gets dark.

As for our weather. It is gorgeous. It has been in the 70's and sunny and unbelievable beautiful. We are wearing short sleeves and sandals. I wear a vest as I leave for work but it is plenty warm in the buildings and the ride home I have all windows open. Our sunset is still about 30 minutes long. It is dark by about 10:30 pm.

I am joining the local ladies for a "coupon queen" seminar. I have heard about these ladies who save so many coupons that they only pay $2 for a grocery cart of food. I always thought it would be so much work. I will find out on Tuesday night. If it is easy I will let you know how to do. If it requires hours of work and printing stuff off the computer I will let you know that as well. Oh well, a girls night out.

That is my blog for today. Enjoy your week. I hear my Memphis ladies are heading out for the yearly golf weekend. Enjoy every minute. Don't forget to ring the bell on the 18th hole!!! And don't forget to take a camera to the local restaurant (I forgot the name of it) and take a photo for me. Enjoy your day.

Sheryl

September 16, 2009

Hello from Alaska,
I had a weekend in Anchorage doing things with friends (movies, hiking, shopping, dining out). Not much news on the "learning" end of my blog. However, I have had a lot of you ask "What is different about Anchorage vs Memphis?"

Culture: The biggest difference is the "subsistence" way of life. That is, the Natives (anyone who has lived here more than 1 year) really only live on what is necessary. They don't have extras. No knick knacks or extravagant items in the house. Bare minimum. Their clothes fill only one closet. Can you believe that!!!??? I have a two bedroom place and all my closets are filled! They purchase "co-op" a lot. Today the shipments arrived for the teachers at my school. I had no idea what "Shipment day" meant. Well, they buy pounds of organic or locally grown fruits and vegetables. I am talked huge crates of food. They place their order in May and receive their Shipment in September. Then in October they place their orders for December and then again in the spring. It costs each person around a hundred dollars because they share "Shipments". A lot of the Ladies will be canning the fruits and veggies over the next week. Way too much work for me. That is why I shop at a grocery store!!! I know - I am paying more than they are but I get what I want to eat and only in amounts that I need. I consider my once a week shopping for fruits and veggies my Subsistence living". They will be placing orders for moose jerky, smoked salmon, and dried beans and other items in October.

Food: you have to understand that all our food, except fresh fish and berries and organic veggies, come from shipping containers. So a lot of the products are packaged differently than the lower 48. Many items are shrink wrapped to prevent spillage in shipment. It requires a few extra broken fingernails to open. UGH! Several items are packaged differently as well. Our packages of butter (margarine) are packaged in 4 small sticks (only 8 tbsps per package). The selection of items is very limited. You can get salad dressing but only limited flavors. The grocery stores carry several brands, Hidden Valley, Paul Newman, and a few more but only certain flavors. You learn to adjust your taste buds.

Local meat is available. For instance, Bear is 20% protein, and 8 % fat vs Caribou which is 23 % protein and 3 % fat. Elk is 23 % protein and 0 % fat, and moose is 22% protein and 0% fat. Now compare that to Beef (USDA) 17% protein and 21% fat. There is a poster near the meat counter to help you select. I asked for a copy!!! Reindeer dogs (vs hot dogs) are served in school and Moose burgers are also a school menu item. The school menus serve potato canoes a lot. These are what we would call potato wedges. They do use a lot of peanut potatoes. I still have not acquired a taste for this item. The locals love these wonderful spuds.

Shopping: I have not found a Hallmark store here. I travel all around the city and I have been told there is a Hallmark Card shop in the big mall downtown. The parking is terrible so I don't go there. So to all my Jewish friends, don't expect Rosh Hashannah cards this year. There are no Jewish people in Alaska I guess. Thrift shops are plentiful. Getting things at a great cost is very normal.

Police: They drive black pick up trucks as well as the white sedans. I didn't realize black pick up trucks were part of the squad. No I didn't get caught but I have seen quite a few of them stopping others. The local phrase for giving a ticket is "the police are giving out guess checks on the Glenn Highway". That guest thing took me a few days to get with the lingo!!!

Industry: I am frequently behind a local septic company truck on my way to school. A lot of homes have septic tanks. You can tell which ones because the yards are so beautifully green. Anyway, the truck I see frequently is the "Turdinator" company. cute for a septic company!

Highways: The roads here on the frozen tundra do not have pot holes. Go figure. Memphis has plenty of pot holes and the city is not on a frozen tundra!!! What the highways do have is ruts. These ruts are caused from snow studded tires all year long. It is not unusual to have a studded tire automobile or truck whiz by you on the highway. Consequently, the studs have caused the roads to have deep ruts. To combat this, be sure to switch lanes using both hands. You really get thrown around going from one lane to the other because of these deep crevasses. Another odd thing about the highway system (and Canada as well) is the no guard rail rule. I am sure it isn't a rule but they do not believe in putting in guard rails along the highways. This makes me drive extra cautiously when I am driving on the mountains. You have a very steep drop off on the side of the mountain and no guard rail. I guess a person's live isn't valued very much!! Think of the icy highways and winter months and no guard rails!!!

Sports: I have to say I have found something disappointing about Alaska. I love, I mean LOVE Sunday football and Monday night football. However, you do remember that stupid time zone difference. Well, Sunday night and Monday night football comes on here at 4pm!!!!! UGH!!!! Most people are still working on Monday at 4 pm. I guess the NFL really doesn't care about Alaska. But I care about the games and hate the time they are shown here. So what do the Alaskans watch instead of afternoon football. College football on Saturdays. Not much different from Memphians!!! BUT let me just enlighten you about our football. Yes we have boys tackle football. But we have GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL The girls games get more coverage than the Boys tackle games. Now that is cool. These young ladies can really throw a football and run. Soccer is not much of a sport here compared to football. They are very cute too. The games I have watched many of the girls could be cheerleaders. Of course you have your usually line ladies. The stands are filled with spectators for both boys and girls games.

Any finally another difference is the transient living. I can't tell you how many children were enrolled in our school on Monday (all paper work and doctors information) and by Thursday they decided to move back to where ever. Why bother going through all that work to move back. This is not unusual for this area. The schools are very use to this routine. Teachers do most of their grade books in pencil because of the transient names. The fishing camp children are starting to come to school this week. Our enrollment is up 70 children already. This makes class lists and teaching a bit difficult. They have missed a month of learning (math, science, English,etc) so they are behind before they even get a start.

I am working on more native language phrases. I am not very good deciphering the words alone but I don't understand words will all vowels. A lot of their words are guttural sounds so that is new for me. I am use to gutter language but not guttural sounds!!!

Take care. I will post again in a few weeks. This weekend I have an all day school training on Saturday and Sunday I hike. I am looking for the area where all the moose are rutting. There are 100's of them in the Chugash Forrest but it is a million miles big. I haven't found them yet.

I wish my friend, Kathy Garrison, well with her new position with Cargill in Ohio. I will miss golfing with you when I return to Memphis. Best of luck to you. You all remember it was Kathy who set up this wonderful blog for me.

Sheryl