Diversity to the Nth degree

I know that I have mentioned it before, but my school is the definition of diverse. There is no majority ethnicity, race, economic background, or family structure in any of my 6 classes, and the best part about it is that students co -mingle. In other schools I have been in, the students self segregate to some degree, but at East they seem to all get along. Sure, there are groups of students from the same ethnic background, but they are few and far between.

Another thing I have noticed is the variety of teachers. There have been several that I have met who do things the same way they did them 20 years ago, and will continue that way for the next 20, and that makes things difficult. I was starting to get somewhat discouraged by the end of last week, as I wasn't getting out of my classroom frequently to work with other teachers in the building, and wasn't sure how things were all going to work out. Of course, God has a plan for all of us (he is just a little more patient than I would like in deciding to lay it out) and today when I began my collaborating, I found out what his plan is.

During the day I collaborate with 4 different teachers (Geometry, Algebra A, 9th Grade English, and Biology), and of the ones I had the chance to work with today, there was not a single boring teacher in the group. Their care for their students and passion for their jobs speaks volumes. It makes me proud to be part of their classroom. I can only assume that the rest of the year is going to go even better. Thanks God for showing me that patience really is a virtue.

Earthquake park round 2

God has blessed Zoey and I with another beautiful, sunny 65 degree day in Anchorage and what did we do, skipped church and headed out to the park for a hike. No worries though, I listened to Pastor Mike on my iPod during the hike. Great sermon, and great view all at once is a bit much to take in. It seems that every time I go out, even if it is to the same place, I see different things (or maybe the same things, just a different perspective).

As usual we say lots of people on bicycles (which here is a BIG deal). The bikers don't just go out in jogging shorts and t-shirts, they are all decked out in bike jerseys and spandex shorts. The bikers here are hard core. I am thankful that Zoey has finally decided to leave them alone and is much more interested in rolling around in moose poop (I think I liked the latter).

There are lots and lots of little trails that lead off of the paved path (most warning of a cliff drop off) and I learned today that several of them are not from people but from moose. This means that you have to be careful when taking the path less traveled as you may encounter more than you bargained for, the other signs warn "Don't mess with the moose". I really do need to look into what I am supposed to do when I come face to face with one, due to the fact that friends warn me it is not if it happens but when (same is true for bears when in the Kenai Peninsula). It would also be beneficial if Zoey wouldn't bark when we came near wildlife (I don't think that mamma moose enjoy little yippy animals barking at their calves).

Exit Glacier

I was happily greeted this morning by the suns bright shining rays, which could only mean one thing: a trip to Exit Glacier in Seward. After a quick shower and some breakfast, Zoey and I loaded up the car and headed out. The trip takes a little under 2.5 hours, though you hardly notice the time pass, and takes you down the winding Seward Scenic Byway along Alaska's coastline. After passing Girdwood (where Alyeska ski resort is located), the inlet gives way to curving rivers and rising mountains erupting from centuries old glaciers. Had I stopped at every roadside picture area, we would have never made it before sunset.

One stop I did force myself to take was at Beluga Point where I saw, what else, beluga whales. A grouping of about 15-20 were enjoying the high tide (the tide in Alaska is 36 feet, the highest on the continent). In the pictures they look like white bubbles sticking out of the water.

For those of you who did not know, dogs are not allowed to take the trail up to Exit Glacier. I parked my car, cracked the windows for Zoey and set out toward the trail. Glacier Exit has several different trail options, one can take the 3.6 mile hike to the upper part of the glacier, or a short 0.6 mile walk to the handicap accessible glacier view area. Due to the bum knee, I opted for the shorter route (leaving me something to look forward to on my next excursion).I couldn't post all of my pictures on the blog, but they are all under the Seward album on my facebook page so you should check it out!

Mt. McKinley

Today was the most beautiful, clear, sunny day I have seen since I arrived. There was no smog, pollution, rain or clouds to obscure the view of the Chugach Range. Thanks to my friend Leslie, I was able to take in one of the most magnificent views I have ever seen. After a short drive to Earthquake park, I was able to see the stunning view of the city that I have frequently seen in photographs (and have at the top of this blog). Upon driving further, I came across a couple of moose calves and their mama blocking a truck in its parking space. All of this was followed by a spectacular view of Mt. McKinley (look in closely and you can see it in the background of the picture.

Zoey and I are going to head back out there tomorrow after school, if the weather is still nice, and walk along the 11 mile coastal trial with its view of the inlet and Turnaround Bay. It amazes me how many people are constantly out taking advantage of the trails and nature hikes. We must have seen 20 or so bikers, dozens of families with their children, and countless others out for an evening stroll. It is things like this that make me glad to live in this wonderful state.

I survived

Today was my first day back to school with the kiddos. I can't think of anything better than 15 bleary eyed teenagers staring up at you at 7:30 in the morning, except for the 11 that were bleary eyed the last period of the day. So far the students seem "normal", and several were quite friendly. The statistics held true and I have been blessed with three times as many boys as girls, though the girls I have could probably take my boys in a fist fight, have freshman boys always been this little?

One of my friends (I now have two) and I are going out for dinner tonight to Moose's Tooth and I am super excited for the sun dried/roasted tomato, chicken, Caesar salad... it is quite possibly the best Caesar salad I have ever eaten. Maybe I will meet a hot guy and fall madly in love. Zoey and I are heading out for a walk... we must enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. Ta ta!

One more day

It won't be long before the quiet, freshly buffed halls of East High School become a rumbling stampede of 2,400 teenagers. That's right, school is back in session on Wednesday. I have a whole day to get ready for the 24 students that will greet me with what I can only assume are going to be bright smiling faces first hour (ha ha, yeah right). I did manage to get a picture of my classroom, it isn't complete but I think that it is well on its way to looking pretty spiffy.Keri wrote me an awesome note about Mark's sermon the other day (in relation to my description of the mountains). Since today was the first day of sunshine (and possibly the last), I thought I would run across the street and get a couple of pictures of what I am talking about. The pictures really don't do it justice, but it should give you an idea of the majesty of it all.

Rain, Rain

Clouds and rain have been the background for Anchorage for almost a week now, but surprisingly, it does not take the wind out of my sails. Somehow, the beauty of the mountains has an uncanny ability outshine the dismal weather. Though the mountains are certainly beautiful on a sunny and cloudless day, there is an immense beauty to mountains highlighted and small beams of light poking out from the clouds. It is so easy to take the views for granted and to look past even the most simple of beauty, but when the clouds hang on to the middle of the mountains one can sense the magnificence of the one that has created it all.

I am not yet able to get a decent picture that is worthy of the stunning elegance, but will continue to try. Keep posted!

Can I get your license and registration please?

As of 4pm I am officially an Alaskan (well almost, technically I have to live her another year) with a real license plate and driver's license. Plates here are cheap, super dooper cheap, and they don't expire for two years. The woman that I met at the DMV has got to be one of the nicest government employees I have ever met. She was super patient with my inability to correctly fill out the forms and even let me know some good places to eat.

It is raining again, frown, and Zoey and I have been stuck in the apartment all afternoon, no walk...which stinks when you are used to getting out multiple times a day. I did get a call from one of the friends I met the other day, she was wondering if I was going to a staffing tomorrow and if so, could we go together because she didn't want to go alone (I think she is telepathic). Tomorrow night we are going to go out (with some other Anchorage newbies) for drinks and live music, I can't wait. Things are going well, keep in touch... I miss you all (at least those of you I have already met).

Getting in the groove

Tomorrow is my first official day at East High School as a special education teacher. A mixture of nerves and excitement are flowing through my every limb. Today, as a warm up, all of the new staff were taken on a tour of the building and given our personal laptops. I was slightly saddened to find out that our laptops were the same as the one that I currently use (although smaller, which is quite nice for transport), and were put out just before cameras were a common installment. We will, however, get new ones in late October (or early December in school district time), and they should have the camera, so no video conferencing until then.

The staff that I have met thus far are friendly, warm and welcoming and the building is just plain huge. They have a new auditorium that would put many city auditoriums to shame, and an incredibly diverse student population. My State Farm agent was the 10th person to tell me what a wonderful school East is and how much I will love teaching there, which is incredibly encouraging.

In new news, Zoey has officially met my neighbor (though I cannot, for the life of me, remember her name) and wandered into her apartment twice, only slightly embarrassing. Now, every time I take her out for a walk she tears in that direction and attacks the door! I am not sure what is in there, but the dog thinks it is the coolest place ever. I also got to meet the neighbor, and she seems really nice. She is in business school, has the cutest son I have ever seen, and is going to enlist in the Navy when she graduates. Hopefully we will see more of her, it nice to have a neighbor you can trust to watch over your place when you are out. She loves Zoey and misses her pit bull mix she had to leave in Fairbanks (no pit bulls in our apt. complex), so I am hoping that she will watch her if I am ever out of town :)

I got my camera from Mom so the pictures are from when she was here and we went hiking and then visited Alyeska Skii resort it was gorgeous and 35 minutes from my home! Enjoy the rest of your summers!

Friends!

We had our first in service (district wide new teachers) today and I finally met some people! One girl, Leslie, a speech therapist, from Wisconsin, and I are going out for drinks on Friday (and probably Saturday, maybe Sunday too). She moved her in early June and only knows a couple of people. It was amazing to see how many people are from the Midwest, I only talked to two people that have moved in from elsewhere (both happened to be from Florida, one from the Keys), or they were native to Alaska.

Some of the interesting facts about my district:

1. It is home to over 50,000 students!
2. Over 95 languages are spoken by its students/families
3.











4. It has its own disaster plan complete with shelters, emergency generators, food and water supply and rescue squads (it can take care of 2,200 people for up to a month with out outside help).
5. Several people told em they tried to get jobs at my high school and were disappointed when they didn't!
6. East is one of the few high schools that provides its teachers with new Mac laptops.
7. ASD is home to the family support program for the whole state
8. For those of you in Iowa, our staff support system puts AEA to shame

Thats all I have for today, check back later for more!

EXTRA FUN FACT: According to "Unwrapped" Des Moines consumes the most frozen pizza in the country, NOT per-capita.

Skype me

I talked to the family today for the first time on Skype. Though Elizabeth and I discovered this nifty tool in college, it really had no practical use until now. Currently, I don't have a camera for my computer but hopefully the laptop that the school provides will come with one. It was fun to see Annie, Mom, CJ and Max... it made me feel just a little bit less lonely (Aunt Janie I don't know how you moved to Florida all those years ago without cell phones and e-mail, I couldn't have done it, you are much braver than I). Want to sign up: http://www.skype-official.com/

It must be raining across the entire country. Pounding rain woke me up this morning followed by a call from UNI telling me that there were tornado warnings in Cedar Rapids (because that is helpful information in a tornado free state) and that I should take cover. At first I was worried, but once common sense kicked in I realized that this I am not in Iowa anymore (did I mention that the call came at 6am, good morning Maggie). I must still be on their student list even though the only class I ever took with them was in Des Moines, last year.

Changepoint, the church mom and I checked out last weekend, was on the docket for this morning, but something kept nagging me about the "elders" in the church. Before heading out, I checked up on their website and found that the Elders run the church council and influence the pastoral team, oh yeah... and they are only men (plus they use a Bible verse to back up their decision). Now I have nothing wrong with churches that don't allow women to hold positions of influence ( okay, I kind of do), as that is their choice, as for my self, I just couldn't do it. This led me wandering the vast spanse of Google looking for a more suitable match and I think that I have found it, City Church in Anchorage. It seems laid back and even has a female youth pastor with a strong youth group (can anyone say volunteer?). I was going to go this morning, but missed the early service, so next Sunday... here I come.

As for now, I must attend to the peanut butter cookies that I made (gluten free makes for some seriously yummy, though crumbly, cookies). Zoey already figured out that licking the hot oven is NOT, in fact a good idea... she is smarter than she looks (wink, wink). I hope you all had a great weekend! Seize the week!

High School and Bison Burgers

Tonight for dinner I decided to make a bison burger salad, yes, you heard right, salad. I figure if you can make a taco salad, why not a cheeseburger salad? I cooked up some bison meat, put in on a bed of fresh Alaska Grown lettuce, added cheese, ketchup and mayonnaise, and then topped it off with some fresh slices of tomato. It was awesome!

Zoey and I were going to head down to Seward today, but according to the forecast...guess what... rain. It appears that whenever it is sunny in Anchorage, it rains in Seward (and vice-versa). I am going back to check out the church tomorrow and then go to their barbecue to meet the staff and ask some questions. I am excited to find out how action packed it is on a Sunday morning.

This past Friday I attended my first district special education meeting (I missed the one the day before as no one informed me that my district e-mail was up and running, or what the password was for that matter). It is interesting how they run the meetings here, they pay staff to come in before school starts so that they do not need to pay subs once school has begun. I have another meeting on Monday and a half day Wednesday before I officially start on Thursday.

I went to the high school I will be working for, it is HUGE, like mega large (mall size, they gave me a map so that I wouldn't get too lost). I share a classroom with another lady, whom I have yet to meet, which is thus far a bit bleak, I will need to put up my posters. Here is the website http://www.asdk12.org/schooldetails.asp?ID=830 and my name is already on the list!

The weather here has been phenomenal these past two days, so here are a couple of pictures of the lake Zoey and I visited yesterday. We may go for a walk on the coastal trail again this evening.

Thanks to all of Mom's work ladies (and men) who have been following the blog, I think you read it more than she does. Don't forget to check out Annie's fashion blog, there is a link on the side for you to click. Also, it would be extremely educational to look up my old roommate Lindsay's blog on being in Mumbai (Bombay) right now. She has quite insightful things to say about the city and country. I found it riveting.

I left my camera in mom's purse so she is going to send it to me. Since the rain stopped, the mountains are much clearer. Zoey and I are going to drive down to Seward tomorrow, weather permitting so I all try to post the pictures taken from my phone.

CJ called today and he sounds like he might come up with Adam V. at the end of January, hopefully that all works out. It will ne nice to have some visitors (hopefully they won't mind couches and blowup mattresses). Day two without mom is going

Adjusting

I am testing the iPhone blog updater. Mom left last night and it was pretty hard on both of us. I know that things will be ok and in time I will meet plenty of people, it just seems like a daunting task.

I applied for a program called challenge Alaska where adults help others with disabilities to participate in outdoor activities like skiing and biking. Sounds like it will be loads of fun. I will make an official update tomorrow. Night all, keep praying :)

Settled in

After sleeping on an air mattress for a couple of nights, Carlos came through and delivered all of my stuff. It took a few days to get unpacked but we did, for the most part, get everything out of boxes. It feels so much more like home now that everything is all set up.

Mom and I have finally gotten everything set up (and managed to sort through some more things that I am going to take over to the Salvation Army..good thing I moved them). Let me catch you up since I last wrote. We stopped at the Moose's Tooth Brewery, I think I ate the best Caesar salad of my life, no joke. They are really known for their pizza and beer, both of which Mom enjoyed greatly.

On night two we stopped for some seafood and to take a peak at the downtown area, the inlet is beautiful and Simon and Seaforts was amazing. We met a nice waitress named Rachel who has been her just over three months and moved in from Indiana on a whim, she gave me her number.. who knows, I may just give her a call. She also pointed us to a beautiful trail, the Coastal Trail. The trail is over 10 miles long and covers the spanse of Cook Inlet. There were a ton of people out, either just walking after work, biking or jogging.
We checked out a church called Changepoint, a large non-demoninational church that seems to have taken over an old warehouse/shipping building. The Saturday afternoon service was small but the service was good. I think I will go back next weekend to see what the Sunday service is like.

Our next adventure took us further down on the coastal trail. I have uploaded a few pictures, this walk is gorgeous. We saw some salmon swimming upstream, and a bunch of goofy ducks dunking in the water for some food. This park is definitely going to be one of Zoey and my favorite places to visit during the summer (and I may have to learn how to cross country ski in the winter).

Today, with the weather clearing up, we took a trip to the zoo. The Anchorage zoo is beautifully laid out with gravel walking trails, natural habitats and heavily wooded areas. We saw many a playful bear, some reindeer (a small boy wanted to know where Santa was), musk ox, wolves, owls, deer, snow leopards, bald eagles, polar bears, and tons of other animals. I bought a season pass so that I can hang out year round.

That is all I have for now, no internet in my apartment, so I will try to update at least once a week. Love you all!