October 18, 2015: North Sister

Kinsey and I hiked North Sister today. We had no idea where we were going and tried to find the trailhead by using the "milepost" which is a detailed guide about specific places along the Alaskan Road System.  The Milepost was a liar. We parked our car where it told us, but ended up calling a friend who has hiked the mountain numerous times only to find that we parked a good 2 miles away from the trailhead. By this time, we had already started walking there so we trekked on until we found it. The climb up was really slick because of all the rain we got, but we hands and kneesed it to the top. Just as we got to the peak, we saw a pack (herd?) of mountain goats scurry down the other side. To feel like we were sharing the same mountain with the goats was a really cool feeling.  After resting, snacking, and chatting with some people we met at the top, we headed back down. Our legs were already tired from the hike up. Adding that to the super slick trails, and we probably had a combined fall total of over 10.  Fell on our butts, fell onto our hands, fell until we caught ourselves with tree limbs, and fell and slid into bushes.  It was awesome. At the bottom, we tried hitch hiking back to our car, but had no takers. Just as we were about to give up, my next door neighbor drove up to us. She and her husband gave us a ride back to our car.  I loved this day. 

October 17, 2015: Takenoko

We might be a little geeked about this new game, Takenoko. If you like strategy games but get a little stressed with the intensity and want something a little more relaxed, get this game! You build land plots, grow bamboo, and have a panda eat the bamboo.  Enough said. 

October 16, 2015: Pumpkin Carving

And new friends. And playing games on a Friday night.  Thanks to Tim and Erin for hosting a great night!  

October 15, 2015: Little bitty stinging rain, and big ole fat rain.

And that's all I have to say about that. 

October 24, 2015: Fall is...

This compilation of fall from a kodiak kid is so different than what any of my Chicago students would have written.  

I love the duck hunter and the silver salmon fishing. This girl knows her fish and game :) 

October 13, 2015: Best and Most Random Gift Ever

Got this amazing package from the post office today. Inside:

-a purple boa

-lots of plastic bling

-a framed, autographed picture of my two friends holding oscars they won at our Academy Awards Party. 

-a squirt gun. 

-a pack of mint Oreos. 

No card or explanation. Just joyous randomness.  This came at such a needed time, I cried a little while laughing hysterically in the parking lot of the post office.

Well done, ladies.  Miss you so much. 

October 12, 2015: Jar of Happiness

Katie rallied all of my friends before I left and they made me little notecards of encouragement and memories and stick them in a jar. I don't pull one out everyday because I am trying to make them last as long as possible. I pulled two out today though, and was so encouraged! 

Zephaniah 3:17 is one of my absolute favorites. It says, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing."

What an awesome God who despite our flaws, our insecurities, our limited perspective of life, our grumblings, and our selfishness, cares for us that much. 

October 11, 2015: The family that eats McDonald's together...

Stays together. 

That's where we are. McDonald's drive thru. I am trying to limit my McDonalds intake to twice a week or less. But some days, you just need it. 

Today was one of those days. Today was hard. I was more homesick than I have ever been here.  I am not regretting my decision to move here in the slightest, I think I just had a day where I really missed my friends, familiarity, comfort, tradition, chipotle.  I cried like 37 times today. In the pews at church, in the bathrooms at church, in the drive thru (seconds after taking this picture), in Meg's kitchen, in Meg's bathroom, on my way home. It was exhausting! But felt good to just get it all out. I am not writing this in any way to get sympathy, I just feel like my blog has been full of fun and adventure, but I want it to be transparent too.  While I am loving aspects of being here, it's been really hard too.  I realized today how much I have been neglecting to spend time in prayer and in the Word. I have been focusing on finding new friends and building my community here, but haven't spent any time deepening my relationship with God. I am depending on people more than I am depending on Him.  It was a good wake up call. A hard one, but a good one. 

Even so, if anyone wants to come visit, I won't turn you down :) 

October 10, 2015: fail.

I didn't take a picture today. Mega fail. I honestly didn't do much today, so there wasn't much to show off. I slept in, did a lot of school work in front of the TV, had dinner with Meg and Arthur, fell asleep on her floor, went home at 9:00, was in bed sleeping by 9:30 and slept til 9:00 the next morning.  

I have a feeling I am entering the time of year in Kodiak where this might become normal. I will try to find something unique and beautiful about rainy, sluggish days :). 

October 9, 2015: Team Carl

There are certain things I love about a small community. The way people pull together and support one another is one of those things.  There is a teacher at one of the elementary schools on the island who has been fighting cancer for a while. The schools held a relay race during the HS swim meet in his honor. Teachers from each school created a team and raced to raise funds toward cancer research.  It was awesome to see.  And yes, that team was dressed up as pirates. 

October 8, 2015: Lime Juice

Disclaimer: this actual picture is not from today. I took a video today of Arthur trying lime juice. He insisted that he wanted it. I gave it to him. I can't upload videos onto this blog so as I was sorting through my pics for today, I decided to take a screen shot of the video so you could see this awesomeness. 

Amazing right? 

October 7, 2015: Martian!

I had my first Kodiak movie experience tonight!! First of all, this is probably one of the biggest changes in my life here. I used to go to movies all the time. Even by myself. I love going to movies. I knew what was coming out, I was Oscar ready, watched all the nominated films, excitedly anticipated movies being released. I have only been here for 3 months, but I have completely fallen out of the movie world. We have 2 theaters here, (one in town and one on the base). The theater in town is small and shows one movie per week, usually a while after it is released everywhere else in the world. The theater on base shows movies WAY after they come out and at random times. We found out the Martian was playing here this week, so Meg got a babysitter and we went! At the ticket counter I laughed because I didn't have to specify which movie I wanted to see and which time slot I was buying it for.  All I had to say was "just one."

I really liked the movie. I didn't know anything about it going in. I think it's my favorite space movie thus far. Sometimes I feel really far from family and friends and it was good to be reminded that I could have it worse: I could be stranded alone on Mars. Sometimes I just need Matt Damon to help me put my life in perspective.  I am mostly happy because after being in the theater I decided I would still be confident going to movies alone here. In Chicago it's really easy to blend into the masses of people. I love being with my friends, but I also love my solo time. Here, I have been a little more worried about doing things alone because you stick out more. After visiting the theater tonight, I can feel good about coming back by myself and not feeling too awkward. 

October 6, 2015: Weekly Winter Walks

Week three of our winter walks! Today our friend Erin joined us! I suited up in a raincoat and rain pants tonight. It misted the whole walk which actually felt awesome. It's funny, because I would never have intentionally gone for a stroll in misty weather back in Chicago.  I didn't think to take a picture until the end of our walk. I promise, the three of us are in there! 

We thought about taking a new one with the flash, but decided this was more fun. Plus, who knows what we all looked like after walking for an hour in the rain. :) 

October 5, 2015: This is Not a Bra

It's my new sleeping mask. I lost my good one on the trip here and have gone through 2 cheap ones from Walmart that make my face sweat. I got this highly rated one on amazon. The problem is, it has cups for my eyes. What kind of crap is this? My eyes don't need lift support, they need to be shielded from the insanely bright light outside my window and from the steady glow of my essential oil diffuser. (Yep, I recently got into essential oils in the hopes that they would calm my class down. Or at least help with my anxiety). Not the point. The point is that every night I am now going to sleep with a training bra on my face. 

October 4, 2015: Wildlife Overload

I went on a hike today to Termination Point with Alanna and Kayla this afternoon. We were in the woods when we ran into this deer.  We were so close, and the deer was completely unafraid. As we were admiring it, an eagle swooped over our heads and landed in the tree in front of us. It was almost comical because we didn't know which creature to pay more attention to. Both were so close! 

October 3, 2015: Kodiak vs. Barrow

I guess there is a show called "Football Town: Barrow, Alaska" or something like that. I really need to start watching these Alaska shows now that I live here. Anyways it's a show about the HS football team in Barrow, which is the town in the most northern part of Alaska, near the Arctic circle. Kodiak played Barrow today, so I went to watch the game. I can actually say I really have enjoyed watching HS sports this weekend. And I probably watched more this weekend than I ever did when I was actually in HS myself! 

Kodiak lost the game by the way.  Barrow's team was tiny (in number) but the kids were huge (maybe all that muktuk)? So our loss will be televised, but the kids had some great plays in there! 

October 2, 2015: Bump it!

We went to the HS girls volleyball game tonight. They won! I haven't watched a volleyball game since I was in HS, but it was really fun! Kodiak's mascot is a bear (shocker) so Arthur was pretty excited to high five him during the game. Meagan immediately had to explain to him that this bear was the only bear Arthur was allowed to touch.  If he ever sees another one, he can't high five it. I love that we live somewhere where this is a necessary conversation. 

October 1, 2015: This Kid Gets Me

Extra credit for this student. I haven't hung up any drawings from students yet in my classroom, but this motivates me to find a spot pronto. 

September 30, 2015: Fall is Coming

The tree outside Meg's house is turning bright red! The mountain grass (pardon my lack of knowledge about what the actual grass is called) has turned brown, but the leaves hadn't really changed much yet. Finally we are starting to see some bright colors. This place is beautiful, but the fall colors here have nothing on Michigan! Fall is my favorite season, and I am finding myself really missing the Midwest falls. Crunching through piles and piles of leaves, driving up to my parents' farm for apples, bonfires at Prominitory Point, not caring at all about the Bears, but loving how excited my friends would get. I miss you, Midwest! 

September 29, 2015: An iPhone doesn't make you a photographer

I thought it did for a while. Then I took this picture.  Lames. It was actually really pretty with the moonlight and the mist and the mountain. I opened up my sun roof and got a little misted in order to take this picture. Not worth it, but it's all I got today. 

September 28: 2015: Field Trip

Well, I forgot to take a picture today for my blog (I am starting to do this frequently), and the only picture I did take today was this one. It was to remind me which time and date I signed my class up for a fire safety visit from the Fire Department.  

September 27, 2015: Buddies!

Catie... I don't love that I come to school on the weekend. But I dislike it a little less knowing that you are here too. Parking lot buddies.  (And Michigan mittens on our cars buddies). 

September 26, 2015: Paybacks

Meagan used to hide from our mom in the coat racks at the store all the time. That's why I find it so funny that Arthur does the same thing. Look at how funny he looks. Can't get enough of this kid. Well that's a lie, sometimes I can, but most days, like today, I am loving everything about this weirdo child! 

September 25, 2015: Good morning, Kodiak. Again.

Let me enjoy my beautiful sunrises! Before too long the sun is going to rise too late in the day for me to enjoy it on my way to work! This picture was taken right as I turn on the road that takes me to school. It's always a pretty view, but even more so when the sun is making magic. 

September 24, 2015: Feels Like Home

I was feeling Chicago home sick and missing my roommate. So I made this chili cheese dip. Sarah Molenkamp originally introduced us to its awesomeness, and Kate and I would think of her whenever we made it. Which was often, especially the last month or so before we moved out.  Seriously, Hormel no beans chili microwaved with a pack of cream cheese and you have cheese dip perfection.  No wonder my pants don't fit any longer. 

September 23, 2015: Stealth Mode

I have been going with Meg and Arthur to the pool on Wednesdays. Meg got a phone call just before we went in the locker room to change, so I just took Arthur inside so she could take the call. I seriously just turned for a second to grab something from my bag and when I turned back around, Arthur had disappeared. It took seeing his little finger poking out of the hole of the locker before I realized where he went. What a little sneak! 

September 22, 2015: Weekly Winter Walks

Alanna and I have decided that we will not only survive the Kodiak winter, but we will enjoy it. Every week, we plan to walk the 3 mile loop around our houses... No matter the weather.  As they say in Kodiak, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad rain gear."  

Tonight's walk was beautiful. There was a gorgeous sunset, and the weather was beautiful.  

I am so thankful for this friend. I met her on a hike when I first moved here and basically point blank asked her if she would be my friend. She has been a blessing! 

September 21, 2105: Termination Dust

I had never even heard of termination dust before moving here. But it's beautiful!!  It's only September but the snow is coming! It's hard to look at that mountain (barometer) and think that I climbed to the top of it only 2 months ago! 

September 20, 2015: BEAR!

Finally!! Saw my first bear on our way back from fishing at the Buskin! Meagan, Arthur and I were in the car heading out toward the road when we saw a huge bear run into the woods. We then saw another bear on the opposite side of the road, climbing over the guard rail and into the woods. These bears are no joke. They are huge! We had a mini stand off with this one before he disappeared into the woods. 

September 19, 2015: Fort Abercrombie

Another beautiful hike with my friend, Kayla. While we were walking, we ran into a high school cross country team from Anchorage. They ran past us, carrying towels and asked us where the nearest cliff was because they wanted to cliff dive into the ocean. Alaskans are awesome. 

September 18, 2015: Good Morning, Kodiak!

This is what I have been able to see on my way to work for the last few days. I have actually stopped and pulled over to soak it in.  I can't get over how creative God was when He made all of this. Being reminded of His glory each morning has been a great way to start the day.  I am thankful for this little glimpse of peace before the storm of my first grade class. 

September 17, 2015: First Run in Kodiak

So... My pants are getting tight.  And there is no place on this island to buy new pants.  So I decided to try running again. I haven't been running since I moved here. There were too many trails to explore and mountains to climb. No time for running!  A few extra inches around my waist added to the fact that I am too cheap to pay for new pants to be shipped here means that I hit the pavement this afternoon. It was hard!! I did three miles and my legs feel like they are going to fall off. The hills here are no joke.  But the mid run view was worth it! Can you see my shadow at the bottom? 

September 16, 2015: Thanks, Liza!

Texted this picture to my dear friend, Liza. Before I left she bought me McDonalds gift cards. She knows me so well.  Breakfast was on her this morning, and it made me happy to think of her as I handed over my card.  Thanks, Lizer!! 

September 15, 2015: Pretty Sunset

So I realize that the majority of my pictures on this blog are of pretty mountains, or ocean views, or sunsets, or cool cliffs. If you don't like that, you're going to have to get over it. I moved to a mountainous island in Alaksa. That's what we have. :).  So on that note, here's my view on my drive home today. 

September 14, 2015: whoops!

So, I took pictures of my class today, but I can't share those because of privacy laws :).  So... No pictures for the blog today! Sorry!! 

September 13, 2015: Races

We went to the races tonight! It was my first time since high school watching races of any sort. You would think that it wouldn't be too hard to follow (the cars just go around. And around). But I was lost. Guess they just aren't my thing!  We still had fun! 

September 12, 2015: that face

This little man makes me so happy.  His face!! 

September 11, 2015: this is happening

Family left for Michigan today. I am crashing with some NyQuil on a Friday night before 8:00.  Being sick the first 2 weeks of school is exhausting! 

Sept 10, 2015: Family Selfie

Don't pay attention to how tired and gross I look. I caught my family's sickness today. Despite feeling gross, I joined them for a walk along Boyscout Beach!