Tears and Laughter

Last week an elder passed away in the village. Her passing was very sudden and shocking. She was one of the elders I worked with this past summer. She told me the legend of the "Big Mouth Baby". She came everyday and was a delight to talk too. And it turns out, she was related to a majority of my friends in Akiak.

I found out that she was truly an incredible lady. Her name was Mary Phillip. She was a nurse (I believe one of Akiak's first) and she met Elvis at one point. She had a huge family and she was known for loving to cut fish.

Her funeral was very sad. I wanted to go and pay my respects.

I really wish I hadn't totally embarrassed myself.

I didn't mean too. I sat in the back next to some ladies I knew and they asked me if I wanted to sit up front with them. I said sure and we made our way to the front of the church. To the pews next to the preacher. Most of the service was in Yup'ik, which I didn't understand, but it was still a nice service.

And then came the part where the mixed choir sings. And everyone in my section stood up. I stood up too, thinking I could at least say the words and figure it out. And this is what I see:

Numamek itlualriartangkertukguk
Tangvagarputtlu ukfamtigun
Atavuttlu nutim tuantlune,
Nunakarputtlu takumaria

    Chorus
Ilene, tayima kuyurtarkaugukut
Pakmane;
Ilene, tayima tsuikerane
Tangrutsikukut

Yuarutniktlu aturtsikukut
Tamarming nanrautkartlainarnik;
Tuane umyuartluk plugarkauguk;
Nunaniatlekerkaufkinatatlu

Atamtinun pakmanilingurmun
Nanrautput tsumekanernauput;
Kinka Taititlra pitatikluku
Atauwhakautaitlu whangkutnun.

Now before anyone goes judging me, wondering why I just didn't sound it out, let me give you a quick Yup'ik lesson: Yup'ik does not use the English alphabet, oh no, it uses the Russian alphabet....so a p makes a b sound, a t makes a d sound, a c makes a j sound, a k makes a g sound....I can go on, but I think you now understand that when I read the lyrics for Sweet By and By, I panicked.

Not to mention I was the only non-Yup'ik person in the mixed choir. I looked at the woman next to me and asked, "Do I have to sing?" And I didn't want to cause a scene at this dear lady's service. The woman looks at me with a smile that only means "Uh huh."

Oh noooooooo......The song begins and at this point, I'm just keeping my head down and trying not to bring too much attention to myself. I noticed another lady wasn't singing, so I didn't really try. It was actually a pretty song. I was just so glad when it was over. I really hope I didn't offend anyone.

The next day was a Movie Night held at the school sponsored by the Drama Club....My drama club. I guess you can say I'm the coach. It's not a class and they aren't being graded, so I'm not really a drama teacher. We had a movie for older kids (I won't say which movie in case anyone tries to sue me) and it was a big hit. The kids were so helpful and behaved themselves beautifully. I think everyone had a really good time (and it was a good movie too!)

Dakota and I spent most of last week at my friend's the Millers. (They said I could use their name). It was a K-Pup weekend. Meaning the traveling speech and language guy was in town and we get together and play games, watch movies, basically, it's an event. He comes once a month, so it's something to look forward too. I stayed up way too late but had a good time. I'm so glad the Millers adore Dakota and let me bring him.

There was a love triangle though. Their daughter N, had gotten a husky puppy that she was going to train to be a sled dog. She's really cute. Well, you know how well Lulu and Dakota get along. Dakota also hit it off with the husky pup, but she's not supposed to be in the house very much as part of her training, so she came in, she and Dakota played.....and Lulu felt left out.

She then was snappy with Dakota when he tried to play with her. Now, in Lulu's defense, Dakota did wait until the other pup was put back before he sought Lulu's attention.....big mistake Dakota. Typical male! She was quite put out with him.....and I don't really blame her!

Dakota makes me laugh! I took him out today for his walk and he was content to just explore our complex....and he discovered the puddles had all iced over. So what better idea than to "dig up" the puddles! He dug and dug and when he had a great pile of mud...oh yes, he laid on it, brushed his face on the pile and then dug some more! He was so covered in mud by the end of it, he looked like he had all black fur! He enjoyed every minute of it! The same cannot be said of his bath afterwards, however!

Yesterday, he was having so much fun running around. He really loves the snow & cold weather. It's fun to see him in action. We were supposed to be playing Catch, but he turned it into Keep Away. I'd go to grab the ball and he'd move his head or jerk away....sometimes he'd just flop himself the other direction....he's so stinkin' smart.

I did wonder though, his footprints are so much bigger than the other dog's footprints, I wonder if his prints will freak people out and they'll think there's a wolf in Akiak.......that's all I need!!!