I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago. My dear friend Michelle surprised me and my class with cupcakes and then my darling teacher friends surprised me with a birthday game night. Okay, I knew about the game night part, but not about the birthday part.....it was very fun!
Our friend K-Dawg came out and it was games, games, games! If you like board games, then living in Akiak can be quite fun!
My time has been spent teaching and spending time with my animals. I don't talk about my cats much, but life here in my tiny house is quite busy and always entertaining. Dakota's interaction with my cats is always amusing. The other night, Dakota laid his head down on the cat by mistake. Well, maybe he meant to do that......
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| Lola not quite having the right idea with the dog crate...... |
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| Dakota shredding his "toy box"..... |
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| Lola taking over my sweater bag..... |
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| Daisy never seems to cause any trouble...... |
One of the reasons there's not a whole lot to write about is the cold. Sure, the lower 48 hasn't been having much of a winter, but Alaska sure has! It's been -30 to -60 wind chills here most of January. And you can go out in that kind of cold if you are bundled up, but really, why would you? It's not much fun walking around. So, I've been indoors a lot.
The weather has finally gotten warmer! Only 36 degrees outside right now. I didn't even need a hat or gloves when I took Dakota outside. Kids were outside playing, people were outside walking their dogs....finally! It was very nice!
I haven't gotten depressed this winter, or gotten the "winter blues". I think it has to do with having a puppy to take care of, but I also think it might have to do with my AeroGarden. The light is the full spectrum light that is supposed to be good for your moods. I have it in my living room and I suspect it's been helping.
Lately, I have been debating what direction I want to head in next. I'm content to stay in Akiak (if they renew my contract ~ if not, then I have to leave.....) but I wasn't sure for how long. A year? I gave myself a goal of trying Alaska out for two years....
One thing for sure, I know that I am loving living in Alaska. I love living in snow. And I think Alaska is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
But, do I want to stay in rural Alaska? Or go to the road system? Life would be easier on the road system.....I'd be able to go shopping more.
But..........I love so many things here. I really do love life in Akiak. I love the people here....and I think I am doing very well with my students and the other kids. I have fun with them and the majority of my interactions with the kids here have been positive. Besides, where else could my giant puppy fit in so nicely???
But all this thinking is kind of silly......at this point anyways.....contracts aren't out yet, so I may be thinking all this for nothing. If I don't get offered a contract, then I have to leave anyways. So time will tell.
My friend Michelle wrote a very good blog giving some advice about surviving your first year out here in the bush. Check out her blog in my link. If you keep scrolling, you'll see pics of me.....and Dakota. Some of the advice I contributed to.....as in "whoops".....ah well!!!
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