So many things have happened since last blogging.
To start off, my kids have earned back their toys!! That was pretty exciting, I really think I need to have my aide teach more because the week after I came back they were angels! We are starting to get back into the swing of things but it has been a little rough.
Next we had our first real holiday here in the bush. Halloween is a lot different in a village than in the city. First you can't go out and buy candy, you have to have it shipped in and the kids don't really wear costumes because it is snowing so it would be really cold to just wear a costume. Molly and I ratted our hair up and went as people who were electrocuted. It was really funny to answer the door pretending to be shocked. The kids didn't really get it but the teachers found it really funny. That night at about 7 the trick-or-treaters stopped coming because they started doing Eskimo dancing around 7 and the kids were all there participating in that. I went up after a little while and it was so cool to see the dancing and the way the community was involved. It was a really cool way to see the community come together even if it is for one night.
The community has been split in half over some things that have been happening in the village and it is really sad to see people who were once friends talking behind others backs and saying things they know are not true, especially in a very very small community. Hopefully this Christmas season will help mend hearts and lift spirits.
Also, things have been rough for Molly and I. Some people at the school were not happy with they way Molly and I were running student council and they decided to take it to the Regional School Board. In the meeting we were accused of being things that we weren't. It made me really sad and hurt by the things that were said. If I could impart some of my knowledge into the world this would be it. We must teach our children by example. If we want our children to have respect for people we must teach them how to have respect for others. Also, just because we don't look alike doesn't mean that we don't experience the same feelings. It hurts when people say bad things about you NO MATTER WHAT!! It hurts when people lie about you. It hurts when people make fun of you. It hurts when you are hit, kicked, punched, and bit. I really wish that people understood more of that concept.
So I experienced my first Thanksgiving here in the bush and it was full of moving. We have been waiting for about a month now to move into our new houses and Thanksgiving break was the opportune time. Molly has headed back to Arkansas due to health reasons so it was just me moving both of our stuff. Even in bush Alaska you can accumulate stuff that you don't need!! Well I guess just as a teacher you do that anyway. Pictures the kids draw you, print outs that you think you are going to use again, miscellaneous things like 20 toilet paper rolls that you think you are going to do a craft project with. By the time it was all said and done, two bags of garbage and one giant box of garbage were taken out. Now to get rid of the boxes that are sitting in my living room that were used to move into the new house.
This post will end with one my favorite scriptures, hopefully it will help all those who are reading this as much as it helps me each time I read it.
"Peace I leave with you, my peaceI give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
