48 Hours and Counting

So, here it is May 20, and I can hardly believe it. But, first, I must apologize for being absent for 6 weeks. We had internet trouble, then I couldn't upload pictures, and frankly, I've been SUPER busy! But, here I am again.

Moving up here has been such a wonderful experience. I am looking forward to next year. In case you haven't heard, I did sign my contract for next year. I've done thing I never thought I would.

I like lists, so here is a list of things I've done that I probably never would have done in Ohio:
1. I relearned how to sew. I made a quilted table runner!
2. I cut a moose and a caribou. The caribou, if you'll remember, was on my kitchen floor.
3. I've learned to love aqutaq, or Eskimo ice cream. It's pretty much Crisco and berries, but it is delicious!
4. I rode on an ice road in a truck, and secretly prayed that the ice didn't break, even though I know won't!
5. I ate raw beluga whale. It was pretty bad.
6. I attended my first graduation as a teacher of the graduates. I cried a little.
7. I learned that prom decorations are a terrible idea, and that you need an engineering degree to assemble them!
8. I own snow gear, so I don't freeze to death when traveling for work.
9. I paid $10 for a bag of flour.
10. I've made lifelong friends who I never would have met any other way.

Just to illustrate how different things are here, during prom decorating, some high schoolers and I were putting together the Eiffel Tower and you needed to cut a hole in a piece of cardboard with a craft knife. Well, we couldn't find a craft knife to save our lives. So, I said, "Ok. Who brought a knife to school today?" Two boys took knives out of their pockets. I assigned one of them to cut the hole. That is something that NEVER would happen in the Lower 48. I'd have to suspend them both!

A few other things to note: I moved to a different apartment. A fellow teacher, Dirk, and I decided to switch houses. I now live with Traci in a nicer, newer apartment. We've been roommates for about a month, and so far so good. This will come to a surprise for those of you who know how much I hate roommates!

We are getting a new principal next year. He seems like a good guy, and I'm excited for him to be here. Frankly, he has to be pretty good; he's also an OWU grad!

I bought a 1984 camper to use for the summer. So, if you're near Atwood Lake Park, look me up. I think I'm lot 693. Tony, my brother, got the lot for me.

Those are all the big things I can think of. I'll be arriving home at 8:23 PM EST at the Akron/Canton Airport. It's a full 24 hour trip with plenty of stops in between. So, Portia, my cat, and I will be leaving Eek at 4:30 PM tomorrow and heading out. Keep looking back as I'll update this summer. I'll try to do it more often.