Making myself at home, sweet home. :)

It is such a rewarding feeling to experience living in a rural Alaskan community. This village is so much different from everything I left behind at home, but at the same time it feels familiar. What happens back in Iowa happens everywhere. There are people at every phase in life- from in-utero to the elderly, all joining together in simultaneous livelihood. People have diverse (and at times unclear) relationships to one another, but just like in smalltown Iowa, everyone knows who everyone is.

The people living in White Mountain are very curious about newcomers for the most part, myself not excluded. I have had many children tapping at my door, asking these three celebrated words: "Can we visit?!" The kids will come a rat-tat-tattin' all times of day to spend some time with a new face and explore an unfamiliar home. They are inquisitive about all the objects you own and will search through your cupboards to examine your many belongings when given the opportunity. Like sponges, they are so hungry for information about you. I have genuinely enjoyed these visits. Sometimes I will feed them a snack or juice, but my supplies do not allow for too much generosity at this point. That is okay, we will pull through!

My house doesn't have much to do in terms of videos, music, or gaming, but I have paper and coloring utensils. Just last night a student made me a beautiful drawing of the sun that he proudly tacked to my wall upon my recommendation. There are many others I may tack up tonight. Some are portraits of me, including one of me as a fashion model (which is simply hysterical to imagine, being 5' 3" and all), and others are fun doodles or imaginative clothing designs, including a line of "zombie" dresses done by a middle school student. The kids bring a lot of cheer to my home, and I expect I will be seeing them a lot!!

I gave a few of the older kids my camera for a couple hours to go take pictures in the village, under the stipulation that it must be returned in the same condition in which it was loaned out if they expect to use it again. They borrowed an ATV and traveled from the top of White Mountain to the far side of the town at the airport, taking photos of themselves and other children along the way. They took some beautiful landscape photographs- ones that were absolutely stunning! I downloaded them onto my computer as soon as they got back, and they pointed out all the people in the pictures whom I haven't had the opportunity to meet yet. I hadn't considered that would be a benefit of sending them out with a camera, but that turned out well in my favor! I was able to learn a few more names and get a feel for their photography skills. It amazes me how intuitive it can be to capture excellent photographs for some people. This seems especially true of children, provided they are able to steady their hand to do so. ;)

I have spent beaucoup de temps (a lot of time) in my classroom over the past week. Today I figured out my official schedule for the year, so I can start doing some more specific planning. Before now I had been focusing on making sure the classroom was ready and learning about school policies and day-to-day operations. Since last week we have attended district trainings via VTC (video tele-conference) which will become the norm, as travel for all of us to receive training is out of the question for the most part. I am absolutely thrilled that I will be getting to teach art to the 2nd-6th graders in my building two days a week. What a blessing that I am able to put those skills to use as well!! I had faith in this migration, and I get the feeling more and more each day that I will not be disappointed. How could I be with such a supportive staff and kids that bring me so much happiness to see each day?? And I haven't even met them all yet!!

Can I get a, "WHOOT, WHOOT!"?

Here are some pictures of my discombobulated classroom for the time being. It is gradually coming to resemble a place where one might learn. ;) I had to move around a lot of things to get in to where it is now, but the arrangement had limited feng shui in its former state, and I could not handle it. I am so happy to have the freedom to choose where things should go. My very first classroom EVER (in mirror image)!!!

My entryway and adjacent bulletin board. 

A broad view facing the windows.  

View looking towards the entryway. 

So proud of my Alaskan flag! Maybe a should put up a little Iowan one too? ;)

Experiencing so much joy as I call this blog finito for the night. There will be more pictures at some point. Rest assured. :)


Namaste to you all,

Kelly Rae