Emily's Teacher-y Blog

Welcome Back!

2009-01-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Class,

This is my first blog of 2009, and my first blog using two hands for a really long time! On January 10th I got to take my brace off for good, and I officially have use of my left fingers again---my wrist is still going to take some time to heal, but it feels better not having that ugly smelly brace on. One problem I have been left with is the hair that grew on my hand under my cast. My right hand has no visible hair, but my left hand now looks like it is part Gorilla--still looking for suggestions on that one.

My break was good, and as always too fast! I spent the first week lounging around my house in Aniak, doing a little cleaning, and a lot of baking (fudge, cookies, Christmas-y stuff) and getting ready to have my boyfriend's whole family over for Christmas Dinner. After Christmas was over we headed South to visit my family in the lovely green state of Oregon. Luckily we missed all the bad weather they were having, and got to enjoy a mixture of rain and 50 degree temps while we were there. It was a very quick trip, but I did get to see my Dad, Mom, Sister, Grandparents, and several Aunts and Uncles. I also got to watch the Ducks kick Oklahoma State's behinds in the Holiday Bowl.

We spent New Year's Eve with my sister, her husband, and my mom and her boyfriend over at my sister's house. Since we are both pregnant we got to enjoy some delightful sparkling cider in place of champagne this year. We also played Wii into the wee hours of the night. I totally destroyed her at American Idol.

When I got back to Alaska on the 6th I nearly froze to death. Thank goodness I missed most of the cold spell, but still the week I went back to work I wanted to stay in bed all day and drink hot chocolate. Well that was my break in a nutshell. I hope to blog a little more often now that I have use of both of my hands again.

Happy New Year everyone!

Emily

hangin' in there

2008-10-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I would be posting a follow-up blog much sooner than this, but as my luck would turn out, instead of needing a simple fiberglass cast I had to get my poor little scaphoid bone surger-ied! They had to screw the bone together and then put in pins to hold it in place--I don't know about you but there is just something unsettling about having metal in my arm. The surgery itself wasn't all that bad because they gave me some powerful drugs that did a great job of knocking me out--so much that I had no control over my left arm for a day (I even hit myself in the head with my cast a couple times!) I have been ordered to stay home and do nothing for 2 weeks!!! Can you imagine? I'm starting to go nuts---I have to take medicine that makes me go to lala land, and do everything right handed. Here is a list of some things that are hard with one hand:

getting dressed
taking a bath
doing my hair
using a zipper
opening peanut butter
opening anything
playing cards
cooking/cleaning (can't say I mind)
playing wii
cutting food
Typing!!
& lots more

anyhoo, my blogging will resume once i am feeling a wee bit better. notice the pics of a good scaphoid bone, and a screwed one like mine!

ouch

2008-10-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

this will be short because i only have one hand to type. i broke my wrist playing volleyball. going to the orthopedist---will add more later!

Keep up the good blogs class, i'm enjoying reading them. Good job to both v-ball teams! (Aniak & Kalskag)

Volleyball Schedule this Weekend

2008-10-09T15:19:00.000-07:00

Mixed Six Volleyball Schedule
October 10 & 11, 2008

Lets hope the weather clears up. Lots of games this weekend!

Friday, October 10:

5:00 Kwethluk v. Aniak
6:00 Akiak v. Akiuk
7:00 Tuluksak v. Tuntutuliak
8:00 Aniak v. Akiak
9:00 Kwethluk v. Tuntutuliak

Saturday, October 11:

8:30 Akiuk v. Tuluksak
9:30 Tuntutuliak v. Aniak
10:30 Kwethluk v. Akiak
11:30 Tuntutuliak v. Akiuk
12:30 Tuluksak v. Akiak
1;30 Aniak v. Akiuk
2:30 Kwethluk v. Tuluksak

Going to Kwethluk

2008-10-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Halfbreeds are heading to Kwethluk for their first games of the season. In Kwethluk we will play against, Akiak, Tuntutliak, Akiuk, Tuluksak, and of course Kwethluk! I thought I better do a little research on Kwethluk before we get there, so here are a couple pieces of information I found:

Kwethluk has the land area: 9.99 square miles.

and, Population density: 72 people per square mile

It's located in Bethel County (did you know that there was a Bethel County?)
It lies at the confluence of the Kuskokwim and Kwethluk rivers in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The constantly-changing channel gives the village its name: Kwethluk is derived from the Yupik "Kwikli," meaning "river"
As of the census of 2000, there were 713 people, 153 households, and 132 families residing in the city.

This next fact is sort of funny almost...
Elevation 10 ft (3 m)

I love to visit new places, so I have to say I'm a little excited about traveling to Kwethluk--plus I know two teachers who teach there (Kristen and Barb!)
Mostly I'm totally super duper excited to watch my volleyball team play their first games--I know they are going to do great, but most of all we will have lots of fun I'm sure. If anyone else knows anything about Kwethluk please add a comment...

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

2008-10-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am going to be an aunt for the first time, and I couldn't be more excited! My little (well younger, she is actually 6'3) sister is 10 weeks and 6 days pregnant and will be having a baby on or around April 26, 2009. I talked to my sister on the phone last night and she said so far that the only bad thing about being pregnant is that she can't drink latte's every day, and she is always constipated--hahaha--(gosh she'd probably kill me if she read that). She will find out if it is a boy or girl on November 25th. Guaranteed it will be the most spoiled little niece or nephew ever. I told her she should try to hold out as long as possible and not have it until May since school doesnt get out until the 22nd this year. Anyway, what's really crazy is both my best friends and my sister are pregnant all at the same time--wonder if it's something in the air? The Stork is going to be busy in 2009!
I think my sister is the coolest person I know, see what you think...

Vampires and Vegas

2008-09-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

I started reading a new book last week. I'm sure a lot of you have already read "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, but it's taken me awhile to find some time to start it. I couldn't stop reading it this weekend, on all my flights down South to Las Vegas (and on the way back of course). The author is really good at describing the people and places in the book and you can almost feel like you are there and you know the people. I always love a good vampire story, and this one isn't disappointing, however I don't think I would reccommend it to guys as much, since the main character is a female, and there is an awful lot of romance entwined in the story. I'm super excited that there are 3 more books already published in the series...
The rest of my weekend when I wasn't reading I was hanging out in sunny Las Vegas. It was around 100 degrees every day, and I spent a fair share of my time sitting in the huge swimming pool at the Flamingo Hotel. I would tell you the rest, but as they say "what happens in Vegas..."

Vocabulary Word--Example for Students!

2008-09-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

I read an article about fall weather on adn.com, and the word from the article I chose was "Dreary."

Dreary means dull bleak and lifeless; depressing

synonyms: Dull, Drab, uninteresting, boring, gloomy
antonyms: exciting, cheerful, bright

Sentences:

She was tired of her dreary routing of working,eating, and trying to sleep.

He sobbed as he thought of dreary things.

This dreary weather makes me want to go back to bed.

getting old

2008-09-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how sore I am after one night of city-league volleyball. I'm not talking like Olympic beach volleyball where you actually run/jump/dive, I'm talking about mostly standing in one place and occasionally hitting the ball over the net, serving a couple times, and standing some more!! What a wake up call--- Coach Emily needs to get back in shape. Only 4 more days until high school Volleyball starts, can't wait!!

Rural Alaska Fuel Crisis

2008-09-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Whenever I read the Anchorage Daily News I always check the "Bush" section to see if there is anything of interest to me. The latest entry was an article about a summit that was held down the river from me in good old Bethel, AK. One of the contributing members of the summit was one of our state Senator's--Lisa Murkowski. Lisa urged villages not to move to urban areas because of the fuel crisis--she said that the state would have to be creative in solving the problem rather than village people sacrificing their culture and way of life. I was interested to read what sort of solutions came out of the summit--here are the ideas the article highlighted:

Naneng suggested that Alaska should create more refineries to produce heating fuel, gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels.

Calista President Matthew Nicolai suggested tax incentives and bond financing to meet immediate needs.

Middleton suggested technical help from the government.

Leask suggested strengthening the Power Cost Equalization Program by examining and refining its mission.

AVCP's Hoffman suggested developing central bulk fuel storage areas using ex-military areas like the Adak Naval Base.

BBNC's President Anderson suggested developing renewable energy sources, especially hydropower using Alaska's rivers

All these ideas seem to have some merit and might help the crisis, however I'm not sure that any of them are going to solve the problem of this upcoming winter for some rural Alaskans. I just don't see how families living on fixed-incomes are going to be able to pay hundreds-thousands each month to heat their homes. The solution for myself is to turn off the furnace and wear like 3 sweaters and four pants, sleep with 10 blankets, and light lots of candles for my pets to sleep by. Also, I need to stop being so lazy and walk the 1/2 mile to work and stop wasting gas. Cutting down energy use is a solution that everyone can utilize to some degree. Sure the pfd's/energy rebate should help but I know that people will be using that money for other needs besides fuel. I love the free money myself, but the state might of been better off buying everyone fuel--who knows??
The article briefly touches on CITGO and how the venezuelan guy gave us all that free 100 gallons of oil earlier this year--that is a whole other issue. Anyway, if you love fuel and Lisa Murkowski this article is definitely for you!

if you want to read it: http://www.adn.com/rural/story/526301.html

Welcome to Class!

2008-09-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

Well good evening class (or any other nosy blog readers),
I just wanted to write and say I'm really excited to start Publications class, and I think it's going to be a great year. I hope you all learn something, and have fun too. If you ever need help I'm just an e-mail away.

Thank you to everyone who faxed their assent forms already. If you haven't please fax them as soon as you get a chance.

I promise this will most likely be the most boring blog entry I ever write. We will work more on blogging tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Emily