I certainly haven’t been keeping up with posting since my return to Saint Michael in August, and this is for good reason. I have been playing around outside too much to keep up with it all! This is a wonderful dilemma. Since my return I have gone camping out at Golsovia with Sara, berry-picking with the Washington/ Levi ladies at a rock crop 7 miles from town, spent many evenings learning how to love running and traversing in every direction on Saint Michael Island (around the beach perimeters and down the main roads, even one run all the way from Stebbins to St. Mike- 10 miles), a spontaneous sea-doo ride to Stewart Island with a friend from UNK, an impressive four-wheeler journey to the high peaks surrounding Unalakleet, and beach-fire attempts/ fishing with Justin Steve. Jill and I discovered “The Lake We’re Not Supposed to Know About,” and it is my new favorite location on the island. As for inside fun activities, I finished my fur mittens that I started last year, and have been singing with Jessie, our new special education teacher in the elementary wing. Jessie is truly talented; she makes us both sound amazing. And then, truth be told, I have been wasting time watching episodes of various television series like Bones, Chuck, and Gilmore Girls.
I have an amazing group of kids to work with this year. They are creative and kind; they work hard and have great attitudes. Near the beginning of the year one of my students would call out, “I love learning! Who loves learning?!” and the rest of the group would throw their raised hands in the air and cry, “ME! ME!” It’s weird. I love it. I haven’t heard that for quite some time now, but I’ll never forget it. It is a small group: 7 boys, 1 girl.
I have started a Youth Group/ Bible study for middle school/ high school aged kids. It is a quiet beginning, but a beginning nonetheless. We meet on Wednesdays, sing a few songs, play some team-building game, read a chapter and discuss, and then generally end with ultimate spoons. Megan’s husband (Megan is our new headstart teacher) has been coming to help out. Mostly boys, surprisingly enough have been coming, so it is great to have Nathan around in the thick of it all.
Here is my handsome class of 2011-12.
For my birthday, Pam and Michael invited me and a few others over for an early dinner. I was spoiled beyond belief. Sara, Jill, and AP Tim joined for the celebration and then Mark and Sidney came over to share some fresh moose meat from their weekend journey across the channel: Sidney’s first catch!
A few weeks back now, I went out with Deidre and Priscella one evening to go berry picking. We set off at 5:00 p.m. and came home as the sun was setting at a quarter to 11. They took me south toward the channel to a rock hill 7 miles away. It was a beautiful evening for a walk. I collected 3/4 a gallon of black berries and cranberries.
This is Deidre flying.
My favorite recent adventure is this. Last week Jessie and I decided to go out for a ride and have a tundra photo-shoot. I planed to take her to “The Lake I’m Not Supposed to Know About.” We were getting close to our destination when Jessie spotted the reindeer herd off to our right and we decided to off-road it for a better picture. We bounded boldly forward, making our own path and accomplished our mission, capturing a few good-looking shots of our furry friends. The trip back was where I was a little cocky and, upon finding a patch of sludgy mud in front of my path, rather than reverse and take a detour, I decided to just go really fast and make it through. As you might expect, we did get stuck. However this was not a problem we couldn’t handle! After a second attempt, I positioned myself behind the rig pushing, Jessie pushed from the side and handled the throttle and, after I was thoroughly painted with mud and muck spit up from the wheels, our faithful vessel pulled through and we were on our merry way.
The last few shots are just some great pictures of Saint Michael in the fall. Nice to get out and enjoy the scenery!
