My second day here was a success! Today was my first day at the school, and my first "real" day out and about. I'm exhausted, to say the least. I don't plan on writing as much as yesterday, but I do have many pictures! Bri arrived around 10 this morning, and joined me in the 5th/6th grade class. This is the class we will most likely be helping out with the most. A lot of students are going on a fishing trip later this week, and there's some testing going on, so it's an odd week for the high schoolers. But just being in any classroom will provide a wealth of information about teaching in a village. The students are such sweethearts, and although they seemed unsure of me at first, most accepted my presence after a few hours. We also got to meet most of the other teachers--all are friendly and welcoming. Bri and I left school around 1:30 to check out the MUSEUM!!! A MUSEUM!! We were so excited. The museum just opened in 2011, and some parts are still in the works, but it is definitely a highlight of the village. One of the coolest things is that all the descriptions in the museum are first in Inupiaq, with English subtitles. The lady that is in charge of the museum (and also showed us around) told us that it was the opposite at first, but she made sure to switch the languages when she began operating it. She also emphasized the fact that the Gates of the Arctic National Park is in their village (rather than vice-versa, as most people would state). After the museum (we bought some books...), we walked around a bit and took some pictures. When we got back to our quarters, one of our students came running up to us and wanted to hang out. We put on some more clothes and she gave us a more in-depth tour of the village. From this tour, we found the health clinic, fire department, police station, store, power plant, restaurant ("the camp"...it smells soooo goooood!), and the bingo hall (community center). We also found a million puppies and the store had my favorite cookies that Fred Meyer in Fairbanks no longer carries (those elf sandwich ones!). So, we are having a great time so far. :)
Simon Paneak Memorial Museum
Health clinic
All the dumpsters are painted :)
Our house :)
Nunamiut Amaguqs (wolves)
Not sure how to pronounce or spell it's actual name, but it translates to "discipline"
Blueberry Hill
Just an old arcade game, nbd.
Say "pineapple" with your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
This little guy ran right up to me and followed us for quite a while. He's a cuddler and a leaner, and I want to take him home.
That's all folks!
Alicia, you are so lucky.
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