Well, Anna has returned to the hotel. We are now checked into room 1007 (only about 20 steps to the room this time and no elevator!) Floyd, Jim, and his wife are delayed by 40 minutes because of the dreaded snow out there right now. I am hoping they will make it out today!
It looks like I will have to hang tight until tomorrow evening when I will check in for my red-eye flight home *crosses fingers that it will not snow anymore between now and the day after Christmas!*
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
I'l Be Home For Christmas, If Only In My Dreams
Well, I have discovered what holiday travel is like! After all th0se years of hearing and seeing reports of travelers unable to make it home for the holidays, I am finally one of them.
Let me start from the beginning:
12/19/08
5:00PM
Departed from Unalakleet to Anchorage.
6:30PM
Arrived in Anchorage.
7:00PM
Took the shuttle to the Courtyard Marriott with 2 other teachers.
Checked into room 251 with Sarah (who had a 9:00 flight the following morning).
8:00PM
Took a taxi with Sarah and Jeni to Moose's Tooth for delicious pizza and refreshing beverages.
10:30PM
Went into the hot tub with Jeni (and had to improvise since I left my bathing suit in Unalakleet!)
12/20/08
12:00PM
Checked out of room 251 and walked down the hall to room 232 to join Jeni and Barb for the night.
1:30PM
Had lunch with Teri, my PartyLite Leader (I am in the process of becoming a PartyLite consultant).
3:30PM
Went back to the Marriott.
7:30PM
Heidi picked me up in her rental car and we drove to The Snowgoose and met up with other BSSD staff.
9:00PM
Listened to Willis from Little Diomede play guitar/harmonica/sing.
12:00AM
Squeezed in Willis' compact rental car with his luggage, Katie and her luggage, and Ming and her luggage.
12:15AM
Arrived back at the Marriott.
12/21/08
8:00AM
Had breakfast with Jeni and Barb.
8:30AM
Ran errands with Jeni and Barb.
2:00PM
Decided to check if my flight was on time.
Found out that my flight out of Anchorage was DELAYED 40 minutes (waiting arrival of aircraft) and my flight out of Seattle was CANCELED.
3:30PM
Took the shuttle to the airport.
Joined the 40 or so people ahead of me in the Continental line.
Heard that the flight was now 2 hours delayed (still awaiting arrival of aircraft).
3:45PM
Called home while waiting in line.
My hero mother was able to reserve my name on a USAirways flight out of Anchorage at 12:05 Christmas morning and arriving to Albany at 5:50 that evening.
Found out my Continental flight to Seattle was now delayed 4 hours (STILL awaiting arrival of aircraft).
5:45PM
Found out that the flight was now 7 hours delayed (scheduled to arrive at midnight).
Made it to the check-in counter.
Found out I had 3 options:
1. Fly to Seattle and try to get a flight out from there.
2. Check my luggage with Continental and find out if there were any earlier flights with USAirways.
3. Take my luggage with me and talk to USAirways.
5:50PM
Dragged all of my luggage to the USAirways counter only to find it completely deserted except for a sign that said: No one will be available until 8PM.
6:00PM
Called home to give the family an update.
7:30PM
Went back to the USAirways counter and saw a representative.
Found out that I could either fly with USAirways or take a chance and go to Seattle.
7:45PM
Sat on the floor against the wall with my luggage while trying to call airlines via Skype to see if I could get out sooner than the 25th ( I think people thought I was crazy since I was talking to my computer!)
7:50PM
Saw a BSSD staff member.
Left him guarding my luggage while I went back to USAirways to confirm the Christmas flight.
Was told by a really nice lady I had to go back to Continental and ask if they would give USAirways permission to "control" my flight.
8:00PM
Was told by the really nice lady that she was able to get control over my flight.
8:15PM
Went back to USAirways and she confirmed that not only was I reserved on the Christmas flight but she assigned me a seat number.
She said that all of the flights are over-booked so even people who are reserved will only get on board if they have an assigned seat.
8:50PM
Heard an announcement that the flight to Seattle had been CANCELED.
Felt relieved that I at least had a confirmed flight out of Anchorage on Christmas day.
9:15PM
Reluctantly left the other unfortunate travelers who were waiting in line to reschedule their flights and went back to the Marriott.
Barb was still there and Jeni was replaced by Linda.
12/22/08
12:00PM
Left the Marriott with all of my luggage and hauled it into Heidi's car.
Hung around with Heidi for the day: Stopped by a Salvation Army shelter: the middle school students at Unalakleet made Christmas cards for the children there and taped a caring coin to each one; Fred Myers; CostCo.;Tidewater Books; Applebee's)
5:30PM
Went to the airport post office and helped Heidi pack up her bush order (which consisted of 2 tubs and a giant box) and ship it to herself in Shaktoolik (this avoids having to shop on the return trip and allows more time for her food, etc. to arrive in Shaktoolik).
6:45PM
Dropped off the rental car with Heidi.
Waited with her at the Alaska Airlines/ Northwest terminal with all of my luggage.
Barb and Linda also joined us.
8:00PM
Said goodbye to Barb and Heidi.
Went to USAirways to see if there were any open seats on ANY flight heading east while Linda checked to see if there were any open seats with Alaska Airlines.
8:30PM
Found out that stand-by with USAirways was not an option because if I was unable to get on a flight my confirmed flight on the 25th would be wiped out.
8:45PM
Went back to Alaska Airlines and joined Linda.
Called some BSSD teachers who were staying at the Millenium and they said Linda and I could join them.
9:30PM
Began the hour long wait to see if Linda would make it on a flight.
10:30PM
Linda returned unsuccessful at getting out and I went to see about a flight with Alaska Airlines.
11:00PM
Found out that I could possibly get on an earlier flight but all flights out of Anchorage go to Seattle.
11:00PM
Called the hotel and asked for the shuttle to come get me: "I am waiting at the Alaska Airlines check-in terminal".
11:15PM
Called the hotel again: "No sign of the shuttle".
11:25PM
Called again: Me: "Still no sign of the shuttle" Hotel: "You are waiting upstairs?" Me: "Yes"
11:35PM
Was told I was waiting in the wrong section.
Lugged my things downstairs to the bottom level.
11:40PM
Called the hotel again: "STILL no shuttle but this time I am waiting in the correct area".
11:48
FINALLY the shuttle arrives!
11:55PM
Arrived at the hotel and asked for a key to room 4048 so I don't have to wake anyone up if they are sleeping.
Was told that unless I could give the name of the person whose name the room is booked with she could not give me a key, AND she had to call them to make sure I was allowed to stay there. Crap! "Oh what is his name- I have never met him but we work in the same district- Frank?- Ralph?- Fred?- if you tell me the name I would know it!" She tells me his name is Floyd. "That's it!"
12:10AM
I FINALLY make it to the room after it takes me 140 steps just to get there from the elevator!
12/23/08
8:45AM
Head down to the lobby and wait for the others so we can go to breakfast.
9:15Am
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant with my new roommates and 2 other BSSD staff members who are staying here.
11:45AM
Call USAirways: NO flights.
12:00PM
Check out of the hotel room.
Say goodbye to everyone and plop down on the couch in front of the fireplace in the hotel lobby.
12:20PM
Call Continental and Delta- NO flights.
1:18PM
Finish this blog entry as I wait to see if Anna will come back or not (she is waiting stand-by at the airport).
If she comes back we will stay here for one more night. If she does not come back then I need to find a place to go.
1:20PM
Publish this post.
Let me start from the beginning:
12/19/08
5:00PM
Departed from Unalakleet to Anchorage.
6:30PM
Arrived in Anchorage.
7:00PM
Took the shuttle to the Courtyard Marriott with 2 other teachers.
Checked into room 251 with Sarah (who had a 9:00 flight the following morning).
8:00PM
Took a taxi with Sarah and Jeni to Moose's Tooth for delicious pizza and refreshing beverages.
10:30PM
Went into the hot tub with Jeni (and had to improvise since I left my bathing suit in Unalakleet!)
12/20/08
12:00PM
Checked out of room 251 and walked down the hall to room 232 to join Jeni and Barb for the night.
1:30PM
Had lunch with Teri, my PartyLite Leader (I am in the process of becoming a PartyLite consultant).
3:30PM
Went back to the Marriott.
7:30PM
Heidi picked me up in her rental car and we drove to The Snowgoose and met up with other BSSD staff.
9:00PM
Listened to Willis from Little Diomede play guitar/harmonica/sing.
12:00AM
Squeezed in Willis' compact rental car with his luggage, Katie and her luggage, and Ming and her luggage.
12:15AM
Arrived back at the Marriott.
12/21/08
8:00AM
Had breakfast with Jeni and Barb.
8:30AM
Ran errands with Jeni and Barb.
2:00PM
Decided to check if my flight was on time.
Found out that my flight out of Anchorage was DELAYED 40 minutes (waiting arrival of aircraft) and my flight out of Seattle was CANCELED.
3:30PM
Took the shuttle to the airport.
Joined the 40 or so people ahead of me in the Continental line.
Heard that the flight was now 2 hours delayed (still awaiting arrival of aircraft).
3:45PM
Called home while waiting in line.
My hero mother was able to reserve my name on a USAirways flight out of Anchorage at 12:05 Christmas morning and arriving to Albany at 5:50 that evening.
Found out my Continental flight to Seattle was now delayed 4 hours (STILL awaiting arrival of aircraft).
5:45PM
Found out that the flight was now 7 hours delayed (scheduled to arrive at midnight).
Made it to the check-in counter.
Found out I had 3 options:
1. Fly to Seattle and try to get a flight out from there.
2. Check my luggage with Continental and find out if there were any earlier flights with USAirways.
3. Take my luggage with me and talk to USAirways.
5:50PM
Dragged all of my luggage to the USAirways counter only to find it completely deserted except for a sign that said: No one will be available until 8PM.
6:00PM
Called home to give the family an update.
7:30PM
Went back to the USAirways counter and saw a representative.
Found out that I could either fly with USAirways or take a chance and go to Seattle.
7:45PM
Sat on the floor against the wall with my luggage while trying to call airlines via Skype to see if I could get out sooner than the 25th ( I think people thought I was crazy since I was talking to my computer!)
7:50PM
Saw a BSSD staff member.
Left him guarding my luggage while I went back to USAirways to confirm the Christmas flight.
Was told by a really nice lady I had to go back to Continental and ask if they would give USAirways permission to "control" my flight.
8:00PM
Was told by the really nice lady that she was able to get control over my flight.
8:15PM
Went back to USAirways and she confirmed that not only was I reserved on the Christmas flight but she assigned me a seat number.
She said that all of the flights are over-booked so even people who are reserved will only get on board if they have an assigned seat.
8:50PM
Heard an announcement that the flight to Seattle had been CANCELED.
Felt relieved that I at least had a confirmed flight out of Anchorage on Christmas day.
9:15PM
Reluctantly left the other unfortunate travelers who were waiting in line to reschedule their flights and went back to the Marriott.
Barb was still there and Jeni was replaced by Linda.
12/22/08
12:00PM
Left the Marriott with all of my luggage and hauled it into Heidi's car.
Hung around with Heidi for the day: Stopped by a Salvation Army shelter: the middle school students at Unalakleet made Christmas cards for the children there and taped a caring coin to each one; Fred Myers; CostCo.;Tidewater Books; Applebee's)
5:30PM
Went to the airport post office and helped Heidi pack up her bush order (which consisted of 2 tubs and a giant box) and ship it to herself in Shaktoolik (this avoids having to shop on the return trip and allows more time for her food, etc. to arrive in Shaktoolik).
6:45PM
Dropped off the rental car with Heidi.
Waited with her at the Alaska Airlines/ Northwest terminal with all of my luggage.
Barb and Linda also joined us.
8:00PM
Said goodbye to Barb and Heidi.
Went to USAirways to see if there were any open seats on ANY flight heading east while Linda checked to see if there were any open seats with Alaska Airlines.
8:30PM
Found out that stand-by with USAirways was not an option because if I was unable to get on a flight my confirmed flight on the 25th would be wiped out.
8:45PM
Went back to Alaska Airlines and joined Linda.
Called some BSSD teachers who were staying at the Millenium and they said Linda and I could join them.
9:30PM
Began the hour long wait to see if Linda would make it on a flight.
10:30PM
Linda returned unsuccessful at getting out and I went to see about a flight with Alaska Airlines.
11:00PM
Found out that I could possibly get on an earlier flight but all flights out of Anchorage go to Seattle.
11:00PM
Called the hotel and asked for the shuttle to come get me: "I am waiting at the Alaska Airlines check-in terminal".
11:15PM
Called the hotel again: "No sign of the shuttle".
11:25PM
Called again: Me: "Still no sign of the shuttle" Hotel: "You are waiting upstairs?" Me: "Yes"
11:35PM
Was told I was waiting in the wrong section.
Lugged my things downstairs to the bottom level.
11:40PM
Called the hotel again: "STILL no shuttle but this time I am waiting in the correct area".
11:48
FINALLY the shuttle arrives!
11:55PM
Arrived at the hotel and asked for a key to room 4048 so I don't have to wake anyone up if they are sleeping.
Was told that unless I could give the name of the person whose name the room is booked with she could not give me a key, AND she had to call them to make sure I was allowed to stay there. Crap! "Oh what is his name- I have never met him but we work in the same district- Frank?- Ralph?- Fred?- if you tell me the name I would know it!" She tells me his name is Floyd. "That's it!"
12:10AM
I FINALLY make it to the room after it takes me 140 steps just to get there from the elevator!
12/23/08
8:45AM
Head down to the lobby and wait for the others so we can go to breakfast.
9:15Am
Breakfast at the hotel restaurant with my new roommates and 2 other BSSD staff members who are staying here.
11:45AM
Call USAirways: NO flights.
12:00PM
Check out of the hotel room.
Say goodbye to everyone and plop down on the couch in front of the fireplace in the hotel lobby.
12:20PM
Call Continental and Delta- NO flights.
1:18PM
Finish this blog entry as I wait to see if Anna will come back or not (she is waiting stand-by at the airport).
If she comes back we will stay here for one more night. If she does not come back then I need to find a place to go.
1:20PM
Publish this post.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Christmas Bazaar
Tonight I went to the Christmas Bazaar at the Covenant Gym. I had a delicious bowl of muktuk (white beluga) soup and banana bread cake.
It was fun to see so many villagers there not only shopping for Christmas presents, but selling their beautiful handmade items (ivory jewelry, artwork, and clothing). I bought a beaded Christmas tree ornament (my one and only Christmas decoration!) Now all I need is a Christmas tree to put it on. I guess I will have to hang it on the tree when I go back home to VT!
Going Once...Going Twice...Sold!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The "magnetic compass"
I have always heard from teachers that they not only help students learn, but they learn from their students. One thing the students have taught me is how to not burst out laughing in class!
For example:
During my last visit to Shaktoolik, I presented a lesson to 7th and 8th graders on how to make decisions. The students were given a scenario where they were to decide how many items to take with them after their vehicle breaks down in the desert.
After giving the group some time to decide, I went through the list with them. I asked whether or not they would take water, the canvas tarp, jackets, etc. When I got to the magnetic compass a girl raised her hand. I asked "Would you take the magnetic compass?" When she replied "no", I asked her why she chose not to take it. With a very serious look on her face, she shrugged and replied, "We don't have a refrigerator".
While trying to remain composed, I glanced over at Kyle, the classroom teacher, and noticed he himself was suppressing the urge to laugh. In order to hide my amusement, I acknowledged her explanation and quickly moved on to the next item!
For example:
During my last visit to Shaktoolik, I presented a lesson to 7th and 8th graders on how to make decisions. The students were given a scenario where they were to decide how many items to take with them after their vehicle breaks down in the desert.
After giving the group some time to decide, I went through the list with them. I asked whether or not they would take water, the canvas tarp, jackets, etc. When I got to the magnetic compass a girl raised her hand. I asked "Would you take the magnetic compass?" When she replied "no", I asked her why she chose not to take it. With a very serious look on her face, she shrugged and replied, "We don't have a refrigerator".
While trying to remain composed, I glanced over at Kyle, the classroom teacher, and noticed he himself was suppressing the urge to laugh. In order to hide my amusement, I acknowledged her explanation and quickly moved on to the next item!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A Snowy Tundra Adventure
Last night during the progressive dinner I was telling Jeremy how I couldn't wait to try out my new snowshoes. We made a plan to go snowshoeing sometime this morning. When I told Karis what Jeremy and I were going to do, her eyebrows perked up. She immediately said yes when I asked if she wanted to come along since Jeremy has an extra pair of snowshoes. The plan was for me to come get her only if Jeremy arrived after 10AM since she wanted to sleep in a little. Then we decided if Jeremy arrives before 10 and she is up and wants to go, she would knock on her wall so that I would know she was ready (we share a wall). Since I have no phone, this was an alternative to going out in the negative degree weather.
So, when I woke up at 9:15 the sun was just starting to rise:
At 10:15 there was a knock on the door. It was Jeremy asking if I would be ready to go in 30 minutes. I accepted and invitation and ran over to Karis' to see if she was ready. She had still been in bed and didn't want to go, but I finally convinced her that she will be thanking me later for dragging her out of bed. So, 30 minutes later we loaded up the Wrangler and headed for the hills...
We drove to the end of the 14 mile road and deci
ded the condtions were better for walking than showshoeing.
Along the way we helped Karis do a handstand,
saw lots of tracks in the snow,
and amazing views.
When we got to our destination, there were really old and tall cairns at the top. Jeremy said they were not only trail markers but were supposed to resemble a person. Not sure that's what they looked like, but they were certainly impressive!
Since Jeremy brought along hot chocolate and Karis had fire starter equipment, we thought it would be fun to build a fire. We headed off toward a cluster of pine trees.
Step 1: Collect fire wood:
Step 2: Find a good spot:
Step 3: Put the brush in a pile:
Step 4: Make a fire:
Step 5: Sometimes assistance is needed:
Step 6: Once the fire is going drink hot chocolate and eat granola bars, apples with cheddar cheese (tastes better than it sounds!), and almonds.
After we warmed up and finished our snack we set back out into the snow. On the drive back we drove up to the top of the gravel pit to scope out the 360 views. From the top we could see two villages (St. Michael and Stebbins) on the other side of Norton Sound.
Then we took the beach route back into the village.
So, when I woke up at 9:15 the sun was just starting to rise:
At 10:15 there was a knock on the door. It was Jeremy asking if I would be ready to go in 30 minutes. I accepted and invitation and ran over to Karis' to see if she was ready. She had still been in bed and didn't want to go, but I finally convinced her that she will be thanking me later for dragging her out of bed. So, 30 minutes later we loaded up the Wrangler and headed for the hills...
We drove to the end of the 14 mile road and deci
ded the condtions were better for walking than showshoeing.Along the way we helped Karis do a handstand,
saw lots of tracks in the snow,
and amazing views.
When we got to our destination, there were really old and tall cairns at the top. Jeremy said they were not only trail markers but were supposed to resemble a person. Not sure that's what they looked like, but they were certainly impressive!
Since Jeremy brought along hot chocolate and Karis had fire starter equipment, we thought it would be fun to build a fire. We headed off toward a cluster of pine trees.Step 1: Collect fire wood:
Step 2: Find a good spot:
Step 3: Put the brush in a pile:
Step 4: Make a fire:
Step 5: Sometimes assistance is needed:
Step 6: Once the fire is going drink hot chocolate and eat granola bars, apples with cheddar cheese (tastes better than it sounds!), and almonds.
After we warmed up and finished our snack we set back out into the snow. On the drive back we drove up to the top of the gravel pit to scope out the 360 views. From the top we could see two villages (St. Michael and Stebbins) on the other side of Norton Sound.
Then we took the beach route back into the village.
Progressive Dinner
Last night I participated in a "progressive dinner". Anyone living in the 3 new 4-plex teacher apartments was invited to cook either an appetizer, entree, or dessert. Then we began in that order and visited each place. We started off in one apartment with delicious appetizers (homemade artichoke dip, pepperoni, and crackers) and then moved on to the second apartment for delicious salad (the toasted pecans hit the spot!). For dinner we had tacos and spanish rice. For dessert we went to my place first for tea and homemade cheesecake. Dessert #2 at the next house was brownies. To end the night we hung out in the apartment next to mine drinking tea, chatting, and seeing a video from when the teacher went to New Zealand. It was really fun to see how everyone else (well 5 out of the 12 apartments) decorated their place. Even though the apartments are set up the same, they look different with each unique arrangement.
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