You Can Count on Me

The song by Bruno Mars called "Count on Me" has been in my head lately because it is the song we are using for the morning meeting. Every morning the students gather in the gym and dance to a song, say the pledge, and hear any announcements from the principle. I think it is fun, but some of the boys act like they are too cool for it. I have a feeling they'll miss it after they graduate though. That's usually how those things go.

Teaching in a small, rural school can be a challenge. Last week students were pulled from class to go to the dentist. So one day my class of three students was down to two because one person was sick, and then the other two got pulled to go to the dentist. So I planned lessons on my own for a class period.

Another view of Golovin

I also had to sub for another teacher because the substitute was sick. So I taught in various rooms throughout the day because three of us switched rooms to teach various classes. It was sort of nice to be doing different things throughout the day.

My largest class here has about 10 students and my smallest class has 3.

The Magic of Merlynne

My roommate here (who is a kind, wonderful person) has a dog. Which, as anyone who knows me knows that the dog is the most important thing to me here. I love animals a lot and it has been very nice having one here. I think the change would be a lot harder if I didn't have a pet to cuddle.

Merlynne

Some of the students have decided that they think my eyes are very pretty. Which is kind of them, however I've been asked:

"Can I have your eyes?" and

"Can I pop your eyes out of your head and put them in mine?"

which slightly concerns me. But I will still take the compliment.

What I wish I was doing 99% of the time.

Some of the younger kids told me I had a pretty laugh and that I giggle a lot. Which made me feel like I was some sort of Disney princess. They also noticed a skin bump I have on my nose and asked if it was a pimple. Which did not make me feel like a Disney princess (but it did make me laugh like one).

I was walking past some kids playing after I bought some things from the store (a can of coke, a single serving bottle of apple juice, and two loaves of bread for $16) and they told me
"We're playing Zombieland, but we only have one baby."

Which also made me laugh.



I have been slightly stressed lately. It can be hard sometimes to keep the students motivated and every weekend I spend hours at the school for basketball. I have also still been having trouble sleeping at night.


I did get to see the Northern Lights. That was really cool. They were pale and they stretched over the entire village - I missed them when they were bright green. Still cool though.

A Three Minute Tour

Here is a brief tour of Golovin/where I live.

This is my bedroom.

Walking home from the store. The school is on the left.

Home of the Lynx.

Another beautiful sky.

Merlynne, the dog.

I wanted to take some pictures of inside the store here, but I didn't want to be the weirdo taking pictures of a grocery store. I got ketchup, a quart of chocolate milk, butter, and Kraft American cheese from the store the other day and it cost $26.

Today I'm going to show the kids a slideshow about myself. Hopefully it's actually somewhat interesting!

More of Golovin

It is finally starting to get colder in Golovin. I am almost wanting to wear my snow pants when I walk across the street to the school. It is -15 degrees right now.

Everyday after school my roommate has basketball practice, and I wouldn't mind walking around outside but it is too cold! I do poke my head out the door when I let the dog out and take a picture of the sunset. I can't get over how beautiful the sky is everyday.

Some of my pictures have been turning out blurry. It is probably because I poke in and out so fast so I don't get cold. I'm also worried that I might wreck my camera if it is too cold.

This weekend the girls have an away game and I'll be helping out with the boys' game here. 

Basketball Basketball Basketball

Basketball.

Indeed they is.

Everyone here loves basketball. Which is sort of a shame because I grew up resisting its existence, but the students love it so I can too I guess. ;)

I have been helping out at the games on the weekends and have had to learn the rules of the game. There was a tournament this weekend which Golovin won (woot!). I did the books and the timer for some, which was a lot of pressure for me since I am still learning what is even going on out there when they're playing. It was also slightly stressful because I had two days where I got up at 7 am and was either doing things for school or the basketball tournament until 11-11:40 pm.

This Monday made it worth it, though, because I could tell the tournament had made the students really happy.

Ice cream walk fundraiser

It is nice because the entire community comes to watch the basketball games and cheers on both teams. I love the community here. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me. 

Golovin at Last

A friend I made at the airport.

I have officially been to the smallest airport ever and on the smallest plane ever. I got on the plane and sat next to the pilot. It was a quiet 45 minute plane ride to Golovin, mostly because I was terrified if I said anything the pilot would get distracted and crash.

Right outside my door.

When I got on the plane the pilot said "Okay, so you've been on one of these before - the two exits are here and the fire extinguisher is right there." And then we took off. The two exits were the doors next to me and the fire extinguisher was in between us. I had also never been on a tiny plane before.

Goodbye, sun.

The flight was actually very enjoyable and smooth. I was picked up from the airport (I use that term loosely ;) ) by the principal's husband. When I got to the school, the janitor played a trick on me and told me that he sent my luggage to Unalakleet. He thought it was hilarious and kept up the ruse all day. I believed him, but I did not freak out like he wanted me to.

Hello, neighbors.

I have been here since last Wednesday and  am enjoying Golovin so far. It is very pretty, and am told it only gets prettier when it actually snows.