Brrrrrrrrr...........Happy New Year!

WOW!  I think the honeymoon is over!!  It's -10 degrees here--that's cold!!  I'm still house sitting up on Government Hill.  Yesterday, Lucy (the dog) and I decided it was too cold to go for a walk so we hibernated.  I really wanted to get out because it was sunny and I knew I would be able to see Denali.  Also, I keep hearing jets from the air force base flying over--maybe the Thunderbirds??  I finally did get out about 3:30 and sure enough with Denali and Mt. Susitna as the backdrop, the fighter jets were out messing around--very cool!

I've done some fun things over break--Christmas day I went on a hike in Palmer up Lazy Mountain--Well I can tell you--it was not a hike for lazy people--wow!  It was snowing like crazy for the drive up ( 50 minutes from Anchorage) and during the hike--but at least the temp was good--around 20 degrees.  I've also read 4 books and went to 2 movies--loved Benjamin Buttons!

I move back to the B & B tomorrow--it's been great fun and very relaxing staying here.  I'm also headed to a pre-fireworks gathering tomorrow evening--it's Alaska's 50th birthday in 2009, so many activities are planned throughout the year. 

Happy 2009--It's going to be a great one!

Merry Christmas!

Hi All-

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday!

I spent today X-skiing with the Adventure Group on trails at the University.  I thought we only going 3.5 miles...we did--each way!  Oh my--was I dead!!  I think that was the farthest I have ever skied!!  It was flat and tons of work--but the sun was out :)  I did see a moose though--

I got home and had to take a nap!!

Speaking of home--I'm house and dog sitting.  I'm up at what's called Government Hill--Elmendorf Air Force base and Fort Richardson are up here.  It's one of the oldest neighborhoods in Anchorage.  The houses are cute and all different.  Bronwyn (who owns the house) is in Mexico with family.  I received an email last night from her--she finally made it after two says in the Seattle airport.  Lucy (dog) is here with me--she's a mix, but definitely has some Husky in her.  She took off on me the first day I was here--great--I tried my usual "cookie" but she would have none of that!  I went back to the house, got a pocketful of cheese and proceeded to search for her--all the while thinking "great"--Bronwyn's the head of the English Dept. at my school--everyone will hate me if I lose her dog!!  Well, I captured Lucy sniffing through a fence at a couple of dogs--Whew-that was a close one!!  :)

I loved to tell you that the excitement stopped there-but I can't!  The very same night, I was getting ready for bed--I had just bathed, flannel PJs, warm footies--you get the idea--and I go to lock the Arctic entree door (mudroom) well--I shut the door so Lucy would not escape again and..............I locked myself out of the house!  Okay--picture this footies, my cars locked can't even get my ski boots, PJs, and of course a "darling" hairdo--as only I can style--you get the picture!  Thank goodness I actually read the note Bronwyn left me so I remembered that the neighbors to the left (????) in the brown house had a key---I found some gardening shoes 2 sizes to small and trudged  to the neighbors--which way????--I did pick the right house--but wait--it gets even better!  The nice couple invite me in--the house smells like cigs and old fried food--but they were very nice and looked for the key--what no key--YIKES!  So Steve calls the locksmith who arrives an hour later after I inhaled many second-hand cigs.  So that was my Duhhhhhh--dunderhead experience--so far!  I imagine Steve and Tami will have a good laugh about the "kooky" house sitter from Michigan for many Christmases to come!! I did have to change my PJs before bed to get the smell off! :)

Can you take one more story???  I was driving through town and all the sudden the traffic stops--the roads were a bit slippery--there he is, that damn moose in the middle of the road!

I'm suppose to hike up a mountain in Palmer (near Wasilla) tomorrow (if I can move)--we shall see--I hate heights!  Maybe I'll see what Sarah and family are up to for Christmas--I can't believe she didn't invite me!

So there you have it--it's all true--I never could have made it up!

I'm on my third novel--love break time!!

Have a wonderful Holiday!

XOXO

The Sun!

The sun was out today--or should I say--I was outside when the sun was out today!! I went X- skiing with a new friend I met last ski--her name is Kris--easy for me to remember! We had breakfast at a cool little cafe--then off to ski. It was a beautiful day 25 degrees and sunny!! On my way home I headed up to Flattop (very brave of me) to see if I could see Denali (Mt. McKinley)--well there it was in all it's splendor! Mt.Foraker is right next to Denali--also a very large mountain. Across the Cook Inlet is Mt. Susitna or The Sleeping Lady and she was finally visible today too. The last Mt. has a great folklore attached to it--much like the Sleeping Bear legend!

Tomorrow it's back to Flattop to build snowcaves and drink hot toddies--ought to be a blast!

Below are some sites to see what I'm talking about--I hope they work!

Catch ya later--


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Foraker.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_McKinley

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Susitna

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flattop_Mountain_(Anchorage,_Alaska)

School's Out...

almost! One more day--work day that is--no students--Yes! I get to mark report cards--yes, we have to bubble them in can you believe it!

I went X skiing again with the group on Tuesday night. Well, 3 of us (all women) were left in the dust to fend for ourselves. It was dark, but one of the gals had a headlamp--I've got to get one! So we could find our way--it was fun. The trail was right in the middle of town--all groomed for skiing. Many people were skijorers--that's where they harness their dogs and go---and they go fast!!!!! It looks pretty cool-but I would be frightened!!!

On another note-- after school today my team went out for drinks and snacks at a fancy place downtown. It was happy hour and the prices were right and the view was awesome--for about 10 minutes--then it was dark--LOL!

My dance card is filling up so I won't be too lonely over break--besides, I'm dog sitting Lucy!

I'll keep you posted!

Denise's Open House

Denise had a Holiday Open House yesterday. It was very nice and I met a ton of interesting people. About 90 people came through--some B & B owners, small business owners and even an ASD School Board member! It was very fun and probably the most social I've been since I got here.

I've added a picture of Denise and Andrew (who lives at the B & B too) so you can visualize them as I tell my tales!! LOL!

I finally got paid today--Thank god they didn't think I was volunteering!! LOL!!

I'm skiing again tomorrow :)

Now you know...

what I'm doing...write and tell me what YOU'RE doing--please!!!!!
stephaniecarey60@gmail.com

Full Moon Snowshoeing

I went snowshoeing after work last night with the Outdoor Group. There were about 8 of us-two X-country skiers and the rest snowshoed. There were a couple of trails but mostly we forged our own!! The snow was really deep in places and I lost my shoe a couple of times. I did pretty good keeping up with the "big boys"! The group is very fun and everyone looks out for one another.
I'm finding that most people here work for an oil company of some sort or another. This town has big bucks!
After the snowshoe we went out for a beer-cute little Bistro-live music-good food. Most of the dining establishments serve Alaskan brewed beer--all sorts of flavors--very good too, if I do say so! LOL! Anyway, we sat with a gal who's family lives in TC--yep--her mom manages Chateau Chantel and her ex- brother-in-law is Gerry Ruskowski!! (someone at West tell Gerry)Her name is Erin and she is going to TC for Christmas--In addition to that one, one of the guys with us found out that he is her neighbor--2 houses away!!
Amazing isn't it!

Drop me a note................

SNOW!

Hi All,
We finally got some fresh snow--about 3-5 inches. Of course since they don't plow the roads we have new snow over a nice ice layer, making for very slippery driving!

I joined a group called the Meet-Up Outdoor Adventure Group--yep me! They do all sorts of outdoor stuff--downhill, X country, snowshoe, hiking, etc.--you get it! Well,
I actually went to a Meet-Up to X ski. What a blast!! It was Tuesday at 6pm--snowing like crazy, dark and I didn't know where the hell I was going--or with who--but I went anyway--I'm so proud of myself!!!!! There were 4 of us-1 skate skier, 1 really good skier, me and a total novice. The trail was lit in most spots, but for a while it was dark--I'll have you know I only fell once and didn't even sit on my skis to go down the really big hills--yep, the hills were better when I couldn't see the bottom!!! LOL! No moose sitings either--bummer! Get this though, out of the 3 other skiers-- one has a daughter in my class--small town!!

Tomorrow they have a full moon bonfire get together with their dogs--don't think I'm going--too much grading :(

Speaking of grading--I gave my first test on Tuesday over the Trojan war--I have many short essays to grade :(

I had 2 meetings today--so I had a half-day sub--she sent 2 of my heathens to the office!! :) They have 2 morning detentions and have to do work all day Friday--it's team reward day!
By they way my team is called the Serpentine Team--all of the teams are named for Alaskan Glaciers--I think it's really named for the little snakes in my classes!

Then I had a mentor meeting--( have a mentor-Toni from my school) it was all the way across town--on one of those highways that all of the sudden stop--not real easy, to stop that is, in the icysnow. Icysnow one of the million words Eskimos have for snow--LOL!
Anyhow, I got paid $50 big ones for going and my mentor invited me over for dinner next week--SCORE! She is from Seward and has 3 kids 1, 3 and 10 yrs. YIKES! But--she has a husband from Seward...I had to tell her the Seward Chad story--get this--he use to be a charter fishing captain. Now he teaches captaining!! She said he's a Chad--soon to see!

Hey, even more news--I'm house and dog sitting for a teacher at school. She goes to Mexico every Christmas and asked me if I wanted to stay at her house--bonus-- she has a dog--but would board her if I didn't like dogs--ha ha! She lives close to downtown Anchorage--should be fun to see another part of town.

Denise (B & B lady) has a "BIG" open house this Sunday--should be a treat!

That's all for now--miss you all!

PS-Katie finished up her 1st semester at WMU--Yeah!

The sunrise is at 9:55 and sets at 3:46--can you believe it!! I barely notice because I'm so busy planning!! They tell me-those Alaskans--that in February it gets lighter faster...but then again they say a lot of things!!!!!

I met two teachers from Kansas City -they invited me to dinner and had drinks at their house before. They have been teaching 30 years (math) and 19 (accounting) and moved for the adventure!! They find Anchorage in a time warp 1970ish..........but they are from a large city. Both are making more money here with only a step 6--interesting! They have a really nice home and are getting adjusted. They moved here in the summer so had time to explore before school started.

Most people are from somewhere else--thought they would try it here for a few years and never left.

Freezing rain today--YUCK!

MOOSE GOES TO SCHOOL!

The Principal at my school came over the loud speaker today about 3pm--(students are released at 2:45) and said "There's a moose on the west side of the building, right by the buses--please be advised when you go out", now, I sure haven't heard that one before!!!!!!!

Of course I had to go look..............he was big!

LOL!

No Snowdays in Alaska!

So, I hear TC had a snow day on Monday--Wimps!!! We got over a foot and a half on Saturday and Sunday--well...we went to school!!! The roads are sooooooo bad here--I swear, (truly-- I had some choice words!!) I slid the entire way to school on Monday!! By the the way--thanks to all of you who wrote and told me about your snow day!!!

I'm becoming the "Detention Queen" at Mears! I gave about 30 lunch detentions for work completion--boy, did they manage to get their assignments done fast when I told them they would be having lunch with me!!

I also have given 10 morning detentions (in the ISS room--not with me)--for the more serious slackers!! I had to call all of their parents first--what a treat!!! Remember that mean ole' English teacher you had in school--well.....................

I'm getting a little homesick--miss you all!!

XOXO

STUDS!!!!!

...I'm talkin' bout the ones you put on tires--duh!!!! LOL! Men I meet--(yes, I've actually talked to a couple) keep talking about studs--you need studs on your tires Stephanie--well.................................................

Girdwood!!

I went to Girdwood yesterday--it was pouring rain south of Anchorage--bummer! Mt. Ayleska is there--a beautiful ski resort and Olympic training center. The town is real hippyish--so they say. Very cute--Ted Stevens lives over that way--his buddy built him a 1.5 million $ road--it's about a mile long--LOL!

I also went to Porter Glacier--very cool--most of it is melting--very fast :(
Both of these are about 45min. to hour away.

Even in the rain Alaska is amazingly beautiful!

Moose Sighting...OMG!

You should never talk on your cell phone while driving in Alaska...........because a huge moose might come out of video store driveway and decide to cross the road--in the middle of town!! Now I know why everyone drives really big trucks!!

Wheels!!

I got my car on Monday...it actually arrived...of course the price was higher than quoted--but they "gotcha"!!! The drive home from the "car yard" was a trip--people here drive like crazy maniacs...not exaggerating at all! Here i am in my little car and all of these "monster trucks"--yes much worse than TC...are speeding past me--SCARY!!

I get up on Tuesday--all happy to have my own wheels and there's 6-8 inches of snow...YIKES! It was sure a white knuckle ride to school!!!!

The roads here are crazy too--you'll be driving on a 2 lane road in the city and all of the sudden it turns into a freeway--with exit and entrance ramps???????? Go figure!! It's like some city planner said "let's put a exit ramp here" and threw a dart at a map!!

But, I am finding my way around town!! I do think I have the smallest car in Alaska though!!LOL!

I hope to get outside this weekend and see some wildlife other then drivers!!!

XOXO

Happy Turkey Day!

Hi All!
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

I will be spending T-Day with Jean Peltola's brother's family--what a nice invite!!

SC

1st Week in AK!

Damn, I wish Sarah Palin was VP...then I wouldn't have to watch her on the local news all night!!!
She is just everywhere...the Alaskans love her!! Who cares that she was a former weather girl here--that just qualifies her to run our country!! Ted Stevens walks on water too! He's older than dirt and a crook--but they just love him!

I'm keeping my mouth shut on the whole subject--at school that is--until I get my 1st paycheck!!

My first week at school went well--I had to be pretty hard-nosed in the classroom, but I figure I can loosen up later. My room is looking great--soon I will have some pictures to show you!

My team and I went to the Moosetooth for beer and pizza last night--Winsor (not Winston as I called her in an earlier post and to her face--duh) the science teacher, set it up. It was very fun! I actually made it home on the highway--found my way home from Midtown--that's huge!

Winsor is 25ish and teaches science, Holly is 27ish and teaches soc studies, Ryan is 23 and teaches math...see what I'm getting at...Stephanie is 48 and teaches....you get it...but, the Sped teacher, Beth is my age or older--so that's good--she and I have that "life experience" if you know what I mean--LOL!

Everyone here has been so kind with invitations to do things. Denise , who owns the B and B goes to a singles dance for 35 and older--she's a pushing me to go........NOT happening! She has also asked me to attend church with her--well....you know the answer to that one! She is very nice to try to include me. A math teacher from school (Cheryl) who moved here recently from Kansas asked me to join her and friends this weekend. So there is plenty to do--I just have to do it!!

My car should arrive in Anchorage Monday night--Yeah--I feel lost and homeless without it!

The sunset as amazing tonight--it's 4:51pm and I'm overlooking the Cook Inlet--go to your maps!!

Miss you all--

SC

It' Awesome!

I am loving this! Today I signed my contract--My car gets here on Monday night...things are good!

I started school on Monday--I pretty much just observed Jason (sub) with the students. After the students left I cleaned and organized the room. I was going to wait until Jason left or Thanksgiving break, but I couldn't stand it!! I was at school until 6:30 cleaning, rearranging and organizing!! Of course you were--you all are thinking!! :)

It looks awesome!! One student came in and said it looked like a REAL classroom! YES!!!!

I am teaching 4 classes--all Language Arts--my largest is 29, smallest 19 students. I have had to take a really firm hand--Jason was realllllly laid back...a big kid himself--the students love him!! So, I'm MEAN Mrs. Carey as usual!!

The staff is very helpful and very nice--we had a 7th gradeLA cirruculum meeting--the other LA teachers are kindred souls!! Loved it! Geeks all the way around!! We have our first staff meeting tomorrow--will keep you all posted!!

As soon as I can I will post the view from my classroom door--it's the Chugach Mts.--unbelievable!! I already have the students trained to come in and say "Mrs. Carey, have you seen the Mts. today?" so I don't forget to stop and smell the roses Alaskan style!!

I'm whooped--will write more later!!
Email me...I miss you all...and the news!!

XOXO

School Tomorrow!

After my background check on Friday (it was clean if you were wondering) I drove (myself) to my new school. I only got lost twice!! The school is huge--two levels with an indoor track. Outside my classroom door is an ice rink!! Everyone was very welcoming except the sub who is leaving--I felt a "little" bad for him. (he was cool) His name is Jason and he's Sarah Palin's age--I know this because he went to school with her and her sister--let's just say that he liked her sister better!
He's a native Alaskan--no Barb--not an Eskimo! He was born and raised here.

Winston is my teammate and neighbor--she's from Denver and is a whopping 25 years old! She teaches science and took me to dinner on Friday night. She's very nice and helpful as well. Winston brings her dog Herbie to school everyday--he sits in the car until lunch and then again until schools over! He's a very cute furball--mutt. Bear would have eaten the car!!

Well, the real-deal starts tomorrow--I'm sure am excited!! I have a week of lesson plans ready to go--Jason stays on until Wed. thank goodness!

I'll keep you all posted--by the way, my classroom is empty...I have a wish list if you would like to send me anything you have hanging around the house!!

Miss you all....

Grocery Shopping in Alaska!

I went to Safeway today--the grocery store...almost by myself!! I followed Andrew in my Rental car--the roads were icy--it's cold today!!! I drive like a grandma...he got coffee and read the paper while I shopped! He's very nice--I think he thinks I'm clueless about life!! Duhhhhhh...who else moves 3600 miles away to more winter!! Anyway, I bought just enough food for me for about a week-- bananas$1.00 a pound--you get the idea--it was $83.00--holy-moly!! But, if you had a Safeway card you would save $17 bucks-- you betcha I signed up for that!! Everyone kept staring at me in the store--I know they were thinking "where did she come from--Michigan?" Well...to make an uneventful story even more boring, I had to drive back to the B & B by myself--Andrew went to work. I made it back and got my groceries in before the wildlife got me!!

FYI--this morning, football was on at 8:00 AM!!

Spectacular!

Is all I can say about the view from where ever you are! I look out my windows fro the B & B and see a different view from each one--the Cook Inlet is fantastic...the Chugash Mts. are amazing...and way out in the distance is the Mat-Su Range that eventually leads to the Alaskan Range, truly spectacular!!

Andrew drove me out the Beluga Point today--towards Seward. The tide was out so I didn't see any whales---but I did see an Eagle. And when I got back to the B and B I saw a huge Magpie sittin' in a tree outside my window!

Folks up here say the moose are stupid--they tend to stand in the middle of the road and move for nothing--I haven't seen one yet! The bears should all be hibernating--hopefully! Although Andrew said he saw one in the driveway a couple of weeks ago---now I freak out going to my car--thanks for that Andrew!! LOL!

The sun is starting to set over the Cook Inlet--It is sooooooooo beautiful up here....

SC

Who does this??????

is what I asked myself when I woke up on Friday! I do--is how I answered!!!

Now, to answer your questions...yes, I know what your thinking!!

1. The B & B--Well......it's Alaskan! What that means is-- it's kinda like the UP on steroids!!!!

It's a big house 5 bedrooms-- 3 or 4 baths--I been afraid to explore too much!! It's clean and full of tacky knick-knacks...that was totally expected!!

2. Yes, I have met Andrew..he is very nice and has great stories! He came home shortly after I arrived and was very helpful. He took me to get my car Friday morning and showed me where Walmart was--the cheapest place in town!!

Andrew works (bartender) at The Captain Cook Hotel--owned by a former governor--GOP too! So all of the political stuff for Alaska take place there. What I'm leading up to is that he has waited on Sarah...yes, that Sarah--Palin numerous times!! Just last night there was a huge event for the 50th year of Statehood (yes, sadly but true, Alaska is younger than some of us) and Sarah was there in her full glory, wearing a red dress, hair to her shoulders...looking beautiful---according to Andrew!!!

Andrew has been very helpful--he grew up here and knows important stuff!!!!!!

3. Everything is outrageously expensive--at least a buck more for every day stuff!
Gas--$4.00 a gallon--but why Sarah???
Breakfast out--$8-$12 bucks

4. Denise--the owner of the B & B isn't back from her trip so I have not met her yet--she left me the key under a ceramic rabbit!

5. Most people love Sarah--sad but true...and I don't know why--yet!

more to follow...
SC

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles....

It should say---Autos, trains,and planes!!! My trip was long...but pretty uneventful. Christopher and I got to Kazoo Wed. night. The three of us had dinner and then "bonded" in the room. We were up early the next morning and drop Katie at her dorm, then proceeded to get lost on our way to the train station!! After Chris dropped me off--I cried!! And then began the hurry-up and wait thing!! The train was late....and slow--but the trip was relaxing! Once at Union Station, with all of my luggage (very heavy), I stumble and tripped my way to find a cart--I kind of looked like "Country Bumkin'" goes traveling!! No carts around...so after many choice swear words--I made it to the Canal St. entrance to wait for the shuttle. It was a sight--me, the Smokers and the Homeless--dare one to ask me for money--he did! My reply--I have to move to Alaska to make money--LOL!!!!

The shuttle arrived--no place for me...except the passenger side next to the driver!! Once we hurried to the Airport I got to wait in some more lines--what fun!

Finally it was time to board--I had the row to myself for the 6.5 hour flight. The full moon illuminated the Canadian Rockies -it was beautiful!!

I arrived in Anchorage at 10pm--thank goodness Jean Peltola's brother David, picked me up at the airport--I was tired and clueless!!

David drove me past my school--which his kids attended--small world--ah! Then on to the B & B....more to follow......

B and B

The link to the B and B I'm living in is below--
In case your wondering Andrew is also living at the B and B--
And Denise the owner lives there too--
What fun I'll have--kind of like that Newhart show--the one with the Inn!!

Email....

stephaniecarey60@gmail.com

Departure date is getting close...

Well.......the car is on the carrier to Seattle!
My last day of school was Friday--the students gave me a send off party--what fun!

Family and friends gave me a great send off both Friday and Saturday nights...I'm sort of partied out!!!

Bear is at Karen's --Katie and I dropped him off Saturday morning. Dawn and Ronnie helped me pack and get the cottage ready for winter--

So...reality is setting in--

SC

Look out Sarah.......

I could be the next Ambassador to Russia!!

The date of departure is getting closer--

My last day at TCAPS is Friday, November 7th. I leave for Kalamazoo (to see Katie) on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Then on Thursday, I hop on a train to Chicago, a shuttle to O'Hare, and a non-stop 6pm flight to Anchorage. I'll arrive in Anchorage at 10pm...it happens to be a full moon that night!!

I start school on the following Monday at Mears Middle School--Teaching 7th grade Language Arts--what fun!

Hopefully, I can keep up with this blog for those of you who care to know....

And if you don't care--don't read it! LOL

Here's to safe travels,

SC