I was warned today that because this was a smaller community, it probably wouldn't be wise for us teachers to blog about life here. The comment was directed mostly to the village teachers who are working in villages of about 40-100 people, but it still applies to the rest of us too.
There might not be much here for a while, and what is written will be vague for my protection. I'm not tenured.
Luke at our Campsite in Homer
Monday, August 16, 2010
Men around here- what gives?
Today was the first day of new teacher inservice. There are ALOT of us this year. somewhere between 30 and 40.- I didn't really count, but it's alot. Mostly women, of course. what's up with that?? You'd think men would want to go into the proffession of teaching, especially in an elementary school. Can you imagine.... they'd have their pick up women to date. Lots of young single, sweet, patient teachers and all of those young, single moms.
I heard that the ratio of single men to single women on Kodiak was 3:1. I have a feeling the single men being referred to are either between the ages of 19-24 (Coasties) or 45+ (old crusty sailors, many of whom don't speak English) It's a little disappointing. I know God put me here for a reason, but I was kind of hoping that reason had something to do with me finding a man. Maybe I just have to be patient. There is no way of God's green earth I have met every eligible man on this island yet, I've only been here a little over a week. But that's enough for a girl to get an idea of the odds she's up against.
I'm getting kind of used to older men, or men with limited english, asking me if I'm married, but when they find out the only man I'm here with is my 10 year old son, the conversation comes to a crashing hault. When I asked a local woman I was eating lunch with today if that was common around here, she looked at me, smiled and said "welcome to Alaska".
As crazy as it sounds I've notices more men (no matter the age) looking at me when I'm in my grubbies then when I'm dressed more professionally. What gives?? If I'd have known that t-shirts, bagging jogging pants and turned down xtr-tuffs turned men on, I'd have started wearing them long ago. Now I'm not sure if the younger ones are looking at me lust or disgust- but I don't really care. Young men are to wishy washy and superficial (for the most part) anyway. I like to pretend that when I'm dressed nicely (read: professional, not sexy) men are put off because I look to "stand offish" or whatever. And when I'm dressed like 75% of the rest of Alaska (except on Sundays, when everyone seems to at least have showered and put on clean clothes) I'm more approachable and "normal".
Whatever the case you'd think with the odds I've got (pretty good ones) it shouldn't be hard for me to get a date. Unless, that is, the goods are odd.
I heard that the ratio of single men to single women on Kodiak was 3:1. I have a feeling the single men being referred to are either between the ages of 19-24 (Coasties) or 45+ (old crusty sailors, many of whom don't speak English) It's a little disappointing. I know God put me here for a reason, but I was kind of hoping that reason had something to do with me finding a man. Maybe I just have to be patient. There is no way of God's green earth I have met every eligible man on this island yet, I've only been here a little over a week. But that's enough for a girl to get an idea of the odds she's up against.
I'm getting kind of used to older men, or men with limited english, asking me if I'm married, but when they find out the only man I'm here with is my 10 year old son, the conversation comes to a crashing hault. When I asked a local woman I was eating lunch with today if that was common around here, she looked at me, smiled and said "welcome to Alaska".
As crazy as it sounds I've notices more men (no matter the age) looking at me when I'm in my grubbies then when I'm dressed more professionally. What gives?? If I'd have known that t-shirts, bagging jogging pants and turned down xtr-tuffs turned men on, I'd have started wearing them long ago. Now I'm not sure if the younger ones are looking at me lust or disgust- but I don't really care. Young men are to wishy washy and superficial (for the most part) anyway. I like to pretend that when I'm dressed nicely (read: professional, not sexy) men are put off because I look to "stand offish" or whatever. And when I'm dressed like 75% of the rest of Alaska (except on Sundays, when everyone seems to at least have showered and put on clean clothes) I'm more approachable and "normal".
Whatever the case you'd think with the odds I've got (pretty good ones) it shouldn't be hard for me to get a date. Unless, that is, the goods are odd.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Lessons learned
Finally all the little silly stupid stressful things about the move are over and done with. I have a bank account, a new driver's license ( I had to take a written test. thank God I had read the posters about the incredibly strict drunk driving laws here before hand), all of my paperwork for my new job is filled out, I have my school keys, P.O. Box keys and house keys. I know how to contact a lock smith and how to sweet talk him into unlocking my door on a Sunday afternoon (it's all about who you know ). I know that the phone service provider I picked was NOT the best choice. I learned that when the post office tells you a package will get to a certain location in x number of days, what they really mean is that it will get there in x+2 number of days.
I've learned that all the plumbing in my house is backwards and around here public restrooms do not come standard with water fountains. People have been very accommodating about getting Luke a drink of water from their private water cooler. The child is a little fish. I've learned that you can bargain with the Chinese ladies running the catholic thrift store. In fact if you don't bargain with them they ask you repeatedly if the price was OK with you.- Yes, thank you, I AM happy that you are only charging me $5 for a pair of almost new jeans, a hoodie, 2 canning jars and 4 small toys.
I've learned that Luke and I are not allowed to be sick for exactly 16 days in between the time my insurance from Columbus runs out and my insurance from Kodiak picks up. Not only do I not have insurance I also have no sick days. I've learned that I need to invest more in my retirement fund while I'm here because my union has decided that we won't be paying social security tax (didn't know that was an option).
I've learned where most of the emergency Tsunami / earthquake evacuation routes are, and I've stood on the stone marking where the 30 foot wave of 1964 hit ( in the middle of the city).
Can't wait to learn more.
till next time....
I've learned that all the plumbing in my house is backwards and around here public restrooms do not come standard with water fountains. People have been very accommodating about getting Luke a drink of water from their private water cooler. The child is a little fish. I've learned that you can bargain with the Chinese ladies running the catholic thrift store. In fact if you don't bargain with them they ask you repeatedly if the price was OK with you.- Yes, thank you, I AM happy that you are only charging me $5 for a pair of almost new jeans, a hoodie, 2 canning jars and 4 small toys.
I've learned that Luke and I are not allowed to be sick for exactly 16 days in between the time my insurance from Columbus runs out and my insurance from Kodiak picks up. Not only do I not have insurance I also have no sick days. I've learned that I need to invest more in my retirement fund while I'm here because my union has decided that we won't be paying social security tax (didn't know that was an option).
I've learned where most of the emergency Tsunami / earthquake evacuation routes are, and I've stood on the stone marking where the 30 foot wave of 1964 hit ( in the middle of the city).
Can't wait to learn more.
till next time....
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Here are a few pics. Facebook was being difficult but Blog spot let me post photos so here are a couple. Because I don't have a cord that connects my camera to my computer ( I think I left it in my old desk drawer at my old place of employment) I have to take my camera to Walmart and have a disk made. Then I down load all the photos from that CD unto my computer. Facebook insists I use flash player to download pictures, but for some strange reason it won't load unto my computer. So anyway getting these up took quite a few hour- sorry they aren't "fresher".
We did nothing today. It was nice. I shouldn't say "nothing" I went to the Post office and picked up 2 boxes I had sent myself on July 29th and made 4 loaves of bread. The first 2 didn't turn out. Looked like bricks, tasted like playdough.
It was cloudy and misty all day today. It reminded me of going camping on Rock Island with Dan and Irisa one summer. The weather was about the same and Dan kept saying " Suck it up, it's just fly spit" whenever we'd complain about the "rain".
We did nothing today. It was nice. I shouldn't say "nothing" I went to the Post office and picked up 2 boxes I had sent myself on July 29th and made 4 loaves of bread. The first 2 didn't turn out. Looked like bricks, tasted like playdough.
It was cloudy and misty all day today. It reminded me of going camping on Rock Island with Dan and Irisa one summer. The weather was about the same and Dan kept saying " Suck it up, it's just fly spit" whenever we'd complain about the "rain".
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Free Range
Luke and I drove out to one of the ends of the roads the other day. What we saw gives a whole new meaning to the words "free range". We literally saw horses and a few miles further down the road bison, just out wondering around, seemingly miles from any humanly created establishment or fences. I wonder how the owners corralled them. I'm almost positive the bison are butchered periodically. I found a website advertising beef and bison here on Kodiak. It claimed that the animals have been "native" subsiding on grass only for the past 70 years. It was only recently that they began receiving care from humans.
It was surprising to see animals being treated like living creatures instead of a commodity to be bought sold or produced. Even though Kodiak is the 3rd largest commercial fishing port in the U.S. I noticed a similar attitude amongst some of the fisherman. They know the fish and practice sustainable harvesting.
It was surprising to see animals being treated like living creatures instead of a commodity to be bought sold or produced. Even though Kodiak is the 3rd largest commercial fishing port in the U.S. I noticed a similar attitude amongst some of the fisherman. They know the fish and practice sustainable harvesting.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Home
I am so tired. It probably has something to do with the craziness that has been our life these last few days. We camped on the spit in Homer for 2 nights. The first night it rained (after we were asleep thankfully) and the the second night it was cold and rainy. Both nights the sun went to bed after I did, probably somewhere around 11 ish, and woke up long before I did. It's hard to sleep when it's broad daylight, you're in a tiny tent with a 10 year old and it feels like October in August.
The ferry ride from Homer to Kodiak was incredible. It took and incredibly long time (around 2.5 hours) to get everyone loaded on and off the ferry. The ride it self was incredibly long (9.5 hours). And the scenery was incredibly beautiful. We saw at least 6 different whales doing tricks out of the water. It was amazing. People spend tons of money to see the whales, puffins and magestic mountain covered islands we saw. Luke made a new friend on the ferry. Well, a couple of the actually. Tucker is the one who spoke English and lives on Kodiak. The other boys were Russian Orthodox I think.
Our new house is huge by Alaska standards. And if you can see past the fake wood paneling is pretty nice. It came complete with washer, dryer, dish washer, microwave, couch, love seat, over sized chair and ottoman, 2 "made" queen sized beds, lots of kitchen stuff, kitchen table and chairs, 2 desks and dresser and a fully outfitted bathroom. Luke walked in and right away asked if we could live here for 2 years. Unfortunately the only view we have is of the back of a bank, and a restaurant, but that's what you get for the convenience of being "down town". We are fortunate to have any place at all, mush less one we really like, there is at least 1 new teacher staying with another teacher right now because there are no open apartments anywhere.
Oh I forgot- the best part of this house (besides the washer, dryer and dishwasher) is the "sun room" (not that Kodiak ever really gets any decent amount of direct sun light). It's this huge empty room that's aleast 12x15. It has 7 oversized windows on 3 sides of the room. SOOOOO if any one ever wants to visit no hotel room would be needed. We have plenty of space.
Today was the 5th sunny day this summer, so we spent the better part of the afternoon driving to the end of the road and back. Actually we just visited the end of 1 of the 2+ (one road "y"s at one point) roads that lead out of the city. The road we were on went past a few WWII bunkers, some fabulous fishing spots, black sand beaches and some of the most breath taking views imaginable. Stupid me forgot the camera. It ended at the 2nd biggest rocket launch facility in the U.S. Betcha didn't know we had one of those. !!
Better Go- Luke wants blue berry muffins. Maybe next time I'll make muffins with the salmon berries we have growing behind our house.
The ferry ride from Homer to Kodiak was incredible. It took and incredibly long time (around 2.5 hours) to get everyone loaded on and off the ferry. The ride it self was incredibly long (9.5 hours). And the scenery was incredibly beautiful. We saw at least 6 different whales doing tricks out of the water. It was amazing. People spend tons of money to see the whales, puffins and magestic mountain covered islands we saw. Luke made a new friend on the ferry. Well, a couple of the actually. Tucker is the one who spoke English and lives on Kodiak. The other boys were Russian Orthodox I think.
Our new house is huge by Alaska standards. And if you can see past the fake wood paneling is pretty nice. It came complete with washer, dryer, dish washer, microwave, couch, love seat, over sized chair and ottoman, 2 "made" queen sized beds, lots of kitchen stuff, kitchen table and chairs, 2 desks and dresser and a fully outfitted bathroom. Luke walked in and right away asked if we could live here for 2 years. Unfortunately the only view we have is of the back of a bank, and a restaurant, but that's what you get for the convenience of being "down town". We are fortunate to have any place at all, mush less one we really like, there is at least 1 new teacher staying with another teacher right now because there are no open apartments anywhere.
Oh I forgot- the best part of this house (besides the washer, dryer and dishwasher) is the "sun room" (not that Kodiak ever really gets any decent amount of direct sun light). It's this huge empty room that's aleast 12x15. It has 7 oversized windows on 3 sides of the room. SOOOOO if any one ever wants to visit no hotel room would be needed. We have plenty of space.
Today was the 5th sunny day this summer, so we spent the better part of the afternoon driving to the end of the road and back. Actually we just visited the end of 1 of the 2+ (one road "y"s at one point) roads that lead out of the city. The road we were on went past a few WWII bunkers, some fabulous fishing spots, black sand beaches and some of the most breath taking views imaginable. Stupid me forgot the camera. It ended at the 2nd biggest rocket launch facility in the U.S. Betcha didn't know we had one of those. !!
Better Go- Luke wants blue berry muffins. Maybe next time I'll make muffins with the salmon berries we have growing behind our house.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
On the Road Again
It is with mixed feelings that we'll be saying "Good Bye" to Anchorage in the next few hours. The next leg of our trip takes us down the Kenai peninsula and through pristine national forests as we make our way towards Homer.
It will be a beautiful trip with scenery unparralelled to what we have previously seen. And while I'm excited to be out of the rat race of Anchorage, the thought of leaving "civilization" behind is a bit unnerving. I know there are plenty of towns along the way, and thanks to Walmart and Safeway, Kodiak is civilized. But still I'll miss being able to shop all the sales, try new crazy restuarants like the one we went to last night. ( It was called "Humpys" it's this great bar/dinning area that was totally packed with people. they had over 50 different beers on tap and excellent seafood dishes. I would highly recommend it to anyone finding themselves hungry and downtwon anchorage at the same time.) OH well, I shouldn't be complaining. all kinds of people live in big cities. I didn't come to Alaska to live in a big city. I could have done that in Wisconsin for a fraction of the price.
Besides anchorage has more 1 way streets than Madison and probably the same amount of poverty as Jacksonville Florida. Not exactly a place I'd want to live.- So wet and wild Kodiak, Here we come.
It will be a beautiful trip with scenery unparralelled to what we have previously seen. And while I'm excited to be out of the rat race of Anchorage, the thought of leaving "civilization" behind is a bit unnerving. I know there are plenty of towns along the way, and thanks to Walmart and Safeway, Kodiak is civilized. But still I'll miss being able to shop all the sales, try new crazy restuarants like the one we went to last night. ( It was called "Humpys" it's this great bar/dinning area that was totally packed with people. they had over 50 different beers on tap and excellent seafood dishes. I would highly recommend it to anyone finding themselves hungry and downtwon anchorage at the same time.) OH well, I shouldn't be complaining. all kinds of people live in big cities. I didn't come to Alaska to live in a big city. I could have done that in Wisconsin for a fraction of the price.
Besides anchorage has more 1 way streets than Madison and probably the same amount of poverty as Jacksonville Florida. Not exactly a place I'd want to live.- So wet and wild Kodiak, Here we come.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Anchorage
Well we finally made it here, safe and sound. Luke had a pretty decent flight. The flight attendant assigning seats gave us the back row, which was great because I only had to worry about bothering the people in front of us. AND the only empty seat on the entire plane was right in between Luke and I !! A different flight attendant gave Luke a digeplayer (movies, TV shows and video game system) for FREE !! That thing kept him entertained for about 5 of the 6.5 hours we were in the plane. It was fantastic. I love flying Alaska Air.
We landed and I called the car sales man I had been working with. Luke and I wrestled all of our luggage (we checked 6 bags- all of which were exactly 50 lbs.- I know because I had to rearrange things - on the floor in front of the baggage counter- to get each bag at 50 lbs or less to avoid additional fees) out the door and Carlton picked us up and took us to the Subaru dealership to pick up our new Forester.
It was during this period of waiting for Carlton that I began to realize just how little control I truly had over my son, and how well aware of it he was. The next 3 hours were hell. Luke has never acted that spoiled and defiant before, and believe me the boy has had some practice. Finally, after talking to his grandma, it came out that he was nervous and scared. Prior to that he had just let the entire Mall know that I was a terrible person who was running away from something I had done in Wisconsin. All those years working with oppositionally defiant teen agers helped a little- that and the fact that literally no one here in anchorage knows us. But still, I just wanted to kill him. I hope this attitude goes away because if it doesn't it's going to be a long lonely year for both of us.
We landed and I called the car sales man I had been working with. Luke and I wrestled all of our luggage (we checked 6 bags- all of which were exactly 50 lbs.- I know because I had to rearrange things - on the floor in front of the baggage counter- to get each bag at 50 lbs or less to avoid additional fees) out the door and Carlton picked us up and took us to the Subaru dealership to pick up our new Forester.
It was during this period of waiting for Carlton that I began to realize just how little control I truly had over my son, and how well aware of it he was. The next 3 hours were hell. Luke has never acted that spoiled and defiant before, and believe me the boy has had some practice. Finally, after talking to his grandma, it came out that he was nervous and scared. Prior to that he had just let the entire Mall know that I was a terrible person who was running away from something I had done in Wisconsin. All those years working with oppositionally defiant teen agers helped a little- that and the fact that literally no one here in anchorage knows us. But still, I just wanted to kill him. I hope this attitude goes away because if it doesn't it's going to be a long lonely year for both of us.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Panicking is my middle name. Everyday for the past 2 months I searched multiple online avenues, contact everyone I knew (and even some people I didn't know) all in this crazy attempt to find sutible living arrangements for Luke and I in Kodiak. By suitable I mean dry, somewhat warm and with running water. I wasn't to terribly picky. I just wanted SOMETHING.
2 weeks before we were sceduled to leave and still nothing. I had no plan B. The hotels and B and Bs were full. I guess we could have camped out with the bears. Deep down I knew God would provide, and as always it would be at the very last minute, but the panicky, independent stubborn side of me thought I had to actually find the place. So much for trust. I had called on every piece of property for rent that allowed children in and around the city. I even called on a house that had 86 steps just to get to the front door !! I was desperate. - But God was in control. Why do I always seem to forget this? Maybe I just think that He'll forget about me this one time and then I'll be screwed.- Hello Corrie !!!
Luke has been told in no uncertain terms, not to answer my phone when I'm at work unless it's a relative. I have caller ID so he can easily tell if it's "safe" to answer the phone or not. Yesterday Luke decided that he should answer the phone because the call was important. He could tell the person calling was from Alaska because of the area code, but I get a lot of calls from AK, why he answered the phone is beyond me, but I'm glad he did it. It was my new boss telling me to go check my email. She had just sent me 3 leads on housing. As soon my customers went away I ran to the back room and logged on. There before my eyes was a listing for a 2+ bedroom HOUSE. I called right away of course.
The house not only has 2 bedrooms, it also has a sun room, plenty of parking- close to the house not at the bottom of a hill, and it's furnished !! It's close to playgrounds and downtown. The Land Lady and I hit it off right away. She was happy to hear about Luke, and glad to know she wouldn't have to move the furniture. She only rents to school district employees which made both of us more comfortable. The rent is right with in my price range. She's faxing the rental agreement over today. God provides is ways we could never have imagined. and more than we could have ever hoped for.
2 weeks before we were sceduled to leave and still nothing. I had no plan B. The hotels and B and Bs were full. I guess we could have camped out with the bears. Deep down I knew God would provide, and as always it would be at the very last minute, but the panicky, independent stubborn side of me thought I had to actually find the place. So much for trust. I had called on every piece of property for rent that allowed children in and around the city. I even called on a house that had 86 steps just to get to the front door !! I was desperate. - But God was in control. Why do I always seem to forget this? Maybe I just think that He'll forget about me this one time and then I'll be screwed.- Hello Corrie !!!
Luke has been told in no uncertain terms, not to answer my phone when I'm at work unless it's a relative. I have caller ID so he can easily tell if it's "safe" to answer the phone or not. Yesterday Luke decided that he should answer the phone because the call was important. He could tell the person calling was from Alaska because of the area code, but I get a lot of calls from AK, why he answered the phone is beyond me, but I'm glad he did it. It was my new boss telling me to go check my email. She had just sent me 3 leads on housing. As soon my customers went away I ran to the back room and logged on. There before my eyes was a listing for a 2+ bedroom HOUSE. I called right away of course.
The house not only has 2 bedrooms, it also has a sun room, plenty of parking- close to the house not at the bottom of a hill, and it's furnished !! It's close to playgrounds and downtown. The Land Lady and I hit it off right away. She was happy to hear about Luke, and glad to know she wouldn't have to move the furniture. She only rents to school district employees which made both of us more comfortable. The rent is right with in my price range. She's faxing the rental agreement over today. God provides is ways we could never have imagined. and more than we could have ever hoped for.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The beginning
OK so the URL is kind of a lie. We aren't on Kodiak just yet. 2 weeks and 2 days to go. It has been quite the adventure just to get this far. It all started back in January when I decided that the reason I was upset over a break up wasn't because of the guy ( I knew from the beginning that we weren't ment for each other) but because I really wanted an excuse to move to Alaska where he lives.
Everyone who knows me knows that I will occasionally get these crazy hair brain ideas and obsess over them. After a few months (or set backs) the adrenalin rush wears off and life as normal resumes. Well not this time. I really think God had something to do with this whole thing (duh !)
Just getting my teaching license in AK was a long, expensive and tedious process. I started it in January and just got my license a few days ago. Then there was the whole "finding a job" thing. At first the plan was to move to Juneau and rent an apartment from my friend Mike (at least until I found my own place) and use his truck for a while. After a while I began to feel really uncomfortable with that idea (another God thing). I spent humungous amounts of time doing online searches of job openings in Juneau. In case you know nothing about about Alaskan geography, Juneau is only accessable by plane or boat so when I say I was looking in Juneau, I mean just Juneau. That meant 1 school district. Who by the way, layed off over 25 teachers this past spring.
I had planned to attend a Job Fair in Minnesota at the end of April souly to interview with the Juneau school district. I had already sent them my resume, application and all accompanying paper work. On my way up to the Twin Cities God and I had a little talk. I realized that if this was ever going to work I had to be open to what ever, where ever he wanted. So I walked into the job fair having made the decision to interview with which ever school districts would have me.
Upon entering the room I was told that because I taught special ed. I had better be prepared to sign a contract that night (I wasn't). I made a beeline for the Juneau School District booth and took my place in line behind 3 or 4 other hopeful, eager young teachers desperately seeking employment. I don't wait well. I started looking around at the other booths surronding Juneau's. Kodiak was to the left. This really nice younger lady who I later learned was named Heather and was the Director of Student Services asked me if I knew anything about Kodiak. I dumbly stared at her and asked her if Kodiak was the place where that special ed. teacher was mauled to death by wolves a few weeks earlier (nice first impression I know) I didn't really care what she thought of me b/c I thought I was a shoe in in Juneau. I agreed to "talk" to her later on. that "talk" turned out to be an interview in which I was immediately comfortable. After talking for 10-15 minutes she told me she wanted to hire me. The voice inside my head was screaming "Juneau, Interview with Juneau" so loudly I think I probably missed half of what she said after that. I told her I had to interview with Juneau first, but would talk to her before I left for the evening. Next came interviews with Juneau( very uncomfortable- the dude was pompus and sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest while he complained about one of the priciplas he worked with- who does that during an interview???- ) Nome (these people were great !! very friendly and easy going.- At the end of the evening they offered me a written intent to hire- but I knew that wasn't where God wanted me so I turned them down 2 days later) and finally Hooper Bay. The super from the Lower Yukon SD told his HR guy to go write me a contract 5 minutes into our interview. They offered me the world. But Luke would have been one of only 3 white kids in the whole town, which I later found out had no indoor plumbing- extremely poverty reigned supreme in that corner of AK.
I drove home that night with a lot to think and pray about. Long story short- Kodiak was very excited to get a call from me a few days later asking if I was still being considered for the position. They thought they had lost me to Juneau - little did they know Juneau was the only district at the job fair that didn't want me . The HR guy from Anchorage (who I turned down interviews with 2 times ) told me that I was the "hot ticket commodity" of the evening. Special ed. teachers with K-12 credentials and experience who are willing to work in AK are few and far between I guess. It felt really good to be wanted and admired like that.
I had to get over myself and start the process of relocating soon after that. And what a crazy adventure that has been. More about the relocating process later.
Corrie
Everyone who knows me knows that I will occasionally get these crazy hair brain ideas and obsess over them. After a few months (or set backs) the adrenalin rush wears off and life as normal resumes. Well not this time. I really think God had something to do with this whole thing (duh !)
Just getting my teaching license in AK was a long, expensive and tedious process. I started it in January and just got my license a few days ago. Then there was the whole "finding a job" thing. At first the plan was to move to Juneau and rent an apartment from my friend Mike (at least until I found my own place) and use his truck for a while. After a while I began to feel really uncomfortable with that idea (another God thing). I spent humungous amounts of time doing online searches of job openings in Juneau. In case you know nothing about about Alaskan geography, Juneau is only accessable by plane or boat so when I say I was looking in Juneau, I mean just Juneau. That meant 1 school district. Who by the way, layed off over 25 teachers this past spring.
I had planned to attend a Job Fair in Minnesota at the end of April souly to interview with the Juneau school district. I had already sent them my resume, application and all accompanying paper work. On my way up to the Twin Cities God and I had a little talk. I realized that if this was ever going to work I had to be open to what ever, where ever he wanted. So I walked into the job fair having made the decision to interview with which ever school districts would have me.
Upon entering the room I was told that because I taught special ed. I had better be prepared to sign a contract that night (I wasn't). I made a beeline for the Juneau School District booth and took my place in line behind 3 or 4 other hopeful, eager young teachers desperately seeking employment. I don't wait well. I started looking around at the other booths surronding Juneau's. Kodiak was to the left. This really nice younger lady who I later learned was named Heather and was the Director of Student Services asked me if I knew anything about Kodiak. I dumbly stared at her and asked her if Kodiak was the place where that special ed. teacher was mauled to death by wolves a few weeks earlier (nice first impression I know) I didn't really care what she thought of me b/c I thought I was a shoe in in Juneau. I agreed to "talk" to her later on. that "talk" turned out to be an interview in which I was immediately comfortable. After talking for 10-15 minutes she told me she wanted to hire me. The voice inside my head was screaming "Juneau, Interview with Juneau" so loudly I think I probably missed half of what she said after that. I told her I had to interview with Juneau first, but would talk to her before I left for the evening. Next came interviews with Juneau( very uncomfortable- the dude was pompus and sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest while he complained about one of the priciplas he worked with- who does that during an interview???- ) Nome (these people were great !! very friendly and easy going.- At the end of the evening they offered me a written intent to hire- but I knew that wasn't where God wanted me so I turned them down 2 days later) and finally Hooper Bay. The super from the Lower Yukon SD told his HR guy to go write me a contract 5 minutes into our interview. They offered me the world. But Luke would have been one of only 3 white kids in the whole town, which I later found out had no indoor plumbing- extremely poverty reigned supreme in that corner of AK.
I drove home that night with a lot to think and pray about. Long story short- Kodiak was very excited to get a call from me a few days later asking if I was still being considered for the position. They thought they had lost me to Juneau - little did they know Juneau was the only district at the job fair that didn't want me . The HR guy from Anchorage (who I turned down interviews with 2 times ) told me that I was the "hot ticket commodity" of the evening. Special ed. teachers with K-12 credentials and experience who are willing to work in AK are few and far between I guess. It felt really good to be wanted and admired like that.
I had to get over myself and start the process of relocating soon after that. And what a crazy adventure that has been. More about the relocating process later.
Corrie
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