Where did the summer go

The bull moose I was calling.
My classroom.


Seriously where did the summer go. Registration is this week for school and teacher inservice starts next week. I have new teacher orientation (for 8 hours) on the 11th and then inservice the 12th through the 17th. First day with kids is the 18th. My schedule right now looks like I have 3 periods of beginning band, team time, prep, advanced band, and intermediate band. It should be fun. I need to finish up my project, finish organizing my classroom, and find a place to live. I should probably pick out band music too.
I'm still looking for a place to live. I've toyed with the idea of buying a house. I even got prequalified for a home loan. At times I think I'm a little nuts. Oh well.
Let's see what else is going on. Bryan got his car back from the mechanic. There are a few more things that need to be done to his car, like the suspension but the car works and that's what counts. He and I have both been driven a little crazy recently but I think that's what happens when you have 3 people in a 2 bedroom apartment. It's a long story and it's not really worth getting into.
I've spent some time in my classroom and that's been good. The other night I decided I hadn't been out moose watching in a while so I went and did that. I've started calling moose too. Anthony was too happy when the moose started walking towards the car. It wasn't so bad when it was a cow but he wasn't too happy with the idea when it was a full grown bull moose. It was hilarious. I'll admit, it's never a dull moment in my life. I wonder if I can call bear too. I doubt that I'm going to try it. I haven't seen any bear since I've been in town but I don't go looking for them either.
Last weekend I went and saw Everclear in concert. It was fun.
That might be all that I can think of right now. Well besides that all of Bryan's coworkers seem to have some opinion about the fact that he and I should be together. I just laugh. I find it funny that they all tell him. I stopped in to his work last night and one of the other customers teased him about me. I about died laughing. I find the whole thing amusing. A few of his coworkers want to hang out with me because they think I'm a good fit for him. It makes no sense to me but whatever. I'm just going to enjoy chuckling over the whole thing. I find it particularly funny that if I show up they all feel the need to tell him his girlfriend is there. Oh the things that amuse me.
Well I'm sure that's it.

This is sad....

....It's been a month since the last time I posted.
Here's the recap..(in no particular order)
I drove the Alcan Highway. It was amazing, some of the road was in terrible condition but the scenery was fantastic. On the drive I saw 1 moose, 3 bear, 4 buffalo, 1 caribou, 1 deer, 2 sheep, 6 elk,....and a partridge in a pear tree. Just kidding about the partridge. I would say the best part of the drive is from Fort Nelson, BC to Whitehorse, YT. I met some really friendly people. I was in awe of the beauty of everything. That drive should be on everyone's bucket list, seriously I mean it. On that drive I also drove on the scariest bridge I've ever been on and remembered that I dislike driving down steep, curvy downgrades behind people that ride their brakes. I made it back to Anchorage in one piece and I was ready to be back in Alaska.
Recently I drove down to Seward, which is about 130 miles from Anchorage, just for the heck of it. I got to Seward, filled the tank, and drove back. Another beautiful drive but sadly I didn't have my camera. I was very annoyed with myself that I didn't take it but I guess that just means I'm going to have to drive it again.
Going backwards a little to between the Alcan and the Seward highway excursions. I've hiked up Flat top mountain to the 2nd saddle, which isn't all the way to the top but there is always next time. I've walked from Pluto to Neptune and back on the Coastal trail. On that trail we saw a Bull Moose several feet from the trail, thankfully enjoying whatever he was eating and ignoring us. I've seen more than a dozen moose in a span of 3 days, including the smallest calf I've ever seen. Anthony figures that it was about 2-3 weeks old. It was so cute. That reminds me Anthony and I were at Village Inn the other day for lunch and a moose and her two calves walked right past the restaurant. It never ceases to amaze me when we see moose. Megan came up for the 4th and we went hiking up Flat top but the wind was gusting so bad that we only hiked Blueberry trail. It was still a 2 mile hike.
I bought a gun. I bought a Smith & Wesson .44 magnum revolver. I went shooting the other day with Anthony. I know, I know that's big gun. I've always wanted a gun and honestly I've always wanted a S&W .357 magnum double action revolver. I went to several guns stores and looked at lots of guns. I discussed what I was going to do with a gun and they recommended a .44. I'll admit it is a little much for home defense (or self defense) but it's a good size against bear. I have no intention on ever having to defend myself against a bear, but who really does plan on it. I can tell you one thing, that gun kicks like a mule. I wasn't sure what to expect the first time I fired it. It's really fun to shoot though. The same day I bought my gun, the gun store was selling a 12 gauge shot gun for $140 so....I also bought the shotgun. What can I say.
Other than all my outdoorsy adventures, I signed my contract with the Anchorage School District. I've been less than successful on finding a place to live, so I'm still sleeping on the couch at Bryan and Anthony's apartment. I've spent time in my classroom. I got a Costco membership. I've been to the restaurant supply store. And....I've spent time on my homework. I have also be the household taxi cab. While I was visiting Tasha in Wrangell (and catching the smallest halibut) Bryan's car broke down. The transmission is toast. So, it's a good thing I've got my car. I have to say running two guys to and from work and trying to get things done in my own life is exhausting. There are days that it's hard to get anything done for myself because of the shifts they work.
As of right now my life as I know it....Living out of a suitcase in a closet, sleeping on an uncomfortable futon in the living room, being exhausted all the time, but enjoying Anchorage.
I even got a box out of my storage unit yesterday because I wanted something of mine. I grabbed the box of spices. I know that sounds weird and it's an odd security blanket but it works.
Well I'm off to be the taxi driver and go to church.

On the road...still

Good Morning Fort Nelson.

I left Edmonton yesterday morning and drove through a lot of area that was kinda the middle of nowhere. After about 700 miles I made it into Fort Nelson. It's not a big town and it in the Northern Rockies. Today will be a day of mostly driving in the mountains. The plan is to drive the 600 miles to Whitehorse and stop there for the night. 600 miles is the shortest amount of driving I have done on this trip. I have to drive through the Northern Rockies, so it will be lots of mountains today. Yesterday I drove down several steep grades and over one of the scariest bridges ever. It's a metal bridge so you don't get the same kind of traction you do on a regular bridge. It didn't help that I also was going up an incline. I could feel the car fish tail around a little bit...not a fun feeling. Well I made it through and then I saw a moose on the side of the road doing moosey things. I would've stopped to take a picture but there wasn't really anywhere and it was hard to get a good shot. Oh well. Today and part of tomorrow I will have no cell phone reception, doesn't that sound exciting. I'm ready to be back in Alaska. I'm enjoying my road trip but after 2400 miles I'm ready to be home. I have about 1300 miles left to go. Time to eat breakfast and hit the road.

Hello June

Crazy month alert!!

When I last left you on my blog adventure, I was getting on a ferry to go to Haines. Well 25 hours on the ferry later we arrived in Haines. We drove to Tok. It was a beautiful drive, the road was interesting (hello road construction needed). We stopped in Tok for the night. The next morning (june 1st) we drove to Anchorage. What a great drive. The mountains were beautiful, the Matanuska glacier was cool and huge, and the road was windy. After we got to Anchorage it was unloading the Uhaul into the storage unit. Thanks Michael for all the help. Yay Moose's Tooth.
Wednesday was Michael's birthday and we went and saw Iron Man 2 and went to dinner. Thursday I had an interview with Clark Middle School in Anchorage. I also got on a plane to go visit my parents and pick up my car. The plane was delayed for 1 1/2 hours. Lame. I got in Friday morning. Saturday was Mr. Cox's retirement party, that was fun.
Tuesday (June 8th) I got a phone call as I was sitting at Bill's apartment. It was Anchorage....I got the middle school band job!!! Super excited. Bill and I went to see Prince of Persia after that...I wasn't exactly focused. The rest of that week was pretty melo..thank goodness.
I've made a trip to IKEA for a chair and a dresser.
Tuesday we loaded up my car and I got on the road. I drove around North Dakota for awhile as my parents called places to see if anyone had a room...Finally we found one (in the middle of nowhere). So after 14 or so hours and 1000 miles later, I was in for the night. This morning I got on the road and drove about 700 miles to Edmonton. I'm currently sitting in my hotel room. Tomorrow I drive to Fort Nelson then Friday it's Whitehorse, with me getting into Anchorage Saturday. It'll be about 3600 miles by the time I get in but it'll be great. Heigh ho, heigh ho it's off to bed I go...gotta get on the road in the morning.

Aufweidersehen Metlakatla

As I sit here debating what time I should start waking up the boys, I reflect on my time here in Metlakatla. I've met some amazing people and had some good times. Granted there have been plenty of hard times too but that's part of life.
We got the truck all packed up Friday evening and spent part of Saturday cleaning. It's really clean. We relaxed and hung out the rest of the day. I know that no one got to bed too early, I was the earliest to bed and I didn't get there until a little after 11PM. Of course I woke up sometime around 4:30AM.
Today I get on the ferry from Metlakatla to Ketchikan and then immediately get on the next ferry bound for Haines. I get into Haines Monday morning and get on the road bound for Anchorage. I should arrive in Anchorage Tuesday in the early afternoon. It should be a beautiful drive. Joyce, the middle school math teacher, is coming with me. We are both excited about this trip. We should have a great time.
It's been great to have Bill here even though at times he has kinda driven me crazy. We went out the road on Thursday and had a great time. We also hiked up Yellow Hill. I took some fun pictures. The best pictures are the ones of Bill with a slug. It's the biggest slug Bill has ever seen and it's about average size here. It was about 3 1/2 inches long.
I better get the boys up and have breakfast. We have the suitcases to put into the truck along with a few things to drop off in Ketchikan.

What more can happen

I'm not sure where to start. It's been a bit of a crazy week. I had to go to the doctor last Friday (5/14) because my eyelid was huge. The doctor said I had a hordeolum, it's a sty inside the eyelid. I got eye drops and was instructed to use a hot compress 5-10 times a day. It's been just over a week and it looks a million times better, it's not completely gone though. So I'm still wearing my glasses, which bugs me a bit. I prefer to wear my contacts, oh well. Work has been....well work. Not too much to report. I went to graduation Friday night. Then I went to several graduation parties. It was fun.
I have spent quite a bit of time packing and I have 2 rooms completely finished. I've moved almost all the boxes into one room. My dad said it will make it easier and then I can appreciate all of the stuff I have done. I'm not sure if it has done any of that but oh well. I have a little bit to do in the bathroom, some odds and ends in the spare room, all of the living room and kitchen till I'm totally packed. I need to pick up the Uhaul tomorrow. It feels like I still have a lot to do, but I'm not sure that I totally do.
Bill got into town yesterday. It's great to see him. I showed him around the island a little bit yesterday. He was very fascinated by skunk cabbage and by the small crabs on the beach. It was pretty funny. At times I forget how hilarious he is. He fell asleep on the couch last night and when I got home from Nicole's I woke him up to go to bed. Right now he's asleep in a chair. Same old Bill.
Today has been a bit of an odd day. I woke up at about 7:30AM and called my parents to tell them about the skunk cabbage and beach with Bill. A few minutes into the call my phone died. I tried turning it back on, nothing. I went and plugged it in (even though I had plenty of battery life before it shut off) Nothing. I grabbed Bill's phone and called my parents and explained what happened. I then called Verizon and spent quite a bit of time trying to get something sorted out. What a frustrating experience. They are shipping me a new phone but they are sending it to my parents. The ship via FedEx, which doesn't deliver here. The option was UPS, I can't guarantee that I'd get it that way either. Well after I finished going rounds with Verizon and was incredibly fed up, I was trying to find an old phone and Bill's phone rang. It was my phone. Bill was calling to ask if I had his phone. Apparently Bill had woken up and come down stairs and tried to look for his phone but found mine. He tried to turn mine on but it wouldn't. After a few minutes, my phone turned back on by itself. We talked to my dad, who called Verizon. He told us Verizon was going to call me. They called, weren't a lot of help. I'm still stuck with a phone that isn't really working. I won't get my "new" phone for almost two weeks. It will probably get to my parents on Tuesday but there isn't really anyway to get here before I move. I'm not impressed with my cell phone carrier at this moment. Well we'll see how long my phone works, but I bet it's not going to be for long. When I get this other phone, it will be the 3rd LG EnV2 I've had in a year. The screens died on the first one in less than a month of having it. I'm not impressed. We'll see how this all works. I can tell you though it's hard to have job interviews if your phone doesn't work. Also driving over 700 miles while moving with no phone.....not exactly the safest thing. I can do it but I'm not thrilled. I'm sure this will all work but it seems like it's always one more thing. AAAAHHHH!!!!
I think I might go back to packing, which I hate doing on Sunday but it has to get done. I am really happy to have Bill here.

And the craziness continues...

Another week down since my last post. What a week. Work has kept me busy and so has packing. Neither of which are really fun right now. Most of my classes are going rather well. Lots of singing and music.
Last Sunday I went for a bike ride. It was nice to get my bike out. The sun was shining, the weather was great. It was a beautiful day to be outside. I also made a pork roast in the crock pot and had dinner with the Longs and Alveys. I'm going to miss them. I'm grateful for the friends I've made here.
I've spent a good deal of time packing. Not my favorite activity. Oh well it has to be done. Bill is coming up to help me on Saturday. It'll be great to see him and it's nice that he's coming. I think he's excited to come to Alaska even if it is to help me pack.
Not much on the job end of things. I'm still looking for a job. We'll see what happens. I did get a lead on a possible job today. We'll see what comes of it.