Monday, March 25, 2013

Fresh sea food?

There's nothing like eating fresh crab legs. By fresh I mean they were caught at 5:00pm, steamed at 5:30 pm, and then eaten by me as a midnight snack after watching the Iditarod first place finisher. So juicy and delicious. No flavor or butter needed on these bad boys. Notice my freckles are getting darker in the picture! The Alaskan sun is bringing them back out loud and proud. How fresh are your crabs? Mine come from about 300 yards off of Front Street in Nome, Alaska. I can see the crab pots from my living room window. Be jealous, it's ok, I want you to be. 


Homeless?

A month ago one roommate moved out. I don't actually know why she moved out, but she did when I was in Anchorage for the weekend with the other roomie. I think she moved out because the remaining roomie has a beast of a dog that tears everything apart. He is about as well behaved as Marley of Marley and Me. Ask anyone that knows the dog...he is terrible. He doesn't listen to anything because he is never disciplined by his mama. So she is gone. Now after the return of roomie from her trip to Anchorage for cheerleading she has decided that she doesn't want to live in Nome next year, she wants to move to the big city. I had enough trouble trying to find a roommate to move in with us, now I need to find a place for me! I have to move my stuff AGAIN because finding two roommates will be to hard. The trouble with Nome is that there is no housing. People don't really move out of town so the options are extremely extremely limited. It is amazing that we found this house. So I contacted some people I know from school who have connections with people in town who have rental properties. I am now on the radar of some different people for a place to live. I will move asap. We all know I can move quick! I moved to Alaska in three short days for goodness sake! I've got my boxes still (Thanks for the tip Aunty Karla!) they are just flat under my bed. I also have people this time to help me since I've been here for long enough to make some friends :) I would love to move before May! I need to find a place by May 1st otherwise I will end up having to pay the full rent and utilities for this monster of a house all by myself for the month of June. That does not sound fun! Small towns make it easy for making friends and extremely hard for finding places to live. Maybe I will buy a tent and live on the beach! I wouldn't mind living in someones fish camp but I would definitely need a vehicle to get me 3 miles out of town and back! Some of those fish camps are mighty nice and right on the ocean. But seriously, I need somewhere to live. Nothing gets on my nerves here, except the unknown living situation. I think my blood pressure has increased ridiculously just today. I'll let you know where I end up! Cross your fingers for me

Iditarod

I survived my first Iditarod here in Nome! I saw 8 of the 54 finishing teams. A lot came in throughout the night while I was sleeping and I had a pretty bad head cold so I slept a lot throughout the days all week. I saw some of the great Nome sights during Iditarod. I saw the snow sculpting contest and went to the different art shows and sales. There were so many people in town it was kind of bizarre. You can tell the people that aren't from Alaska. I've only been here a short while but being from a northern state I blend well. These people are dressed head to toe like they are living in the wilderness of Russia in the middle of winter. Everyone has on the most expensive brand new gear and is clearly overdressed. It was just funny because it was so nice during Iditarod. I had a lot of fun even with my head cold. 











Sunday, March 3, 2013

Fur Rondy

I have been to Anchorage! The Fur Rondy festival was so much fun. I don't think I have ever done so much in one day in my whole life. We went snow shoeing, had lunch, walked around Anchorage, ran with reindeer, had sushi, and saw a movie. My oh my I was exhausted. Anchorage was so gorgeous though! Being downtown is much like being downtown St. Paul or Minneapolis with an added backdrop of beautiful mountains. I love mountains! Anchorage may just be the next place on my list to work! Or somewhere near by so I could drive into the city. 

 Driving back to the airport this morning
 My running outfit for running with the reindeer!
 Got my antlers!


Moose Meadow where I went snow shoeing 

Friday, March 1, 2013

The road less traveled

A few weekends ago we ventured out of town to play in the snow :) 















Valentine's Day


Our Valentine's Day was filled lots of sugar and laughter. We had a wonderful party at school for the last hour of the day. We sorted and graphed candy hearts, made heart puzzles, practiced writing hearts, wrote love notes to our parents, and did lots and lots of art projects. I got a GIANT chocolate chip cookie from one of my kids:
 And we made a poster to send home to my family in Minnesota:
Some of the sugary treats my kids got to eat. YIKES

We had a lot of fun on Valentine's Day. I was able to stretch out the theme all week. We talked about being friends and caring about other people. It helped review our class and school rules/procedures. It was a great day and a great week. My kids had a countdown to Valentine's Day too. They would individually count the days on our calendar until the party. They started it all on their own without my input and I was so proud of them. They are becoming very independent and it makes my life easier! They are still constantly talking to me and calling my name. All day long "Miss Beltz, teacher, teacher, Miss Beltz, teacher teacher" everything seems so quiet when they leave :) I love them though. Each day, good or bad, is another day we made it through together. I love my job 


Running with reindeer

I am flying out! I am headed to Anchorage with my roomie to run with reindeer in the Fur Rondy festival that starts out the Iditarod. I will be running tomorrow afternoon wearing neon tights and shorts with my super awesome new hangover t shirt that Kimmy sent me. I may or may not also have a side pony tail. Don't worry, I will be video taping so you all can see. I am flying out tonight on flight 153 and will return on Sunday on flight 152. I am excited to go to Anchorage. Civilization. Restaurants. Movies. Stores. It is going to be great! We are staying at my roommates families house just outside of Anchorage so we don't have to pay for a hotel. Great deal! I'm just hoping that I don't get hit in the butt by a reindeer antler! Wish me luck and speed on the streets of Anchorage! It will be nice and warm in the big city! I won't have to gear up like I do when I am in Nome: