Off to Florida I go....

Well hello people of the world!

I can't believe its already that time to head off to Florida for a conference. It feels like it was just yesterday I was told I would be going and in 2 days I am going to embark on a LONG journey! I am excited about going, staying at a Disney Resort and going to Disney World in my little bit of free time. I am also excited to drinks some beverages that are not for children.. haha not too many, just a few! Don't want to get into too much trouble on my trip! On the other hand, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the traveling ... I leave here on Sat. morning and don't arrive to Orlando until 5:00 p.m. ! That's a whole lot of traveling!!!! It seems crazy when you really think about it.. traveling that long and only spending 4 days in Florida. At  least I can enjoy the weather while I am there and soak up some sunshine. I think my body will be in shock.. from freezing cold to sunshiny warm :)

This week and last week were good. I have been feeling overwhelmed with work as usual. So many things to get done and so many visitors to think about. You'd think I would be used to getting observed by now! It seems to be never-ending.. the visitors I mean. I do like having people tell me how I am doing though, and so far I have heard nothing but good news ... so that's good right?! Luckily, I finished my checkpoints for winter early so I did not have to worry about them this week. Checkpoints are a way of showing that each student is making their way through their objectives and goals. It's a lot of objectives and a lot of checking off to do... fun stuff! I also got 2 lesson plans done this week so that I will not have to worry about doing them when I come back. Although, I just remembered that the Sat I come back there is a mandatory teacher work day that I will have to attend. Maybe I can get away with sleeping under Rachel's desk for the day?! ... yea your right, probably not!

The wicked winds of Alaska have now stopped. We were getting 40mph gusts here for a few days and when you tried to walk down the hill you were literally blown away lol It was very hard to walk! In fact, I recall one morning trying to call my mother on the way to work and it was just too windy, not only could I not hold the phone in my  hand but the wind made it so hard to hear anything! She laughed .. of course! I do think that WI is having crazier weather than Alaska lately. It was warmer here today than there! It was so beautiful out today I wish I owned a pair of skis so that I could go out on the trails. Fresh snow, no wind, sunny day and 20 degrees. Man.. now that I'm thinking about it I should really get out there and walk tonight after dinner. For now, I'm in tutoring until 5:15. All of the kids have finished up their homework and will have free time until we leave. It's nice.. they are good kids!

 I took the kids outside today. I only had 5 students. Some are ill, some are out of town and others can't come due to some TB solution situation.. (our clinic ran out of solution) I feel bad for those kids. I want them at school! Anyway, we went outside and went sledding today. They do not use the term sledding here, in fact they always say "sliding" instead. So, we went sliding and the kids had a blast. We went to the north side of the building where there is a small hill. The kids were having trouble getting back up the slippery slope but no trouble getting down of course! I took a video. I will try and post it but I can't promise that it will work! I also took some valentines day pictures of the kids. These pictures will get printed out and sent to their parents with a sweet little message. I will have the older kids hand write theirs and the younger kids will sign their name. It's so cute.. it looks like they're blowing hearts!

Well folks, I really am enjoying my time here in Elim, especially on days like today. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. I'll be on my way to sunny Florida!

Love you
Sammy