A popular cliché about finding a man in Alaska is, ''The odds are good, but the goods are odd.''
A popular cliché about breaking up with a woman in Alaska is, ''You don't lose your girl, you lose your turn.''
Alaska has a reputation for a high ratio of men to women. Surprisingly though, the ratio between men and women is quite even across the state. However, in some of the more remote areas of Alaska there is indeed a larger imbalance of men to women. Seriously, what kind of woman wants to live in the wild rugged remoteness of rural Alaska? Oh, there are some; I apparently am one of them.
Or perhaps, the higher ratio of men to women in rural areas may very well have to do with occupations. Women in this region primarily work either in the area of education or health care. Men, although they also work in those areas, they also dominate a wider variety of "masculine" fields in rural Alaska.
So, with more men than women out here you’d think that women would have an easy time finding a man. That simply isn’t true. I have known several female teachers who have left their villages because of the lack of social possibilities.
And here, in Oscarville, there are no options. Zilch.
Men (or lack of) is a very hot topic out here.
It is a very real concern for some.
It is an escape for others.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
H.S. Speech Competition 2011
It is that time of year yet again for High School Speech. Two fun filled days of speech with some down time sprinkled all around, especially if you are not giving speeches. That could explain the reason I have a few posting all in one day. Of course, there was an explanation to the irregularity of number of posts in a given time frame.
Oscarville Participants: Kalila (sophomore) and Patrick (junior)
Day 1: Tuesday, November 15th
Round 1- During the first round students only give their speech in front of two judges; there are no spectators. The students practice or fret while they wait their turn to give their speeches. Students can give speeches in several categories: Dramatic, Humorous, Expository, and Original Oration (English and Yup'ik). Meanwhile, coaches and chaperones have some time to fill. I chose to grade papers, enter grades, and write lesson plans because Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it would pay to work ahead of the curve.
Round 2- The second round takes place after dinner. All students participate in Round 2 in front of an audience of peers and guests.
The average from Round 1 and Round 2 is what determines who makes it to Round 3, the semi-finals.
Day 2: Wednesday, November 16th
Round 3- This year I didn't have students make it to the semi-finals. Round 3 takes place in the morning of Day 2 and again their only audience is the judges. My students who do not make it to this round work on classwork and go to their VTC classes so that they don't have as much make up work to do when we return to the village. My students do not always like that I have them work on school work because many other students simply hang out and socialize when they are done competing. Hopefully, however, my students will appreciate their efforts and my structure (perhaps not today, but someday). This is the time frame I was able to publish post earlier today.
Round 4- The finals takes place after lunch and their is a huge audience. All speech participants, coaches, chaperones, and guests watch the final round. All the Yup'ik speeches are in one room and all the Engligh speeches are in another. As a whole we, the audience, watch the best of the best and this year especially was outstanding. The dramatic category gave me chills and had me crying (only a little), the humorous category was peppered with laughter and gasps of reactionary responses, the expository category shined new perspective on topics of interest, and the original oratation category pulled and persuaded with tugs at the heart and sparked the brain to reconsider what it might have thought it already knew.
After dinner (Pizza) and the Awards Ceremony is the event after the event, if you will....the Dance. Oh, yes, the dance. Now, I cannot speak for all coaches and chaperones, but I do believe that those 3rd year coaches (in my LKSD year) might just agree that we look forward to the dance almost as much as our students. Although there are many adults present, the third year crew seems to take the same posts now for three consecutive years: Mike and Matthew front hall, Kim hallway to gym, Erin and I landing to the library. The other 3rd year speech regulars who did not make it for whatever reason please know your absence was indeed noted. You were missed!!
As for dancing, seems like our speech high school crowd aren't too big on dancing-at least not in front of people they don't know. They love the dance, but many are too shy to dance. Bethel students tend to be more willing to cut a rug than the village students; however, by the end of the night more village students pop out for a quick dance here and there. Every once in awhile you could catch a glimpse of a coach/ chaperone moving to the beat and that is super fun.
Day 3: November 17th
Probably the most challenging day to teach....
We will stay in Bethel until 9:40am or so that way my students can go to their VTC math class and I can help shuttle teams to the airport. Then my team will be taken to the tundra where we will be picked up by snowgo and head back to Oscarville. When we get back we go right to class and it WILL be a challenge. The dance ended tonight at 10pm and the students will be exhausted tomorrow. Oh, who am I kidding? So will I for that matter.
And it all will have been worth it!!!
Speech rocks!!
Oscarville Participants: Kalila (sophomore) and Patrick (junior)
Day 1: Tuesday, November 15th
Round 1- During the first round students only give their speech in front of two judges; there are no spectators. The students practice or fret while they wait their turn to give their speeches. Students can give speeches in several categories: Dramatic, Humorous, Expository, and Original Oration (English and Yup'ik). Meanwhile, coaches and chaperones have some time to fill. I chose to grade papers, enter grades, and write lesson plans because Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it would pay to work ahead of the curve.
Round 2- The second round takes place after dinner. All students participate in Round 2 in front of an audience of peers and guests.
The average from Round 1 and Round 2 is what determines who makes it to Round 3, the semi-finals.
Day 2: Wednesday, November 16th
Round 3- This year I didn't have students make it to the semi-finals. Round 3 takes place in the morning of Day 2 and again their only audience is the judges. My students who do not make it to this round work on classwork and go to their VTC classes so that they don't have as much make up work to do when we return to the village. My students do not always like that I have them work on school work because many other students simply hang out and socialize when they are done competing. Hopefully, however, my students will appreciate their efforts and my structure (perhaps not today, but someday). This is the time frame I was able to publish post earlier today.
Round 4- The finals takes place after lunch and their is a huge audience. All speech participants, coaches, chaperones, and guests watch the final round. All the Yup'ik speeches are in one room and all the Engligh speeches are in another. As a whole we, the audience, watch the best of the best and this year especially was outstanding. The dramatic category gave me chills and had me crying (only a little), the humorous category was peppered with laughter and gasps of reactionary responses, the expository category shined new perspective on topics of interest, and the original oratation category pulled and persuaded with tugs at the heart and sparked the brain to reconsider what it might have thought it already knew.
After dinner (Pizza) and the Awards Ceremony is the event after the event, if you will....the Dance. Oh, yes, the dance. Now, I cannot speak for all coaches and chaperones, but I do believe that those 3rd year coaches (in my LKSD year) might just agree that we look forward to the dance almost as much as our students. Although there are many adults present, the third year crew seems to take the same posts now for three consecutive years: Mike and Matthew front hall, Kim hallway to gym, Erin and I landing to the library. The other 3rd year speech regulars who did not make it for whatever reason please know your absence was indeed noted. You were missed!!
As for dancing, seems like our speech high school crowd aren't too big on dancing-at least not in front of people they don't know. They love the dance, but many are too shy to dance. Bethel students tend to be more willing to cut a rug than the village students; however, by the end of the night more village students pop out for a quick dance here and there. Every once in awhile you could catch a glimpse of a coach/ chaperone moving to the beat and that is super fun.
Day 3: November 17th
Probably the most challenging day to teach....
We will stay in Bethel until 9:40am or so that way my students can go to their VTC math class and I can help shuttle teams to the airport. Then my team will be taken to the tundra where we will be picked up by snowgo and head back to Oscarville. When we get back we go right to class and it WILL be a challenge. The dance ended tonight at 10pm and the students will be exhausted tomorrow. Oh, who am I kidding? So will I for that matter.
And it all will have been worth it!!!
Speech rocks!!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Alaska State Troopers Visit
In the last week I've received many a phone call and email inquiring about how the newsworthy epic storm of Alaska has impacted my little village of Oscarville. Honestly, for the most part we only received extra snow dumps except for last Saturday when a short blizzard came through. The visibility was so low I was not able to even see the play deck out of the back door of the school (a matter of yards). The school building shook with the force of winds more powerful than I have experienced yet while in Oscarville.
Saturday we had a make up day, so it was a half day for students. Our NYO team was in Bethel competing and were supposed to return Saturday afternoon. However, the blizzard, left much snow but the temperature was not really cold. The result was that our back trail to Bethel became slushy and dangerous to travel over. One of our parents had headed to Bethel to help bring back our NYO team via snowgo and ended up turning back because the trail was not safe.
Our principal also had trouble returning from Bethel due to the sketchy condition of the back trail, so he went to stay with the NYO team until it was safe to travel back to the village. On the trail, Galen ran into couple of State Troopers who were having trouble on the trail.
The Troopers were heading to Oscarville to handle a "situation" and with them they had two filmers from the show "Alaska State Troopers". One of the snow machines was stuck in ice and water and all four people were soaked because of their snowgo swamping into unfrozen water. One of the filmers said that they were setting up survival gear before Galen came because of the severity of the cold and the possiblity of having to hunker down until help arrived. The ride from Bethel to Oscarville typically takes about 20 minutes on a snowgo; however, the Troopers and Co. had been stuck out there during the blizzard for several hours. Luckily, Galen was able to get the people out and back to Oscarville where they could warm up and dry out.
My classroom became a makeshift drying room and it was incredible how much gear was scattered about the room. I loaned the women dry clothes and hair dryers became boot dryers.
Mrs. Straw invited them all over for dinner (tacos), as well as, Tiffany and myself. Then we women watched the first movie in the "Twilight" series. A needed escape for our shaken guests and a requirement for me from my roommate to prepare for the lastest sequel movie in the series we plan to watch over Thanksgiving break. (How old are we again?)
It was imperative to get the snow go out before the temperature fell too much. Community members went out and helped the Troopers haul out the second snowgo. Thankfully the temperature dropped enough to make the trail safe for travel which meant our NYO team and principal could return to Oscarville in the night.
Troopers and Co. stayed the night at the school and then safely returned to Bethel Sunday morning.
Saturday we had a make up day, so it was a half day for students. Our NYO team was in Bethel competing and were supposed to return Saturday afternoon. However, the blizzard, left much snow but the temperature was not really cold. The result was that our back trail to Bethel became slushy and dangerous to travel over. One of our parents had headed to Bethel to help bring back our NYO team via snowgo and ended up turning back because the trail was not safe.
Our principal also had trouble returning from Bethel due to the sketchy condition of the back trail, so he went to stay with the NYO team until it was safe to travel back to the village. On the trail, Galen ran into couple of State Troopers who were having trouble on the trail.
The Troopers were heading to Oscarville to handle a "situation" and with them they had two filmers from the show "Alaska State Troopers". One of the snow machines was stuck in ice and water and all four people were soaked because of their snowgo swamping into unfrozen water. One of the filmers said that they were setting up survival gear before Galen came because of the severity of the cold and the possiblity of having to hunker down until help arrived. The ride from Bethel to Oscarville typically takes about 20 minutes on a snowgo; however, the Troopers and Co. had been stuck out there during the blizzard for several hours. Luckily, Galen was able to get the people out and back to Oscarville where they could warm up and dry out.
My classroom became a makeshift drying room and it was incredible how much gear was scattered about the room. I loaned the women dry clothes and hair dryers became boot dryers.
Mrs. Straw invited them all over for dinner (tacos), as well as, Tiffany and myself. Then we women watched the first movie in the "Twilight" series. A needed escape for our shaken guests and a requirement for me from my roommate to prepare for the lastest sequel movie in the series we plan to watch over Thanksgiving break. (How old are we again?)
It was imperative to get the snow go out before the temperature fell too much. Community members went out and helped the Troopers haul out the second snowgo. Thankfully the temperature dropped enough to make the trail safe for travel which meant our NYO team and principal could return to Oscarville in the night.
Troopers and Co. stayed the night at the school and then safely returned to Bethel Sunday morning.
Halloween Weekend
Halloween!!! What a big weekend it is here in Oscarville with lots of festivities. Friday, Oct 28th we had our Halloween Carnival. The H.S. Student Council puts it on as a fund raiser. There are carnival booths: duck match, ice fishing, ping-pong toss, bean bag toss, and face painting.
Chinace is face painting Bethany.
Jessi and Elizabeth are looking for a match at the duck pond while William watches.
Mr. Straw, our principal, with his little bunny, Ezra.
Cake walk FEVER!!
After the booth events we have a cake walk, which is the big event of the carnival. At one time we had 20 people walking the circle in hopes of scoring a cake. Fun, fun, for everyone!!
Saturday night the H.S. had their annual haunted house. This year they decided not to charge so everyone could enjoy; it was a community service activity. It is great fun to hear all the screams and laughter from the people going through the haunted house. Every year the littlest ones barely make it through, if they make it through at all. This year Anissum, one of my juniors, wanted to make a gallow to have someone "hang" from. And so he did. I love that about my students; they are hand-on capable and they get it done!!~!
Sunday the community trick-or-treated. Tiffany and I decided to dress up (using fabric as gowns) two of Cinderella's wicked and ugly step sisters. We called Valerie and told her she should be Cinderella and Nick could be Prince Charming. Hilarious!!! Yes, there are photos, but not to be seen just now or on this blog. Hilarious!!!! Oh, what can be done with some fabric, a wig, and some crazy make up. Fun, fun, fun....Halloween for all ages.
Boff and Trevor
The Straws: Nick, Valerie, and Ezra (aka the Lil' Dinosaur)
Nathan and Raeanne
Annalayne
Cake walk FEVER!!
After the booth events we have a cake walk, which is the big event of the carnival. At one time we had 20 people walking the circle in hopes of scoring a cake. Fun, fun, for everyone!!
Saturday night the H.S. had their annual haunted house. This year they decided not to charge so everyone could enjoy; it was a community service activity. It is great fun to hear all the screams and laughter from the people going through the haunted house. Every year the littlest ones barely make it through, if they make it through at all. This year Anissum, one of my juniors, wanted to make a gallow to have someone "hang" from. And so he did. I love that about my students; they are hand-on capable and they get it done!!~!
Sunday the community trick-or-treated. Tiffany and I decided to dress up (using fabric as gowns) two of Cinderella's wicked and ugly step sisters. We called Valerie and told her she should be Cinderella and Nick could be Prince Charming. Hilarious!!! Yes, there are photos, but not to be seen just now or on this blog. Hilarious!!!! Oh, what can be done with some fabric, a wig, and some crazy make up. Fun, fun, fun....Halloween for all ages.
Boff and Trevor
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Aurora Borealis
Yesterday morning (November 1st)I was walking CranB as I do every morning and was noticing how very clear the stars were. Star gazing in the mornings is incredible here in Oscarville. The clearer and crisper the air the better the viewing. Well, yesterday as I was looking up I saw the infamous Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, and squealed. Yes, I am a squealer during moments of delight, but those of you who know me already are aware of that little Segue fact. As a tour leader in Alaska I saw the lights a handful of times, but yesterday morning was the first sighting I have had since living here in the Great North. SO AMAZING!!!
I was so excited I ran back to my house dragging CranB (she didn't know what was going on but was content to follow) so I could tell Tiffany. She came outside to look; her first year and already she has seen The Lights!! In all the excitement I didn't grab my Flip camera. A regular photo wouldn't do it justice, but maybe the Flip could have caught the greens shining across the sky with flickers of blue. CranB and I went out again and ran back across the village. Even though we live in a teeny village we have street (boardwalk) lights and the viewing of the Aurora Borealis was seen best on the other side of the village, closer to the Kuskokwim River, on the far side of the two story building. If you had a map of my village this would make more sense. The short of the long of it is the viewing was better away from the lights, away from my house.
In my various viewings of the Northern Lights, the lights look different: the colors, the patterns, the time. This light appeared to be shining up from behind something, but it wasn't. The morning's air crisp and the stars shone bright; there were no clouds in the sky. And yet this green light beamed up into the sky radiating such beauty and energy. The sight simply awesome, and I full of awe.
I was so excited I ran back to my house dragging CranB (she didn't know what was going on but was content to follow) so I could tell Tiffany. She came outside to look; her first year and already she has seen The Lights!! In all the excitement I didn't grab my Flip camera. A regular photo wouldn't do it justice, but maybe the Flip could have caught the greens shining across the sky with flickers of blue. CranB and I went out again and ran back across the village. Even though we live in a teeny village we have street (boardwalk) lights and the viewing of the Aurora Borealis was seen best on the other side of the village, closer to the Kuskokwim River, on the far side of the two story building. If you had a map of my village this would make more sense. The short of the long of it is the viewing was better away from the lights, away from my house.
In my various viewings of the Northern Lights, the lights look different: the colors, the patterns, the time. This light appeared to be shining up from behind something, but it wasn't. The morning's air crisp and the stars shone bright; there were no clouds in the sky. And yet this green light beamed up into the sky radiating such beauty and energy. The sight simply awesome, and I full of awe.
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