Robotics Team 2012-13: Strange Youngsterz

I have a team of three this year. Two freshmen, Jessi and Nathan, and one senior, Nick. So far we have had an interesting season because last semester Nick was in Bethel for classes so we had separate types of practices, some with just with the freshmen and then some practices with the entire team. The freshmen needed the time to learn the basics of FTC, the rules, the concept of gracious professionalism, and how FTC is different from FLL since they both had previously participated in FLL.

They are learning to work together as a team and bringing together their individual strengths. Nick is the head programmer and team captain. This is his year to pass the baton on to the underclassmen and the passion for robotics.

We have two and a half weeks until Regional Competition in Bethel. So we are hitting it hard in practice with long hours and as many days as possible, especially because next week there will be lots of traveling and we want to take advantage of the the days we have together.

Spring 2013 Class Schedule

1st Hour: Lit Lab
2nd Hour: Algebra I (VTC), Algebra I, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus (Aleks)
3rd Hour: Language Arts
4th Hour: World History
LUNCH
5th Hour: Biology (VTC)
6th Hour: Foods II
7th Hour: Yup'ik (VTC) with Olga

Fall 2012 Class Schedule

Miss Gee's Fall 2012 Class Schedule

1st hour: Lit Lab I
2nd hour: Algebra I/ Geometry
3rd hour: LA I
4th hour: World History
5th hour: Biology
6th hour: Basic Foods
7th hour: Yup'ik (my Plan Period)

The Bee and Gee Show Continues….

Our elementary teacher decided to move to another school district next year so my roommate has decided to stay another year. Watch out because Miss Bee and I can really shake things up, especially together. Looking forward to next year together.

I wish Barbara the best in Chevak!! Her husband is from Chevak and this will give them the chance to be near his side of family.

Our Girls

Here are two pics of our girls:
CranBerry, my little muppet, and Denali, Tiffany's brat.
CranBerry is the larger of the two and looks like a Jim Henson creation.
Denali is the small, smokey black pup.

The girls have so much fun together. The girls play off-leash on the river but in the village they stay on their leashes. However, when CranBerry is off-leash outdoors she really doesn't want to play; she want to romp around and explore. We want the girls to play, so we let them roughhouse inside. They chase, bark, and play with toys. They are fierce in their play and serious about their rest. They know when it is time to stop. Most of the time they take their own breaks, but with spring's arrival they would continue late into the night if we didn't make them go to bed.

Don't let Denali's size fool you; she holds her own with CranBerry. Each girl has their own techniques for winning. If you want to come and stay with us let's just say you had better be a dog lover ; )

The Coldest Winter Yet!!

This has been by far the coldest and snowiest winter I have had here in Oscarville.
It wasn’t just the temperature (-30 and -40 degree range), but it was the harsh winds that made it miserable at times (-60s and -70s range). In a two-week time frame four dogs froze to death. Usually I walk outside in shorts and a coat (not normal by anyone standards here except me) to walk my dog for a quick wee, but this year I had to gear up completely to go outside for any length of time (snow goggles and all). It was miserable, so miserable that CranBerry was quite content with going out once in the evening and waiting until morning to go out again. Also, she stayed indoors during the cold spell, especially after hearing about the first dog freezing to death.

Once it warmed up a bit the snow came and continued to come. Two weeks ago we had a blizzard. The temperature was in the +20s and after the blizzard it was such nice weather outside. Seriously awesome weather! I was out in snow up to my upper thigh (okay, I’m short but that is still pretty deep snow) and happy in a fleece and snow bibs. It was perfect snowman snow, wet and deep.

After the crazy cold subsided and the daylight began to stretch for days, it was once again enjoyable to go outdoors for longer durations. CranBerry and I look forward to our daily excursions on the river.

Now that it has warmed up (+32 degrees today), CranBerry wants to go outside all the time. She loves this weather, as do I, and all the interesting smells that come with spring. I want to take in as much of it as possible because once it really warms up and the snow melts two things are inevitable: 1) we won’t be able to go anywhere for awhile because the river is “breaking up” 2) it will be so muddy and icky that walking around becomes a bit unpleasant.

I will continue to enjoy the frozen river and extended daylight as long as the river stays solid. There are days after school I really want to just relax and then I remind myself that I need to enjoy what I have today because tomorrow will be here shortly.