a new day begins

It has been a very long time since I have written on this blog, but maybe I will try to write again here.

I am back in Edmonton, living here for good. I will not be teaching this year. Instead, I begin working as a receptionist this week. The pay is alright, and the job is easy. I am looking forward to keeping my work at work and having the rest of the day to me...vs using the evenings to plan, prep, and occasionally stress.

There is a lot of change going on in my life right now, A LOT! Hopefully I will be able to share it all with you soon,

love,
Angela

what now?

Tomorrow is the scheduled Kindergarten Graduation. Everything is pretty much ready and I am feeling excited about the days events. I think that it has all come together well and should allow for a smooth transition of events tomorrow. Then...I got the news.

An elder has passed. And not just any elder, a prominent one in our community. I was really frightened that my graduation ceremony would be cancelled. Luckily, Mr. Simms made a gazillion calls on my behalf, and pulled some strings for me. The board of education up here has approved for the graduation to continue tomorrow so long as it is very low key and a quiet event. This makes me very happy. I've stressed about this long enough, I am ready to have this event.

The school is closed tomorrow. The children will come to the school just for the graduation ceremony. This will be the last day I see most of them till next year. I hope that it is a very memorable day for them and their parents. I also think that it will go off better than hoped because now I do not have to rely on the efforts of just Colinda, Vince and myself, but all of the staff will be (and have been requested to be by Mr. Sims) available to help for the event.

Also, this means that we will be allowed to leave earlier than expected from school. I can be home sooner now! Yaa! I'll let you know via my blog when we are allowed to leave. It looks like the 27th is our last day now instead of the 29th though.

Please pray for a smooth graduation ceremony tomorrow between 11am and 1pm. Thank-you!

wednesday

today was terrifically stressful and i don't want to feel like this again.

I came home after school and fell asleep. My body just gave up.

I woke up at 7pm and after a call home, felt better. I worked hard and then relaxed with some coffee.

I want this week to be over, but mostly, i want to give my students a terrific graduation.

I saw the sky today in a way i never saw it before. it made me feel good.

tonights agenda, sleep.

tommorrow's agenda, be happy and don't worry. ask for help. love the children.

'night.

quick notes

I only have a short little break, but I wanted to write you quick

I have a problem. The Fox Lake road took no pity on me yesterday as Gayle and I were driving home...which, thanks to God, we arrived at home safely. But I think that there is some major and expensive damage to my car. All I know is...I should have 3/4 of a tank of gas...but I am on empty. I think a rock put a hole in my gas tank.

We were running the car on God's grace last night getting home. The gas light was on for a long time and the needle was as low as it could go. But somehow, we made it all the way to the teacherages with no problem. Gayle and I are both praising God for allowing the car to work for us that long. In our opinion, we should have not even made it over the barge...let alone the half hour drive home from there...but we did.

I'll get the car looked at by one of the locals today to see what the damage is. Hopefully it won't cost much, but I am expecting a few hundred dollars.

I just feel blessed. Thank-you to all those who were praying for our safe trip home yesterday...You're prayers gave me gas for my Ford!

Love,
Angela

Thursday

Well...I am feeling frustrated now. At first, having so many days where the school was closed was wonderful. It was a real treat to be able to stay home and still get paid. But it has started to happen so many times and I am becoming frustrated with the whole thing. I am trying to prepare my children for the end of the school year with graduation preparations and by finishing their final testing. But it's not going to happen unless the school is open and the children are there.

I really can't point fingers, and say that it is someones fault. the school's closure is usually a direct result of living in a secluded area. The water being shut off is out of our control. This has been the reason for the past couple days of school closure. Another big reason for having no school is for bereavement. Now, I am not sure why we require three days of mourning...but it's a cultural thing. The only person who can change this is the principal. Unfortunately, I have heard (by rumour only) that this is the reason that the last two principals were fired...or the reason why there contracts were not renewed. It can be Carree suicide to step on the wrong peoples toes, and not respecting the three days of mourning apparently steps on many peoples toes out here. We also close the school when there are community meetings, because everyone needs to have the opportunity to go...and they are held in the school gymnasium. Propane leaks, broken school kitchen, and power outages also account for some of our days of missed school.

This week, we will have had a total of 2.5 days of school. Monday and Wednesday the school was closed for water reasons, and Friday the school is only a half day.

Today was sports day here and the temperature in the sun was around thirty. Luckily there was a breeze and the shade felt very cool. I had 7 students, two girls and three boys. We struggled through the day. It was tough for them, being so young and so hot, to participate in all of the events, and I was grateful when I had all of them without tears for parts of the day. I am even more grateful to be home right now.

My house is very hot. I am going to move the bed in the spare bedroom downstairs to the basement tonight so that I can fall asleep as opposed to doing what I've done the past three nights...pass out from the heat!

summer plans...draft one

Many people are wondering what my plans are for the summer, so I guess I will let you know what I am kinda thinking about.



Last day of teaching....June 29

Leave Fox Lake............June 29

Drive to Airdre (to drop off a friend from Fox Lake)....June 29th

Edmonton.................June 30

Saskatchewan..........July 1-2

Edmonton...................July 2-7

BC...............................July 8-14

Tennessee..................July 15-29

Edmonton....................July 30-August 15

Fox Lake.....................August 16

horses

I know I wrote in an April Fools day blog about the wild horses. That wasn't true. This is though.

Part of me wants to write..."Do Not Try This At Home". But i won't, because you haven't got any wild horses at home and I guess I ended up okay.

There were a bunch of wild horses outside my home on Saturday. So I, being the "learn the hard way" kind of person I am sometimes, decided to go out and try to pet one. Yes...I did. I very slowly began approaching the one horse, who was kinda off to himself. I was talking to him in a soft voice. I got really close, close enough that if I reached out I could have touched him...but I was scared stiff to move my arm. so I walked away and went inside. See...it all turned out okay!

But once I got inside, I noticed my sugar bowl. I grabbed it and went back outside. The horses were still there...and I felt more bold to approach the one horse. I walked slowly to him, and spoke gently that i had sugar for him. I stood in front of him and he watched me put a pile of sugar into my hand. I reached out my hand and just held it there in front of his nose. He eventually, after about 5 mins, walked forward a couple steps and licked the sugar off my hand. All of a sudden, all six horses were surrounding me, and nudging me. I ended up with no sugar left in my bowl by the end. The horses licked it all off my hand. And then they let me pet them after.

That was cool. Maybe not so smart...I admit that....but I will never forget how it felt to have those horses eating out of my hand and allowing me to pet them. You now how good it feels to take a really deep breath after you've been holding your breath for a long time? It kinda felt like that. Only, the hair on my skin was standing on end too!

Sunday's super awesome run!

I first have to admit that I have been reading a book called "Running for Dummies". It's an awesome book, so don't laugh. I have specifically been reading the chapter on training for your half marathon. Although I would like to run a full...I figure I should train for the half first. In the book, it suggests to use Saturday or Sunday for your long run and then rest the day after...so I have chosen to do my long runs on Sunday.

I left at about 7pm for my run. And I ran. In my head, I visualized certain landmarks along my route as the finish line...and raced to them. First, I ran to the river. Then I ran to the Northern store. I ran towards the Prairies and then turned to run towards the corner Pocket. Once I got there, I took the road behind it, and ran past Jeffery's home until I got to a fork in the road. There, I took the quad trail. It took me through the woods to the baseball diamond and from there I ran home. I walked three times during my run, and each time for less that a minute. And get this...I ran the whole time. No jogging, no fast walking...I was all out running. My body felt great and wasn't hurting at all. My breathing wasn't too laboured, so I was able to physically push myself. But the part I am so proud of myself for is the excellent mental state I was in. I was able to convince myself and my body that the finish line was really where I was imagining it to be...the river, the northern, the RCMP station, etc. I was able to make my body run faster by simply tell myself too with my thoughts. I had beautiful form and continuously was evaluating it during the run to make sure I didn't forget anything (arms not crossing over, feet not slapping down, lean back a bit). I ran past each imaginary finish line and immediately worked to convince myself that I was just starting a new race...and I would push myself to run even faster.

I don't remember ever having such excellent control over my running. It really is all about your mentality. You will believe what you tell yourself to believe. And this is true for all areas of life. I can't is only true if you believe it. I can is only true if you believe it. So, tell yourself you can. Believe you can. And if you fail, it's just part of getting there. It's not the finish line. I can run a marathon. I would fail if I tried today....but I am training so I can get there. How silly to say, "I can't run a marathon".

There is power in positive thinking.

today

Just a quick note...

Today the school is burning hot inside and we are all cooking. For some reason, the heat is stuck on in the school...on high...plus, the temperature outside is warmer than +20. so we are cooking!

Yesterday I went with the guys as they pitted their trucks against eachother to see who's was better. I was in the truck that won by a landslide and it was almost as fun as Disneyland! Not for real...but it's as close as you can get when your secluded out here...My stomach was in my throat the whole time! It was a Toyota Tacoma...and I want one!

I'll write more today...later. I want to tell you about my run on Sunday!

Long Weekend

I am leaving today at 1pm....as soon as school is out. Elliot, Vince, Gayle and I are going to Grande Prairie for the weekend. Watch out Costco...here we come!

I am not sure if we are headed there for a good opportunity to refill our kitchen cupboards, or for the purpose of seeing Spiderman 3. Either way, should be fun!

Happy Victoria Day!

*here is a picture of the "school bus" arriving at the school in the snow yesterday. How cool is Fox Lake...how cool! *

My Guests

I volunteered to host the girls who were running the Career Clicks workshop at our school. I was actually only expecting one, but two girls came off the plane...and that just made the whole thing so much more exciting. I spent all of Tuesday night preparing my home for them, rearranging furniture and setting up the spare room. My mom would be so proud of the job I did...I really take after here when it comes to these things I think. I had the whole house decorated up really nice for them, carefully rolled up the towels and facecloths and placed them in a wicker basket in the bathroom, with an arrangement of soaps and lotions for them. It was just nice and cozy in here. Anyways...this is not what I want to tell you about!

Dana, (left) and Emily (right) came over to my home after school on Wednesday. Then, I asked the principal , Mr. Simms, if I could steal his jeep, which he said would be okay. Well...what else is there to do but go on a joy ride when you have your bosses vehicle! I took the girls on a tour of Fox Lake. We checked out everything Fox lake has to offer. But, after that five minute tour was up...we needed more. so...we went off roading. I took the girls to Little Red, the ghost town about 20 minutes away. We drove in and out of the bushes, taking gazillions of pictures of the cabins, tee pees, and campsites. We walked around by the Little Red River and by the Peace River and the weather was terrific. *as a side note, I really missed my mom while we were out there, and kept thinking how much she would enjoy exploring in some of the old, caving in, log homes* The girls and I got along great and couldn't stop smiling and laughing. Our trip to Little Red went so well! AS we were leaving we passed a local family camping. Well....they were probably living there. Dana is a very outgoing person and asked to stop the vehicle so she could go say hi. I was reluctant, but we stopped. I felt like we would be intruding. But she's an excellent communicator and I saw things that I have never seen before. There camp was really authentic. It was dinner time. They were making bannock and tea on the fire and were smoking the fish they had caught that afternoon over the fire. The women wouldn't talk to us...I believe out of shyness. But one of the men came up to us and answered our questions and showed us around camp.

Now the real off roading began. As we were driving back on the dirt road, I decided to take the girls on a bush road, barely wide enough for a vehicle because it's meant for quads, to go and see the staff winter cabin. What a wild ride! Every few hundred meters we had to get out to move fallen trees off our path. It is a 1.5km drive to the cabin...but totally worth the bumpy ride. The cabin is sitting on a cliff overlooking the Little Red River, right at a spot where the river makes a u-turn...and the scenery is amazing. There is a one room cabin, about the size of a master bedroom...with nothing in it but a potbelly stove. Outside, is a covered entrance with firewood piled up. About 50metres away, is a winter tent, big enough to sleep eight I guess, with room for a stove in there. The camp has a cook area...kinda like a fire pit...but grander! There is a wild life watch area...a box in a tree for you to sit in, with peep holes to look out. There is a area for us to set up a sweat lodge too. You can tell because the area is perfectly round and has a pile of rocks in the middle.

We got back to Fox Lake and went to return the vehicle...it was about 7pm. Mr. Simms asked if we had fun and we all broke out in smiles. He told us to take the vehicle and go for dinner. We went and picked up my neighbor, Elliot, and the Tec guy, Vince...and the five of us set off for our first experience at the local restaurant...the only restaurant for hours around!!!! The Corner Pocket is a restaurant you would avoid at all costs if it were located in the city...but here...we were all looking forward to it. The pizza was extraordinary!!!! Totally awesome and loaded with good everything! We had a great time. As we drove home after, we stopped to take pictures of the wild horses that roam Fox Lake. Once home, Dana, Emily, Vince and I stayed up till 1am talking, singing and dancing, and laughing. I slept on the couch and Emily and Dana each had there own room upstairs. The next morning, Dana made breakfast. Vince came back over and we all sat in my living room...eating pancakes, drinking moccas and watching the snow fall on a May morning in Fox Lake. A perfect time with my guests. I can't wait to see them again next year!

sunday's very long run

I spent the entire day on Sunday cleaning my house, tidying up and doing laundry. Laundry tok a very long time...I flooded my basement. What happened? Well, my washer and my dryer sat very far apart from eachother downstairs, so I pushed them to be closer together so that I could balance my laundry basket between them....I didn't even think that I might be stretching the hose! Well, I did, and the hose came off..so the washer was trying to fill up the load with water, buy I had pulled a plug and all the water was shooting out the bottem! Luckily, there is terrific drainage in my basement, and there was hardly any mess to speak of!

At around 4:20 I went out for a run. I ran to the river and back. What was an hour long run took me 35 mins today! I can't believe how much of a difference I am seeing in my running abiltites up here! I went home, and changed into cooler clothes cause I was so hot, and decided to run again...so that I would at least be out for an hour.

This time I ran opposite direction of the river, towards the basball diamonds. The house just after the baseball diamonds is also our car junk yard...and I had heard that across from that house was a road for quads that should take me back to the school. So, I took it. It was a great run and the smell of the forest after the rain we've had for the last couple days was invigorating! I enjoyed every second of my run...until I came to a fork in the road..I didn't know where to go. I steered left. Another fork...I took the middle path...another fork and I steered left. I was lost. Very lost. Eventually running down that quad path I knew I would get to a main road with homes...so I kept going. When I got to the main road I didn't know which way was North or anything...so I just ran. I was apparently heading out of town...LOL! And I was to embarrased to turn around, so I kept running until I came to no houses...cause I didn't want anyone to see me turn around....(I am very proud sometimes!). Once I turned around, I followed the road. Eventually I started recoginzing homes. I saw Jeffery's house where I played Chinese Baseball, I passed Nancy's parents house, and I finally came to the Corner Pocket (our restaurant). From there I had only to run back into town, and head back home. My short little half hour run became an hour and a half. But it was worth it. I ran somewhere I had never been...children shouted, "Hello Miss Cassidy" from almost every house, and I got to see where some of my students lived.

I wore a skirt today because I am so happy with the way my calve muscles look...I am starting to look like a runner. Slowly..but yahh!!

The feast

Today I very lazily woke up around noon. It's a Saturday by the way...so I don't feel guilty. And it has been raining for the past couple days, and I don't know...but rain makes me feel lazy. I rushed to get ready because I promised on of my students that I would pick her up at one today to take her to the feast at the school.

I guess there was really no need. We showed up at one for the feast and nothing was prepared. I took her home and spent a lovely afternoon visiting with her mom, who is at home most days caring for her three week old daughter, Rose. She is really sweet and I think that this may be the beginning of a great friendship. I have kinda taken her daughter under my wing...without really thinking about it. She comes over for tea parties and we go to the park together. After school I walk her home. It's easier on her mom...has been my excuse for spending all this extra time with my student. But the young girl is also a joy to be around!

I ended up taking my student to the feast at 5pm. There was a buffet table set up in the gym at the school. We had moose meat stew, and moose meat vegetable stew to choose from. Plus, there was salted moose meat, moose meat ribs and regular moose meat to choose from. And....regular and fried Bannock. Tea was made to drink. The tables were set with salt, pepper and ketchup. We sat with Mr. Simms the principal and just relaxed there for a long while. Mr. Simms and I chatted it up while my young friend ran around the gym playing with her classmates. Very few people showed up for the feast compared to other events, but it was nice. And I really enjoy moose meat. And no, it doesn't taste a thing like chicken!

two different stories, same event

Here's what happened in our eyes.

As usual, the road was calling my name. I answered. Wearing my favorite blue runners that are years old, with holes all over, my running outfit, a pink toque and blue mitts...I set off in the light rain for the river. I am running a lot faster than I think I have ever ran before. I almost feel like I am running for the entire time instead of jogging which is great. I feel better and I feel faster. I race myself and every run counts. I have a really hard time with relaxing runs...I can't seem to stay slow. Today is no different.

I am almost to the river. After I pass the water treatment plant, there is a bend in the road, then a house, and then the hill that leads down to the river. I am racing myself now. As I pass the house, dogs start barking. It scares me a little, but the dogs normally never bother me...and when I am frightened, I keep going and the dogs usually don't leave their property. One of the dogs is loose. He is a rottweiler. He runs to the edge of his property and barks at me. I slow down and yell "Stop". He stops. I start to back towards the river. He lunges at me again. I stop and yell "stop". He stops. Again, I back away from him towards the river. Again he lunges. I yell "Stop" and he stops. I do not move again. I stand. And he stands and barks at me in the road. I am scared and I ask God, out loud...with my voice...to help me. Mere moments later a white truck appears at the top of the hill. It pulls into the driveway of the house and looks as though it is going to head back to town. I yell out that I am scared of the dog. The man asks if I want him to shoot it. I say no. suddenly, I feel as though that it is. My help is over...I think he is going to drive away. I ask him to help me. "I need help". The man then backs his truck down the hill...in between me and the dog. I jump in the back. As the man drives away, the dog chases the truck for a while. Once I feel safe, I ask him to let me off so I can continue my run. The man ends up being my friend Nancy's best friend, and my friend...Kevin. I thank him. I don't run again. I cry all the way home. Half way home, another local friend of mine, Chester, slows down his truck to say Hi. I ask for a ride home. I am too emotional to walk anymore. He drives me home and Nancy is there to give me a hug. Kevin had gone straight to her to tell her about the dog and I . I am so blessed.


Here's how I am going to learn from it.

God has a beautiful way of using the road to talk to me. I hear the road call my name...so I go to run...but I always find out that I was wrong. It was God calling me out to spend time with him. Today is no different. God called me out to spend time with him. I am learning to hear his voice and today I was half expecting to find him out on my run. I did. After the dog attack...I asked God what he wanted me to learn from that situation. Here is what I learned today.

God has a plan for all of us. He has a purpose for our lives and he wants to see us reach the goal. And he will help us. My goal is "the river". My goal is to be the Angela that God created me to be. And there is a path to follow..."the road". But Sometimes, things get in the way of us and our goal. The devil tries to tempt us, lie to us, and scare us. Just like the dog on my run. We say to the devil..."stop" and he stops. But we back away...still towards our goal...but in fear of the lie or temptation. The devil sees we are weak and we call out again "stop". And he stops. Again, we back away, still towards the goal, but with our back to it...instead focusing on the lie, the temptation, the fear. The devil lunges again. Finally, we realize we can't do it on our own. We say "Stop" and then we call out to God to come and save us, rescue us, help us. And God loves us! He has promised to be there for us always...so he helps us. The white truck. And even though God is all-knowing, he desires fellowship with us. We have to ask for help and admit our situation. "I am scared of the dog". "Help me". Then we are rescued.

God wants us to reach the goal. But he wants us to reach it running fast, head first into it, with no fear of what is behind us. He never intended for us to reach our goal, our finish line, backing into it, with our eyes and mind focused on "the dog". How then can we truly enjoy the rich blessings God has in store for us. We can try to lose the devil on our own..."stop". But it's not effective. We are still backing away. We need God's help in all things. Then we will have the assurance that the lie and the temptation and the fear is gone and we will be able to confidently turn our eyes back towards the goal and run again towards it will no fear of what is behind us.


I am broken inside today because of what God is doing in my life. He is breaking me down. But I rejoice, because I know that God is going to build me back up to be more than I can imagine. On our conversation, God reminded me that he knows me very well. He said, "Angela, if you want to have a mansion in heaven made out of pickles...you can have it. But I assure you, what I have prepared for you will drive pickles completely out of your mind."

Well, reader...that means that heaven is going to be unimaginably perfect. And I can't wait to hang out with God for the rest of eternity. So press on in your faith and do not let the "dogs" slow you down. I promise you...He is there and He is just waiting for you to call out to Him. God will answer. I know it!

God Bless you.

very important

Check out the site,

www.thegodmovie.com

Wednesday

Today after school I attended the athletics committee meeting. I will begin coaching track, just the running events, on Monday. We are hoping to have our children compete within the school, then send some to regionals and maybe even have a few qualify for provincials. This got me excited about the track season because I remember how much I loved running in junior high and high school. Track is different from cross-country, I know, but running is running...I love it!

We are also going to host the first annual Fox Lake Triathlon. It will be open to teams of four from anywhere and we will advertises as far away as High Level. The prizes sound like they will be outstanding and it will be a weekend event. We are going to look at getting volunteers to billet teams, and getting permission to set up a camp area for that weekend. It will be a 15km canoe/kayak from Little Red to Fox Lake...two to a canoe. Then a 15km bike that will take you almost all the way back to Little Red, then a 5km run. At the finish will be a fire roast for dinner. I am in charge of advertisement and making up the forms for entry. I am going to look into getting T-shirts made to accompany the entry fee. Any sponsors will be able to get their name on the shirt too...as well as additional mention during the weekend. Adults will compete one day and youth the next day. We are going to try to make the youth event shorter...but it's hard to do when the only landings are in Little red and Fox Lake!

I am very excited about this...so excited I might make a website up for it during the evenings. I am pumped and I think I'll start training right now...I'm off an running!

Have a great day!

PS...do you know anyone who can lend me a kayak and a bike for this event...I am going to be a team of one! I just don't have the equipment yet...lol!

Tuesday

I am home from my holidays!

It's really awesome to be able to call Fox Lake home. I feel at home here and very comfortable. Edmonton will always be home, but I think that maybe I will define "home" differently now. If home is where the heart is, then both Fox Lake and Edmonton are home for me. I was so happy to see Fox Lake from the tiny nine passenger airplane the other teachers and I arrived in that my face hurt from smiling. I got into my house and I had people to call and things to do. There were people here to greet me and who missed me...it felt so good.

As a side note...I agree with the statement, "If home's where my heart is, then I'm out of place". I want my heart to be with God.

Teaching has been great today and yesterday. I am excited to be back, and the children are too. We're outside enjoying the weather, learning with gusto and getting along with eachother terricifally. We are going to finish this year off strong!


Tonight is volleyball. Tomorrow is bible study. Thursday is Survivor. Friday is a half day because band council needs our gym in the afternoon. Saturday and Sunday I will officially move into my new home.


PS....today, two of my kids pulled the fire alarm on their way in from recess!
PPS...I'm a little jealous because I've always wanted to do that!
PPPS....thank-you for my super awesome lobster and shrimp dinner! I savored every bite!
PPPPS....I want a garden party for my quarter century birthday party! Or a cool themed party!

Saturday's Wild Adventure

Today was wild! Everything seemed to happen at once! First, I had a phone call from a friend this morning. I guess someone tried to drive across the ice bridge this morning, but the ice wasn't strong enough to carry the vehicle. The ice gave way to the car...but get this....the water is so shallow, that the people in the car were able to crawl out of the car windows and walk back to shore...the car hardly sank at all!

Then, this afternoon I went to go for a run, before the hand games tournament. I ran down the road towards Andy's (a candy shop). When I got near there, I saw a wild horse. I knew we had wild horses, but I haven't seen any before. One of the guys working there was trying to calm it. Long story short, I got to ride the horse bareback, sitting behind the guy! It was incredible! He was able to steer this horse without any reigns at all! I got really scared when the horse rose up on his hind legs and made a loud noise, but I held on tight. We rode for about 10 minutes, then I got off, I was too nervous...I can't believe it!

When I was walking home from there, (I didn't finish my run), I slipped in the mud and fell into the ditch! I was just covered in gross mud. Even my face had mud all over it, because when I tried to break my fall, my hands just slid through the mud and I couldn't stop, and almost face planted. When I got up, I realized that I had fallen right next to a half eaten deer! I was so sick to my stomach! I know that the dogs here eat the dead animals, but I hadn't seen it before, and I definitely didn't ever want to see it that close up....It gave me the motivation to run home..to my next surprise

I guess it is really common here for the water to become contaminated. I got home to shower and the water was not working. They have shut off the water for three days. The locals and the teachers who have been here for a while know this and keep bottles of water in their homes, for these cases, but I have never heard of it, so wasn't prepared. covered in mud that was quickly drying to my skin and my clothes, I walked over to my friend's house and begged to use her water to wash up. She laughed and we poured every bit of water she had into the tub and I took a cold and shallow bath, trying to clean up as best I could.

The hand games tournament was awesome...read about it in my next blog! We won the tournament, out of 25 teams, and each player on our team went home with $500, a $25 gift card to the Northern Store, and a gift certificate to get moccasins made by the elder co-op...I am so excited!!!! The beat goes on!

Anyways, after the tournament, we had karaoke at my house. Everything was going good until my neighbor called the RCMP about a noise disturbance. Now, here's where Fox Lake cops differ from Edmonton cops...Max, the RCMP guy, came over and asked us to turn down the volume a bit. Then...he sang a song with my friend Monica and I before he left! Max was the RCMP guy who rescued us that night on the road, and we have been friends ever since then...he was very kind about the situation.

Time for bed, I'll fill you in on the tournament details later!



Today's Blog Has been brought to you by the supporters of April Fool's Day, namely, Angela! Tune in to my next blog for some truely factual blogging!

The fish

It is Wednesday. The weather here is Fox Lake is beautiful. I desperately need to buy myself some rubber boots because the roads are all just mud...and my shoes are getting filthy. After school, Gayle and I walked to the Northern to buy myself a couple groceries, and the walk was so great that I decided to go for a run as soon as I got home. I ran down the main road, from my home to the Peace River and back. It took 40 mins. I am going to do this every day I think, and gradually build up till I am running for at least an hour every day. Maybe I can still train for a half marathon!

Anyways, I got home and invited my friend from Fox Lake, Nancy, over. We chatted for a long time and had tea together. As we were talking, there came a knock at the door. I answered, and a man was standing against my door frame. I have met him briefly before...but why was he at my door?

"Do you like fish?" He asked.

"Yes." I replied.

The man then left my porch, and I wasn't really sure what was happening. I just kinda stood there and waited. It was too dark outside to see where he had gone to. A few moments later, he came back, with a huge fish the length of this long arm in his hand. WOW! He asked me if I knew how to cut it and I said yes, in theory, but no in practice. The man came in and Nancy and I watched as he expertly filleted that fish on my kitchen counter top. As he worked, the fish flapped about. Even when one whole side of the fish had been filleted and he had turned it over to do the other side, it still was flinching! It made the blood and slim and guts spray in my kitchen. How cool! After he was done, he said, "Call your dad and ask him how to cook it." I had told him that my dad makes great fish, and he does! The fish is Pickerel. I have about $60 of fish in my fridge and freezer! How cool! And I can't wait to cook it...recipes anyone?

Before he left, he gave Nancy two fish, in a plastic bag. Her and I sat down and drank tea again, and screamed every time her fish, sitting on my kitchen floor in the bag, would flap, as they took their last gasp. Finally, we threw them into the deep freeze, after carefully inspecting them in curiosity, and laughed about our adventure for the rest of the night.

I woke up this morning and went upstairs to have breakfast. My kitchen stinks like fish!

Guitar

Today was my first guitar lesson. I learned the D cord, the D scale, and we played "You are my sunshine". Mr. Hoosier is teaching me after school for about 10 minutes each day. I am just becoming a bit more of an authentic country girl each day, eh?

The Princess of Fox Lake

This weekend was the Head Start Carnival in Fox Lake. It is an annual event that brings all of the families out to compete in different events. Saturday, the events were all scheduled to be outdoors, and Sundays events all took place in the gymnasium. Each event cost $5. If it was not an individual event, then the pair had to be a mixed team. Because of this, I felt like I was "looking for a man" the entire weekend...luckily, I always found one! I think, only because I paid for us...lol!

The first event on Saturday was the Toboggan pull. The men pulled the woman to the finish line, and then the women pulled the men back. I was paired up with a small man. Needless to say, he found it difficult to pull me! And when it was my turn to pull him, I was in such a rush, I ran faster than my legs and face planted into the wet snow. We had so much fun! I think we came in fifth of ten teams.

The second event was the snowman making contest. I asked Leroy, my friend, Nancy's nephew, to be my partner (and he was my partner for most of the weekend then). I ran home and got supplies to decorate our snowman with. Our snowman was the largest of them all, standing just as tall as us, maybe a bit taller than myself. We had a tough time getting those heavy, huge, and wet snowballs on top of the base, but we did it! He had a Mexican sombrero, and golden chocolate loonies for eyes. His nose was a carrot and his mouth made out of black licorice. His ears were wedges of grapefruit. He had three buttons, made of pink margarita umbrellas, a white scarf with pink tassels, and a pink and white belt. He wore my white moccasin slippers and his arms were made from my scrub brushes (still with food in them from doing dishes the other night! Leroy and I came in first! As soon as I took my items off of the snowman, the children had him destroyed into nothing in seconds...I could hardly believe it..oh, well :)

The third event was tea making. I had Chester as my partner. He is the guy who is coaching me in volleyball with Nancy on Tuesday nights. His job was to make the fire. My job to make the tea. As soon as they yelled, "Go!", I ran with my teapot into the snowbank and filled my teapot with snow. when I came back to our fire area, I helped Chester to make the fire by using his ultra sharp knife to make kindling from on of the logs. We built the fire around the teapot. Once the fire got bigger, we used a stick to life the teapot out of the center of the fire and onto the top. I ran and grabbed a snowball, as the teapot had to be full of boiling tea to win. (The teabag was in the pot before the competition began). It didn't matter though, because the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winners were already announced. We had fun though. Unfortunately, while Chester was putting out the fire, he burnt his foot. He was okay, but I needed to find a new partner for the next event.

The next even was bannock making. Nancy suggested I ask J.B. to be my partner. I thought she was joking. He is a prominent elder in our community. But Nancy encouraged me, and I found some courage and went to ask him....I didn't even know if he could speak English! I asked him, and he laughed and then said yes. I didn't realize that minutes before he had turned down his daughter! His wife, who teaches my children Cree, said she would coach me from the sidelines on what to do. Before the event began, all of the woman lined up at the back of a truck and filled their bowls with three cups of flour. Then, they put baking soda in. JB knew I didn't know what I was doing and graciously snuck in to put in the right amount for me. Then I mixed it with my hands. Next, I added a heaping spoonful of lard. I massaged the ingredients together in my hands until JB laughed and said I could stop. His wife whispered to me to make a well. When they shouted, "Go", I poured slowly one cup of water into the mixture and began mixing with a fork first...until his wife whispered to me to just use my hands (that's what they used back then she said, and it's supposed to be like back then!). It really looked awful, like I had done something wrong, but she was smiling, and then whispered to make a snake from the dough. Then, I wrapped the dough like a candy cane around a stick that JB had previously prepared for me, with the bark expertly scrapped off, and one of the stick cut to a sharp point. By then, the fire was crackling and alive. I gave the stick to JB and he jammed the sharp end into the wet grass. The bannock was just beside the fire, so the fire was smoking the bannock. Then, we sat and waited. Every so often, JB would rotate the stick. We lost the event because we thought it was competing for taste, not time. But, the bannock was excellent. And my face broken into the excited, wide, and happy grin made JB smile too. I thanked him and his wife, who laughed at my delight!

The deep snow foot race I won. Need I say more!

On Sunday, I helped to run the children's carnival in the afternoon. The children were so happy and easily pleased. The gym was full of laughter and smiles, and I can't lie, my face hurt from smiling for so long, but I just couldn't help it. there was balloon darts (my station), bottle ball toss, face painting, and pin the tail. The prizes were awesome and the children got 5 tickets for $5.

The evening was for adult events again. I asked Leroy to be my partner for skipping. It was one big rope, and the man held it and the partners skipped together. Most of the partners skipped less than four times successfully. One partner group did 26. I told Leroy we had to win! We are an awesome team...we did 54, then I asked him to stop, because I felt like we were just showing off then. We won anyways! Leroy is really shy, but he smiled all the way back to his seat.

I begged him to do the Wheel barrel race next. I shouldn't have. We lost horribly! I picked up his legs so he could walk on his hands, but I think I was walking to fast, and he fell. And me, with my desperate winning attitude at the moment, told him to get back up and try again. He did, but fell again and then again. We quit. Full of laughter, we went back to our seats and watched the rest of the competition.

At the end of the night (I didn't compete in any more events after that), they counted up the points of each participant that weekend. Then the top male and female were crowned Queen and King of Fox Lake! I was second for the girls though, and was named Princess of Fox Lake (for the night anyways). I went home with wonderful prizes, and so did Leroy. As I walked home, people called out to me, not by name, but by, "Princess", and wished me a good night. I slept really well that night!

talent competition

tonight at 7 pm I will be at the school with my video camera to record the Fox Lake Talent Competition. I will also be there to perform with my band!

We are a hillbilly band. We have a guitar player, Mr. Hoosier. The Banjo player is one of his high school students. And myself. I will be playing the oven rack with my spoon. It's gonna be great!

I'll tell you about it later and maybe I'll show you the video!

A picture of

Holly, myself, and Melina

at our Mexican St. Patties day party!

Lots of fun.

More pictures of Fox Lake to follow very soon!

Parent teacher interviews

Parent teacher interviews were today. They have been the source of much stress and excitement for the past couple days....ever since report cards finished! Hmmm...something always seems to take the place of things that were stressful. Anyways, the children went home at 12:30 pm today, and interviews were on a walk in basis from 2-4, 5-7.

I asked a bunch of the other teachers what they were doing for interviews and they were very helpful. I took ideas from each teacher and prepared for my interviews. I must say, taking their ideas was very helpful!

I had all of the children's work out for the parents to see. When they came in, I picked up their child's pile of work and we went through it at my desk. First, we went through the things that the child had done with their previous teacher. Next, I showed the parents the child's Language arts folder, and explained the way that I was teaching them...using the Jolly Phonics program. some of the children were present for the interview and I asked them to demonstrate to mom and dad what we have been doing in class. Then we looked at their math folder and I explained what we were doing in math. We also looked at their dictation book. And then question time!

Most of the questions were about whether or not their child would go to grade one. We have a grade in between grade one called, "primary readiness". I had lots of comments from parents about their children coming home and singing the songs we have been learning, saying their sounds and doing each sound's action. Many of the parents told me stories about their child at home, and what they like to do at home. The interviews went well. I had no uncomfortable moments. The parents were great, and all spoke well enough English that I did not need Colinda to translate at all for me! I am happy that it is over, and I don't know what I was stressing about.

I had way more parents than either Colinda or I were expecting. we thought, 10 max. I had 18 of my students parents show up! 3 of them were of students I have never met...parents coming to assure me they would start to send their children. Parents also get to fill out raffle tickets after each interview, and at the end of the evening, there are a bunch of prizes they can win....I think we drew about 20 names from the box. I think we do this to promote the parents coming to the interviews. It works though!


After was the dinner and a movie in the gym. It was really disappointing to see how few people showed up for this grade eight fundraiser. I am not even sure that they broke even for the night. It was great service though! And the food was delicious. I give those young adults a huge high five for excellent effort.

Now, it is time to sleep. Another day is waiting to begin. My bed is calling my name. Have a wonderful day my friends. Until next time!

Tuesday

Today was an excellent day! I am going to the elder co-op today. They are having their craft sale today, where they are selling beading, leather items, and blankets they have made. I have no idea what to expect for items to be there, or for prices. Then, volleyball tonight.

My oven is finally getting fixed...well, sort of. They said it is so old, they will just buy me new one. It's bitter sweet though, because I will be moving this week into the sevenplex and will not get to enjoy the brand new oven! Oh, well.

It was not a cold day today, but because so much snow fell last night, some of the buses, and all of the horse carriages were not going today, so less kids. I think that I might have to shovel when I get home! I am glad I wore my boots today!

I am getting excited about coming home!

Monday

I can't be any happier that report cards are finished. I did 38 report cards, and I don't ever want to do them again! Now, I know this is not a realistic wish, but I just want to get across to you how stressful I found it. At least, now I know what the expectations are for the report cards and I understand the report cards that I am using, so it will be much easier next time, or at least less stressful.

I am actually looking forward to parent teacher interviews on Wednesday. I have met very few of the parents of my students. I feel prepared for the interviews and I have very few parents that I need to approach with concerns, so things are looking well for that night. Also, the principal and the vice-principle have voiced very clearly that they want us to come to them with any concerns that night, and to feel free to invite them to any meeting if we foresee difficulties. This is a terrific school. Lots of support, care and concern here for the staff. After the interviews, there is dinner and a movie in the gym...so we get fed and entertained right after.

I had an excellent weekend. All of my friends came over to my home for a ST. Patties day party. We didn't play any games but just socialized all evening. It was so great. And guess what mom...I served all of the food in my Princess House serving ware! It looked beautiful! It was Mexican themed and everyone wore their sombreros for the whole night. Teachers rock!

I am looking forward to this week. Today was colder that -40, so I only had 13 kids. It was a great work day, and the kids were actually eager to do testing with me. They really like the cool stickers my sister mailed to us and because they only get them after testing, I have a line up of kids. Sherry, you are wonderful!

I love teaching and I love working here. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I need them up here.

Thursday

I haven't anything new to report except that I am still doing report cards, and will be at the school for a bit longer tonight. There are two tough parts about this. first, I have two classes, and thus, more report cards to do than any other teacher in this school. Second, I must make up report cards for everyone of my registered students. Now, I have been teaching here for a little over a month, right? Well, there is a large handful of students that I have only met a few times...or even better, not at all!

Thank God for Colinda. She is my blessing during this stressful time. She reminds me what each child looks like, how the acted when they were here and who they hung around. She knows these kids, both as a teacher and as a community member. My principle has also been very patient with me, to help these report cards to look professional and positive...even when it is hard to be positive!

Ready for the juicy gossip?

Rumor has it that the local women's hand game team met last night. One of the topics? Should they invite that white girl to play. I hope they choose yes!

Hand games are a traditional game here. I haven't had the chance to play, or even watch yet. I believe though that there are no mixed games, but female and male teams only. I had really wanted to play at our PD day in Garden River, but my team wasn't scheduled for that event. That's okay though...I rocked the karaoke machine!

Tuesday

I am beginning to feel as though I have developed a rhythm in the classroom. It's nice, because the kids are noticing, and learning what to expect. They are learning the routine and it is helping to calm down the classroom a lot. We do constant review of the routine and the children who know it help the others who are irregular attenders, which is nice. Kinda the group mentality. The regulars do it, the others copy and/or follow.

I also feel as though I have figured out my class. I know which ones need more guidance and which ones can complete tasks on their own. I am learning their personalities and can figure out who is having a good day, and who's having a bad day...just by the way they are acting. It feels good to know my kids, because then I can help them better.

I revamped my language program for my K4 students. I think that this will be better for them. It is simpler and it allows them to have a bit of a shorter attention span during work time. I think that my K5 program is not for them...it involves too much time just sitting and working.



On a separate note, report cards are fun.

Ya....anyways, to be serious, I must tell you all something. The people who read my blog are primarily friends and family. And I am so happy to have you all in my life. It would not be very easy to live so far away from you all if I didn't know for a fact that you were all praying for me and supporting me daily. I am so thankful to have parents who love me so much, and who encourage and motivate me whenever they get the chance. I am blessed to be best friends with my most beautiful sister. I am blessed to have my nephews leave cute messages on my answering machine to make me laugh and smile till my cheeks hurt. I am blessed that my brother makes sure I know how much I am missed, and each time he talks to me, we make plans for what we might do when I come home. My friends email often and we talk like I am still a 10 minute drive away.

It means so much, and I want to take this time to tell you that I love you. I miss you all terribly and can't wait to spend time with you. Each and everyone of you has given me a very special gift...beautiful memories of our times together. Thank-you.

Report cards are done Friday, and then the weekend is busy. Monday, life returns to normal...and I will be on the phone all night long every night...to you!

Friday

Today was a PD day, and the three schools in the Little Red River got together for a "get to know you" day. John D'Or and ourselves, Fox Lake, drove to Garden River for the event. They have the newest school and two gyms, so it was easy for them to host the event. The road to Garden River is not as bad as I thought it would be, though, no better than the road to Fox Lake. There are some bridges you must cross that are so narrow, with no railings at all, that when you look out either side of the windows in the vehicle, you can't see the bridge at all. Our driver slowed down to about 10km/hr to go over these bridges. He told me stories about how people have driven off the sides of these bridges. Scary. This is also a logging truck road. Seeing how it is so narrow, the logging truck and our vehicle both have to put one side of our vehicles in the ditch to narrowly pass eachother on the road.

I was invited to ride with some of the locals in their truck. So I rode with my TA, her best friend, a parent of one of my kids, the girl who invited me to play volleyball, and the driver, a guy I see at the school all the time but I am not quite sure what his job is. We laughed and teased the whole way. They spoke English the whole way. This made me feel very welcome, because I know that they would have had an easier time communicating in Cree.

There were many events at the PD day. When we arrived, we were all randomly divided into animal teams. I was a fox. The teams included staff from each of the three schools. We were competing for points to win prizes at the end of the day. There were many events. We played pictionary, beach volleyball, floor hockey (I was the goalie...we lost!), jeparody, and (my personal favorite) karaoke! No one on my team wanted to sing. I think I sang eight songs. After two or three, some of the members of my team sat with me and sang, but refused to use the microphone. I had so much fun! Our team got along really well.

For lunch, we had a native take on tacos. You put a piece of bannock on your plate, and then you layer your toppings (ground beef, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa). It was really quite good, and very filling. Bannock is very filling. I ate my lunch with some people I had met at the convention in Edmonton who are from John D'Or. The one girls name is Angela...an instant connection, eh?!

Each grade level got together for an hour to just get to know eachother and talk about what they were doing in their classrooms. I learned some very interesting things that I will try in my classrooms. I also really liked the way that the kindergarten classroom was set up. They had a mini amphitheatre in the room for the kids to sit at, instead of sitting on a carpet for group time. I want one!

Before the closing ceremonies, I heard a rumor that one of the guys on my volleyball team was singing up a storm in the karaoke room, so I ran down to check it out. We belted out a couple tunes together with a crowd of excited listeners...we rock!

The closing ceremonies were simle and short...the best way. We drove home. I slept half the way. I got home at about 3:30pm. I fell asleep. I decided not to get up, but to sleep all day and night. Let's get over this sickness already!

All in all, I liked the PD day. Let's do it again soon.

tuesday

well, yesterday 12 staff didn't come in. And today we thought we would try to do better, so 15 staff didn't show up. It makes the day really difficult when the other people in the school aren't around to do their jobs. We all have to do our jobs for the school to run smoothly, or their is chaos. Anyways, I am very happy that I was feeling well enough to drag myself to school today, because I don't think that there would have been a sub for me, even though the principal said not to come in. We had only six kids today because of the cold weather and I was able to relax throughout the day and didn't have to push myself to hard, so all things work out!

Friday is a PD day. We are going to Garden River with John D'or Praire. I encourage you to look it up on a map...there is basically no road in!

This coming weekend the school liason, Daniel, has invited me to join him and his family as they go to snare rabbits. I will get to set up my own trap. I will get to set my own bait. I will learn to check the trap. Once I have a rabbit, they will help me to skin it and then I will be able to dry the fur. I will get to keep the rabbit meat and they will show me which parts are good for me to eat. I am very excited and I can't wait...this is the reason I am here...to learn these customs and traditions!

Oh, I was swabbed for strep at the nursing station and nothing came up. It's just the flu they say. The nurses gave me a whole bunch of different types of cough medicines and candies for free, so I am set. drink lots and take these. I did and I am...probable why I am feeling better.

I am hosting the teachers St. Patricks day party at my home and I am very excited. And I might be moving soon. The nicest teacherages are the 7plex, and one space just opened up. I don't know why, but I was given the chance to move in there...I think I might. It is three levels, Two big bedrooms up stairs with two bathrooms, a living room and kitchen with lots of stogare on the main floor, and big basement (not finished) with washer and dryer. There is a backyard...so front and back entrance, and it is closer to the school. It's on the end, and my friend Gail will be living next door. I don't really see any negatives to this, so I think I will be moving soon...And it comes with Satellite hooked up because the guy before me doesn't want to take his stuff with him, so I won't have to buy all of the equipment, it will already be there. Hey, more room for family and friends to visit! I'm going to be here for a while, so there is lots of time to visit!

Did I tell you that I am going to sign next years contract? Super exciting!

Monday

I am very sick today. The principal sent me to the nursing station after school and has asked me not to come tomorrow. He is wonderful.

Pray for health please!

Angela

The Round Dance, Friday night

The Round Dance is similar to the Tea Dance, but there are noticable differences.

In the middle of the gym floor, three long tables were put together to make a big square, and chairs were put all around. The tables are full of handmade drums. The gym walls are lined with a couple rows of chairs. The bleachers are out. The elders are sitting on the stage behind a row of table with the microphone. They call up the first group.

A bunch of men from the community approach the table and find their drum...or the drum they wish to use. The men are young, teenagers, and old, elders, and every age in between. There are about half a dozen. They all stand behind their chair and begin their singing, all sining at the same time in unison, all banging their drums at the same time, in unison. There is a leader. All night long, whoever the leader is...the video camera is on him and a tape recorder is held up near him.

The dance looks the same as the tea dance. Everyone is in a chain and side-stepping. Men and women are mixed, it doesn't seem to matter. The children are so eager to get up and dance. They seem to form the middle circle that is dancing around the men in the middle. There are toddlers who can barely walk who are dancing and they can because they are being held up on either side by other children. Every chain dances in the same clockwise way. Yound and old dance. Some people have no expression on their face...the older ones. The young adults and children all laugh and smile and chat during the dance. The gym is loud, with the sounds of the singing and drums, the sounds of our feet moving to the beat, the sounds of children laughing and playing, and eveyone talking and enjoying the community being all toether in one room.

I dance. I am not nervous to join. There are no other white staff here tonight, so I can't wait for the comfort of seeing a non-local up there dancing too. The children all come to where I am sitting and beg me to join them. The locals next to me give me looks of affirmation...that yes, I should go. I dance. I am smiling because my children are smiling huge smiles at me the whole dance. No one looks at me like I don't belong. Instead, I see people I know in every corner of the gym and they wave at me as I dance with their children. I am a Fox Laker for the first time today. It's because I have joined with them without the company of non-locals.

I bought my students pop and chips and chocolate bars. We sat on the dirty gym floor and ate together. Children are not allowed to sit on the chairs because there are not enough and they must respect their elders. A child should not be on a chair if someone older is standing or sitting on the floor. So I join them and they love our picnic. After, a woman makes her teenage son move from him chair. She has poor english but she says something to the effect that I am his elder, so I should sit. I am honored.

The round dance is faster and less formal than the Tea Dance, and I love it. I love the music.

Saturday

We set off in the morning for High Level. 8am. We shouldn't have
gone as the roads were awful, but Father Mineen followed behind us in
his truck part way, so we felt better. We had lunch, shopped, shopped
and shopped some more! It was 4pm when we decided to head home. It
takes about half a tank of gas to go one way, so we needed to fill up.

Mary, the elderly lady I was driving with, pulled her car up to the
gas and filled up. Guys...she put deisel in! She was so upset when
she found out and she actually slammed her door...Anyways, we drove to
the dealership across the road. They were upset that we drove the
vehicle at all. And they were closing. So how do we get home?!? We
were given the go ahead to drive the vehicle a few blocks down the
highway to Recovery Auto, and they would fix us. As we drove, the
vehicle crapped out on us. We had to walk. The wind was wild and the
temperature was -30. The technician there said I looked like Rudolph
when I walked in!

They towed our vehicle and hour later, once they finished another tow
job. They took our the gas and deisel and filled it up with regular.
They gave us an oil change. It was now 8pm. They closed at six.
What a blessing that they stayed open for us! Thank-you for your
prayers!

Now it is dark. You should never drive on these roads in the dark,
especially with the road conditions as awful as they were. We decided
to drive. Mary said our angels were with us in full force, so it would be okay. We
sang worship songs all the way home.

Almost all the way home.

a few miles before the ice bridge, we came to a valley in the road.
you just drive down the bank and up the other side. Usually not a
problem. As we appoached the valley, we noticed two trucks stuck. The
road was blocked. We drove down into the valley and parked. I got
out to see if there were people. The one truck was empty, apparently
they had been rescued earlier. The other truck was dead...so no heat,
and full of people. A couple children, a senior couple, the driver
and a young adult. We decided that if we could get our car around,
and up the other side of the bank, Mary and I could get them help.
Long story short we got stuck. Another truck, full of teenage boys
(were they actually old enough to drive?) came, and they got stuck
too. They did manage to push us out though, but then, the bank of the
creek was too icy for us to get our car up. It is 12pm now. Everyone
is full of snow, wet and cold.

I took your prayers and headed off for Fox Lake. Alone, in the
forest, and an hour walk to town. Thank God for the light of the full
moon. Thank God for keeping the wolves off of the road that night. I
made it to town, running the whole way. I went to the RCMP station.
Closed. But...the Round Dance was today...and those things don't end
till 4 or 5am! I went to the school, another half hour walk. I had
to wait for the pipe ceremony to finish when I entered. I saw the
RCMP in the corner.

They are awesome! They came right away....I got to sit in the back of
their car...my dream! So cool :) We went and got their truck and the
emergency gear. We headed back to the road. It took two hours, but
the RCMP got all of the vehicles out...six by the time we got back.
No one had frost-bite, no one was injured...Praise the Lord!

I went back to the round dance with the RCMP and danced with them and
my students for a while. It was 4am. When the RCMP guys left, I went
home and crashed.

I am sick today, but I feel very blessed. Just think...we were able to get our car fixed after closing hours. Our car was not badly damagedmy the deisel mistake. We had a safe drive home on the bad roads. The place where all the vehicles were stuck was at a place close enough to town that we could get ourselves help. The moon was bright. The RCMP were easy to find because of the Round Dance...otherwise, I would not have found help at all people say. The RCMP were able to help everyone.


Count your blessings, even when eveything seems to be going wrong with your day. If you look closely, you'll see that God had his hand on the whole situation and was blessing you the entire time. It's all in the way you look at it!



I love you all and am sorry I haven't written much lately...report card season here!

Monday

I just love living here...you can't expect anything! Here is what happened today that was completely unexpected...

Over the loud speaker at the end of the day came the voice of one of the elders in the community. He was speaking in English thankfully. He announced that the food for the feast this weekend was in the shed. "what?" I thought. I guess the school has hunters, and today they killed three moose. Now, the meat is the school's shed. And the school will host a feast this weekend! But there is a catch...

The women tomorrow of the school must prepare the meat to be smoked. The home-EC room will be used for this, and the female teachers are encouraged to use any spare time they have in the day, lunch, preps...to go and help the female elders to prepare the meat. Once we have finished the preparations, the men will take the meat into the TeePee (which is being set up as I write in the school yard) to smoke it!

I am quite excited about coming to school tomorrow...and I have a prep in the afternoon, so I will get to help.


Last week, I was getting really frustrated. And I think that God knew...well...I know He knows. I spent the weekend at the school, working hard to organize the mess here that was left for me by the previous teacher. I think that I spent about 15 hours here on Sat and Sun. It's still not quite done. On Sunday morning, I didn't go to church because there are no services here and I didn't prepare to go with anyone to John D'or, and frankly...I wasn't feeling up to it. I was really discouraged. God reminded me that He has his own agenda and that he will see it through to completion...even if he has to bang on the door to our heart sometime. Well, last night...there was some pretty mighty banging.

Mary, the woman who lives in my four-plex who I have been praying with, had given me come CD's a couple weeks ago. I didn't listen to them because they looked kinda weird...not my type of music. I put one in Sunday night to listen to while I did some prep for Monday...and the banging started. The music was incredible, a live recording of a conference in Toronto. I closed my eyes and worshiped. God did something wonderful in my home last night. He was there the whole night, and he was there when I woke up this morning. He was there when the kids were misbehaving, and he was there when the kids were behaving. I felt lonely last week, but I am reminded that I am never alone, that my best friend is here. And I am so excited about that! He gave me the same vision that I had before I came here, kind of like a rerun...and my joy has been restored. My motivation has sky-rocketed and I have been given more that enough encouragement. I am not here because I accepted a job to teach. I am here because I obeyed God. He has placed me here and he will use me. Bible study will start next week, and there are four people who will come for sure. This is going to be good.

All he wants is for us to come...to open the door when He knocks. Did you come to Him today?

Friday

So, today was a crazy day. My TA was sick again today, so another sub was brought in. She is a wonderful lady, and I have seen her around the school before. She always has a smile on her face. Working with her was a bit difficult though. She flat out refused to do some of the simple tasks that I asked her to do, which made the day a bit difficult. My kids were wired today to, and just...off. Maybe it's a full moon. Things that have never happened before were happening today and it really threw me off. Upon reflection, maybe part of it has to do with my programming for the day. I think that when my vice principle returns, I am going to ask her for some advice. Maybe I have the day too structured for them, or maybe I have structured it wrong...I am feeling lost.

Sometimes I am happy that I was just given the class to teach...and with that the freedom to express myself as a teacher however I felt comfortable. But sometimes I wish that I had more guidance and boundries to work within because when days like this happen, it would be nice to have some feedback or support. But I am feeling quite alone. I want to be the best teacher that I can be. And I want to learn lots this year. But, how can I learn if I haven't anyone around to watch and provide feedback for me? Teaching is my passion, and I want to teach for many years to come. I want to be able to get a job easily because my references and evaluations are shining...so to do these things, I need to continue learning...here.

I want help but where do I get it?

Thursday

today i had a sub TA. Wow! She is amazing. I am looking around my classroom at the end of the day and it is so awesome. Everything is put away. I have no dishes to do and no water table to clean out. The art is all up on the bulletin boards and everything. She even cleaned up my desk and organized the drawers for me. I am heading to go and give a report to the principle who hired her...today was her first day as a sub and I love her. She is on my sub list!

I had five kids today and they were excellent. Their sounds that they are learning through the Jolly Phonics program are coming along great. Their colors and shapes are coming with our constant review and practice. We are classifying in math and I am proud of the work they are doing....and these are my four year olds.

Have I told you yet that I love my job and that i love fox lake? Cause I do!

Wednesday

First, to all my loyal readers, I am sorry that I have not put up a blog in such a long time. As you know, I was in Edmonton from Wednesday the 14th until Sunday, the 18th.

The Conference was the first Little Red River Cree Nation Board of Education's conference ever...and it was a great success. They had many quality workshops to attend, that touched not only on general education issues but also specifically on aboriginal issues in education. I feel much more comfortable working in a school with such a rich aboriginal culture after the conference.

Whenever there were group sessions, the Cree language was used first to speak, and then was later translated into English. And I must say, Cree is a beautiful language to listen to. The elders began our conference with a pipe ceremony, and ended the conference with prayer. Although they did not translate the prayers, I was able to follow along, simply by listening to the rhythm of his words. He was saying "The Lord is My Shepard". I think that it is wonderful that although I do not know the Cree language, or any other languages for that matter, that I can follow along simply by recognizing the rhythm of words and matching them to the rhythm of words in English...connecting them to recognize familiar poetry, such as The Lords Prayer, or "The Lord is my Sheppard".

I was able to spend time with family and friends briefly while in Edmonton, and if I did not get a chance to see you, I am sorry. Time was not great and I tried to fit in as many visits as possible. Of course the conference was my priority, but I also made an effort to get to know the teachers and TA's from my school...outside of a school setting. I must say, this has worked out very well.

Before the conference, I noticed a lot of segregation in the staff room, natives on one side, whites on the other. It really sucked. I am here to not only teach but to experience the culture here, and it is hard to do that when we don't intermingle. Anyways, Tuesday and today, Wednesday, have been awesome. We all smile at each other in the halls. Many of the men have approached me offering to look at my car...(word spreads fast here and I am sure everyone knows my car is having problems). Some of them have even offered to buy it already! One of the high school teachers here offered to take it off my hands if I give him 20$! There is lots of laughter and teasing and smiles. There is lots of conversation and comfort. I guess I made lots of friends with the Fox Lakers while I was in Edmonton because I have so many now that I am home. I am very happy to be home! I am proud to call Fox Lake home and to call myself a Fox Laker!

Tuesday I had five children. It was a bit wild in here because the children had had about a week off of school. We managed to get through the day though. I am so proud of how well their sounds are coming along and to see their interest in the math activities that I have planned for them. I put shaving cream in the water table today instead of water and the kids had a blast! It was really easy to clean up after and our classroom smells awesome!

Wednesday, today, I had the most children I have ever had in one day show up, 16. 17 if you include the boy who showed up an hour before school was let out! And wow...I was bragging in the staff room during my prep about what an amazing group I have. So well behaved and eager to listen. They were easy to manage today and just simply delightful children to have in the classroom. Activities were done with minimal distraction, worksheets done to the Best of their abilities. I didn't even have to ask more than once for the kids to clean up! Now that's incredible!

And what better way to end an awesome day than to go out on a date. Yes, you read correctly, a date. See, the grade eight's put on a Valentine's dinner for us Fox Lakers. It was postponed due to the conference, so tonight was the night. Dinner and a movie. Each couple had their own table complete with candle light. Each couple shared a pizza and had salad and pop. We watched the Illusionist with Edward Norton...one of the most wonderful actors on screen and most talented of men today in the arts. I adore him...so a perfect movie to "set the mood". The lights were dimmed. I sat next to my date. I wore my red dress and sequenced shall. I had done my hair up nice after school and put on perfume. My date had asked me out almost as soon as I came to Fox Lake...I think maybe a crush?

Just Kiddin!! my friend Joanne was my date! But all other details are true ") I dressed up, over dressed to try an embarrass her! It was awesome. There were lots of other couples there and friend couples. I guess the grage eights liked being waitresses so much that they have asked their teacher if they can do it again....and I will be there.

I am not quite sure how I survived in the city. I am not quite sure that I will ever love to live in the city again. I feel so alive out here and refreshed. This is truly a blessing, this job. I can not find the words to tell you what a wonderful place this is, and I do not even want to try, for fear that I will leave you feeling anything less than awe. I do hope that I am offered a position here next year, and I will accept the position. Hopefully, this is where God desires me to be for another year, because I do not feel in any rush at all to leave.

I miss you all and cannot wait for your emails. They are part of my joy each day. I felt joy when I came up here to teach and was curious how long the joy would stay for, but now I realize. The joy of the Lord will never leave you, only you can leave it. I am full of joy and I see no reason to leave it. Praise God for his many blessings and for his abundance of love! I am so happy!

Angela,
Miss Cassidy

PS The grade eights made some beautiful leather pouches, about the size of a small purse. some have leather tassels, some have native artwork on them. I think all of them have a shoulder strap. They are available for purchase. I will check to see how much they are. I am going to purchase one. Would anyone else like one?

The rabbit fur

My TA came to my house around 4:30 to pick me up. We went to the Northern Store, and I bought a pouch of Players Light tobacco. Then we headed all the way across town. It was almost a 10 minute drive, going 40km! As we drove, my TA knew which house belonged to which families, and pointed out all the homes of people who I would know. It really made the trip interesting, being able to match up my students and some of my coworkers with the homes they live in.

Fox Lake is really quite beautiful. There are so many trees everywhere. In the city, you might pay extra to have a home with a beautiful old tree on the property, here, everyone has them, and lots! Some homes have lots of vehicles parked out front, mostly trucks. Others have horses out in front, and most have dogs. Most homes have children playing outside too. The homes are far apart, but still close enough that neighbor children get together to play outside often.

We drove on the narrow road that bent and twisted over the rolling hills. skidoo tracks lined both sides of the road. Then, as we came over the last hill, the road just stopped. And there was Kokkum's house.

Kukum lives in the first of the newer homes to be built in Fox Lake. She proudly displays her house number, 1, oh the front of her house. It has a nice big window to the left of the front door. The house is a faded yellow. To the left of the house are two large Teepee's. They are covered with tarps and blankets. It makes them look orange and blue. There is a clothesline next to the tepees, going from the house to a tree and it is full of clothespins. To the right of the house, set back a bit next to a hill and the trees, is a log home. I didn't get a good look, cause we went inside.

Kukum is about my height, no taller. She is wearing moccasins that she made and a mauve sweater. She looks like a grandma. She is smiling and happy. I present her with the tobacco and she says thank-you in English. She knows some words to speak, and can understand most. The three of us talk together. I can talk directly to her, and then my TA translates for me what her Kukum says. It's nice and comfortable.

Her home is a grandma's home. the cupboards are overflowing with pots and pans, dishes and mugs, obviously someone who enjoys cooking for her large family. There are pictures all over the walls, some of Jesus, some that she has cross-stitched of some blue bears. There are plants on the shelves and hanging from the ceiling. Her TV unit has no TV, but is full of gifts from grandchildren and children. She is running out of room for them all. On her kitchen table, opposite from where she is sitting, is a beautiful antique sewing machine. It is almost exactly like the antique sewing machine my mom bought at an action last year. It is in wonderful condition. She tells me that she sews alot, and to bring over my clothes that need repair. In the summer, she takes it ouside and does all her repairs out there, in the sun.

Kukum gets up and comes back with a plastic bag. I know what is inside. My grin is ear to ear and she is happy too.She takes out the rabbit. I say it this way because it is almost like it is still a rabbit. I think that I was expecting to have a rabbit fur that iis flat, with no sign of it ever having been an animal except that it is rabbit fur. But this! She shows me the ears and takes my hand to feel the softness of the fur. The city girl in me wants to pull back from it. She is thinking about the fact that this is a dead animal. but, the Fox Lake girl, who would like to skin her own rabbit one day, with kukum's help, allows kukum to take her hand to feel the fur.

I thinnk that before I left I had volunteered to help her to tan a moose hide, to go berry picking with her, and to learn how to make moccosins. I can't wait to visit her again. This was the best experience.

I found out through our conversations that one onf the teepee's is used to skin the animals, and I can't remember what the other is used for. But the log cabin is now used to smoke them meat or to tan the hides. I am sure that with more visits, I will learn more!

Angela

Monday

Today is colder than -40, so I only had seven children today. We celebrated Valentine's Day today, and had all of our centers with that theme. It was great!

I noticed the children speaking English a lot today. I am not sure why the sudden change in their choice of language to communicate with eachother, but it was sure nice to hear. Their language, Cree, is a very important part of their culture, and I do not want to discourage them from speaking their language. The school as a whole has said they do not want to discourage them srom speaking their language. So, to hear them choose to speak English was an important part of my day.

Their were only seven kids, about half of what I was expecting. But, the buses weren't running, so I understand. Tommorrow will be an even quieter day.


On Wednesday, I will pack up the car at 5:30 am and head off to my TA's home. Her, her son and her sister and another teacher (I am not sure who) will come in my car to Edmonton. I am happy to have the company. Colinda is a great TA and an excellent friend. Please pray for our safe travel and also for good road conditions.

Sunday

I woke up at 7am this morning. I got dressed up nice...a skirt and long johns with a nice big sweater over my dress shirt and long john shirt. I put on my toque, mitts and boots. Then I started my car. While it warmed up, I filled up the trunk with all of my warm outdoor clothing, a box of candles and matches, bottles water and a big bag of trail mix, my tool kit and safety kit, and some cassette tapes. Then I went out, put the extension cord, all 125 feet of it, in the trunk. I filled the back seat with any blankets I have and headed off.

First I stopped at the 7-plex to pick up the grade 10 teacher. Then we headed to pick up the wife of one of the teachers in the duplexes. by 8am we were on the ice bridge. We are going to church. YAA!

These girls haven't been to church since Christmas, so it was kinda a big deal. They are both older than me, but we are all about the same age. The trip to High Level went by so quickly, just talking and getting to know each other. They have met many times before, so I guess it was them getting to know me and vice versa.

We went to High Level Christian Church, a mennonite church. It was a lively church, excellent songs. The people were very friendly. The service was about having the stamina to climb a mountain...can we do it alone? Can we do it with God? The pastor had some great stories, and all of us agreed after that we felt motivated to work out more at the school! We also talked about starting up a bible study in Fox Lake and making it available for any and all of the teachers. We will begin after the teaching conference. I am very excited. The grade 10 teacher has a study she is excited about doing with us.

we had dinner at one of the only restraunts in High Level...Boston Pizza. Can I compare it to Edmonton's Swiss Chalet? Most of the people we met at the church were later at Boston Pizza too! They smiled at us and we smiled back. I think that we will return the next sunday that we can.

God is starting something great in Fox Lake. The believers are getting together. We are bonding and making friendships. We are excited about our faith and eager to see things happening. We are making plans and I believe that they are going to get carried out. God's hand is over the people in Fox Lake, all the people in Fox Lake. And I know that His hand is about to come down on us in a powerful way. Just watch. Something is about to happen, and I can't wait!

Please continue to pray for me, but let's pray for the community as a whole. the school, the families, the workers. I am so excited to be here. We need your prayers as we begin our prayer groups and our bible studies. When two or three are gathered together in prayer, powerful things happen...so let's gather together in prayer for this wonderful community!

Tea Dance

The Scene

The school gymnasium's walls have chairs, hundreds of chairs, lined up by them. The are two or three rows in most places. Each chair has someone sitting in it. The bleachers are packed. At the front, by the stage, the sisters who began and taught our school 50 years ago are sitting. The chief is to their right, my left. He is wearing a large headdress. In the middle of the gym floor there are two long rectangle tables together to make an even longer rectangle. Children occasionally run across the gym floor to other family or friends they see. Everyone is coming and going through the gym doors, though, it only seems as though people are coming. They come to watch. They come to listen. They come to be a community.

The Tea Dance

The Chief is a large man, tall in stature. He has a large voice that is friendly. He smiles and he laughs when he gives his speech. I do not know what he is saying but I can follow along enough because he slips some English words into his speech every once in a while, so I think I know at least what he is talking about. Chief Floyd thanks the sisters for coming. They are in their 80's and not living anywhere near Western Canada...so it is wonderful that they have made the journey to Fox Lake to celebrate with us. He explains the tea dance. It is a rich part of the Cree culture, with a little bit of a faster beat than you would find at a Pow Wow. It makes you feel alive, he says.

Three elders take out their drums. They are all the same type of drum, making the same tone. A teenage boy holds up the microphone to the middle of them. The beat is "Da DA Da DA Da DA" over and over and over again. The men use their voices too. I wouldn't call it singing. to my ear, it does not even sound as though they are saying Cree words. But they are using their voices. The song...the beat, is played for a long time.

The tables in the middle of the gym act as an object for the dancers to dance around. Chief Floyd casually invites some of his friends...or maybe they are other elders...to dance with him. It is like a chain. there is a leader. each person holding hands and following the person in front of him. And it is simple to learn. simply step to the beat. Each individual that I watched danced there own way, so there is no right or wrong way to step to the beat. But, as I watched the chain of men following the Chief, I saw all of the men in that chain dance the same. on the louder beat...not louder, just more pronounced....there knee kicks a wee little, but not their leg. it makes for a very little step. Smaller than a baby step. When you watch, their whole bodies are reacting to the beat. their hands, holding on to those before and behind them, react to the beat. Up and down, up and down. But it is just little. The movements seem to take them nowhere. They very slowly travel in a circle around the table...but the reactions to the beat make it seem like a lively dance. The dance is simple. Children join the dance and they step to the beat. The oldest of elders join and step to the beat. The sisters are dancing. The chief is dancing. I want to join too, but none of the white people have joined...except the sisters.

I wonder, will I get to join one day, or is this a traditional dance rexerved for the Cree people and those who have been adopted into the Cree culture. I am hoping that when another dance happens, that I can join. Today...I simply soak it in.

A teacher and his wife were sitting next to me on the bleachers. I am going to church with his wife and another teacher tomorrow in High Level. he turned to me to talk during the dance and reached into his pocket for a tissue instead. I didn't thing that watching the Tea Dance would effect me as much as it did. Tears flow from my eyes. A Cree woman next to me smiles. I am overwhelmed that I am here. I am honored to have the privilege to watch this Cree dance. I am completely submersed in a culture that prides itself on their traditions and their language. The people here have made me feel so welcome and I feel very comfortable living here. I can only say that as I watched the dance I felt incredibly humbled. Each child here is growing up, learning about their culture, their history, and who they are. The environment is rich for their learning these things. They are Cree and they are learning everyday what it means to be Cree.

I wonder who I am?

I know. I am a child of God.