Back in the Deep Freeze

I made it back to Fairbanks a day early, arriving on the 1 am red-eye. Imagine my surprise to run into my brother and his wife in the Anchorage airport. They were returning from a trip to DC and even had a little tan.

On the plane, they had first class seats. While they were receiving their drink order, I was in steerage and accidently dislodged a glob of chewed gum from the bottom of the armrest. All my trips from small planes don't add up to MVP status very fast. The plane left late because of a late arriving plane from Juneau. Do they always wait like that? I don't remember that happening for me? Maybe the presence of a few legislators swung the vote.

Our morning ritual was disrupted by sleeping in until about 10. I did the errands and came home and cleaned the bathroom. I'd like to say that I have a glamourous life, but I try to be truthful when I can.

Hockey Nanooks won both nights against Western Michigan. That ties us for 7th place, which means we'd host the first set of games of the playoffs. That would be great. There is only one more hockey home weekend before the playoffs. We're planning a tailgate party...steaks and the works. I hope it's not below zero that night.

It's cold outside again- I estimate about -25. My husband just replaced the block heater so that should help my little car's lifespan. When the temp drops below about 10 or 15, plugging it in reduces emissions. The block heater plugs into the engine block and warms it up. My car starts in -30 without it, but it's really easier on it to be warmed up.

I just finished reading the Limehouse Text...it's *****. I recommend it to mystery lovers. I also started writing my play. It's not coming along very fast because I have to do some research, but I hope to have it written by March.

This week I'll be mentoring in Fairbanks. In town, secondary teachers have different challenges. The work is just as hard, but there is more support for teachers with disruptive students, in general. Working with 120-150 students is really lots of grading, modifications for special students, dealing/collaborating with colleagues, more admin oversight, more parents to keep informed, available resources and mandated curriculum, and a tighter schedule. Working in villages means more afterschool responsibilities, more casual atmosphere which promotes student opinion-giving, possibly lifestyle challenges, usually a wider range of classes to prep, need to take initiative to locate materials that connect and are relevant. In terms of mentoring, when I arrive in a village, the teachers meet with me anytime...evenings, mornings, etc. In town, I can meet before or after school, at lunchtime or during prep time...and that's it. Both types of schools mean many hours for new teachers. It's just not an easy job.

SuperBowl Sunday is tomorrow. I plan to spend those 4 hours with another football single. She and I are going walking if it's not too cold. Otherwise, whatever....