New Start

Well, it's the middle of 2007 and I guess I'd better start updating our blog again. It has really gotten away from me since last summer. Good intentions got lost in a flurry of summer activities, student teaching and moving. We are now stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. It's strange to be "back home", and like all assignments has it's goods and bads. The kids are excited to be near the Grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles and of course where there's plenty of fish. Mike has got them all juiced up for the coming season, complete with camper, boat and gear.

Kameron is enjoying Kindergarten and adjusted remarkably well from Japanese school. Merril goes to preschool 3 mornings a week and likes it but still misses her friends and teacher in Misawa. Mike has been gone a lot since our arrival in late November, but should be here through the summer. In March, we had a mini vacation in Florida, where Mike was for training. It was nice to get out of the unusual sub zero March temperatures. The kids and I enjoyed just hanging out on the beach and watching for dolphins.

After completing my Master's, passing the Praxis, and successfully jumped through other misc. hoops, I am now a Certified K-8 Teacher with the State of Alaska, and have come to somewhat of a decision as to my next step. I attended the Educator's Job Fair where I was somewhat "wooed" by a school in Dillingham, a rural Alaska village. It was a good feeling, but sadly I have to stay in Anchorage. (okay, maybe not that sad.) I was asked by the Anchorage School District to have an inital interview, which went fairly well. It was pretty cut and dry and mainly based on if I knew my jargon and buzz words.(UGH!) The craziest thing was that it was in a huge room where a whole bunch of other interviews were taking place, and I was given a time limit. So, a strange environment. I told Mike it felt like speed dating! Ding! Go! Blah-Blah. I like you, do you like me? Ding! Switch! Anyhow, that will qualify me for the "eligable to hire" list and long-term subbing positions. Next step is meeting with the schools' principals. I have decided to be very picky about the location of which school I work at so that I don't take any more time away from the family. An hour in the car is an hour less with them! In the mean time, I am taking classes to complete my Special Ed certificate. I am excited about this summer when I'll be taking MSI courses (Multi-Sensory Instruction) and doing an intership in the MSI summer school program. So, I'm keeping busy. I have my operation the first part of May, and I hope recovery will be quick! (and successful!)

I hope everyone in Japan is enjoying the Sakura this time of year. The Towada Yabusame event is (was) this weekend (April 21-22). Man, I wish I was there. I miss Japan terribly! At Kameron's school, which is the District's Japanese Immersion School, they had their Cherry Blossom Festival last weekend. It was fun, but the curry wasn't as good!

I hope all our friends and family are well, and if you or someone you know, are heading up this way, drop us a line.

Take Care

Let's see ~ my current music list. Sia, Gomez, The Killers, Linkin Park, Paul Simon.
Reading ~ A Singular Hostage by Thalassa Ali; Historical Fiction in British India 1838.
What are you listening to and reading?

Sakura Yabusame