It's coming down to the wire my friends.

 This last weekend was my final small trip of the school year. It was great fun hanging out with some friends from college, driving around and getting things done, and just enjoying the beauty of Anchorage as the snow is melting fast.

And while I was away relaxing before attacking the final weeks of school and all that comes with switching villages- Bogart was spending some time with one of his favorite gals- Caitlin. It takes one very generous person to donate his/her time over the weekend to dog sit.

The best thing about Bogart's stay with Caitlin is that he experienced freedom on a leash. Now this is something I don't think I would have ever had the guts to do and that is b/c I read one too many stories about malamutes taking off and never returning as they were bred to run without looking back. Caitlin chose to trust Neqa and her retrieving skills- well, that and the fact that she can run and grab the 50 ft leash if necessary-lol, whereas I most likely would fall on my face;)

Glad to see that it is a possibility that now. My hand is grateful for the fact that it won't go raw as often now! http://vimeo.com/couchmode/user1488609/videos/sort:newest/40495771

And now we are off to the races- just a few weeks left to pack up the apartment, the classroom, take two classes that are necessary to complete my teacher cert. and somehow find a way to get Bogart home. Lots to do and lots to keep me busy.

Getting a little Spring Break from...

 the Spring Cleaning:) 4 toys down in-all w/in 45 minutes-hmmm.

Here's to hoping this new type holds his attention- the kids outside certainly like them.

I am hoping to find things in Anchorage w/ no squeakers.

Today, before I take off my my short trip,  I will chill with my students and provide some entertainment in the form of a movie and popcorn as apparently Easter (Orthodox) is another school holiday to enjoy. This week many of my students have been out for the first part of the school day sitting in church. I still haven't been able to receive an explanation as to why, but it is what it is. This meant another week of review for my students as most of them are not present. So another week comes to a close and it ends hopefully well with egg dying, popcorn, a little math and a movie- and then off on a plane I go!

Cooking from scratch

Full circle shipped us some strawberries and with the light weather outside and the kids running about- it almost feels like the perfect dessert for the season we are in. Unfortunately, running to the store to pick up the shortcake or the whipped topping is not an option- so Amy called up her folks at home and created from scratch the topping- it was oh so deliciouso!

I am looking forward to eating lighter meals and fruity desserts since I am somewhat done with eating the hearty meals that do well in keeping me going in the winter months. I just crave the lighter meals that come with the "spring weather."

And boy is it pretty outside- I can't wait for the snow to melt a little more and the tundra to sprout it's pretty plants once again. It won't be fun keeping Bogart on the boardwalk, but I want to experience color again- this winter wonderland certainly needs a boost of it.

Animal Magnet

So this morning at the crack o' dawn I took Bogart on a quick walk since he would not stop talking until I got up out of bed. When we walked outside, I decided to opt for a different route as I was getting bored with him hunting for fish guts in the snow. Unbeknownst to the both of us, we stumbled across a husky balled up in the snow sleeping. Careful not to disturb him I dragged Bogart away, and Bogart decided to drag this dog's bone away.

Awake o' sleeping giant. Awake.

I felt awful as this dog started freaking out & barking. The only one who didn't mind was my dog who ran with his 50 ft. leash in the opposite direction. I dragged him back with supernatural strength only to deposit the bone back in its proper place and watch the dog lay back down as if nothing happened. Here's to hoping the owner's sleep wasn't disturbed...that might have limited the number of times I take him outside.

Tomorrow a.m.- new route.

This afternoon, we met up with a  team of mushing dogs. The level of interest was not a two way street as you can see. Nothing to steal leaves little left to do but sit and stare apparently.

Busy bee this weekend.

What a great way to wrap up one of the most challenging weeks for a teacher ( SBA's)- be apart of an event that brings together teachers from nearby villages for a one day race.

But before that I dive into what it looks like to be a tundra runner...let's begin with the fact that  I am darn proud of myself for baking dog biscuits. Thanks to the weather - Bogart's bones are still in Anchorage and training him without bones is pretty much useless. So my roommate Amy suggested that I make them and what the perfect solution to my small dilemma- Bogart actually likes them.

And thank goodness for that simply b/c we are still working on the command "Come" when out on the river.

He tends to come and then run right past me. When he knows I have treats- there is a pause before he takes off again- there's still a lot of work to be done.
Here are some videos on the vimeo site that show a little more as to what our time out there looks like:

http://vimeo.com/user1488609/videos

And then there are the few moments while out and about on the river when he finds something that catches his fancy and he wants to check it out- by keeping his distance;)

And the Saturday finale?

 Annual Tundra Triangle ( I think that was the event title)

Run/Ski/Bike/Walk- it was the participant's choice on how he/she was going to get around the 6 mile 3 village race.

I chose snow go. Rachel- a fellow kind teacher offered to take Bogart and myself on a trip to take pictures of the event. It was to be Bogart's first attempt at being around more than one dog/ male and female runners/ and near a snow go for more than two minutes. At first there was fear, but that eventually turned to excitement as he got the hang of it. I was impressed with the runners that completed the race as quickly as they did, and I was impressed with how well Bogart handled some many new things at once. It was quite the day:) And what brought more smiles to my face where the teachers that came from Qwethluk, Bethel, and the villages that are closer to Nunap- it was good to see familiar faces.

The colder it got- the more foggier my pictures became.

Completion

Last addition to my bracelet collection- this one I got from one of the teachers here at the school. It reminds me of Christmas and goes well with the color scheme of my other bracelets;)

Spring Break II

One Spring Break is never enough, especially out here:) After a week of Standardized Testing, a break before the last couple of weeks is a good thing.  And that, my friends, is why I am heading back to  Anchorage for another weekend of food, friends, and fun.

I just bought my tickets this morning and rented a vehicle for 6 dollars a day- so different from Hawaii's 80+.

Gonna meet up with some friends and stock up on some good food over the period of 36 hours- it's gonna go fast and yet be so worth it.

Here's to hoping that I can hit all my fave spots and then some. Obviously the list goes as follows:
Starbucks

The Cake Studio for the Birthday Girl ( not me this time):

Sonic Drive in for the Cherry Limeade ( remind me of what's to come)

And a hair appt! What time is left will be spent relaxing an enjoying time in a beautiful home with a friendly face....can't wait!