Alaska Daze

Recently I volunteered for the junior Native Youth Olympic competition (NYO) at my school. After a tense day of watching snow flurries and hoping the village teams wouldn't be grounded, all but two schools arrived. I jokes! It wasn't tense because Alaskans are used to weather cancellations and delays. Only us Outsiders get tense about it. The event started with the Pledge of Allegiance in Yupi'k and Eskimo dancing. The competition ran from Friday afternoon through Saturday. The kids bring sleeping bags and stay overnight in the school, boys in the cafeteria and girls assigned to classrooms. The hosting community brings food and volunteers serve the meals. Here are some pictures, followed by an explanation of the competitions.








After each round of jumping, the ball is raised.

The Events

Although the event origins are based on traditional Native activities, the competition is open to all students from seventh to 12th grade, regardless of ethnicity. Originating in 1972, the event has grown from to include more than 69 participating schools.

• The Eskimo Stick Pull
  A game of strength. Successful hunters must be able to pull a seal out of the water. This is no easy task while maintaining balance on snow and ice. Hand, back and leg strength are essential.
• The Wrist Carry
  A test of survival. This event has origins based on hunters being able to carry their game back to the village. Hunters had to develop endurance and strength in order to carry the game over a long distance.
• The One-Hand Reach
  A game to test a person's control over their body. If a hunter was to become lost on water, for example, they must know the skills to control their body in order not to panic and tip their kayak.
• The Kneel Jump
  Similar to the Scissor Broad Jump in that the hunters must develop the skill of quick movement to be successful in jumping from one ice floe to another. This game also develops leg muscles necessary to lift heavy game and carry it back to the village.
• The Alaskan High Kick
  A test of both the mind and body working together to maintain control.
• The Seal Hop
  A game of sheer endurance - to see how far a person can go on pure determination. This game originated from the hunter imitating the movement of a seal during the hunt.

The calender still says fall but the thermometer says winter. First snow fall was two weeks ago which was over a month earlier than last year. Since then temperatures have been falling and windchill has been dipping below zero. Last month John, Stephanie and I took advantage of some sunny fall days to take walks on the tundra.

Hey, where did summer go? I arrived back in Bethel on the 18th and school started on the 20th. I am working full time at an elementary school - a totally new experience for me. The jury is still out as to how well I'll like it. So far the weather has been warm and dry so I hope for a nice fall. The no-seeums are terrible and they get through the window screens. Ugh. I think they're worse than mosquitoes.

I've uploaded summer pictures showing the kids from Alaska as they enjoyed a month in Washington, both attending camps and having fun with their friends. Pictures are in the folder titled "Summer Visitors 2008".

 I'm here without my kitty companion as Smores passed away over the summer due to surgery complications. I sure miss her. Now I have no one to talk to except myself - so keep the emails coming!

Love
Vikki

Aloha from Kauai!
Sharon and I are on day 5 of our two week vacation in Kauai. The trip started with several auspicious omens of good times to come when we were able to get a ride to the airport instead of having to use the Airporter, and when inquiring of an Alaska Air employee which line to join in order to change seat assignments, he personally took us to a closed counter and checked us in! The flight was great and we mananged to find our condo, the Mokihana, in the dark. All units in this older complex face the water so we are lulled to sleep each night with the sound of crashing waves and palm trees blowing in the wind. While the rooms are worn and tacky all the essentials are here, the beds are fine and we are close enough to several shopping areas to walk. I would stay here again.

Tuesday we got our bearings and explored Lihue. Wednesday we spent the day exploring the north shore and it's beaches. We drove to the end of the road, Ke'e Beach and I ran into a family from Bethel. Truly a small world. Thursday began well as we went searching for some off-the-beaten-path roads and sights. Our rental car was broken into while parked along side the road at the trailhead to Kipu Falls. Luckily the thieves must have been scared off before they figured out how to get into the trunk, and didn't have time to look in the glovebox, because I had stupidly left my wallet in there! So the good news is nothing was taken, the bad news is Sharon's insurance has a $250 deductible and it has been a major hassle dealing with Alamo car rental company. We're still not sure if there will be more uncompensated expenses. Word to the wise - buy the stupid rental company insurance if you are visiting a heavily tourist area.

Today life was better. We rented snorkeling equipment and tried it out at Lydgate park. Very fun - although no one warned me I could get seasick while doing it - which I did. Hopefully just rough swells and future attempts will be in calmer water. It really is a blast. Now for some pictures:
Kileuea Lighthouse calm surf

Nawiliwili Bay...and the lifeguards at Nawiliwili Bay!!

Dry Cave on the north shore           Just up the road, Wet Cave

Kipu Falls, of the car prowling fame.  Sharon hassles with Alamo Rental company.

Our front yard!~                                Sharon having fun


More pictures to come!
Love
Vikki

Hello everyone,
I apologize to those of you who have faithfully followed my Alaska adventure -it's been too long since I posted! I have no excuse other than mental lassitude. Since spring break I've been looking forward to returning home and counting down - finally it is my last week and I fly home on the 22nd. It's been a long winter. Spring slowly arrived in Bethel but arrive it did. The Kuskokwim River broke up on May 13th. Within 24 hours it was clear enough for boats to begin travelling but then an ice jam from upriver broke loose and filled the river in front of Bethel. It was amazing and definitely the event of the day. Here are some photos:

The tripod is erected in anticipation of break up. The person to guess the closest day and time wins thousands of dollars. It's a major fundraiser for the community.










Day after breakup

The ice jam from upriver arrives in front of Bethel:

I plan on returning for another year of northern exposure. I miss Washington and my family and friends terribly, but there are good reasons to come back. For now I'm focusing on a relaxing summer spending time with my loved ones.

Here are a few more photos taken the last few months:



senior prom                                     kids don't mind the cold!                                                               

fondue party                                      sunset on the water


For the last time until Ausgust, signing off from Bethel.
Love
Vikki

Hurrah! My baby brother is home from Iraq!! Here he is reuniting with his family...Welcome home, Bill!














Today it's raining with temperatures in the high 30's so everything is dripping and sloshing. However, yesterday we had fresh snow and there was a sprint club dog sled race. Here is a picture of Amy and her kids, Otis and Ben (in my lap) and John and I.

Here are some very excited dogs.



The musher sets the hand "brake" to hold the team until it's time to start.


Celebrating Johns' 9th birthday. A million dollar smile.

Love to all - Vikki

schizophrenic Bethel:
March 24th...... below zero
March 26th....... 32 degrees and sunny and muddy
March 27th........39 degrees and sunny and muddy
April 2nd.........28 degrees and snowing with a blizzard watch
Never a dull moment!

This weekend was Camai Dance festival.

This is Mary, the oldest dancer at the festival. She is 89 years young.

Yupik dance group.............a very special dancer, Allison

More coming soon!
love
Vikki

Easter in Bethel
Neither 20 below zero wind chill nor snow on the ground prevented Bethelites from turning out in mass to scramble for easter eggs in hopes of scoring the ultimate prize - a new bike.

Easter traffic jam - worse than after bingo!  Dressed to keep warm.

Warm and bright..........................like the eggs!

It was over in mere minutes.

Faces in the crowd...

Hoping all of you had a happy Easter - celebrating however you do, with family and friends.
Love,
Vikki