Hey there,
This week two of are professors arrived at Barrow Monday night. They have been observing our classes and hanging out with us. It has been much fun to have a couple extra gusties around. Deb and Lois have been going to the gym with us to work out and even helping us teach some lessons. Lois, being the art professor, is going to help teach an art lesson in Kristian and my classes tomorrow. We will be using exacto knifes to cut out paper. Of course this project did not come without its difficulties. There are not very many exacto knives here in Barrow. We were able to find 3. The rest are extra blades duct taped to pencils. (Improvising is pretty important here.)
On Saturday we will be going out to the point in search of wild animals. Hopefully we see some. Oh, yeah Britt also decided to play a prank on our profs (see the video below).
Peace out.
Cassandra
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Whale Time!
Good evening Loyal Blog Readers,
Welcome to this special edition of GITT (Gusties in the Tundra). I'm your host, "Brit to the Holm".
News was spread across the slope earlier this morning on NPR that the first Barrow whale was landed yesterday at approximately 3:30pm. The wife of the whaling crew captain was ecstatic and praised the Lord for their catch. She mentioned that they would feed the community as soon as they got the whale into town. Yum yum maktak!
My classes were buzzing with talks about the length of the mammalian creature. "It's 29.4 feet long and it only took 5 minutes to pull out of the water!!" Usually, it can take as long as 4 hours to a whole day to pull the bowhead whale out of the water and 29 feet is a nice size whale, but with news of the first whale, many people came out to help pull out it making the job a whole lot faster. The entire community comes out to help and the whaling crew offers a small portion of whale meat in return of the favor. Point Lay also caught it's first whale and it's length was 30.1 feet. (My sources are VERY reliable).
I asked my students if they were going to go out and see it, but none of them said "yes." I was disappointed. There are red flags marking the trail to the lead where the whale is located. If I ONLY had a snow machine!!...and a gun...just in case I meet a polar bear....you never know.
In other Barrow news, the final results for the snow/ice sculpture came out and the snow sculpture that we built placed 6th. I was not very happy with the extension and the combination of the male and female groups at the last second--we would have originally placed 3rd and won a gas card.
Keep on reading!
Peace, Love, and Whaling,
Brit
UPDATE: The whaling crew "Aries" (check for spelling) was the crew that landed the first whale. The whale was harpooned right near the edge of the ice...a true illustration that the whale "gives itself" to the crew if they are worthy. I hear that on the edge of the ice, there's ocean as far as you can see...a sight that I really want to see soon.
Welcome to this special edition of GITT (Gusties in the Tundra). I'm your host, "Brit to the Holm".
News was spread across the slope earlier this morning on NPR that the first Barrow whale was landed yesterday at approximately 3:30pm. The wife of the whaling crew captain was ecstatic and praised the Lord for their catch. She mentioned that they would feed the community as soon as they got the whale into town. Yum yum maktak!
My classes were buzzing with talks about the length of the mammalian creature. "It's 29.4 feet long and it only took 5 minutes to pull out of the water!!" Usually, it can take as long as 4 hours to a whole day to pull the bowhead whale out of the water and 29 feet is a nice size whale, but with news of the first whale, many people came out to help pull out it making the job a whole lot faster. The entire community comes out to help and the whaling crew offers a small portion of whale meat in return of the favor. Point Lay also caught it's first whale and it's length was 30.1 feet. (My sources are VERY reliable).
I asked my students if they were going to go out and see it, but none of them said "yes." I was disappointed. There are red flags marking the trail to the lead where the whale is located. If I ONLY had a snow machine!!...and a gun...just in case I meet a polar bear....you never know.
In other Barrow news, the final results for the snow/ice sculpture came out and the snow sculpture that we built placed 6th. I was not very happy with the extension and the combination of the male and female groups at the last second--we would have originally placed 3rd and won a gas card.
Keep on reading!
Peace, Love, and Whaling,
Brit
UPDATE: The whaling crew "Aries" (check for spelling) was the crew that landed the first whale. The whale was harpooned right near the edge of the ice...a true illustration that the whale "gives itself" to the crew if they are worthy. I hear that on the edge of the ice, there's ocean as far as you can see...a sight that I really want to see soon.
Paammaagigniq and Nagliktuutiqagniq: Cooperation and Compassion
We have now spent three and a half weeks in the schools and gotten accustomed to many of the customs and traditions of the Inupiaq people. Two major values that have played a major role to me as a teacher are cooperation and compassion, or paammaagigniq and nagliktuutiqagniq. All of the people that I have met and worked with want to help me out any way that they can. Even if it is just offering to help me with the copy machine or holding the door for me when I'm carrying my lunch tray. I have tried to do the same thing. When people work together the tasks that need to get done, get done faster, and more joyfully.
Of course everyone that works at the school has to have a certain level of compassion for their work as well. And I have seen that most of the people at the school care an extraordinary amount about the wellbeing and learning environments of their students. This is a necessity for a great school. 100% of the staff has to care 100% of the time! I have seen these values in the school system here, and that is a great thing.
Of course everyone that works at the school has to have a certain level of compassion for their work as well. And I have seen that most of the people at the school care an extraordinary amount about the wellbeing and learning environments of their students. This is a necessity for a great school. 100% of the staff has to care 100% of the time! I have seen these values in the school system here, and that is a great thing.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Spirituality: Ukpiqqutiqagniq
Today, Trevor and I attended church with Liz, a staff member of the college.
Immediately upon our arrival, one girl came out and greeted Liz. Turns out, I have met this girl before at the...wait for it...middle school dance!! "I remember you!! Come on!" I struck up a conversation with this young girl about her MANY siblings and how she is moving in the end of May.
It was exactly what I needed. I always step into a church nervous because I don’t know what to expect. For the first time, it didn’t happen. I walked in and felt like at home. No nervousness, no anxiety…just free with joy beaming. I saw a few of my students so I briefly wished them a “Happy Easter” and soon found myself talking to the husband of the biology teacher! He asked me if I was going to come in and observe his wife's class. I explained that I didn’t want to be burden and that by the sound of things, she sounded busy and didn’t want me. He looked at me quite quizzically and said that he would talk to her. You don't know how stoked I would be for a biology class right about now.
Turns out the husband is the youth pastor and has briefly taken over the congregation because the previous pastor left in January. Their new one won’t come until June.
It opened up with a prayer from a elder of the church. She spoke first in English and then in Inupiaq, followed by music provided by the worship team and a choir. There weren’t matching robes, just ordinary people who love singing God’s word, song, and praise. It was just unbelievable! I was overcome by it all and just let go and enjoyed myself. The youth group did a skit that was just phenomenal!! The choreography was out of this world, complete with strobe lights, chains, and of course, the spirit. The church is small, but it was packed and I counted at least 17 people in the youth group—most of them I knew.
Another member of the church came to read a few scriptures, again English and Inupiaq. He mentioned that he was Inupiat and that their people are spiritual and they know the power of prayer. I had a few exchanges with this man as we wished each other a "Happy Easter" and joked about the Eggsravaganza that was going to take place later on today.
After everything was said and done, we helped stacked chairs, smiles were exchanged as well as farewells and hugs.
We arrived at the college totally eggstatic about our eggsperience as we tried to eggsplain the skit with our added eggcitement.
I don’t know how else to describe this moment, but I know I’m coming back next week.
P.S. Easter Brunch that the folks put on in the caf was AH-MAZING!! And some unknown person bought me lunch.
Happy Easter!
Have an eggstraordinary day!
Brit
Immediately upon our arrival, one girl came out and greeted Liz. Turns out, I have met this girl before at the...wait for it...middle school dance!! "I remember you!! Come on!" I struck up a conversation with this young girl about her MANY siblings and how she is moving in the end of May.
It was exactly what I needed. I always step into a church nervous because I don’t know what to expect. For the first time, it didn’t happen. I walked in and felt like at home. No nervousness, no anxiety…just free with joy beaming. I saw a few of my students so I briefly wished them a “Happy Easter” and soon found myself talking to the husband of the biology teacher! He asked me if I was going to come in and observe his wife's class. I explained that I didn’t want to be burden and that by the sound of things, she sounded busy and didn’t want me. He looked at me quite quizzically and said that he would talk to her. You don't know how stoked I would be for a biology class right about now.
Turns out the husband is the youth pastor and has briefly taken over the congregation because the previous pastor left in January. Their new one won’t come until June.
It opened up with a prayer from a elder of the church. She spoke first in English and then in Inupiaq, followed by music provided by the worship team and a choir. There weren’t matching robes, just ordinary people who love singing God’s word, song, and praise. It was just unbelievable! I was overcome by it all and just let go and enjoyed myself. The youth group did a skit that was just phenomenal!! The choreography was out of this world, complete with strobe lights, chains, and of course, the spirit. The church is small, but it was packed and I counted at least 17 people in the youth group—most of them I knew.
Another member of the church came to read a few scriptures, again English and Inupiaq. He mentioned that he was Inupiat and that their people are spiritual and they know the power of prayer. I had a few exchanges with this man as we wished each other a "Happy Easter" and joked about the Eggsravaganza that was going to take place later on today.
After everything was said and done, we helped stacked chairs, smiles were exchanged as well as farewells and hugs.
We arrived at the college totally eggstatic about our eggsperience as we tried to eggsplain the skit with our added eggcitement.
I don’t know how else to describe this moment, but I know I’m coming back next week.
P.S. Easter Brunch that the folks put on in the caf was AH-MAZING!! And some unknown person bought me lunch.
Happy Easter!
Have an eggstraordinary day!
Brit
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Graduation
Well hello there from the top of the world.
Friday marks the end of the week for us and the start of a weekend for us. But for some Ilisagvik (the college where we are staying) students it was the end of their time at college and the beginning of their lives. If these words sound familiar they should because we attended Ilisagvik's graduation.
The ceremony started out with the all so familiar procession of graduates, but instead of a "classic" graduation song like Pomp and Circumstance the students walked into the auditorium to native drumming and singing. And instead of walking through a boring arch or nothing at all the graduates walked through two huge pieces of baleen. It was a beautiful procession. As the ceremony got under way in true Barrow style the schedule they provide us for the ceremony was all out of order, ahh Barrow.
During the ceremony one of the students gave a speech and talked about her hardships throughout life but how the support of her parents pulled her through. She invited all of the parents, guardians, and relatives to stand up and receive praise for their support and love. It was quite heartwarming.
When it was time for graduate to receive their diplomas there was a lot of hooting and hollering. A father accepted a diploma for his son who was unable to graduate. This man got up on stage, accepted the diploma, and then made to leave but stopped at the podium to say a "few" words. A "few" words turned into about a 7 minute speech about the benefits and real life scenarios his sons education has helped him in and how he had no idea that his son was going to graduate from college, ahh Barrow. He ended his speech with a heartwarming phrase saying "We sometimes don't know what our kids are into, but this turned out good."
After the graduation ceremony there was a pow wow-esque party. There was food, mingling, dancing and singing. It was great! There was a little boy with huge cheeks that was the most precious little guy and he got up on stage and danced with the dancers. So then everybody started trickling up to the stage to dance, including some gusties. We danced a couple of the traditional Inupiat dances which was probably quite the sight to behold.
All of us liked being at the graduation because it made us look forward to our own graduation. Its hard to think that in about a month we will all be walking into the football stadium to "Pomp and Circumstance", cheering when our friends cross that stage and get their diplomas, and maybe shedding some tears when we walk out of the stadium. Tears that symbolize a sadness for the end of one stage of our lives but tears of joy for the beginning of a new one.
Meredith
Friday marks the end of the week for us and the start of a weekend for us. But for some Ilisagvik (the college where we are staying) students it was the end of their time at college and the beginning of their lives. If these words sound familiar they should because we attended Ilisagvik's graduation.
The ceremony started out with the all so familiar procession of graduates, but instead of a "classic" graduation song like Pomp and Circumstance the students walked into the auditorium to native drumming and singing. And instead of walking through a boring arch or nothing at all the graduates walked through two huge pieces of baleen. It was a beautiful procession. As the ceremony got under way in true Barrow style the schedule they provide us for the ceremony was all out of order, ahh Barrow.
During the ceremony one of the students gave a speech and talked about her hardships throughout life but how the support of her parents pulled her through. She invited all of the parents, guardians, and relatives to stand up and receive praise for their support and love. It was quite heartwarming.
When it was time for graduate to receive their diplomas there was a lot of hooting and hollering. A father accepted a diploma for his son who was unable to graduate. This man got up on stage, accepted the diploma, and then made to leave but stopped at the podium to say a "few" words. A "few" words turned into about a 7 minute speech about the benefits and real life scenarios his sons education has helped him in and how he had no idea that his son was going to graduate from college, ahh Barrow. He ended his speech with a heartwarming phrase saying "We sometimes don't know what our kids are into, but this turned out good."
After the graduation ceremony there was a pow wow-esque party. There was food, mingling, dancing and singing. It was great! There was a little boy with huge cheeks that was the most precious little guy and he got up on stage and danced with the dancers. So then everybody started trickling up to the stage to dance, including some gusties. We danced a couple of the traditional Inupiat dances which was probably quite the sight to behold.
All of us liked being at the graduation because it made us look forward to our own graduation. Its hard to think that in about a month we will all be walking into the football stadium to "Pomp and Circumstance", cheering when our friends cross that stage and get their diplomas, and maybe shedding some tears when we walk out of the stadium. Tears that symbolize a sadness for the end of one stage of our lives but tears of joy for the beginning of a new one.
Meredith
Friday, April 22, 2011
Under Pressure
Dear Basic Chemistry Class,
Below you will find the Gas Law Video. Watch it. Afterward, read Chapter 11 Section 2 and complete the Internet Video/Internet Gas Manipulations/Create Gas Law Experiment worksheet (located in your packet).
Tomorrow in class, we will do a series of demonstrations where you will have to identify which Gas Law is being exhibited, so make sure you know your stuff! Also, if you choose to partake in the extra credit opportunity, you can present it tomorrow in class. The lab is equipped with balloons, flasks, bunsen burners, vacuum pumps, hot plates....just to name a few. You CANNOT perform any of the demonstrations that were in the video and if you happen to think of a demonstration that is in lab, you have to demonstrate it prior to lab!! (This shouldn't be a problem because your demonstration requires that you incorporate both Boyle's and Charles' Law, also known as the Combined Gas Law).
Also, a special thanks for Xavier for volunteering to be vacuumed sealed for freshness.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask in class tomorrow or shoot me a quick email at: brittany.holm@nsbsd.org
See you tomorrow in class!
Ms.Holm
P.S. Did you just pass gas?
Below you will find the Gas Law Video. Watch it. Afterward, read Chapter 11 Section 2 and complete the Internet Video/Internet Gas Manipulations/Create Gas Law Experiment worksheet (located in your packet).
Tomorrow in class, we will do a series of demonstrations where you will have to identify which Gas Law is being exhibited, so make sure you know your stuff! Also, if you choose to partake in the extra credit opportunity, you can present it tomorrow in class. The lab is equipped with balloons, flasks, bunsen burners, vacuum pumps, hot plates....just to name a few. You CANNOT perform any of the demonstrations that were in the video and if you happen to think of a demonstration that is in lab, you have to demonstrate it prior to lab!! (This shouldn't be a problem because your demonstration requires that you incorporate both Boyle's and Charles' Law, also known as the Combined Gas Law).
Also, a special thanks for Xavier for volunteering to be vacuumed sealed for freshness.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask in class tomorrow or shoot me a quick email at: brittany.holm@nsbsd.org
See you tomorrow in class!
Ms.Holm
P.S. Did you just pass gas?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Frozen Beach Bonfire
Wednesday night we had a bonfire on the beach across the road from the college. It was awesome! Britt and Doria made signs for it and displayed them all around the school. People went around the college campus and collected pallets to burn (remember, there are no trees, meaning no logs). A bunch of professors showed up and a couple of them built this big tower and then lit it on fire. They even brought a propane torch which made it a lot easier than working with matches. I have had a fire in the snow before but never to this scale or in this cold. It was -13 degrees with flurries. I was wearing a sweatshirt, hat, and mittens. I was either burning up or super cold. It was very hard to keep an even temperature. The best way was to keep turning in a circle as if being roasted on the steak.
We had half racks of soda, hotdogs, (with bread not buns because the AC did not have any) and smores fixings. It was very difficult making smores because it was so cold. By the time I put by marshmallow with my chocolate and gram crackers the marshmallows were cold. Another interesting thing about the fire was that about ¼ of the people drove over and sat in their cars.
Anyway it was a fun time and we got to meet some new people as well.
Later gator,
Cassandra
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