Five For Friday... Better Late Than Never

Isn't there a saying about how it's ok to arrive "fashionably late"?  Can that go for the blogging world too?  Apologies for posting about 4 days later than I'm supposed to for a linky party.  It's just been crazy with the whole moving back to Indiana, Easter, and state testing.  This post has a bit of cultural explanations.  So... here goes.

1.  This week has been spent in preparation for testing.  The state of Alaska begins standardized testing in 3rd grade, much like many other states.  Normally I wouldn't be so concerned with testing, but I'm the first year of all English instruction and the first year of standardized testing.  Thankfully with the help of lots of practicing test format, language, and math skills I think this group is going to do awesome.

2.  Moving.  I HATE PACKING!  It's stressful and kind of sad... especially when you're not sure where exactly you're making the move to.  But I have faith in the Lord.  Because as my life verse says:  Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

3. Visiting friends between villages makes time go by even faster than it already is.  Mr. B and I hopped on a snowmachine and made our way over to a neighboring village.  I had a girls night with a a fellow lady teacher and we all met up for darts and chilli the next morning. Yay!


4.  There was a death in the village earlier this month and  the body has finally been laid to rest this Saturday.  The person was a very kind and caring community member and cared a great deal for the school.  It broke my heart to hear the sad news.  When there is a death in the village there are some cultural events that happen, feasting, sitting with the body, and there are certain things people can't do during the mourning period.  There is to be no ball playing and no clothing out on the lines.  I was fortunate enough to meet with the family members and pay my respects the day before the funeral and took a few photos.

5.  Easter is a big deal here in my village.  Our school actually puts on an egg hunt for the grades K-12.  Throughout the week the kids decorate eggs and on Friday class by class the kids are sent out to find eggs around the outside of the school.  It was so cute and fun to see my kids searching for the eggs they'd spent time decorating.  I even got a chance to decorate 2 of my own.  ;)

Can you tell I miss my boyfriend back home in Indiana???