Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Graduation, Snow & Mist, Kite-Flying

It's hard to believe that I have been back in the Lower 48 for two and a half weeks. This is, as I am sure you've guess, the reason for my absence on this blog. It seems that I am busier here than I was on Diomede. How is this possible? School is out! But it is the good kind of busy -- the kind of busy that makes you happy and fulfilled.

The last two weeks of school were a whirlwind of events. Perhaps the most exciting thing is that Diomede School celebrated the graduation of three of its students. Many of the people in the village came to the graduation, and afterwards we ate turkey, crab soup, pizza, macaroni salad, and cake! It was a feast for all.

 Kindergarten Graduation

 Pre-School Graduation

 Two of the three graduates.

 An elder from the community speaking to the students.





 Brother and sister.

Mother and daughters. Sistuq, on the right, is the one who helped me sew a rabbit fur and calf-skin hat for my niece.

 This was taken May 8th on the way to church. It's unbelievable that that much snow could be covering the steps in MAY!




 St. Jude Catholic Church usually had 4-5 attendees including me and Adrienne.

 A principal from the 80s created these stained-glass windows as a gift to the church.

 Every Sunday the mayor takes Holy Communion to an elder who cannot make it to church on Sundays.

 This picture was taken May 10th.

 Within a few days the ice completely broke up.

 It's funny to think that seeing a walrus flipper lying on the ground is a normal occurrence.

 Big scary dog.




 The lower level is the post office, and the upper level is the city office.


 Girls' Night! :)





 On one particular night (it may not look like night, but it is!), the mist was amazing and shrouding Big Diomede.




 In the words of Adrienne, "It's like we're in heaven."

 On the last day of school we flew kites. The wind was perfect for it, and the kids had a lot of fun!





 Cute, cute, cute.


 Waiting for the chopper to pick us up. Adrienne was my source of entertainment during the school year! 

 Goodbye, my classroom.

1 comment :

Suzassippi said...

Hard to believe the adventure on Diomede is over for now. It's been fun to follow along, and welcome back to the lower 48. I was using that term in Africa last week and my friends laughed and had to ask me why. :) Hope the next year is filled with great adventures for you as well.