the air hurts my face

Current Temp: -3 F (-19 C)
Wind Speed: N 17 mph
Wind Chill: -24 F (-31 C)

Sunrise: none

Sunset: none

iluaqsi | to become well, to be healed

I've been MIA for the past few days, sick as a dog, at home, lying on the couch. I'm pretty sure my substitute teacher who filled in for me doesn't speak English. In other words, what did my students do for two days? That shall remain a mystery, and I'm not sure I want to know.

Once upon a time, being sick was fun. You got to stay home from school, watch cartoons all day, and drink Sprite.  But as an adult, all you want to do is chug the vitamin C and pray for divine healing. 

No, actually, all you want is your blankie, Cheerios, and your mommy.

But thankfully, I was feeling much better today, and I even felt energetic enough to take Quya for an evening walk in some rather blizzardy weather. (Winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 P.M. tomorrow. WILL THERE BE SCHOOL? [cue suspenseful music])

By the way, the sun didn't come up today. It will come back up on January 23rd, according to Master Google.

Current Stats:

Time: 8:45 P.M.

Temperature:  13 degrees F (-11 C)
Wind Speed: East 31 mph
Wind Chill: -8 F (-22 C)

Sunrise: none

Sunset: none

Quyanaqpak, Father, for...

saltine crackers

moments of unflappability

promise of eagle's wings

one month till I meet Liam

hearing "FINALLY! You're BACK!" today

student who created sticker chart to motivate herself to stay drug-free

kirratchiaq | sunny weather (=happy happy joy joy!)

Not sure how this picture happened above, but my panorama shot caught Quya running. She's got a twin! Looks real too. Crazy. I don't think I could handle two Quyas.

I think the mosaics on the corners are beautiful.

I walked Quya across the lagoon today. I felt like my face was going to fall off. It was so cold.

Frozen lagoon. Quya's shadow.

Current Stats:
Time: 2:12 P.M.
Temperature: 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C)
Wind Speed: E 10 mph
Wind Chill: -16 degrees F (-27 degrees C)
Sunrise: 10:27 A.M.
Sunset: 3:58 P.M.

Quyanaqpak, Father, for...

sunshine, sunshine, sunshine

an extra hour of sleep this weekend

cinnamon and orange brewing on the stove

being able to do five loads of laundry at once

fun Halloween night with Melissa

apiqqammiaq | new snow

It's August, and it's snowing.

Parts of the tundra grass turn red and orange for a brief autumn.

Looking for lemmings.

Yes, Virginia, there really are igloos in Alaska.

Every year there is a family that builds a giant snowman and igloo. You can't tell from the picture, but there are neon lights flashing on them. Also, since the time of this picture, they've built a seat into the front of the snowman so that you can sit and have your picture taken. 

I think I'll stay in tonight.

A beautiful day to be alone.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The sky was blue, and the sun was shining. Heck, it was freaking summer time. Okay, just because the sun is shining doesn't mean it's summer, and the litmus test for that is the temperature. It's been cold lately... not utterly cold, just cold. On Friday it was -4ish, yesterday was 5-above-ish, and today it's 9-ish.

Yesterday though... was beautiful. It was a metaphorical summer.
It was a beautiful day to be alone.

I stayed in. Worked. Read. Thought. Cooked. 

Yep, a beautiful day to be alone.

puuvruktuq | to plow through deep, soft snow

The snow is finally here...

This is the van that belongs to the Church of God in town.