"One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." ~ Andre Gide

Hello again old friends.
I must apologize once again. I couldn't believe it had been almost 3 months since I've posted. After many attempts of persuasion by my mother I am finally posting again. :) So make sure to thank her if you see her! 
I must also tell you the reasons why I didn't feel the need to post for so long. My dad and I were discussing the blog a couple of weeks ago, I believe while we were Skyping and watching an NCAA game. I told him that I didn't feel like I had anything new and exciting in life to post. Sure, sure I talk to my parents at least once every couple of weeks and I tell them at least one new thing that has happened. But after living up here for over half a year, I'm finding my life is very routine. Albeit, not routine compared to living in South Dakota, but the things that I used to think were new and exciting have become exciting and everyday for me.

Here's a bit of my routine:
Monday through Friday I am at school from 8:00am to 5:00pm. I usually take a snowmachine to work, whether that is my own or a ride from my roommate. The great thing now is that the sun is coming up before 8 so I get to watch the sun rise on the way to work.

I still love teaching every day although it is frustrating when students don't complete homework or are tardy for school. We just completed SBA testing(standardized state testing) three weeks ago. There are only 3 full weeks of school left! It is pretty incredible to think how quickly my year has gone by!

My spring semester has been filled with basketball tournaments and snowmachine trips. Yes, I did get back on the court to play in women's basketball tournaments. I played in a town that is about a half an hour snowmachine trip away called Akiachak. Basketball is definitely a lifeline during the long winter months and I had a great time making friends with women I played with.

The river is beginning to melt, but it is still safe to travel by river. Along with the melting snow comes a new hunting season. Ptarmigans, which I was told were similar to pheasants, are being hunted. Garrett took me out hunting and I caught 2! They are similar to pheasants in how lazy they are to fly, but they really don't look a whole lot like pheasants. 

Raisin is still doing well and I think he's grown even this last month. He has a few girlfriends he likes to run around with outside. It will be interesting to see how he deals with hot SD summers.

As the year is coming to a close I'm finding myself getting more excited to head south for the summer! Today's count is 15 days left of school. The last part of the year is quickly flying by and graduation is on May 17th. I was incredibly honored when our one (yes one) graduating senior asked me to be one of the speakers for her graduation ceremony. So I'm busy brainstorming for that as we wind down the year.  I will try to update again before the end of the year, but if I don't I hope that I will catch up with many of you while I'm home for the summer! Enjoy as the spring moves your way!