Hello Family and Friends! I am sorry for the delay in writing, it just seems that life will not slow down. Needless to say I have a ton to cover: from trips to haircuts!
First of all I would like to say we miss you all very much and are happy to let you know we will be flying home for Christmas again this year (even though I swear the price to come home is only getting larger everyday)!
Alright, so what have the Howe’s been up too... On September 22nd, I was given an opportunity to fly to Fairbanks and take part in a wonderful workshop called MapTEACH and attend the state Math and Science Conference. So I scooped up the chance of a lifetime to go to another part of the state, meet new people, and learn tons of awesome tools for my hypothetical toolbox!
During my time in Fairbanks, I was taught about GPS and GIS and how to use them effectively in the classroom and in my life! I was given some very cool equipment which included a Garmin GPS, Nikon Coolpix, and an Acer Notebook! I learned how to go geocaching (which is super fun, we should do it in Marinette when we come home for that summer). I also learned how to use some pretty awesome GIS programs to create maps.
The first map I wanted to make was a map of our summer trip out to Alaska. Below is a picture of the map I am in the process of making. Right now, in the mapping program, you can click on each red dot and read about the location and what we did or saw there. Eventually I would like to put in pictures too!
Right before I left for my trip to Fairbanks, the science teacher approached me about volunteering my time to participate in a research project that her and another teacher put together with a group of students. They would be going on a field trip two days after I would have returned from my trip to collect data! Oh boy, I was super excited! So of course I said, “Yes, I would love too”!
What is the research project, you ask? Thanks for being so interested! On September 29th a group of 3 students, 3 teachers, a land surveyor, and a boat driver set out up the Stikine River to Chief Shakes Glacier. The plan was to survey the glacier by collecting GPS points and then track the glaciers movement over years to come. It is a wonderful project. No one has previously collected any of this data for this particular glacier and we are very excited to get is started! Unfortunately, the weather didn’t quite cooperate and we were only able to complete about half of the research we had hoped to get done. Once all the data is collected my job will be to use the information I learned about the GIS program to teach the students and other teachers how to plot the point and show the data! Pretty cool, huh?!
I also want to note how beautiful the trip was. The trees were turning colors along the riverbanks, we saw some harbor seals basking, and the mountains all around us were glorious! Also the blue icebergs and glacier were fantastic! I could have never imagined it would be so wonderful!
Oh! I almost forgot. Ryan and I check the mailbox everyday in hopes of some good mail and one day we got a letter from Taylor’s friend, Adam. He was going to be starring the the Theater on the Bay production of Flat Stanley. He sent his Flat Stanley to us and asked that we took some pictures of Stanley hanging out with us! So I took Stanley to Fairbanks and too the Glacier!
On another, completely separate note, I passed my Alaska Drivers Test on Monday! One more step towards becoming a real Alaskan. Also, we officially got Alaska plates for our car about a week ago! I think there is only one thing left before I am officially Alaskan: Xtratufs. They are hideous waterproof boots that everyone in Wrangell wheres! I have even heard stories of women wearing them under their wedding gowns! I am going to hold out as long as possible. Even if it means many days of cold, wet feet. I still have too much Wisconsin in my blood to buy a pair!
Okay, last thing for today. As you know Milo has CRAZY fur. Because he is part poodle his hair never really stops growing and falls out, instead it just gets longer and longer on his body! So recently he was starting to look pretty straggly and homeless. Even though Ryan and I brush him every night and bath him more frequently than our vet recommends! Therefore we invested in a high-end doggy shaver and attempted to groom him.
I was thrilled to go to the mailbox and pick up the shaver! Unfortunately, I had to make dinner and go to basketball practice. So when I got home at 9:30pm we decided to shave Milo! That may have been our first mistake! So I watched some youtube videos about grooming your poodle and suddenly became very apprehensive. The video began with a “number 10 blade” and started with the face, arm pits, butt, and groin. I thought okay, I can do that! Then the lady said okay that is all we will use that blade for and get out your combs! Oh crap. The shaver only came with one blade and no attachments. Well, at this point do I leave my dog homely looking or just do my best? If you really know me you know I decided to shave him anyways!
I started with the parts you were supposed to shave with a number 10 blade. We thought he was looking pretty spiffy! Then I went for it right at his neck, where his hair was super fluffy and curly! Well, I immediately felt terrible! The shaver cut right down to his skin, you could even see his pink skin through what little hair was left! So then Ryan gave me a pointer (he used to shave his head, you know!) and I flipped the shaver over and began running it down Milo’s back. In the end Milo’s whole body was different lengths of hair and he looked ridiculous! Ryan and I, through the laughter, looked at each other and knew what needed to be done. I began shaving him all the way down on his whole body! Unfortunately, Milo did not like getting his legs and feet done. So his body fur is very, very short while his head, legs, and tail are fluffy. I left his head and tail fluffy for fun! He has the perfect poodle cut in my opinion. For the first couple days I couldn’t help but laugh at him! Now I think he looks pretty good! However, I did purchase a sweater to cover up the haircut, so that the other dogs wouldn’t make fun of him! :o) Poor Milo, I promise next paycheck we will invest in some attachments and blades!
 |
| Milo Before |
The Howes
