week 4

Tuesday-We went testing well I didn't because I am not ESL so I stayed in the resource room. It took all day. Then we drove the snow go to AC and P.O. Audia Johns Yu'pik adopted son came to visit and he was the person who lost my bag. We hung out and did Ps3.

Wednesday- Starting of the Alaskin winter storm coming in which was very windy and cold. I got invited to ride with Bosco and Jeremy and I decided to say yes. We rode to the dump to help the family of Jeremy take stuff over their such as card board and bike parts. It wasn't to bad because we were in the recycling section. Rides aren't always that bad sometimes they ride for fun. Then they came and hung out up in my room and I introduced them to the game called Tarantula.

Thursday- We found out that the pin for the choke came out so we can start the snow go which is bad. We cant fix it because of weather and snow go's are getting buried in snow. Peaches got my hard drive installed and transferred my data to it. Crazy Mary and Stan or Chocolate guy because he always brings chocolate to lunch came over and we played Apples To Apples. Then Audia came and played with us and watched the original Nightmare On Elm Street. Then Here Comes The Boom.

Friday- Ground storm was horrible today very hard to walk to school in. The middle school ball team was going to go to Chevak but got snowed in due to conditions of the weather. The seniors are trying to raise money for Hawaii trip so they sponsored a mouse dinner at the school Friday night with mouse soup and bread for $10. Bosco and Jeremy came over and spent the night. We played Tarantula, Watched a movie, and played Ps3.

Saturday- Bosco and Jeremy left at noon. We spent the afternoon watching the marathon of The Walking Dead season 2 hoping to watch 1 and three because I have never seen it, so we are going to get it off Netflix. Then we pulled out the Atari Flashback system and showed me is favorite games like Combat, River Raid, and Pitfall. While I like Aguaadventure. Then we had to much fun playing hangman.

Sunday- Wind changed direction and woke up and could see my breath even inside the house. My uncle taped towels around the drafty areas and hooked up my electric blanket which made me quite happy. The storm is letting up and it will probably be clear tomorrow. Audia told us that there are over 100 people stranded in Bethel trying to get back to the villages. Then we will get mail. FINALLY!!!! Meg had a craft circle or what John and I call it. A crap circle. lol. She and a couple other ladies quilted. While the guys and Crazy Mary played board games. We played life, loaded questions ETC. Then we had spaghetti dinner with the group and squash that tasted like pumpkin pie. Then watched TV.

                  Krane, Sam Krane
                                      Signing off

Snow Gos

There are basically three ways of getting around Hooper Bay:
1) Airplane - that is for (obviously) long distance traveling.

2) 4-wheelers (which you saw in the first round of pictures)

3) Snow gos - as pictured below.

Slim and Meg have lived in Hooper Bay now for 15 years and just purchased their first one (well, 1/2 of one anyway). As is customary, all the youth learn how to drive these so they can get places, do errands, etc.

Sam's first experience was quite the story, but I'll save that for him to share. However, here is a picture of what they look like and how they are used.

This is the Hooper Bay Warriors high school basketball team preparing to take snow-go's and sleds over to Chevak for a tournament.  
Chevak is only 17 miles away, so they travel by trail.  For games further away, they fly by plane...

The great outdoors

Again, these pictures are a bit dated as they were taken at the beginning part of January, 2013. This is just some "view" shots to get a better idea of where Sam is living. 

As a footnote, this year has been a "warm" and "dry" year in Hooper Bay. Snow is much less than normal. Temperatures have also been on the warmer side hitting only -60 in the most recent week(s).

This is one of two views from their back door/deck area. The wooden "shed" is a septic lift station.

This is the other view from the back door. Blowing snow is very common.

This is a view from the front door, you are seeing the more housing in the background.

And last but not least this is Darren. Darren is a high school student who shovel's the snow off the decks for either $2 or a "pop".

Sam makes a friend

Most of us either have or have had a dog as a companion, friend, to warm our feet and our hearts. They protect our home while we are away. They lay with us when we are not well, or sad. And they are described as "man's best friend".

That's not so much the case on the reservation. According to all accounts by Sam, dog's are considered "rats". They are kicked, beaten, and killed on a regular basis. The few dogs that are claimed as "pets" are excluded from these horrible acts. Fortunately, Sam made friends with one of those dogs.

Per Slim, this young pup, "He goes by MANY names (everybody has his or favorite):  Jayce, Butters, Butterscotch, Porkchop, Hey You, Frosting, Lucky, etc...  Sam calls him "Chase," and every time the dog sees Sam, he comes running to greet him and play in the snow with him."

Sam's Potlatch

That is not a typing mistake. What is a Potlatch???

pot·latch  /ˈpätˌlaCH/

Noun (among North American Indian peoples of the northwest coast)  An opulent ceremonial feast at which possessions are given away  or destroyed to display wealth or enhance prestige.

Verb Hold such a feast or ceremony. In Sam's case it was used in the "verb" sense - which is a good thing! Here we call these events "potlucks".  ============================================================= On the right is slow cooked moose meat (Sam said, "Interesting", and on the right is rice. Homemade pizza (one thing I have noted is the lacking of fruits and veggies).  I wonder if that is moose-a-roni? (bwahahahaha) And there is the boy himself (this picture is a little dated as it was taken back on January 4, 2013) Introductions: ("Crazy") Mary, Sam, Gabe and Esther. Next I would like to introduce you to The Pollmans -  Gabe, Libby, Scott (aka Peaches) - is there tech guru and will help Sam with all things computer related)  and baby Abagail. Here I am pleased to introduce you to Jenny Polmann, Annie Hunter, and Virginia Mae This is Sam's math teacher, Danny, and his baby Laura.... Here is Scott and Danny with their baby girls... And finally.... Sam and Crazy Mary keeping each other "in line"...

Native Foods

In Hooper Bay, Alaska, the main "meat" source (or protein) is moose and whale. Sam had the opportunity to experience some of what this means....


Below is Lola and her wee one working on carving up their 1/2 of the moose (in their kitchen) shot up river.

Meet Daniel. Lola's husband. Working on preparing the meat.

And here is another view of what Sam got to experience. He said, after touching it, "It was really cool and gross!"

Below is the other "white" meat. In Hooper Bay they eat two kinds of whale - Gray and White or Beluga. This is a picture of what the meat looks like.

week 3

Tuesday- I woke up at 7:00 this week because I made a agreement that I will take 30 minute showers. After my shower we did our routine, eat go to school. Very simple. When I got to school everyone went nuts and was crazy. Well think of your average school day that is what I had that day but it was fine. When we got home we watched "The Shining" and then watched "Police Squad". Both very good movies. Then simply went to sleep.

Wednesday- I woke up same time normal morning, went to school, had fun day, did my work, ran at the gym. It was a good day. When we got home we had a good dinner while watching "The Sixth Sense" and that was a little freaky I didn't expect what happened. After that movie we finished "Police Squad". Then I headed up stairs.

Thursday- Today is going to be a good day you will see why. Like I said woke up. Had breakfast and everything so it was going awesome. I had gotten some phone numbers from students here so I was texting them so it was very nice. Fourth period rolls around and a guy named Bosco says here's my number text me after school so I said alright. I got home texted him, "Hi"
An hour later I ask Slim if we can play "Monopoly" and he is like sure lets see if Meg will join we ask she says no and we are stuck on what to do because two people playing Monopoly is not fun. What we did was contact Scott (Peaches) he is a teacher. We ask if he would like to play with us and he is like sure. He brings himself and his son Gabe over. In the middle of the game (I am out already) lol I get a text from Bosco, it was an apology and I was like you should come over tomorrow and he says fine.

Friday- Same morning everything. After school I get a text saying I will come at five and I write back ok so he comes over and we do ps3 and then his other friends call asking to go to ball with them. He says yes and asks if I want to come and I say let me ask so I go to the game and it was awesome I met a whole bunch of friends there and it was cool we lost though
Hooper Bay 74
Chevac 109

Not a good game but fun for me.

Saturday- I hung out in my room and played and finished both campaigns for the Black Ops series took all day then went down stairs to watch the exorcist. Funniest horror movie ever like seriously.

Sunday- I had a good sleep I woke up at 12:00 then went downstairs watched tv so it was all good . Then when slim came back we watched another horror movie cant remember the name though. That was Sunday.


Answers to questions-
1. No I did not find diamond I quit before I could
2. I did die in Minecraft but everyone does
3. I did find many caves and other things in Minecraft

p.s. sorry it is week three I forgot to publish two I did write it but it got deleted after thinking it was published. Also I am watching silence of the lambs and paranormal activity this week.

 Sam Krane signing off
      Goodbye Bond.

Week 1

       Tuesday- I woke up at 6:30 am for school. We had breakfast which consisted of eggs and tea. I  got on the Honda and took off for school, luckily not forgetting anything. I got to school and had to be introduced to every kid who were running over each other just to see me. It is quite weird because they are so impressed that a white boy came to school. It is like an alien came from Mars to visit earth. Anyways I had my first and second class with John A.K.A Slim, after that Megs then my Math teacher Daniel or Dan Dan, then lunch, Jenna who is my science teacher, then Slim, and Meg. After school went to the post office and got like 6 boxes then we went to the AC which is the Wal-Mart and got so much food. Then we went home where we started a movie series which is just watching a lot of movies. Then off to sleep
      
      Wednesday- I woke up at 6:30 had Captain Crunch then went to school then made a friend his name is Arnlod and he is very nice. After school we went to the post office no boxes.  :(   ;) Did our movie night while in the middle of Prometheus Dan Dan called saying he is chopping and skinning dead moose so Slim and I went over and I touched it Ewwwwwwwww not really it was awesome except for all the blood over my hands mwhahaahahahhahahahaha. Then finished the movie and went to bed.

       Thursday- Read Wednesday oh and I did have a friend over.
      
        Friday- Well today was a good day it was Friday of course and we get out at 1:00, well actually all the other kids got to not me I had to stay in school while Slim was at a stupid meeting AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Well at least I got my run in. Anyways we went home and got ready for the potlache or potluck. It was fun.
      
          Saturday- We started the Malcom Series.  It is so funny and pretty well made. Cheerleader is my favorite episode so far we have like 23 more discs to go so I cant say it will always be. Then Kevin and Arnold came over saying there was a dance but we found out it was canceled when the 10th person showed up. They came over and played ps3 with me.

          Sunday- I slept in until 1:00, then got introduced to Sherlock. Best TV show ever, and will have to show my mom it sometime.

     This is Sam Krane signing off
    

The best for last... more pictures

Thank you Christian for the awesome skull mask. Apparently it did come in very handy!

Sam says to Slim, "Uncle Slim, WHY do I HAVE to wear all this STUFF
just to walk over to the school this morning????"

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Visual Life Upon Arrival in Hooper

And this is a light snow year from all accounts...

 This is the plane sitting on the landing strip post safe landing.

 Sam standing in front of a snow drift at the airstrip.

This is the only building at the airstrip. It is big enough to hold one Cessna airplane.

Sam driving the family car (the Honda) - This is 8am on the first day of school (the lights are from the school building)

Hooper Bay School - One building for all students.

Just when you thought life here was expensive... gulp, and there is still more items on the belt. My understanding is one of those bottles of Gatorade would run about $5.00, and fortunately they are near the end of the purchases (seems like only a few beverages to go).

Final bill $550 (but I was told that was a full restock)

Sam relaxing writing his first blog post titled My Idiot Uncle.

From Bethal to Hooper Bay

Finally the day arrived to set the boy on the last plane into Hooper Bay, Alaska.

 Nice coat courtesy of Alaska Airlines and Sam's lost luggage.
He looks happy and that looks like a small airplane!

 Yep... that is a small airplane :)

 Looks like a full plane with 9 people.

 Slim looks like a giant in there.

 Pondering....

Emergency landing directions (gulp).

Preparing to land

More Anchorage and then Bethel Pictures

As Sam reported, nothing in Anchorage is more than 30 minutes away. At least that is a nice set of facts when you are dealing with so much snow and cold.

Auntie Meg and Nana (Marta) at Kobe's Japanese Steak House. Nana has the three (3) Chihuahua's that Sam talked about in his opening blog entry.

Meg is on the left in redish/pink while Nana is wearing purple.

Back of Sam's head while watching the chef do his cooking magic.

Sam at Kobe's...

The waiting for your food is one of the hardest parts, especially when you are hungry and tired. He's looking a little of both.

That's a lot of food being prepared.

AND WE ARE OFF TO BETHEL. Okay... so the "plane to Bethel" pictures were on the previous post. I never said that I could post these in any order, but I'm trying. :)

Now... we've landed in Bethel and who should be there but an old friend from Camp Benson, Audia. Apparently his job is baggage handling in Bethel (hence Sam's reference in his original post):

Poor Audia, Sam some how has decided it was his fault his luggage was lost
between Anchorage and Bethel (all in fun!).

Dinner in Bethel at the "Red Basket" restaurant with Cozmo, Christine (Cozmo's wife), and Audia ... Camp Benson reunion!

Christine far left, Cozmo center, and Audia right

And then back at the airport waiting to get to Hooper (no they did not spend the night in the airport)...

Three days of traveling and no sleep before leaving definitely caught up to the young lad.

More Pictures from O'Hare to Anchorage

Preparing to fly out of O'Hare airport for Anchorage (early day and long flight ~ 7 hours):

 And I do see two sets of earbuds (blue and red). Nice!
Plus the ever present Abercrombie and Fitch jacket that rarely is off.

Sam mid flight...

Sam and Mom sat in the Thanksgiving Black Friday line at Walmart from 1pm - 10pm for his new laptop. A necessary accessory for the teen boy, especially when traveling so far from home.

First full day in Anchorage at an "authentic Alaskan eatery: Friday's" (as in TGIF). LOL

Mary Ellen Gillin (aka Meg), Sam, and Slim

Then some play time with Sam's "big brother" Billy and his fiance, Charity:

Billy and Charity (super great people)

Sam hanging with Billy

Finally on the flight from Anchorage to Bethel. This is called a "convy" (converted) small jet. The front of the plan holds cargo while the passengers enter in the back. There is about 70 seats. The whole side of the plane "folds open" to lift in the cargo. How cool is that?

Entering the plane at the rear.