...and I am back in Texas for good....living in San Antonio with the wife now, for a whole 3 days with only one big screaming fit by her, par for the course. I arrived at 5:00 p.m. Sunday.
The trip back was a total 100% beating unlike any other. First because Bering Air and Alaska Airlines stubbornly refused to adjust their flight schedules, I had to leave on the morning flight from Selawik on Saturday, 10:20 a.m. and then had the distinct pleasure of spending the entire day in Kotzebue before boarding the evening flight to Anchorage. Boring, but snoozing, and also coughing. I was that old guy on the next three flights who coughed the entire way, with a very large package of Riccola throat lozenges in my lap. The last flight from Seattle to San Antonio changed gates at least 3 times, and "San Antonio" finally appeared on the board about 30 minutes before boarding. Thanks a lot Alaska Airlines...you suck. I had my backpack filled with plenty of snacks and I reserved the signature cheese and fruit plate for the Seattle to San Antonio flight, but didn't purchase, because I felt so bad. That is a historic one for me. I am normally a very good eater.
Tomorrow should be a good day. Go into Northside ISD to sign contract etc. and try not break the camera. Went to an unknown barber shop Tuesday and wow! 26$ and it took forever! I am most likely sticking to cutting my own hair from now on.
I did earn my homecoming present I gave myself. When I found out in October that the state of Alaska was going to require future elementary teachers take a class to earn a reading endorsement, and that course was free, I quickly signed up and took the course with my 73 year old colleague. Course was quite demanding by Alaska standards, requiring us to spend at least 50 hours on the course. We took the final exam in March during spring break, and then the bureaucratic fun began, because I wanted to leave Alaska with the reading endorsement. I came close.
Many detailed emails and thoughts exchanged and as of yesterday I am one of the first teachers in Alaska to own this reading endorsement.