Flying on a Black hawk helicopter.
If anyone ever gets the opportunity, DO NOT turn it down.
I reported to the National Guard Hanger around 9:30 a.m. and was told to grab some ear plugs and head downstairs to be briefed. There were five civilians and three National Guardsmen. We took off in the Western Alaska darkness around 10:15 am. I sat in a seat facing backwards, alone with side windows.
We flew north east to the village of Buckland, where the forecast predicted at least -25 F, not including any sort of wind chill.
We watched the sun rise over the snow covered tundra and on into the mountains. Coming close to peaks and summits, gazing at the blowing snow swirling on the ground below.
As we grew closer to our destination, I actually saw some trees. Simple pleasures, especially when you do not see any for months at a time.
We landed just after the sun had come up- approximately around 12:30. We were greeted by villagers on snowmachines, 4-wheelers, and a truck looking to give us a lift to the elementary/middle/high school. Getting my backpack on and securing my gloves a National Guardsmen opens the door and screams 'Its 45 below be ready.' It seemed that everyone went into preparation mode for the arctic temperatures. I zipped up my jacket, secured my scarf and hoped that my clothes would suffice.
I stepped off the helicopter, took a breath and my glasses fogged up and in turn froze. So, I am standing there, blind and wandering into a bed of a truck that I hope is headed to the elementary school- but I see that Santa is also piling on so I feel secure.
We drive through a row of houses and approach a beautiful school that I learned was just built seven years earlier.
We unloaded the truck and headed inside. Looking around I see kids, teachers, and administrators barking orders and kids obeying everything coming out of the adults mouthes. I was impressed, they seemed to be running a tight ship and I did not want to step out of line.
We were set up in the Library, the elves went to work and Santa got ready. I had my KNOM duties to do so I got the Marantz recorder ready and acquainted myself with my surroundings. Mostly defrosting my glasses.
The students filed in one class at a time by grade. We learned that an elder had passed away and the funeral was during the scheduled time- so we had an hour to see between 150 and 175 students, take a picture with the Jolly Old Man and hand them their gift. Glorious.
They brought students in one class at a time and the children stood tolerantly for their turn, I have never seen kids so well behaved.
One student was making sarcastic comments and passing out jokes. I was behind him and he turns around and said 'What is this? A recorder?' I told him it was and he faced me and said- 'Wait, I don't know you.' I told him what I was doing and he felt the recorder and commented on how big it was and questioned my attendance. His name was Jeremiah. A boy behind him poked him and froze and without missing a beat Jeremiah just said the boys name and said to stop, he knows that poke.
Jeremiah is blind, and told me that he may not see the computer screen but he can be brutal with computers- I believe him.
The students as well behaved as they were, did show excitement when they received their gift, no one, not even a baby cried when they sat on Santa's lap. Amazing.
We did get everyone happily through.
The entourage gathered everything up in the library and tried to figure a ride back to the chopper. In 45 below, walking did not sound to pleasant. A teenager walked in and her mother, the principal, asked 'Did you try to start the truck this morning' and she simply stated that it would not even turn over. That is what happens in 45 below, if something was not already on, it is too late.
A man was walking through and said his truck was on and he could drop us off. Walking outside I tried not to repeat my previous mistake, and made a hole for air through my knotted scarf, it worked for a minute.
We landed in Buckland around 12:40 and suddenly at 1:40 pm we are headed back to the Back hawk. Talk about a quick trip!
We loaded up and this time- I faced forward.
The trip back was exciting, it was like we were on a roller coaster or in a movie. At times the pilots decided to have a little fun. We would circle and sometime maneuver to see caribou herds or a frozen creek bed.
We dove to the ground, spin around and flew over some amazing Alaskan wilderness.
I made it home safely, and exhausted. A trip needed, I would do it agian in a heartbeat.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Blackhawks and Operation Santa Claus
Tuesday I went on a Blackhawk helicopter to deliver presents to good little kids in the village of Buckland, Alaska. I went with Santa, his elves, and the National Guard.
**When I finish the Christmas play for broadcast on KNOM and everything I will post a more in depth description of my fabulous experience.**
It was phenomenal.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Nome Holidays
Permafrost does not allow trees to grow around this area- so Nome flies in Christmas trees, it is a luxury needless to say.
Without trees to absorb nature's winds, the wind is free to rip through anything in it's path. They got up to 50 mph a few night ago. My roommate Jacob woke me up around 3 a.m. and the things on his wall where shaking. I have never really been in winds that powerful that they shook things inside a house. The forecast consists of 'snow and blowing snow'--- fabulous.
Our house is decorated for Christmas! We are picking up a Christmas tree tomorrow, so we are getting a live tree!
Things I have learned with the mild introduction to winter so far:
- Windburn hurts.
- When you have been inside all day you do not care it is -3 F, you still want to walk.
- 10:30 am and 10:30 pm look the same
- Parties are necessary for social interaction
- Reading can make one a hermit
- Small communities have more activities then I can count
Nome has Safety Patrol, consisting of citizens that patrol Front Street in Nome during the weekends that people receive their Personal Fund Dividend checks and other various holidays and celebrations. Some villages are dry- no alcohol whatsoever. Thus, some fly here to have a little fun. The purpose is to make sure people are not falling off the seawall into the Bering Sea, freezing to death and even just to make sure the police are called if there seems to be altercation. Like a hyped neighborhood watch. I patrolled this past weekend from midnight to 1:30 am. It is a nice experience to help out in the community. I keep reiterating this but it is true, Nome is a small community and they take pride in what they have, people watch out for each other.
I have just finished 'Rome Sweet Home' by Dr. and Mrs. Scott Hahn. Great book, Dr. Hahn and his wife, Kimberly, wrote about their venture from the Presbyterian church into the Catholic Faith. Pretty insightful.
Without trees to absorb nature's winds, the wind is free to rip through anything in it's path. They got up to 50 mph a few night ago. My roommate Jacob woke me up around 3 a.m. and the things on his wall where shaking. I have never really been in winds that powerful that they shook things inside a house. The forecast consists of 'snow and blowing snow'--- fabulous.
Our house is decorated for Christmas! We are picking up a Christmas tree tomorrow, so we are getting a live tree!
Things I have learned with the mild introduction to winter so far:
- Windburn hurts.
- When you have been inside all day you do not care it is -3 F, you still want to walk.
- 10:30 am and 10:30 pm look the same
- Parties are necessary for social interaction
- Reading can make one a hermit
- Small communities have more activities then I can count
Nome has Safety Patrol, consisting of citizens that patrol Front Street in Nome during the weekends that people receive their Personal Fund Dividend checks and other various holidays and celebrations. Some villages are dry- no alcohol whatsoever. Thus, some fly here to have a little fun. The purpose is to make sure people are not falling off the seawall into the Bering Sea, freezing to death and even just to make sure the police are called if there seems to be altercation. Like a hyped neighborhood watch. I patrolled this past weekend from midnight to 1:30 am. It is a nice experience to help out in the community. I keep reiterating this but it is true, Nome is a small community and they take pride in what they have, people watch out for each other.
I have just finished 'Rome Sweet Home' by Dr. and Mrs. Scott Hahn. Great book, Dr. Hahn and his wife, Kimberly, wrote about their venture from the Presbyterian church into the Catholic Faith. Pretty insightful.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Life in the Bush
The snow is disappearing, it is November, instead of snow we have been experiencing rain, and today hurricane force winds. With daily rain comes ice at night, creating nice slick paths for ATVs and pedestrians heading to work in the darkness at 8:30 a.m.
The main street in Nome is called Front Street, fitting since it is right there on the front of the Bering Sea. I can see from my office window some of the lights that are strung in zig zag fashion across the street. Starting at the Library and headed down to the Post office, so basically a block. Little town little pleasures, quaint.
To give perspective on life in the Bush... heating options, typically people use gallons and gallons of heating oil to keep cozy and alive during the winter. Also, snow machines, careful- not snow mobiles, are a key travel component between villages and vital tools for hunting. Furthermore, airline tickets are strikingly expensive even from Nome to Anchorage.
I was hoping to get out to a village this weekend to cover a volleyball tournament, however it is just not possible at this time. The production department does not have the elasticity to have me gone a Thursday-Saturday, roughly. However, I would not have been able to get out today anyway, with the rain freezing on runways all carriers that I would have used to get out there would have been canceled. Perhaps I am just too clairvoyant.
KNOM does a yearly Christmas play every year written by a former volunteer. Several of the past plays have won awards, and I am going to be editing this years production. I should be receiving this year's play any time now.
I have been spending some time with the local Parish Priest in Nome, and attending Mass. It is interesting to how it is celebrated and the Biblical basis of every tradition presented. I sit thinking about the parallels between Protestant practices and the Catholic tradition. After all, that is where Protestant traditions are generated from. Funny, some Protestants think their fathers created most of the traditions... and Catholics feel that they do not even know the Bible like Protestants, I find that interesting because Mass is scripture, despite what some people think.
Nome is a special town and I feel privileged to be apart.
Happy Holidays everyone!
You are all in my prayers,
Kristina
The main street in Nome is called Front Street, fitting since it is right there on the front of the Bering Sea. I can see from my office window some of the lights that are strung in zig zag fashion across the street. Starting at the Library and headed down to the Post office, so basically a block. Little town little pleasures, quaint.
To give perspective on life in the Bush... heating options, typically people use gallons and gallons of heating oil to keep cozy and alive during the winter. Also, snow machines, careful- not snow mobiles, are a key travel component between villages and vital tools for hunting. Furthermore, airline tickets are strikingly expensive even from Nome to Anchorage.
I was hoping to get out to a village this weekend to cover a volleyball tournament, however it is just not possible at this time. The production department does not have the elasticity to have me gone a Thursday-Saturday, roughly. However, I would not have been able to get out today anyway, with the rain freezing on runways all carriers that I would have used to get out there would have been canceled. Perhaps I am just too clairvoyant.
KNOM does a yearly Christmas play every year written by a former volunteer. Several of the past plays have won awards, and I am going to be editing this years production. I should be receiving this year's play any time now.
I have been spending some time with the local Parish Priest in Nome, and attending Mass. It is interesting to how it is celebrated and the Biblical basis of every tradition presented. I sit thinking about the parallels between Protestant practices and the Catholic tradition. After all, that is where Protestant traditions are generated from. Funny, some Protestants think their fathers created most of the traditions... and Catholics feel that they do not even know the Bible like Protestants, I find that interesting because Mass is scripture, despite what some people think.
Nome is a special town and I feel privileged to be apart.
Happy Holidays everyone!
You are all in my prayers,
Kristina
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Dear Lower 48 Pal,
I look out my office windows and I can see the Bering sea and the mountains covered in snow, which right now are turning pink from the 5 p.m. setting sun. It is weird, the darkness. Really can calm someone down, or depress them.
It is getting darker earlier and earlier everyday. It is hard to mentally prepare for the fact that by the time I am off work the sun is setting, and I can feel a difference. Honestly it is a little scary to feel so complacent. I am making myself stay active. For instance I am trying to go work out at least 3 times a week, practice sign language and French. However, social activities I hear increase with the winter because more people gather to prevent cabin fever. I can really see why that interaction is so important.
I can also see why KNOM is so important for people in many villages. We are a connection, a beacon, something steady and supportive. Wow, maybe I should listen in more! No, I do listen to many programs we air. In fact I am enjoying learning all about the Saints as well as the Sacraments, two spot series that the Inspirational Director David Dodman produces. I just love learning about all denominations and faiths. I love being a nerd!
I have taken a liking to C.S. Lewis. I have had his books before but for some reason now I just cannot get enough and my roommates are aware of my current addiction. They hear about it almost on a nightly basis. I have steamed through Mere Christianity as well as The Great Divorce. I recommend these books for anyone with any level of faith.
I am learning to play racquetball, yes, I am working through my uncoordinated skills and trying to hit a small ball with a little racket in a little room. I could feel the walls closing in last time- or maybe that was because I was running into them.
I did another Sounding Board this week. Sounding Board is a caller driven show where KNOM staff and volunteers take turns researching a issue or topic and host a show about it for an hour once a week. This was my week and I chose Obesity in Western Alaska. The first 30 minutes were dry with no callers. Fortunately, people ended up calling in the second half and giving their take on the issue, maybe better next time. I need to come up with another topic... I am up again in a month. Any ideas?
I might be headed to Golovin in about 2 weeks to cover a volleyball tournament. Pray for that, I think it would be a slamming good time!.... I know I am lame. It is confining to think that I have not ventured out of the city of Nome for over 2 months. Makes me feel disconnected to the world.
How have you been? I have been rude and have not even asked. I a sorry! Your support and prayers keep me chugging along on late nights.
I do miss the lower 48, but KNOM is such an amazing place, and the staff is phenomenal. They have everyone's best interest at heart. They stand by their staff and volunteers, really helps when we are all so far from home.
Stay well and know you are in my prayers. Have a GLORIOUS day and enjoy the trees and the Sun... Since I do not see much of either here.
Yours,
Kristina
It is getting darker earlier and earlier everyday. It is hard to mentally prepare for the fact that by the time I am off work the sun is setting, and I can feel a difference. Honestly it is a little scary to feel so complacent. I am making myself stay active. For instance I am trying to go work out at least 3 times a week, practice sign language and French. However, social activities I hear increase with the winter because more people gather to prevent cabin fever. I can really see why that interaction is so important.
I can also see why KNOM is so important for people in many villages. We are a connection, a beacon, something steady and supportive. Wow, maybe I should listen in more! No, I do listen to many programs we air. In fact I am enjoying learning all about the Saints as well as the Sacraments, two spot series that the Inspirational Director David Dodman produces. I just love learning about all denominations and faiths. I love being a nerd!
I have taken a liking to C.S. Lewis. I have had his books before but for some reason now I just cannot get enough and my roommates are aware of my current addiction. They hear about it almost on a nightly basis. I have steamed through Mere Christianity as well as The Great Divorce. I recommend these books for anyone with any level of faith.
I am learning to play racquetball, yes, I am working through my uncoordinated skills and trying to hit a small ball with a little racket in a little room. I could feel the walls closing in last time- or maybe that was because I was running into them.
I did another Sounding Board this week. Sounding Board is a caller driven show where KNOM staff and volunteers take turns researching a issue or topic and host a show about it for an hour once a week. This was my week and I chose Obesity in Western Alaska. The first 30 minutes were dry with no callers. Fortunately, people ended up calling in the second half and giving their take on the issue, maybe better next time. I need to come up with another topic... I am up again in a month. Any ideas?
I might be headed to Golovin in about 2 weeks to cover a volleyball tournament. Pray for that, I think it would be a slamming good time!.... I know I am lame. It is confining to think that I have not ventured out of the city of Nome for over 2 months. Makes me feel disconnected to the world.
How have you been? I have been rude and have not even asked. I a sorry! Your support and prayers keep me chugging along on late nights.
I do miss the lower 48, but KNOM is such an amazing place, and the staff is phenomenal. They have everyone's best interest at heart. They stand by their staff and volunteers, really helps when we are all so far from home.
Stay well and know you are in my prayers. Have a GLORIOUS day and enjoy the trees and the Sun... Since I do not see much of either here.
Yours,
Kristina
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Firestarters, Blinking Lights, and T-Shirt Weather
It seems that children everywhere have decided that playing with matches and lighters is the new the national pastime. Now Nome is no exception.
The wildfires in Southern California started by a ten year old, and last year in Hooper Bay, Alaska some village children were playing with fire and ended up burning half the village down. These situations are so incredibly devastating for all involved. The fires will just hare through cities and villages devouring everything in their path. Where is Smokey the Bear?
In Nome there was one victim. There was a fire that broke out this past Tuesday morning and three men were inside. One did not make it out. This apparently was caused by children playing with a lighter in the garage.
The children will more than likely not be prosecuted, and I am not saying that they should be. They do not necessarily understand how their actions can result in mass destruction and even death. That is not something taught between dodge ball and addition.
When the fire broke out power to most, if not all of Nome, was cut off so the firefighters would not have to encounter live wires on top of the out of control blaze. It took crews a few hours to douse the flames, and even when it was out to the eye, hot spots continued so it was watched and baby sat, much like those kids should have been with the lighter. Children cannot be watched every moment, but something should be done, implement a program, have the parents attend a fire safety instruction course, something.
I suppose I am a little optimistic. I hope people prove me wrong.
It was not the first time (and most certainly not the last) the electricity in Nome has disappeared. This is a common occurrence, and will increase with winter swiftly approaching. I have come to live with the blinking clocks around me. We have a few clocks around the house that run off battery so we have backups in case our main alarms fail. At first I would run around resetting my life, as it should be with steady lights with the correct time- or maybe a little fast so I could arrive to work in a timely fashion. However, that is no longer the case. I know where to look for the correct or at least approximate time. So I sleep in a room with a steady blink of 12 midnight, I could not stand that when I was in the Lower 48.
Crazy what you can become acclimated to in life. Just take it as it comes, I can thank my God for that. He is the one that keeps me chugging up here 102 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
The daily temperatures are between the mid-twenties and low thirties now. Last week we had a day where it reached 36 and my response was 'Man it warmed up, I do not need a jacket to run home'. Life is funny that way.
T-shirt weather? For the locals and natives, always.
The wildfires in Southern California started by a ten year old, and last year in Hooper Bay, Alaska some village children were playing with fire and ended up burning half the village down. These situations are so incredibly devastating for all involved. The fires will just hare through cities and villages devouring everything in their path. Where is Smokey the Bear?
In Nome there was one victim. There was a fire that broke out this past Tuesday morning and three men were inside. One did not make it out. This apparently was caused by children playing with a lighter in the garage.
The children will more than likely not be prosecuted, and I am not saying that they should be. They do not necessarily understand how their actions can result in mass destruction and even death. That is not something taught between dodge ball and addition.
When the fire broke out power to most, if not all of Nome, was cut off so the firefighters would not have to encounter live wires on top of the out of control blaze. It took crews a few hours to douse the flames, and even when it was out to the eye, hot spots continued so it was watched and baby sat, much like those kids should have been with the lighter. Children cannot be watched every moment, but something should be done, implement a program, have the parents attend a fire safety instruction course, something.
I suppose I am a little optimistic. I hope people prove me wrong.
It was not the first time (and most certainly not the last) the electricity in Nome has disappeared. This is a common occurrence, and will increase with winter swiftly approaching. I have come to live with the blinking clocks around me. We have a few clocks around the house that run off battery so we have backups in case our main alarms fail. At first I would run around resetting my life, as it should be with steady lights with the correct time- or maybe a little fast so I could arrive to work in a timely fashion. However, that is no longer the case. I know where to look for the correct or at least approximate time. So I sleep in a room with a steady blink of 12 midnight, I could not stand that when I was in the Lower 48.
Crazy what you can become acclimated to in life. Just take it as it comes, I can thank my God for that. He is the one that keeps me chugging up here 102 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
The daily temperatures are between the mid-twenties and low thirties now. Last week we had a day where it reached 36 and my response was 'Man it warmed up, I do not need a jacket to run home'. Life is funny that way.
T-shirt weather? For the locals and natives, always.
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