Without words

Last night, for the first time in my life, I was able to see the Auroras!!!  They were beautiful, stunning, magnificent... if there was a word that could encompass all of those things it still would not be able to express what I felt when I saw them.  I got a text from a friend telling me that they were out tonight, I am on the UAA email list to get updates when the Auroras are active and I hadn't gotten an update so I was a little skeptical, but nevertheless, I literally jumped out of my chair, threw some clothes on and ran outside.  There they were.  A beautiful band of green draped in the sky.  At first I though it was incredible and then Mike pointed out that they were dancing, and sure enough... they were dancing!  Parts of the band would swirl around while other parts danced.  I guess you'll have to come visit to see them dance... I don't know how to explain it.  It was amazing!  And it just so happened to be Allen's birthday yesterday so he got one of the most incredible birthday presents ever.  An no pictures of them yet... I wanted to fully enjoy my first time seeing them.  I should have my tripod soon and will be able to get some pictures then.

Not only was last night Allen's birthday but my friend from Kasigluk, Natalie, had also come to visit!  She had flown in on a charter with the choir from Kasigluk, even though she is not associated with  the choir.  So she was able to see the auroras for the first time too!  And she had flow in on a biplane... the first ever to land in Kipnuk, now that we have a larger airstrip.  It has been quite an eventful weekend.  Natalie is here, the auroras... today, Dolly's family had a Thow :-)  They are always exciting!  Unfortunately, Aimee had turned around to tell me that she had just gotten hit in the lip with a comb just as I was beaned in the lip with one too!  Nevertheless, it wasn't the worst injury at the event.  One lady had a bleeding finger and she didn't even complain at all.  She just continued with the throw!

Dolly's Family's Throw

Getting my hair done :-)

Allen and his birthday cake!

Me holding one of my student's puppies!

After the throw we found out that the choir from Kasigluk was going to be sing at the service tonight so we quickly got ready... Natalie was nice enough to cut my hair... in Emily's kitchen!  LOL!... and off we went to the service.  I had never been to a service before but I had heard that they can be pretty long, the church is Moravian.  Two and a half hours to be exact! For being 2 1/2 though it was a very nice service.  Mostly singing by the choir and members of the congregation.  Part of the service was in Yu'pik and part of the service was in English as was the singing.  Once we got home from the service Aimee had made dinner.  What an amazing day!