24 February 2009 Back to Fairbanks 2009

February 24, 2009**They All Asked for YOU! **

I went on down To the deep blue sea And they only asked for you I say, they all asked for you Well, even inquired about ya

I went on down To the deep blue sea And they all asked for you The dolphins asked The whales asked And the shark asked for you, too

Bom-bom-bom-bom Bom-ba-de-ba, bom-bom-bom Bom-bom Ba-de-da-bom-bom-bom

'Red beans'

'Pig lips'

**Thanks Dr. John - your music connects me to my roots! **

Happy Mardi Gras

My brain is racing making my thoughts random. It is so amazing to think of how much my life has developed since I was in Fairbanks almost a year ago.

It didn't really occur to me to write a journal until my student Hayley asked if I would be posting anymore "Alaskan Extra Credit" like I did last year. Thanks, Hayley for motivating me and "yes, I will have questions." Please read on.

It is wonderful to be back here, but on a such different level. I remember how nervous and overwhelmed I was last year. Now with all of that behind me, it is fun to be here with the new 20 PolarTrec teachers, the ARCUS staff, PolarTREC alumni and others. It is so great to be able to finally meet Rob Wilder who went to Barrow with Steve and Paulo the year before I did. We have much to chat about.

Our days are filled with learning and it never ceases to amaze me how much more there is to learn. As PolarTREC Alum Maggie from Maui said her brain is so full that she is afraid to tilt her head less her new knowledge will spill right out.

Did you know that there is a relatively inexpensive computer program that can be purchased so that we can set up a pseudo weather station.... It's only about $350 - any ideas where we can get some extra cash?

There is also a **free website **that I / we can use to create a blog like site to use to upload homework, etc. Do you have any ideas how we could use that?

I think one of the most important things that happen at these meetings is the networking. Networking basically means that you get together, chat and get to know one another. How fun is that? It is amazing to meet all of these wonderful top-notch teachers and to realize that we have many things in common and many things that are so very different.

It is time for bed, I am trying to get myself adjusted to AK time!

Stephanie Ferazzoli here is some daily life advice for you... I know how you need me to tell you something on a daily basis.

Network - yep that's it. Meet and/or talk to someone that you don't know at all or too well. See what develops. And don't be surprised if something even develops years from now, based on a conversation you had today!

EXTRA CREDIT question: What is the Yukon Quest and will I be able to experience any part of it (why or why not)?

From the snow covered city of Fairbanks,

Mrs. Eubanks

PolarTREC teacher of the Day

Gary Wesche

Gary will be heading to Mac Town in Antarctica next December. He is from Kansas City and teaches at a Catholic School! Gary is a super interesting guy, he is a musical theatre performer in his spare time. But get this, he also was a **stay at home dad **for 16 years, this was a choice he and his wife made. I only know one other stay at home dad and that is my cousin Elaine's hubby! Cool!