pedro

I've spent the better part of the last couple days with the Mexican Mafia. Leah and I have aquainted ourselves with the best English speaking Mexican. He is 27 years old. While picking bones out of salmon fillets, he commented, "No broken penises."
Bewildered by what he said, I responded, "Penises?"
He replied, "Yes, penises."
Leah and I began giggling, and I continued, "Penises?"
Finally, the only other American explained what a "penis" was to Pedro. He laughed and said, "No espinas." -Espinas is Spanish for spines or bones.
This same Pedro contines to say, "Bonita, bonita," to Leah and I. Also, he told me I have nice skin and pretty eyes. And he asked Leah to marry him.
Pedro told Leah and I that he has no girlfriend or wife or family. Upon talking to those who know Pedro better, we found out that he has a wife and two kids in Mexico and a girlfriend in Bellingham, Washington.

mi amiga

Last night Leah convinced me to work with her at her "new job." Her workplace is out by the mill in this gigantic warehouse. Its basically just a huge slavedrivin' fish processing plant. There are about 20 Mexicans working out there from 6 am to 12 pm everyday. When they're done, they are hauled to their "home" in a big 15-passenger van. There "home" is a trailer parked at the Stargavin Campgrounds. Most of them speak very little English.
Upon arriving I was geared up. I had on an apron (which was already covered in blood, fish chunks, and scales), gloves, plastic arm gards, and a HAIRNET! Believe me, I looked hotter than ever. Anyways, we were told we were going to be helping package fish. That consisted of us pulling frozen salmon fillets off of a corn syrup/water bath-conveyor belt. That was fun. For a while, until our hands starting going numb from the cold water.
Later, we layed big halibut fillets on racks. -Pretty important work, yeah.
A few minutes into that, and an older Mexican woman tapped me on the shoulder and directed me into the back of the warehouse. She began tearing plastic wrap from a big roll and directed me to separate the pieces. She asked me if I spoke Spanish and I said, "No," quite nervously. Then I remembered a line! "Como te llamas?"
She replied, "Bueno. Me llamo Vivida." -I wasn't exactly sure of her name.
Anyways, then I continued, "Me llamo Elaina."
She replied, "Oh, beautiful. Your name [is] Spanish." I smiled and continued.
She smiled back, pointed at me and said, "Mi amiga."

$2.19 per gallon

Though gas is amazingly expensive, Sitka youth still enjoy cruising around all 14 miles of road. Last night, Kristina drove me, Leah, and Kaari around. We went out to Whale Park and shot a couple "rounds" from my BB gun. -I know that's not what they're called, but that makes it seem way more ass-bad. Later in the night, I viewed the Last Samurai for the second time with good company. Pretty loooong, but good.

hot. fry an egg on the sidewalk hot

The weather in Sitka MUST be record-breaking. Its been around 85 degrees for the past two days. I don't know what's gotten into our skies, but its hot. I've never seen so many men without their shirts off around town... Wow.
I've been working a lot, so I haven't been able to completely enjoy the weather. But what I have endured, has been awesome!
Last night Leah and I hiked all the way up Harbor. A few souls were drinking chocolate milk and eating nectarines around a little fire. (Hot chocolate would be FAR too hot for this weather.) Also, I've been riding my Yamaha scooter a lot... Nice weather, saves gas. -It only costs me $2 to fill it up today. Went for a bike ride... et cetera... Hard to believe its Sitka.

so fresh and not so clean

I am now employed at the Fresh Fish Company. Good? Bad? We'll see. Right now I just have $ in my eyes... Shannon Dailey, Taysha Bigley, Matt Cavanaugh, and Victoria Keith (AKA. 'Stache) work there, so at least I'll have some people to chat with. As my mother put it, "...Its better than workin' with a bunch of old drunkerds..." I think she was referring to some of those working at AQE.
Anyways, should be an interesting experience. I'll keep y'all posted...

84 degrees

Yes, you read correctly. 84 degrees. While in Fairbanks, we experienced some superb rays! The weather made the trip...
As for the softball aspect... Well, we won our first game against Colony. Emily Gluth received "Player of the Game."
Our second game was against Chugiak who is ranked #1, and prior to this tourney, held the state title. We were tied in the middle of the game (3-3), but somehow lost it... Darn, but boy did we give 'em a run for their money. Lauren Wild and Kera Newman came and watched us. They were in the Fairbanks region for a Violin Camp. -It was nice to have some hometown cheerleaders. For that game, Robyn got the "Player of the Game." -She pitched great.
In our third and last game, we played Dimond, a high school of 2000 students. Sadly, we lost. We really should've won that one. -But that's the game of softball, the best team doesn't always win. As somewhat of a consolation, I received "Player of the Game." Woop-woop.
Chugiak experienced quite the "upset" when Juneau kicked their buttocks.
The Sitka Wolves received the "Team Academic Award" for having the highest average GPA of all the 14 teams. -We had no warning of this "prize."
Morley and Emily G. received awards for being "Good Sports."
And I was one of 18 players named "All Tourney." Might I add that this is not determined by our coaches, but by a committe of individuals watching the games...

no sex, no drugs, no rock 'n' roll, but yes, jazz

Last night the jazz band played at Seiner's. "Belly Meat," Mr. Howard's band, and some others jammed in honor of Mr. Howey. It was his "going away" party. It surprises me how many musically inclined people live in our town of 8,500. Anyways, there were lots of people there and the music was great... Pretty good time for a Tuesday evening before it was dark out.

Tomorrow, we, the softball team, go to Fairbanks for State. Supposedly, we are ranked number 8. -That's not bad for the entire state. Anyway, our coaches seem to think we can/will finish 4 or 5. I think if everything goes our way and we play awesome, we will get 3rd. -But that's just my optimistic view, so it means pretty much nothing.

Welcome home Mr. Robidou... Mwahaha