Election Time!

One little bonus about living in this remote place is that this past week, while many Americans patiently stood in lines for hours in the elements waiting to submit their ballots, I did not. I walked right up to the Manokotak City Office where they knew me by name and handed me my ballot. I was in and out in about three minutes, which was good, because at 4PM the results were already rolling in. And so I sat glued to my neighbors television in silence, while the magic unfolded. No line at this polling station.

For the first time, I'm living in a place where my political persuasion has been in the minority. Not only is Alaska a traditionally republican state, but the ante was upped this year (especially in this community) by Sarah Palin, who's husband Todd happens to be from Dillingham (our village hub). Many people here in Manokotak are either related to him or know the Palin's personally. As a result, much of the village held a very emotional stake in this election, as did the rest of America.

Speaking of Palin, I scored a few village points for my last minute Halloween costume. Halloween morning, I mentioned to my neighbor that I had considered dressing up as our Governor but then thought better of it. He poked his head in later and said, "Ahh....you couldn't do Palin anyway!" Never one to turn down a good challenge, I instantly began brainstorming potential Palinesque ensembles. At lunch, I ran home, cut myself some bangs, borrowed some rimless glasses, dug out my flag pin and dusted off my otherwise dormant red, patin leather peep toe high heels. Since my wardrobe change happened at lunch, our afternoon was shot. The kids kept calling me Sarah Palin and asking hypothetical questions like "Does Sarah Palin like it when I do my best on math?" or "Does Sarah Palin know what 15 x 25 is?" I quickly realized my pleas for order were for not as the distractions continued with several other interruptions from teachers bringing their classes in as well as other staff and community members who excitedly came into my classroom exclaiming, "Look, it's Sarah Palin! Hi Sarah Palin!" For the rest of the day and into our evening carnival I was referred to only as "Sarah Palin!"

I had to kick off the high heals by the evening for the carnival.