...A year ago today...

I'm not sure anyone is tuning into this blog anymore, although I still get a dozen or so hits a day.  In the last few days.. I've been thinking about a year ago, and what I was up too!  You see it was a year ago today that I boarded a plane--in Toronto and headed to Montreal, and then to Kuujjuaq, and then to Iqaluit--then had a 4 1/2 hour layover in the Iqaluit airport--where I knew no-one and well everyone seemed to know everyone... and had all that time to 'wonder' what THE HECK had I got myself into... and then I arrived in Pang... around 7:30pm... and swept off to the Lodge...

I honestly can't believe it's been 2 1/2 months since I left the north... I know I left a part of my heart there...the people, the job, the experience.. was so amazing... and we all know sometimes these things have to end... (and I'm not saying that I'm not enjoying driving a car, going through drive-thrus, getting takeaways.. and starbucks--because that would be a lie)...but there are somethings I seriously miss....

So here's a top ten list... on the day that would have been my 1 year anniversery in the North....of things I miss from my Northern Adventure!!!(in no particular order)...


10.  The Northern---yes, it was one of my 'fun' things to do... the walk to the northern on Fridays--usually pay day Friday's... one of the fun 'social' events of the week!!! I don't really miss the prices OR the selections...but I do miss that 'built' in social event!

9. Seeing the Northern Lights dance over my head, it was the most magical and powerful thing.... I could have danced and stood in wonder for hours...

8) Day trips I took with strangers--that became my friends.... to the Arctic Circle, to Crater Lake, and to see the Icebergs.... those are memories I cherish!

(the three following photos were taken by my friend Claus Vogel)

7) Artists that come to your door selling you awesome stuff... like earings, carvings, prints.... man I miss it!!

6) Arctic Cotton that blows in the wind..... so pretty..

5) Planes... oh how I miss you.... after travelling so much for work from September to December... and being in the air so much.. I seriously am having airplane withdrawals... soon to be fixed by a weekend trip to Ontario!

4) The gorgeous views, especially the Pang Pass...

3) Random Icicles everywhere... in unique formations!!

2) Loonie Toonies--and other community events...and potlucks!!! and Movie nights!!! :)

1) Hiking in my back yard... the land is so goregous... and beautiful.... and amazing...

Now to be fair I probably should do a list of 10 things I don't miss.... (in no particular order!)

10) the sense of isolation... and being 'stuck' somewhere--especially when the weather is bad...and there are no planes in or out!

9) the price of food, and selection of things to buy to eat...

8) the lack of movie theatres, coffee shops, and resturants, the lack of a 'dating' life!

7) the gossip/ high school behaviour that often happens in small communities... hard to keep track of who is talking and who isn't talking.... but people still attending the same events etc... (drama!)

6) running out of water... and waiting over 24 hours for a water truck to come and fill you up! or waiting for the sewage truck to come...

5) snow-machines driving at 'crazy' hours of the night... waking you up!

4) children playing and screaming outside in the 24 hour sunlight.... at 3am outside your bedroom window...

3) the wind that shook my bed--because the house was shaking on the pillars/posts.. and the sound of things crashing into the side of it...

2) the smell of the dump burning.....

1) the pack of wild dogs that follow you everywhere when u are walking... or children that ask you your name!

Well folks there you have it... my lists.... and if you are interested I do have a new blog of my life in Winnipeg... you can find me here!

I miss you Arctic Living....