Returning to Pangnirtung...

I just wanted to blog here a quick note to say... I'm moving back to Nunavut!  

Since going south January 2010...I have continued blogging as "Sarah on the Road"...I have created a new blog, and will continue blogging my next Nunavut Adventure there... so come on over and join me at... 

www.sarahontheroad.com 

...feel free to update your status bars, and RSS feeds... (and all that other technical stuff I don't really understand!) 

I'll see you on the flip side.. Sarah :) 

...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....

Thanks for all the VOTES!!!

Wow... Thank you for all the votes!!  The Nunies are officially over another year-- and Clare just announced the winners on his site... CHECK IT OUT ...   drum roll.... Yes that's right... my post about my first boating trip... this past summer won best post!!  There were some other amazing posts in that category...

I feel pretty honoured to have won in the best post category, and gave it a good run for the best new blog category! All the bloggers that were nominated are pretty awesome... so check them out when you get a chance!

Thank again!

Cheers,

Sarah

VOTE... vote.. VOTE... vote!!!!!!

Just wanted to let you know that the Voting for BEST NEW BLOG has started... PLEASE take your time to go and VOTE!!!  HERE  

 THERE are TWO places to vote for ME---BEST NEW BLOG, and FIRST BOATING TRIP (best post)

Thank you, THANK you, thank YOU!

PS. Stay tuned for my new blog... it's in the works... the relocation has had some 'bumps' in the road!!!!

..the Nunies...

I'm just stopping in to say.. that Clare has posted about the Nunies..and to quote

"Yes, its that time again, Nunavut's premiere (well okay, only) blogging awards - The Nunies. There is no change in the format this year. There are three categories: Best Blog, Best New Blog, Best Post"

Stop over there to see the rules... but basicly all you have to do to nominate a blog is...

"You can nominate up to five blogs for both Best Blog and Best New Blog. Nominations should be emailed to nunavutblogs AT yahoo DOT ca. The five blogs with the most nominations will go on to the voting round. Clare will not nominate any blogs but Clare will cast the deciding vote in case of a tie for the fifth position."

There are a heap of other GREAT northern blogs you can check out.... HERE

Thanks for your support (in advance!)

Today was a great day... the sun is still throwing me for a HUGE loop... and my new job is awesome...but I totally MISSED my 5min walk home.. instead of the 45min car ride!

Cheers, Sarah

Starting a new Journey....

2009 was a good year... I honestly couldn't have hoped for a better year... You see I had finished my MA the year before and really hadn't worked in about 18months when 2009 rang in! but in Jan things started looking up...I had a 2 week contract with the MS Society--doing school kick off assemblies for the 'read-a-thon' program...(it was a cool gig..and got to stay with my good friend Amanda in St. Catherines..that was even cooler!)... then in Feb..I started supplying at a daycare in Toronto--and mid Feb I got the call for the interview.. and accepted the job to come to Nunavut... and I had the best 10months of my life... living and working in Nunavut!  I can say I've been to all the communities in the Region... even Sanikilluaq! 

All in all it was a great year... I had lots of adventures...way too many to recount... but the most exciting thing was... I found my groove... a part of me that I had 'forgotten' since returning from Australia... I'm so happy I found that... I made a heap of new friends...and will carry those friendships with me in the future....

So this brings me to YESTERDAY (Dec 31, 2009) After a LONG day of travel...(like 12 hours or so...) that involved me arriving at the airport to find out that the plane I was suppose to be on...had 'mechanical issue' in flight and returned to Iqaluit not landing in Pang.... This led me to switching airlines for the first leg of my journey---convincing the staff that I could get on the plane that was on the ground--not the one arriving later that afternoon.....(so I could make my next connection in Iqaluit)... then boarding that plane.. and having 3 attempts at taking off...(something to do with the auto something didn't engage..a safety precaution to do with 'gravel runways'... if one engine failed--the other would do something to compensate so we wouldn't crash!?--still not 100% sure)... BUT we got off into the air... I didn't have a window seat--which is probably good... I had spent enough time crying early that morning while dancing around my friend's house... and if i was actually looking at the scenery out the window... I'm sure i would have cried again!  When I arrived in Iqaluit.. I got to see my friend Leslie and her three beautiful girls one more time in the airport and met someone that shared the rest of my trip for Winnipeg...someone that is from the 'peg... but had been living in Iqaluit for the past 2 years...but now is moving back! 

I arrived in my hotel room in Winnipeg at 11:59pm (Central time)...It seemed so fitting to be here at midnight... I'm starting the next adventure...a new job, new city, new apartment, new cell phone.... so many new things!!!!  I need to look forward, as sad as I am to have left the north... I'm looking forward to the new things... I have a feeling 2010 is going to be a great year... I mean why can't it be!?

Once I get some things figured out and am settled here in Winnipeg... I'm sure I'll be blogging all the time....and when I do... I'll leave you a link where to find me...

Wishing you and your families--health, happiness and lots of laughter for 2010!!

Cheers,
Sarah

I've wanted to put up a weather report for awhile...(partly because they haven't shown SUNs in the forcast for months now...) and I think the moons are way cool!...but this is not really a report you want to see when you are suppose to fly out... in oh... 4hours!  Let's hope that the ceiling improves, and the wind stays calm, lots can happen in that time frame!

Updated:  Guess my fingers crossed didn't work...(I wasn't that hopeful...) the plane flew over.. and headed back to Iqaluit... now I have to sit and wait to see when First Air reschedules me.... not so bad...another day in Pang... (although... I'm guessing my 36hours in Toronto is not going to happen!)

Names...and a prize, say it ain't so....

When I was in university... I got two gold fish(well had many sets of two gold fish--as I digress)... it took me a long time to figure out names for those two fish... I watched them swimming... I cleaned out their bowl, I fed them.. and finally like 6 weeks into being a 'fish-mum' I came up with their names... the first two were "Chesterfield" aka Chester (for short) and "Cushion" (no shortform required)... (weird names.. I know but it took WEEKS to figure it out...my friend and roommate Sarah at the time would probably agree it was way too long to name something like a fish...)...Then next set of fish... (after Chester and Cushion went off to fish heaven) were named Pickles and Olives... (ok, ok... maybe I really did have issues with naming fish! lol)... and then there was Jules and Suds.... and that was the end of the fish for awhile... (aren't you glad I haven't had to name a BABY yet?!--oh I am.. that child might be 5years old before I come up with something!!!!)

You might be asking yourself what is the point of this?  Well I'm in that place yet again.... and I NEED to find a new name for something.... ie) my new blog... because I can't be "newbie in the north" when I hit Winnipeg--although the temps right now are COLDER than Nunavut...(projected to be like -30C on Friday when I arrive..gasp!)...I still need to find something new... but I can't think of anything... and dont' want it to be like 6 weeks or maybe never for me to blog again...

So I'm asking you, yes... YOU to comment and leave your suggestions for names... I'm moving to a new city... (I've been there 2 times in my life... the first when I was 12years old and travelling across Canada with my grandparents and 2 brothers---only memory is that my Grandpa drove on a few one-way streets the wrong direction! YIKES! I hope I don't do that!.. The second time was earlier this month when I flew out for the interview....)  I'm starting the dream job.... hmmm what else can I say? I'm a shutterbug... and love taking photos... (is that enough for you to work with?!).... I'll let you think about that.... for awhile..... and I cant' wait to see what you come up with......

And you know what? if I like the name... you might even win a prize!!!!

Thanks in advance! Sarah

LET it snow, let IT snow, let it SNOW!!!

Sunday night when I got home after the movie night... it was already kind of 'nasty' out... lots of fresh snow + some wind = blowing snow, snow drifts and white-outs.... On Monday at noon.. when I took Omar out... this is what I saw.. a HUGE drift of snow in front of the house... (all Sunday night the house shook because of the wind).... (by Tuesday morning this drift was ABOVE the truck's window... I wish I had taken a photo!)..

Omar didn't mind... he just jumped through it.. and dove, hiding his head looking for things under the snow... it was quite fun to watch.. and I was wearing my sorel boots and snow pants and was ok to wade through the snow at some points higher than my knees!

Even the door was covered with snow.....and some ended up in the porch!

Here's the row of houses across the street....when I was out with Omar before bed... there was a few times.. I was standing (just on the other side of the house...) and I could not see anything but white...I just stood still and waited for the wind to die down for a second so I could walk closer to my house..(about 20feet away!) I made it home safe and sound....

I'm so excited I got to see such an awesome winter storm... although tonight, it makes me a bit worried... I'm leaving tomorrow heading south.... but well that's 'weather permitting'... so my hope and prayer tonight is that the wind stays calm, and the ceiling high for the morning... just long enough for the plane to land and then take off again....(of course with me and my 3 bags on board!)... Here's to hoping for that.... although it wouldn't be so bad to be 'stuck' here in the north--for a few more days... it just  might mean I fly directly to Winnipeg and not spend 2 nights in Toronto... not the end of the world.. just not what I had planned.. I'm hoping for good weather...but what will be will be... the fresh snow does look so nice.. and the temps here have been amazing... it toped -1C today at one point... and now is hovering around -10C I think! Pretty darn nice..

A walk to the end of the road...

On Christmas day I took a long walk..and headed down to the end of the road... it was my Christmas gift to Omar...and well also myself!  When we headed out the mountains on the Pang Pass...were pinky from the sun.... it kind of struck me just past the dump.. that this might be the last time I walk down here... I don't usually get all gushy and emotional and what-not...instead I just enjoyed my walk...with my four-legged companion...and took a few photos... (with me still hanging onto the leash..yes, i'm just that good!)  So here are some of my favs from my walk to the end of the road......

Looking back towards town... my house in the left hand corner...

..further out...This is just such a beautiful place to live...

You can see some of my hair was even frosted up....

Merry Christmas Omar!!! (him with the Pang Pass in the background)..

.this was a fun and interesting photo to take... and well frankly it's not in focus..but it was hard to get the dog in the right spot...and to snap it!!

..in my new Parka...and new hat from the one-of-a-kind show in Toronto.... a "newbie" to the north no more.... but thinking back to my first days in the north!

When we got back.. there was just about an hour of sunlight left...and the moon was already up and shining over Mt. Duval... I still can't believe I climbed that mountain 3 times!

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day....... and RELAXING!!

Christmas Eve I spent with some really good friends!!! Kim and Jason and their daughter hosted an awesome night...of FOOD and FUN Christmas Eve there were 7 adults and one excited girl that Christmas was here!  There was a full out Turkey dinner.. and tons of yummy snacks and goodies before hand!!!

 A quick snap of the 'pre-dinner' snack food!!!

A snap of Kim and I!

After Katie went to sleep....we all watched a movie... it might not have been the most 'Christmas-ey'..but was so darn funny.... I hadn't seen the Hangover... and well I'm glad I did get to see it!! If you haven't you should see it....

Just before the movie started I was served a Christmas MINT hot chocolate!  With a candycane and marshmellow AND whipped cream..it was delightful...

On Christmas Day... I woke up and gave Omar a HUGE walk---2 1/2 hours.. (like the ONLY daylight ones).. and we went to the end of the road...(but well I'll blog about that separately!).... That evening Tara has invited me over for Turkey and Char dinner... it was delish!!! She had a visitor from the south for the holidays.. and other friends Devin and Kendra came over too! It was a great night... Thanks Tara for doing all the cooking!!! :)

...getting everything ready...

...here we are about to eat... it was such yummy food!

Tara has this great tradition about hanging cookies on her Christmas tree....when I arrived I got to do the honours and hang them on the tree.... Tara also talked about this tradition on her blog...check it out!

This was my second Christmas ever in my 30 years away from home... the first one was Christmas of 2003...when I was living in Australia...that Christmas was different and the whole time it was happening it had this sureal kind of feeling about it...because it was summer!  This Christmas it was definitely NOT summer..but the temps weren't that bad... it was a white Christmas and one I won't forget.... on Boxing day I finally got to sleep...(other than the necessary trips outside with a dog...) and just relax!  I didn't end up going to the games on the ice or any other community events... I was just so tired... I think all the travelling this fall, packing, and trying to wrap my mind about relocating to a new city while living in the Arctic had finally caught up to me! 

Sunday I felt rested up and went to Kim's for a good MOVIE day!! hehehe we watched 3 films... one I had seen parts of.... Wedding Crashers...and there were two other friends that watched that with us..(as we had some yummy lunch!)... and then people departed... and Kim and I continued to watch movies...we watched Four Christmases (is that how you spell that/?!) and The Ugly Truth.... both were very good and funny!  it was awesome to have one last 'movie' day with Kim.... hopefully at some point we can do it again.... I'm so going to miss seeing you regularly!!! 

I had a fantastic Christmas though--and I hope you and your families did too!!!

homeless in Pang?!

..well not quite!  Since I had my huge house sale on Saturday...and sold well everything in my kitchen--pots, pans, dishes, knives and forks plus microwave, toaster oven etc... AND sold my TV/DVD player...AND sold my towels, and some of my sheets..(plus a wide variety of other things)... I realized that living in a house that has well none of those things..especially over christmas for like 10days until I leave on Dec 30th..was not the most ideal circumstances... I had a few friends offer their houses...and I took up two really good friends!! (they are the best!!) I moved into their house Sunday night--they flew out Sunday Afternoon...it was perfect timing....

oh and the bonus? I have a house-mate... yep... and sometimes he even joins me in bed...and gives me lots of kisses!!  OK get your minds out of the gutter... he's a bit too furry and well he's pretty cute... (spoken from the 'non-dog' herself person... I must admit... I'm not so much of a fan of dogs...I respect and like other people's dogs...and am a fabulous friend to dogs...if I'm doing 'short-term' dog sitting.. I don't think I'll EVER get one of my own---but it's nice to borrow one once and while... Don't worry friends vacationing in the south he's in GOOD hands with me!

There have been 3 dogs in my life that Ive gotten attached too...Winston a rescue dog from Texas, USA that my little bro brought into our lives... a boston terrior.. and very cute!  He was a good introduction...he had been shot at some point in his life.. and had 'hip/hind end' issues.. so he didn't jump up... didn't go up or down stairs...and was pretty well trained...

Here's a shot of Winston...

John also brought the second dog into my life... Gus... as a little puppy this guy had TONS of energy.. and boy did he JUMP up... and often I did walk him when I was around Toronto... he soon found a soft spot in my heart...and when I was staying with Kat and John earlier this month.. I was pleasantly surprised about how less puppish? (is that a term) he has become.....

Here's a shot of Gus....

This brings me to the 3rd dog... My current house-mate... yep... he's an AWESOME dog... his name is Omar... and well if I was a dog keeping kind of gal... I'd totally keep him!!

doesn't he look cute?....

He's very well mannered and polite.... except when he hears something.. or sees something.. and perhaps you are walking him.. and well aren't paying that close attention.. and then maybe he leads you onto the snow(which had been a hardened crust until the temps topped +5C on the weekend) and that means your foot goes through the crust.. the dog is still going.. and well you fall down.. tripped.. and hanging onto the lead for all you are worth... because frankly you know you aren't a dog person and if you let go.. you might NEVER get him back.. and you really don't want to call your vacationing friends and say... "Ummm I'm sorry... I lost your dog"...so this means that you might have a ride... or been dragged by a husky... while you are frantically calling OMAR stop!!! LEAVE Keisha ALONE... oh yes.. it's good times!! (especially when a good friend of yours witnesses the whole ordeal...)

Here we are... house-mates for another 6 days!! :)

Icebergs...revisted!

Remember in April when I posted about going out to see the icebergs?...if not...there were 4 posts...ONE, TWO, THREE, or FOUR to refresh your memory!  I finally, yes I realize that it's been almost 8months--got some 'group' shots from my friend Claus...he takes some amazing photos... check out his SITE here!  I was thrilled to get these shots... Thanks so much!!

It reminds me how 'huge' these actual things are!

I must admit..this photo of the iceberg in my shades is one of my favs...I think it's the coolest thing around!!!

Thanks Claus, for helping me remember some awesome times!!

A night to Remember...

While I was walking home from the Daycare Christmas dinner.. I looked up...and stood in awe... the Northern Lights were out... and they were dancing... I hurried home and called really good friends of mine Markus and Delia... and asked them if they wanted to join me in going out on the ice to take some photos of the lights...They agreed...and we met up about 40mins later! 

I'm going to let my photos do the talking...for right now....

The lights started over Mt. Duval.. and danced across town...and out towards the sound...

Looking in the other direction.... they were still there....

Simply breath taking....

The stars were even awesome... Delia pointed out Orion...and a bunch of other things... that was way cool!!!

Here I am.. In my new parka...Words can not describe this experience...the memory of this night...and spending it with two really good friends will be held in my heart for a long time.... This is because it might have been the last night I get to watch the lights dance over Pang...I'm leaving the north... there I've said it..out loud here on the blog...(family and friends on the 'book have known for a little longer)... that's the news that I sort of elluded to just before my birthday weekend celebrations...

I'm moving to Winnipeg in the New Year..to start a job that I've been wanting to do for as long as I can remember...I've been working at and directing my career to this point in my life.. and FINALLY that dream is coming true! I'm so excited to get the opportunity..... but on the other hand... (here are always two sides to any story)... I'm sad... really sad... I have come to love the north, and call it my home...and am sad that I have to leave... (my contract was up Jan 15th...so in reality I'm only leaving about 2 1/2 weeks early)...I'm so going to miss my friends I have made...and the awesome adventures I have had here while living at the Arctic Circle!  I must admit.. while watching the lights with two friends... I had a moment...and cried... the last time I felt like this was when I left Melbourne summer of 2004...that was the first city that I fell in love with and in....

I'm looking forward to moving---south west (although really in the middle of the country--so not really that west... just west from where I am now)... exploring a new city... and looking for an apartment, a car...and hmmmmm starting the 'dream' job... I'm so thankful I have a job I'm going to... I've spent many a sleepless night.. this fall thinking about that.... but all in all I sent out dozens of resumes.. and after accepting this position I had at least 5 other offers of interviews...

I'm glad it's finally out there in the 'Blog-o-sphere'...sorry I didn't announce it sooner..but I've been trying to sort out my life... I always seem to make these 'huge' moves in short periods of time... I had about 4 weeks to be in Winnipeg when I accepted the job...(sound familiar--I think I had that amount of time when I came up here in March!)... my absense on the blog has been due to resigning from my current position, sorting out my stuff, packing, getting ready for a HUGE house sale...selling all my stuff (on Saturday)...and then cleaning and moving into a friend's house to house sit for my last 10days in Pang... YIKES! (oh and there's also the apartment searching in a city you don't really know...but you sort of know the neighbourhood you want to live in... but still aren't sure...)

10 days left..... Maybe if I don't think about it.. it won't happen!?

I'm going to keep on blogging..but feel like a new name..any suggestions?! 

The week of Christmas Events.......

...On Sunday Dec 13th...I was lucky my flight made it in... at 2pm...it was really bumpy..but the rest of the week was 'bad' weather...and some people were stuck in Iqaluit until Thursday! I went to the Lodge for Christmas dinner with my department from work..it was a fantastic roast beef dinner..with games that followed! 

This game involved rolling a die...when you got the right number.. you grabbed the bowl..and started pealing off the numbers in order.... at the end the person with a certain number won a prize... (guess who that person was? it was ME!)...I was really lucky and won two of the three games we played! 

I also brought back a Christmas Tree with me from Iqaluit.... and the price was fantastic on this guy... I almost didn't get it in the door... it was so huge...I'll let you be the judge...here is my Christmas Tree...

On Wednesday night it was the Elementary School school's Christmas Concert... which was a fun evening..of singing, dancing and skits! (I have misplaced my photo card that holds these photos...will update when I find it!)

Thursday evening it was the High School's Christmas Concert...which was another fun evening of singing, dancing and skits.. the grade 12 skit was hilarious... all the students 'pretended' to be their teachers...and it was well done! 

Friday afternoon at work.. we did a "Secret Santa" exchange....where everyone exchanges gifts..but doesn't let anyone else know who got each other... my secret Santa gave me these FABULOUS earings...I LOVE THEM!!! Thank you Secret Santa!!! (I know I looked stunned...I'm still trying to catch up on sleep...trust me there's been lots happening these past few weeks!)

We also played a few more games...and my birthday luck had run out..but I did have great fun in the playing.. and let me tell you I have quite a few more 'party' games banked in my memory for future use!

This game was fun... you rolled the die.. and when you hit the right number.. you grabbed the plastic bags... and tried to put a knot in them with using ONLY one hand (but you could use your knees, foot etc...)... You continue to tie bags...until the next person rolls that number... I wasn't so great at this one! 

These are the sock rings from Sunday... but this game instead of separating them.. you had to put them on your wrist, one at a time, until the next person rolled the die and hit the right number... Kayrene won..but I was a close 2nd... and I'm sorry for the squeels and hip checks if you were in the way... apparently I take my games seriously... (well i'm practicing up for Christmas Games!)

Friday Evening I was invited to the Daycare's Family Christmas dinner...it was great fun!  The food was WONDERFUL...and it was nice to hang out with my friends and their children... Santa even made a visit! 

Vera's Son is the cutiest!! (you might remember him from photos in the spring from Igloolik!)

Vera and her son....

yummy food.... the turkey was awesome.... as was the meatballs and salads!

And of course... Santa came to visit.... the children's responses were mixed...some were excited, others less than excited to see Santa..and some didnt even want to go near him to get their gifts!