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

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!!!

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! 

...and Christmas came early......

Yesterday when I arrived in Haliburton... I had a Christmas/ Birthday dinner(for me and kat)... it was pretty fun... (it was almost like that commerical where the family goes to their grandparents and they pact in as many holidays as possible?---didn't get any easter eggs OR halloween candy...but did end up with a full on turkey dinner.... and a birthday cake--for the first time in my life I wasn't TOO upset that the Christmas tree had been put up BEFORE my birthday... hmmm maybe being almost 30...is starting to make me a bit more 'mature'... ok back to the meal... my mum out did herself.. and made a FULL out christmas meal.... turkey, with all the sides and trimmings... and honestly it was delicious.... my grandma and her husband Bart came, my Aunt Anne and Uncle Andrew, my two Brothers John and Jamie and my two sisters-in-law Kat and Dana.. my mum and of course my nephews Samuel and Benjamin.... (wow they have grown SOOOO much in the last 6months!!)...

After dinner Kat and I blew out the candles on our cake....

Samuel gave me his present---decorations for the tree he made himself!!! he even helped me open the gifts.... while my Uncle Andrew, Aunt Anne and Mum looked on..

...we had to put them on my mum's tree....(but don't worry I brought them back home to Pang with me!)

After dinner... I managed to get some photos with my nephews...to get Benjamin to sit with me..(he was busy playing) I had to bribe him with 'little george' and then two little people from the train set!! but the end result was great!!

...my new fav photo!! I LUV being an AUNT!! :)

I took this before I headed into the car.... after a great brunch with my cousin Alison and her mum, my GREAT Aunt Anna...(she really is a wonderful aunt!)... my time in the south seemed too short.....I was pretty sad to leave Haliburton after a very brief stay just shy of 24hours.....(I had planned to stay longer..but had to fly to winnipeg on Thursday morning and flew back friday morning...so that cut out some time with the family in Haliburton... but the flight was worth it and I might even tell you what that was all about at some point in the future... who knows!!)

The view in front of my mum's place...... I so luv it!!! Thanks to all my family that came to help me celebrate my birthday and Christmas a bit early!!

Happy National Child Day!

Today I was able to celebrate with some of the child care centres in Iqaluit... it was a GREAT celebration involving a 'short' but chilly parade (it was like -20C with the windchill!), snacks, rotations through several games run by the child care centres involved...and some singing of songs! It was a great day... I'd love to share some of the photos that I have...but can't due to confidentiality..So I'll leave you with ONE of a sign that the children carried in the parade!....

I'm not sure how many of you are aware that today was National Chid Day or really what that is?! So let me tell you what it is about..... National Child Day has been celebrated across Canada since 1993 to commemorate the United Nations' adoption of two documents centered on children's rights: the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989.

Canada has ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, this means that Canada made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. This commitment includes that they, children,  be given the opportunity to have a voice, be protected from harm and be provided with their basic needs and every opportunity to reach their full potential.

Celebrating National Child Day is about celebrating children as active participants in their own lives and in communities, as active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decision-making as we create a "Canada fit for children"

Todat, November 20th, 2009, marks the 20th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) , which spells out the basic human rights to which children and youth everywhere are entitled.

So wear your 'blue' ribbon...and think about the children in your life...how can you empower them to dream big..and make those dreams become a reality!  If you have children and want to 'download' a cool 'colouring' page.... you can click HERE!

*some of this information came from The National Child Day website!!

...Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween Party au centre francophone = TONS of FUN!!!

Last night I joined some friends in Iqaluit and I headed over to the Francophone Centre and my oh my... they know how to have a party! So much fun.... the dancing was good.... My favourtie costume of the night was a girl being "Pamela Anderson" she was wearing a red bathing suit (white tank under it), balloons to enhance a certain area, blonde wig, towel wrapped around her waist... RED lipstick and well of course her 'stuffed' seal and she often 'posed with it and kissed it!'... some good friends helped me pull together the costume...here's a photo from last night!

gotta luv red make-up..or just looking like you have a MAJOR sunburn!! lol....

This morning I got to the airport at 8am..... and the plan of the day would be to board the plane and leave by 9am... be in Pang at 10am, have bags and get a ride home by 10:20am...and back in bed by 10:30am.... well needless to say that didn't happen..... but I did arrive in Pang and at home just before 1pm! (I'll blog more about that tomorrow...)

Now onto my first Halloween night in the Arctic! it was pretty darn cold.... the weather right now is like -12C with a windchill..but it's colder than that... I think! LOL...

Now to put everyone in a Halloween mood...here's a shot of the moon.... (perfect "Halloween" type moon eh!?)

So it was prety fun.... handing out candy... I ended up taking my candy to a friend's house.. and shelling out there with their family!  it was pretty steady... and lots of fun to see the costumes... and well that kids were "REALLY bundled up well!" the peak time was about 6:30ish.... my favourite sight (I didn't get a photo of it!)..was this little boy (probably about 2-3ish)in an elephant costume..... but he looked like a lion..because the costume was over his parka.. and the fur from the hood was 'peaking' out.... he did look toasty warm!!

I even got a bit dressed up... used my flowered leis and was a 'beachy' gal.... complete with flip flops in bare feet... yup my toes were FROZEN by the end of the night.... LOL

Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!! :) enjoy your candy... I'm so glad mine is out of my house... and YES I managed not to eat ANY of it before tonight...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I've been thinking lately about Thanksgiving and all the blessings I've had happen in the last year... I thought I'd just take a moment to share a few of these blessings with you!  Last year I spent Thanksgiving with my family at my Mum's new place in Haliburton...she had just moved in... and it was a fun weekend...(So 3 members of my family are missing in this photo---Kat, and my youngest nephew..and ME!! I looked through my photos.. and I guess I didn't organize a group shot of us!! so this one will have to do!)

 I remember lying in the bottom bunk of a bunk bed (oh yes! my room at my mum's has my OWN set of bunk beds!)... listening to my mum and Kat talk about 'stuffing' the turkey... see Kat wanted to cook it and my mum was the teacher! (Part of me in that moment was thankful that I didn't want to learn how to do that..because it was a crazy 'god' awful time in the morning...hehehee)...She did an excellent job of the turkey by the way!!!

Overall the weekend was a lot of fun.... but that whole weekend I remember worrying about work...or should I say the lack of work!  I had finished my MA program in August and had yet to get a job... I had work I was doing--but really wasn't 'career' type stuff! 

That brings my list of Things to be Thankful for....(not just at thanksgiving but every day of the year!)... **they are in no way listed in priority of order.... just randomly put up here!**

*  I'm thankful for a job, that not only is a job but something I really do enjoy!

*  I'm thankful for family.. that loves me as much as I love them!

*  I'm thankful that I have a cozy home.... that to date is the biggest place I've ever lived.... I have windows (three years living in a basement makes you pretty amazed about windows!)....

*  I'm thankful that my job lets me travel... and experience new things... bring on the adventure!

*  I'm thankful for friends.... new ones from the north...that make my life so sweet up here in Pang....

*  I'm thankful for friends in the south... that are only a phone call or email or MSN or Facebook message away... friends that have history and get me.. with me having to explain myself...

*  I'm thankful for the opportunity to live in the Arctic...and learn about so many new things....

I'm thankful for so many more things... but well dont' want to share all of them in a 'public' forum.... so that's my list and I'm sticking to it!!

Here are a few more photos of family from Thanksgiving '08...I just got off the phone with my mum and John and Kat... I'm kind of glad I wasn't there yesterday, it sounded like 'a lot' of work was done... like raking leaves, burning old papers and files, crawling under the cottage to do something with the water pipes... and well cooking.. and dishes... hehehe (all things I 'really' enjoy!!) that being said... I did miss you yesterday... but I had lots of fun with friends up here in Pang...

I'm thankful for two adorable nephews!!

I can't wait to see the 'new' photos that Dana took of the boys this year!!

Fall and Thanksgiving have always been 2 of my favourite things!  I love watching the trees change colour...and this time of year... living in a land of no trees--well that makes me kind of sad... 

I'll leave you with 2 of my fav shots I took last Thanskgiving at my Mum's! 

My question to you the reader is....

What do you have to be thankful for??

(feel free to leave a message in the comment section)

..the Price of a Turkey!?

This week the photo below showed up in my inbox of one of my email accounts.  This photo was  taken in Arctic Bay...(this hasn't been verified..and perhaps it was just a 'mistake'...but still a funny one?!)hehee

Here's the Stats on this bird....(in case you can't see it in the photo):

11.115kg net weight at $18.00/kg which makes the TOTAL price = $200.07

I  hope that bird is a GRADE A Turkey!! (and it better stuff and cook itself too-and prehaps clean up the kitchen after dinner!!)

So this got me thinking... how much does a turkey go for in Pang?! hmmmmm I went down to the store las night to do some shopping for food... and took this photo below.....

The Stats of Pang's Bird is:

8.420 kg net weight at $6.89/kg forthe TOTAL price of $58.01!!!

I talked to my Mum last night... and asked how much her turkey cost... and she laughed at my inquiry but I just told her I was doing 'research'.... The stats of the 'Bird' that my brothers, sister-in-laws, nephews and mum will enjoy later tonight are:    8.03kg net weight at $2.18/kg for the TOTAL price of $17.51

....puts it all into perspective... hope you enjoy your turkey this weekend wherever you find yourself...

Have a HAPPY and SAFE THANKSGIVING!!!

Labour Day Weekend....

Yesterday when I went outside, and looked around at the tundra and felt the chill in the air... I realized that FALL has arrived! It sort of slowly crept up on me. The tundra was all of a sudden full of colour! As I walked to the Northern, to do some grocery shopping, I realized that I was glad I brought mittens and a hat! The wind was pretty fierce and COLD!

On this walk I was thinking about labour days of the past---specifically Labour Day 1994! (let me take you on a little trip down memory lane) I was getting ready to start Grade 10 and my brothers and I were all at the Cottage on Haliburton Lake. That was the summer that I had learned how to 'drop a ski'--and go on one! (I was still pretty shaky--and hadn't mastered getting my back foot securely in the ski after dropping one). Someone had a great idea of my brothers and I skiing behind my Grandma's boat--all on ONE ski. I think it might have been my mom's cousin, Hugh. So we spent the majority of Monday of Labour Day trying to succeed on getting all three of us up on one ski behind the boat. (it took MANY tries)... (the boat didn't' quite have a powerful enough motor to get us all out of the water at the same time---so Hugh 'sling' shot us out of the water... and we finally all went up on 2 skis....and then dropped one)... I will never forget I was in the middle, Jamie and John on each side (both in wet suits because they had them) and both really great water skiers--carving into me---in the middle and SPLASHING me....!) me of course yelling and screaming at them.. and trying my best to balance--and not be the one to let go and stop the magically moment! I think my Aunt Marie took video of this event.... but not sure where it is.... but I still have the memory! Kind of freaks me out how fast time flies when you aren't looking!

Now back to the present, I spent the rest of the day at a friend's house-watching movies and well talking!! It was so good to have someone to hang out with. I have a feeling that won't be the first time we chill and watch movies!!!

It was a pretty social day--because I went to yet another pot-luck! It was nice to sit and talk with people---the pot-luck pretty much is the best kind of social gathering you can have here in the north!!!

Last night I went to bed with the sound of rain on my 'tin' roof--such a good sound...it lulled me to sleep. And this morning I looked out my window and this is what I saw...

.... I'm glad I can cozy up and just enjoy my house!! I have no where I have to be or anything I have to do....so what do I do? I break out my scrap booking stuff.... (then promptly decide to take photos--and blog about it...but I will get back to that as soon as I hit the "publish post" button!)

Hope all of you out there are having a great LABOUR DAY WEEKEND!!! :)

Nunavut Day

HAPPY NUNAVUT DAY!!!!Have to LOVE tattoos!!Posing with my 10th Anniversary Nunavut Bag!..

..there were more Dice Games--Jen won this one!!A water Balloon Toss--the weather was warm enough I wanted to chance it!!!-this is before we even started..(Marcus was upset that I choose a 'green' balloon and not a 'pink' one--but the 'green' one was the best!)..here I go...(I do have a bit of a 'wild' throw) Marcus managed to catch EVERYONE one......except on the last one...it broke in his hands!!In the end we ended up #2... and I DIDN'T get wet! ;)

Canada Day... part 3!

After spending a few hours at home getting WARM....I got my long johns out, and new long john top... and put them on.. and headed out for the Community Feast/BBQ.... there was bbq hot dogs, and hamburgers.... Some hunters came back from being on the land and brought seal, duck and duck eggs.... I had fun getting to know some more people and it just felt really good to be part of the community! A Lady had made Bannok(traditional bread that sometimes is deep fried--soooo YUMMY)...and on the outside of her box she made this wonderful sign... made me giggle.... (i WISH it was fat free....)

A look of the Bannok inside........... it went FAST! I'm glad I got a piece of that goodness!!!

So I was able to eat some 'country' food...I had some Seal--raw--SOOOO GOOD (I'm serious!!!) reminded me of oysters...but also the texture of some sushi I've had... but it was yummy, I also had some duck egg(hard boiled) it was really 'rich and creamy' compared to chicken eggs....Below is a photo of me eating some duck that was boiled up in a pot! (it tasted yummy too... I know I look like i don't like it...but I was squinting bc of the sun...!)

after the food there was a few more games... another dice game...(this time you rolled two die and if you got a 'double' you were OUT...i lasted quite some time in that round) and the other game involved putting a golf ball into the hole...(YES golf is a game that is EVEN here.. i'll do a post about that sometime!!!)

So there you have it... that was my Canada Day in the Arctic---it was AMAZING day.. I met some fun people.. and had a great day!! (hope yours was as good as mine!!)