Journey to Sanikiluaq....with daggers in my throat...

...so here's a question... why do the pilots always like to hold hands? (ok... so that's me tryin to be silly...I know they aren't really 'holding hands' but it makes a funny photo!!)

....a view of Kuujjuarapik, Quebec... a stop on the way to get to Sani...

...the joys of flying on a twin otter... you get to see your pilots, hard at work... as you fly!

..crossing a part of Hudson's Bay...on the way to Sanikiluaq or the Bletcher Islands...

..this is the church from Sani...it was designed like a 'traditional' igloo...pretty darn cool! 

Inside was pretty nifty too!!

..it was pretty windy and foggy--not the most flattering photo!

...twin otters... gotta luv them!

I was pretty lucky this trip that a I was able to travel with a colleague! She had already been to Sani so knew the ropes... and knew what to expect--and it was fun to sit with someone the plane trip up from Montreal--that you knew! 

I arrived and felt kind of off...(well all morning I felt like I had something scratchy in the back of my  throat)...and by 3:30pm...it was definitely DAGGERS back there!! I stopped in the Health Centre and saw a lovely nurse... and she confirmed that it was true... I did have Daggers in my throat--aka Strep Throat...I swear I get this ALL the time... it SUCKS...it's the 2nd time this YEAR I've been on Anti-botics for it... All I can say is THANK GOD for drugs.... but not so fun that I couldn't take a day off and spend it in bed!! 

When in Montreal.... let us watch HOCKEY!!!

Today I had the opportunity to hang out with my cousins.... Craig and Sarah are the proud parents to 5 boys!! They have an amazing family---and I had a lot of fun chill'n with them...  The four eldest Hodgson boys are playing hockey this year.... on four different teams.... (Sarah and Craig deserve props for getting everyone to the right practices, and arenas for games....--but Craig is helping coach a team.. and Sarah she's managing 2 of the teams)


So here are some of the photos I took today!.....

Here's the Oldest three in the bunch... waiting between games.... (9 years, soon to be 11years at the end of December and 7 years--in order of photo!)

The 2nd youngest is 5 1/2 years old.....

..and the youngest..he just turned 4 the week before, and made 'cowboy pony' at build a bear!!

Here's a shot of Craig on the bench with his 2nd oldest!  (I didnt' manage to get a photo of Sarah---or myself with anyone... ahhh the joys of being behind the camera!!)

It's been awhile since I've watched hockey at these levels.. and I so enjoyed it!! Thanks for opening up your home to me while I was in Montreal.... it was awesome.. I'll definitely have to find a way to visit again sooner....

 luv ya... Sarah :)

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!!

Published....

Just a quick update!... trying to madly get things ready for my next trip...I fly out tomorrow can't wait to hit Iqaluit--and catch up with some friends.. and of course also do a lot of work...and then I head to Sanikiluaq...I'm excited it's the last trip that I have booked... and that's kind of sad but for not I need to get back to my packing and organizing stuff...before my trip!

Earlier this week someoen that works at Nunatsiaq News... (a northern paper) left a message on my blog about my photos I had taken when in Resolute during the Torch Relay.... I emailed her and then sent her one at full resolution...and now it's on their website beside an article!  It's the FIRST time I've EVER had photos that are so public....I'm pretty excited!!! 

You can check out the LINK HERE of the news story... and my photo is the one on the top!!!!

Yes, I'm still ALIVE!...

...well it was bound to happen.. all the travelling caught up with me.. and even with a 'stat holiday' last week... it wasn't enought to recharge my batteries!  I've been tryin to lay low and get enough rest...I came back from my 'high-arctic' experience with a 'nasty' cough... which I'm thinking might have something to do with my allergies that sparked and came on while in Grise Fiord...

I'm feeling better now...(the cough is gone....and no I never came even 'close' to getting a pig tail or ears!)... I'm thankful my mum's new 'fleece' pjs arrived in time for me to live in them for over 36hours... (don't worry they have been washed alreadyand not even a week old...) I've trying to catch up sleep--but also messing up my sleep schedule in the process... NEVER have a nap from 6pm to 8:30pm..but then at 11:20pm you are looking at the ceiling of your bedroom thinking.. wow.. that's awesome woodwork--BUT seriously I need to sleep....added to the fact I'm travelling for my 'last' scheduled trip... on Thursday.. so I only have 3 more nights in my comfy bed... so I really want to SLEEP on those nights!!!

Speaking of sleep.. I've been having some WEIRD dreams lately.... they started while I was up in Resolute... all to do with my long johns (which I rarely wear on a daily basis) being stolen.. and how the RCMP doesn't want to help me with this 'VERY' serious matter...(oh yes...in my dream those long johns are VERY important!) Oh and my best friend from Grade 2 and 3--well her big sister is also in this dream.. and I haven't really seen her at least 12 years.... very weird.... and not sure why I need to be so concerned with the long johns.. or WHY the RCMP aren't so helpful.. ahhhhh I hope that dream doesn't find it's way BACK into my head tonight.......

Hmmm this was a kind of long post about nothing... yes! that's the way I roll... hope everyone else doing well!! :)

I have theWORLD's BEST Mum!!!

Here's a shot from when my mum came to visit me this past summer! 

This morning I went to check my mail... after travelling there was a bit... and I had YET another package from my mum!! (she's a superstar...seriously!!) It came on the best day.. as I was trying to get through the mounds of paperwork... on my desk... I got to open it at lunch and almost started to cry.... YES it was that good!! :)

My mum is a cool lady... she actually LISTENS to what I have to say(even though at times I dont' think she really IS listening...but after all we do talk at least 2-3times a week! LOL)..... I was talking awhile ago about how all my pj bottoms are ripped... and I was down to one pair...(and she knows HOW I luv to lounge around in those guys...) so today she sent not ONE pair but TWO!! In a different conversation I had mentioned in the summer how I had friends over.. and we wanted to play a dice game.. and how I didn't have ANY dice...so she sent some really cool dice... and she always manages to make me laugh.... like this package I got a 'random' can of salmon and cream of mushroom soup...(I remember in one of our convos... talking about how she was making creamed salmon for dinner on toast... and I was upset bc I didn't have any mushroom soup...!)

I seriously could NOT have asked for a more generous awesome Mother!! I am blessed to be able to call myself her daughter....

I luv you so much Mum.... only 20 more sleeps til I see you!!

Home Sweet Home....

I went for a walk in Pang yesterday...despite the 'chilly' weather... my walking friend and I headed out about 2pm...and walked for just over an hour---by the time I was at home.. (just after 3pm..) it was dark! Glad i got to spend a bit of time outside.....it's always nice to get some fresh air!!

I'm so glad to be at home again...but have to adjust to cooking for myself again!!  It has been so good to be sleeping back in my own bed!