ROAD trip......

...I woke up this morning and headed to Toronto---in my sweet rental car... let me tell you I've MISSED driving(on a road longer than 5miles).... I was almost at my John and Kat's house... in toronto when I looked up and SAW the below photo...... the building where that rainbow ends... well that's their house!!!

my pot of gold!!! hehehe.... after a quick hello... Kat and I went out shopping... (after I told her all about my 'jean' situation...) and wow was that fun!!!...let me say I dont have to worry about 'jeans' not fitting.... or being worren out!!!

...John and Kat had moved into a new place... so I was able to take advantage of their view from their balcony and wow.... it was a nice night to take some photos!!!

I've missed this city...but weird to be surrounded by so many trees, lights, and noise!!!!

....a lesson in bubbles...

...oh I arrived in my hotel room in Ottawa.. and I had gotten a FREE upgrade to this AMAZING suite.. with jacuzzi tub! Perfect way to relax after a crazy day......

..mental note to self... remember that jets... makes more bubbles... like lots of bubbles.. that sometimes might even, perhaps fall over the sides of the tub.... but lots of fun too!!

The Amazing Race.... Sarah and Rozy Style....

Today, was a crazy day... it started off pretty normal... we checked in our bags at the Sani airport at noon.. our flight to Kuujjuarapik, Quebec was pretty standard... about 35mins... it was pretty cloudy so we couldn't see much out the windows.... and then we got our luggage--put it through the security screening and got our tickets for the next leg of the journey---to Montreal.... (we asked if everything was 'on time' and yep... everything would be running as normal...) We went off to the resturant...to have lunch and kill some of our FOUR HOUR layover.... we did walk around town a bit...but well also spent other time in the airport....

Our plane arrived full of people that had to de-plane, collect their bags, and then go through security (this well took a LONG time... like almost 35mins)... we were already 35mins late for our scheduled take off... (Rozy and I were a tad worried... see we had a Connecting flight on one of the airlines named after our country... leaving montreal at 10:40pm.. our flight was suppose to arrive at 9:05pm.... but now was 35mins behind that schedule....)  We get on the plane... Rozy and I got to sit at the front of the plane... emergency exit row... (got to luv the extra feet room AND getting your food first!).... and then we hear the announcement that we were going to "La Grande" which was a 40min flight from Kuujjuarapik--to pick up passengers and then head to Montreal.... Rozy and I started to get nervous.... it was going to be a 'fast' connection for us......

We touched down in Montreal at 9:40pm....Rozy took my ID and headed to the 'airline named after our country' counter.... and I was elected to stay and wait for our bags at the baggage claim... my suitcase was the FIRST off and well Rozy's was the LAST one.... (while I was waiting.... Rozy was at the counter and managed to get service by a REALLY REALLY NICE employee..... this lady checked both of us in... and printed off baggage tags.... while this was happening 'a not so nice employee' was giving Rozy the evil eye... and told her... "it's 10pm... You better go get your friend in 4mins OR both of you will MISS this flight"... Rozy came running downstairs to the baggage claim area...(her bag had just appeared!)... we RACED to the elevator.. and back to the ticket counter........

Here I made my mistake... instead of just 'putting' the tag on my bag (like the 'nice employee' wanted to do...) I put my bag on the scale in front of the 'not so nice employee') and apparently it was over weight for their airline..(but fine for 'northern' travel).... so she wanted to 'charge me'.. and told me I had to take things OUT of the bag.... and all I did was look at her and say "seriously?! you got to be kidding me"... that is until the 'nice employee' pointed out that Rozy's bag was really light... so quick as a wink there we were----throwing stuff from my suitcase to hers..... until the 'evil employee' said that's good enough.... (I only moved a lunch box that was empty, and my makeup bag....not that much weight at all..but it made her happy I suppose)....

The next leg of the journey was to head to the 'oversized' baggage area..... lifting those suitcases UP onto the belt... having them scanned.. then lifting them onto the other belt.. so they could get on the airplane!..... (mission completed without much difficulty!)

Rozy and I started to run to security.... (it was about 10:16ish by this point.....) she slowed down and walked to security pretty calm.... me not so much... I was like ok... I gotta get through here FAST... but that wasn't such the case..... I set off the alarm.... so they asked me to take off my belt...which shouldn't be a problem...but I was wearing my 'only' jeans (i really needed to go shopping) that had the zipper that NEVER stays up....... soooooo there I was... standing with my arms out... as the security guy uses the wand... to see what beeps.. with my fly un-done!  When I went to 'fix' the situation... I was told to "keep my hands at my side" and I replied "my fly?! it's down" and the guy winked at me..... then he asked in french "can I pat down your back" (he was behind me) I looked over my shoulder and went "huh?" but he was already patting down my back... then I turned around... and he patted down my front...boy would I like to complain..but well I was in the moment of tryin to catch a flight!  and I turned around after he gave me the clear---there were 5 other men there and a woman walked up... asking if he needed assistance.... a bit too late! 

(Rozy by this point had made it through security--she normally has issues, but none tonight... just me--she ran ahead to the gate...)...I grabbed my stuff... and started running.. to the gate.... we made it in time.... (we were sitting on the plane boarded and away from the gate at 10:35pm...)

Talk about the world's fastest connection.... and the best part... we got 'exit row' seats again... and well, we couldn't stop giggling.... so if you were on that flight from Ottawa to Montreal tonight.... I'm really sorry.... it was just a really long day of airplanes and airports... and delays.... we were really not on any kind of crazy drugs... and neither of us had a drink all day! 

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!!!!