Mr. Harper's visit to Pangnirtung

This morning I headed down to the airport... there was a visitor coming to Pang....Prime Minister Stephen Harper. There was lots of action... our Rangers and Cadets were there, as well as community members and media...and well security...and like 5 planes plus a normal Canadian North flight!!

Here's a shot of the Rangers and Cadets...as they await Mr. Harper's appearance out of the airplane!
Here he is...with a quick wave...Mr. Harper greeted the Rangers and Cadets---he shook each of their hands, and asked their names!

One of 'many' photo ops!!

He signed the 'Welcome to Pangnirtung' banner that the summer students from the Uqqurmiut Centre. Then came behind the sign for a photo---I stood beside him---just beside his left shoulder. (I'm hoping that someone from the community can give me a copy of this shot!!) After the photo he turned around, shook my hand and asked my name! We spoke briefly---and unfortunately I didn't say can I get a photo!? and hand my camera to someone beside me!! but that's ok--many others took this opportunity to get photos with him!

We all gathered outside the Hamlet office where Mr. Harper did his 'official' speech. He reannounced $17 million already earmarked for construction of a small-craft harbour in the community. (from the CBC's arcticle found at http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/08/20/harper-arcticvisit.html?ref=rss)
Also check out the announcement HERE

Here's a shot of the media... and community that had gathered to hear the announcement!

Happy Birthday Grandma....

Grandma-- you sure know how to 'rock' a birthday hat!!!
I hope you have fabulous weather---and a great day today on your birthday!!!!
I wish I was there to celebrate with you....
I just wanted to let you know...

...I've been thinking about summers of the past, about swimming lessons at the cottage, skiing and tubing for HOURS on the lake with you---

I was blessed to share so many fun times with you and Grandpa

those summners when I was so young!

I must say that you ARE the COOLEST Grandma--

a girl could EVER have....

(AND you even sell make-up!)

I love you more than I can put into words!

Luv, Sarah

record player + Oliva Newton John + Kenny Rogers (with Dolly Parton) + a good friend = hilarious dance party!

I think that the title of this blog... is self explanatory... but let's just say.. the evening started off with a little "Let's Get Physical" by our friend Olivia... Christine was pretty impressed with this FULL body poster of Olivia ... lol (but seriously?! who WOULDN'T be impressed with Olivia?! I was impressed that there was Doctor Zhivago...(reminded me of my Grandpa....he liked to listen to it..and there was many a night when i was 5-8 that I listened to it!) but well.. we put it on.. and it just didn't really strike the 'best' dance beat.. so we vetoed it.... and moved onto something else.... Yes, we ended off the dance party with a little Kenny---he even was there to SING---yahoo for records with all the words printed on them! (and Dolly Parton was even singing along too!!)Thanks for an awesome dinner, and well cardio dance party!! ...I can't wait til the next time the Pang Dance Club opens up....

Life is sweeter with friends....

I am SO blessed with amazing friends. It's the truth... and I need not to forget it!!! After going to the Post Office...i was reminded YET again... of how much I am loved!!! I received this HAPPY looking package!!! (I think Em gets points for the 'most' creative funky wrapping job)!

I waited all afternoon til I got home to open it up..... and I wasn't disappointed when I finally opened it up... i've been to a couple of pot lucks that have 'made' it... and apparently i've been told it's quite easy....(i've even rolled some under supervision of someone that knew how to do it) I'm excited!!! I've been MISSING sushi SOOOOOO much... I can't wait to get my SUSHI on..... :) Here's a snap of Emily and I from Easter---she was living in Qikitarjuaq last year teaching..(and flew in to spend Easter weekend with me!)..she's the one that found my job posting and told me to apply... she's a really amazing friend...and I want to say

Thanks Emily...you ROCK I have been so blessed by our friendship!!

I luv you!! Sarah:)

..New Look?!

Some of you might have noticed that I have a new header.... well remember how on July 19th I headed out to Kekerten?? (if not you can click http://newbieinthenorth.blogspot.com/2009/07/first-boating-trip-icebergs-historical.html to read all about my day!!)

My friend Markus Siivola gave me a CD filled with images that he took that day!! Thanks Markus!! :) Let me tell you there were some great ones...so I decided to update the look of the blog..... with the awesome help of my friend Lisa Fletcher!!! She's been a friend since my 2nd year of university...we started our friendship via ICQ conversations...(how i miss those 'uh-ohs')...and then continued with MSN.... here's a shot of us from the Fall of 2000....where she randomly decided to come up to North Bay from Toronto (on the bus) to visit me...and the reason you ask(other than visiting me)??? well I think some things are just better left in the past?! ;) Over the last 10 years (wow it's been that long?!) we've become really good friends...(even though we've never lived in the same city at the same time)...I LOVE friends like this where it doesn't matter where you are in the world...you know that they are there for YOU!! While I was in Australia(2003-04)...we had many 'talks' via MSN when I was extremely homesick...and she was a vital link to keep me connected to life in Canada....and even know living in the north...she takes time out of her busy day... (she has 3 wonderful boys!) to talk (usually on a daily basis).. and do amazing things like design new blog headers...(i have no clue how to do this....should ask her to show me sometime) she also made the last 'newbie' header...!!!

Here's another shot of us from my Master's Grad party Fall of 2008!!....

Thanks Lisa for being such an amazing friend.... Luv you, Sarah :)

...the 1/2 way point...

Well it's true... I'm at the 1/2 way point in my current contract!!! For me its hard to believe I've been living north that long...(time seems to drift by sooooo darn fast)..but on the other hand I feel so far removed from my life in Toronto.

I have mixed feelings about where I stand today... part of me is sooooo excited that this adventure still has 5months! I live in a GORGEOUS place--where hiking/walking being ONE with nature is really easy!! I LOVE my job and come September I start travelling again--2 trips booked---visiting 3 communities total! There is lots more to see and do... have been talking with friends about things we need to do with stuff that's left of summer--ie) camping out...climbing Duval again... and many more...

But then part of me is sad...that in 5months my contract will be completed... I'll be leaving friends and a community that I've come to love. (unless I get another contract or job here in Pang...it's a possibility but until something is confirmed--I look at my leaving Pang to happen at some point after Jan 15, 2010!) I'm also sad because that means 5 more months til I see my family...again.... play with my nephews and have drinks with friends!

Although the way the first 5months have flown...I have a hunch the next might go just as quickly!

..to the end of the road!

The clouds have been way cool lately... just sort of 'hovering' over the tops of the mountains...and really breath taking!! My friend Mary is back in town... we have become walking buddies and tonight we went for a walk to the end of the road---which is like 5kms? or 5 miles? i don't really know...but we walked to the end of the road and back... and had a great time catching up on each other's summers! ..the tundra is always changing---the colours, and even flowers!

This is Mt. Duval...another look at that mountain....if you see the first like 'rounded' part to the right... I've stood there 3 times... and it still takes my breath away the view.... need to do it one more time before the end of the summer!! :)