It has been a busy few weeks. I got back from the gallbladder surgery only to run like crazy, prepping the work for my sub for the 10 days when I went to Iqaluit for training! It was a series of full weekends and 11 hour days copying, writing notes, getting supplies ready and organizing all of the material.
The trip to Iqaluit did not start off well. We were supposed to leave on Monday with a rest day in Montreal. Unfortunately, we were fogged in and could not leave until Tuesday, which we did by hopping onto a cargo plane to Kuujjuarapik and then joining a connecting flight to Montreal. A brief sleep and back north to Iqaluit.
The Professional Development/Union training was very informative and we worked right through the weekend when everyone else enjoyed a rest. We also took suicide prevention training which was a very emotional and difficult course, but worth it. Our days began at 6:00 am and didn't end until about 7:00 pm by the time we had dinner. So we did little else except watch a bit of TV before heading straight to bed. I did buy two little carvings, one in a pale jade green soapstone and the other in a blue-grey colour. Lovely!
When we got home, it was right into report card writing. The weather here has been wild with a lot of snow and wind, so the drifts are huge. I tried taking the Honda to keep the battery charged, and got stuck four times. Luckily, the community always has someone out and about and they were all willing to help push out the crazy qallunat teacher, LOL!
Today I am baking up a storm. It is right before month end and "rent day" for my grade 10 and 11 classes, and I always try to suck their money out like a good business person would before they pay their bills. If they buy too much, they can't pay their rent and get "evicted" from their desks. A good lesson in budgeting! I may even offer a "credit card" to them, and charge them crazy interest...what a great way for them to learn how to handle credit!
I am now a confirmed presenter at the Nunavut-wide Professional Development Conference in February. This will be my first "official" training session and I am very nervous! I just hope someone can pick up some useful tips. Tim, my principal, is naturally delighted that I am doing this as it makes our little community look very good. I just figure that I would appreciate the tips from others, so why not share a few of my ideas that seem to work well?
Anyhow, off to the oven to rescue my banana cupcakes. Oh, my poor students and their about-to-be-emptied bank accounts, LOL! I'm so devious!
TTFN!
Terri of the North
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Well THAT was fun...
There is one big difference with living in the North as compared to living in the South...you have a whole new appreciation for keeping yourself healthy.
I knew I had gall bladder problems. I saw the doctors and had the tests while in Toronto, and even had surgery scheduled for the datys just prior to Christmas Break. Well, Karma is a bitch and has a way of biting you in the rumpus, shall we say? I have been crabbing about my roommate's terrible eating habits and finally just gave up for a weekend of "sin". Didn't go so well. I got very little eaten before my gall bladder protested. Actually, it launched an all-out nuclear offensive against me. Guess who won the war?
I wound up being carried by Tim (my principal) and Stephen (my roommate) into the Health Unit on Sunday night. It took a double dose of Gravol and pain killers to even take the edge off. The next day, still vomiting and in major pain, I went back. This time, the sneaky gall bladder instituted germ warfare contrary to the Geneva Convention, and I wound up with an infection evidenced by climbing fever. At that point the Air Ambulance was called and I was whisked off to Winnipeg. Had surgery on Wednesday and came home Monday, feeling bloated from the abdominal gas that they use during surgery but EVER so much better otherwise.
So, a VERY good reason to be especially careful of your health when you are in remote parts, let alone in a major city.
Hope you're all well, and I will write again soon!
TTFN!
I knew I had gall bladder problems. I saw the doctors and had the tests while in Toronto, and even had surgery scheduled for the datys just prior to Christmas Break. Well, Karma is a bitch and has a way of biting you in the rumpus, shall we say? I have been crabbing about my roommate's terrible eating habits and finally just gave up for a weekend of "sin". Didn't go so well. I got very little eaten before my gall bladder protested. Actually, it launched an all-out nuclear offensive against me. Guess who won the war?
I wound up being carried by Tim (my principal) and Stephen (my roommate) into the Health Unit on Sunday night. It took a double dose of Gravol and pain killers to even take the edge off. The next day, still vomiting and in major pain, I went back. This time, the sneaky gall bladder instituted germ warfare contrary to the Geneva Convention, and I wound up with an infection evidenced by climbing fever. At that point the Air Ambulance was called and I was whisked off to Winnipeg. Had surgery on Wednesday and came home Monday, feeling bloated from the abdominal gas that they use during surgery but EVER so much better otherwise.
So, a VERY good reason to be especially careful of your health when you are in remote parts, let alone in a major city.
Hope you're all well, and I will write again soon!
TTFN!
Monday, October 10, 2011
A few crazy northern tidbits...
I just had to share a few lingering thoughts...
Only in the north is there an official "Road to Nowhere". Don't believe me? Check out this map to Iqaluit. It's there on the left side, partway down from the top of the map. Somehow I knew I'd end up on the road to nowhere one day, LOL! I'll look it up when I am in Iqaluit Nov. 9th to 14th.
http://www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/i18n/english/pdf/iqaluitmap.pdf
Only in the north does the arrival of the water truck create a flurry of activity. As soon as I hear the back-up lights and see them about to hook up, I run to start a bath and a load of laundry. Negative water usage, as far as my logic dictates! I still pay for water, but rather than risk running out I try to use it as the tank fills, resulting in a clean me and a still-full tank.
Only in the north do you eat food that ordinarily would get tossed out. It costs too much to be picky, so freezer-burned or patch of mold, just scrape it down and eat what is left.
Ony in the north do you get to enjoy all the pleasures of a sleazy motel without actually having to go to one. As the wind gently slams the house around, the mattress vibrates like the "add a quarter" shake-a-bed in a questionable dive. All the fun of an amusement park without the hassle of packing or crowds!
Only in the north do you get so excited about "banana day" at the stores. The anticipated arrival of the new, fresh, non-brown and mushy bananas can lead to a stampede.
Well, that's the north as I see it, for today anyhow.
TTFN!
Only in the north is there an official "Road to Nowhere". Don't believe me? Check out this map to Iqaluit. It's there on the left side, partway down from the top of the map. Somehow I knew I'd end up on the road to nowhere one day, LOL! I'll look it up when I am in Iqaluit Nov. 9th to 14th.
http://www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/i18n/english/pdf/iqaluitmap.pdf
Only in the north does the arrival of the water truck create a flurry of activity. As soon as I hear the back-up lights and see them about to hook up, I run to start a bath and a load of laundry. Negative water usage, as far as my logic dictates! I still pay for water, but rather than risk running out I try to use it as the tank fills, resulting in a clean me and a still-full tank.
Only in the north do you eat food that ordinarily would get tossed out. It costs too much to be picky, so freezer-burned or patch of mold, just scrape it down and eat what is left.
Ony in the north do you get to enjoy all the pleasures of a sleazy motel without actually having to go to one. As the wind gently slams the house around, the mattress vibrates like the "add a quarter" shake-a-bed in a questionable dive. All the fun of an amusement park without the hassle of packing or crowds!
Only in the north do you get so excited about "banana day" at the stores. The anticipated arrival of the new, fresh, non-brown and mushy bananas can lead to a stampede.
Well, that's the north as I see it, for today anyhow.
TTFN!
The beautiful bay that I see every day...
And yes, I know that the heading rhymes, LOL! I am always enchanted by the many faces of the bay, officially (and politically incorrectly) named Eskimo Harbour. It changes colours with th wind, the ewetaher, the cloud patterns and the sky. It ranges from deepest blue to azure to turquoise to seafoam green to gray and silver, and every shade in between.
This view is as close to north as I could get without going for a swim...not a good plan with water so cold, LOL! The opening to the harbour is behind the hills to the east (right).
By the way, these pictures were all taken within about two minutes from start to finish so there is no change in weather or light. It's just the beautiful bay and all of its many colours.
And of note, the other day it was so windy that the waves were no longer washing onshore. The wind was pulling the waves off the shore and blowing them directly across the harbour. It looked like the way the sea rolls offshore and out, just before a tsunami washes in...kind of eerie! Wish I had thought to take a video!
Anyhow, off to warm up yummy turkey leftovers! I made some homemade cranberry sauce from the berries I picked a week or so back. It was delish!
TTFN!
This view looks to the south-west, along River Road toward the Northern, the schools and the airport. In the far distance you can just about see the airport building at the top of the hill. The water here is brown from teh kelp at the shore, then slate blue-gray to green to seafoam colour.
This is one of the fishing boats pulled up to harbour. Check out the name: Aqsanik, or Northern Lights. And look at how blue the water is behind it. Darker near the shore and almost turquoise farther out. This view is to the west-southwest across the harbour.
Again, check out the different shades in the water. This view is west-northwest, directly across from me where I stood.
This view looks to the northwest and the water is even darker. Check out the different colours of rocks, too! The rocks here are black, gray, cream, pink, salmon, dark rose, and almost blue.
By the way, these pictures were all taken within about two minutes from start to finish so there is no change in weather or light. It's just the beautiful bay and all of its many colours.
And of note, the other day it was so windy that the waves were no longer washing onshore. The wind was pulling the waves off the shore and blowing them directly across the harbour. It looked like the way the sea rolls offshore and out, just before a tsunami washes in...kind of eerie! Wish I had thought to take a video!
Anyhow, off to warm up yummy turkey leftovers! I made some homemade cranberry sauce from the berries I picked a week or so back. It was delish!
TTFN!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
My collection is growing...
One of the things that is so neat about the north is the variety of carvings that arrive with hopeful carvers upon our doorstep from time to time. Last year I bought just about anything at the start of the year. I have learned a lot and am a bit more, shall we say, discriminating now?
I took a few pics of some old and a couple of new acquisitions and I hope you enjoy them.
The eagle and drum dancer are both last year's. I have two inuksuks and a beluga on display in my showcase outside my classroom. The inuksuks were made by one of my students, and the beluga is a bit on the rough side so it hasn't yet earned a place of honour. I'm going to borrow Stephen's Dremel and try to fix it to placate my sense of proportion. If it works, I may try my hand at a carving or two myself! If it works, I'll also post the photo.
I use these as a lesson in Math on earning money through piecework, as well as cost vs hours of work. I also use some images in the text on a set of beluga whales that sold for $4,250. I'm in negotiation at the Co-op to buy a very similar set for...$100. I keep encouraging the kids to look into a business plan to develop a craft cooperative. We'll see. Maybe not while I'm here, but some day the lesson may sink in and encourage somebody to get things rolling.
Anyhow. first posting of the new month! Happy October, all!
TTFN!
I took a few pics of some old and a couple of new acquisitions and I hope you enjoy them.
This is about half of my collection. The other half has been sent down south or
given as gifts to family.
My uppik (owl) is new but the oogrook (bearded seal) is last year's model.
The family of oogrookit is new. The weight is quite substantial with the base.
The nanuq (polar bear) is from Cape Dorset, last year. And in a strange coincidence, my bank password picture phrase (picked while I was in Waterloo) says "Nanook of the North in the frozen tundra"! Oh how prophetic that was, hmmm?
Both are last year's models, but I love them anyhow, including the inuksuks.
I use these as a lesson in Math on earning money through piecework, as well as cost vs hours of work. I also use some images in the text on a set of beluga whales that sold for $4,250. I'm in negotiation at the Co-op to buy a very similar set for...$100. I keep encouraging the kids to look into a business plan to develop a craft cooperative. We'll see. Maybe not while I'm here, but some day the lesson may sink in and encourage somebody to get things rolling.
Anyhow. first posting of the new month! Happy October, all!
TTFN!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A few interesting northern notes...
The Northern Lights, called ᐊᖅᓴᕐᕆᖅ (aqsarniq), are out just about every night. I never get tired of them, although long-term residents sometimes say, "Oh yeah...I didn't notice..." I guess I may get used to them. (But I hope not!)
Rainbows are far more elliptical in the north. And much wider, too. There was a gorgeous one today as I was walking home, in a little puddle of sunshine nestled between two stormy gray clouds. With a hand held out arms' length, it took most of my palm to cover the band. Amazing!
You learn to roll with life's hiccups that would send others into a tizzy. Monday we ran out of water. Tuesday the town had a major power outage and no water got delivered. Can we possibly say how important toilets become in your thoughts when you cannot flush one? Well, the Northern has a water machine that was fortunately in service so we bought a few jugs for emergency flushes. Failing that, it would have been a jog to the creek or the bay to fill jugs. Yep, a regular day. Today, yippee! water is here. I am squeaky clean and rejoicing in flushability.
Light also doubles as an alarm clock (and I am thankful this was not December!) The power was off again during the night. I woke up to a lightening shade of gray, looked at the clock which read 3:42, and didn't believe it. I jumped out of bed to find it was really 6:30 am and I had only overslept by 30 minutes. I will have to buy a wind-up clock for reserve when I have my trip out in November. No students were marked late because, well, how can you blame them?
I leave work and go to the Co-op and meet many of my students who hold down part-time jobs. One reason I do not assign a lot of homework. Many teens do extra duty at home or earn extra to help their families. I'll actually be doing a bit of double duty myself this year. I am doing some part-time guarding at the jail. Should be interesting (as long as I can stay awake!) I will take the Honda to school tomorrow as I am working tomorrow night.
And finally, food mail days are better than Christmas! You never know what you'll get from the store, as sometimes they substitute or run out, so every box is a surprise. Today I was delighted buy the arrival of the Highliner Pan Sear lime and chili tilapia. Oh yummmmm! I will be in heaven for the next while. And I got my Renee's dressing for my broccoli slaw salad...but alas, no broccoli slaw. Guess I'll order coleslaw and broccoli, and then make my own.
Off to chill, and take an aspirin for a headache associated with my first caught-from-the-kids cold of the year. Sigh....(sniffle...sniff....hack....)
TTFN!
Rainbows are far more elliptical in the north. And much wider, too. There was a gorgeous one today as I was walking home, in a little puddle of sunshine nestled between two stormy gray clouds. With a hand held out arms' length, it took most of my palm to cover the band. Amazing!
You learn to roll with life's hiccups that would send others into a tizzy. Monday we ran out of water. Tuesday the town had a major power outage and no water got delivered. Can we possibly say how important toilets become in your thoughts when you cannot flush one? Well, the Northern has a water machine that was fortunately in service so we bought a few jugs for emergency flushes. Failing that, it would have been a jog to the creek or the bay to fill jugs. Yep, a regular day. Today, yippee! water is here. I am squeaky clean and rejoicing in flushability.
Light also doubles as an alarm clock (and I am thankful this was not December!) The power was off again during the night. I woke up to a lightening shade of gray, looked at the clock which read 3:42, and didn't believe it. I jumped out of bed to find it was really 6:30 am and I had only overslept by 30 minutes. I will have to buy a wind-up clock for reserve when I have my trip out in November. No students were marked late because, well, how can you blame them?
I leave work and go to the Co-op and meet many of my students who hold down part-time jobs. One reason I do not assign a lot of homework. Many teens do extra duty at home or earn extra to help their families. I'll actually be doing a bit of double duty myself this year. I am doing some part-time guarding at the jail. Should be interesting (as long as I can stay awake!) I will take the Honda to school tomorrow as I am working tomorrow night.
And finally, food mail days are better than Christmas! You never know what you'll get from the store, as sometimes they substitute or run out, so every box is a surprise. Today I was delighted buy the arrival of the Highliner Pan Sear lime and chili tilapia. Oh yummmmm! I will be in heaven for the next while. And I got my Renee's dressing for my broccoli slaw salad...but alas, no broccoli slaw. Guess I'll order coleslaw and broccoli, and then make my own.
Off to chill, and take an aspirin for a headache associated with my first caught-from-the-kids cold of the year. Sigh....(sniffle...sniff....hack....)
TTFN!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A fond farewell to summer and a return for three more years to Sanikiluaq,
It was a marvelous summer, full of all that makes summer wonderful: lots of sunshine, hot days, friends and family, and a trip to Disney World in Florida. The only regret is that summer only lasts for two months and winter seems to last forever!
My return was ALMOST uneventful. The plane ride to Montreal was smooth, the hotel was nice, and while Tigger was upset and whined all night I knew I could catch up on my sleep later. The check-in at the Air Inuit desk went smoothly, and they did not even charge for the 9 kg overweight in my luggage. However, when I got to Sanikiluaq and picked up my luggage there was no cat carrier! In a panic, I called to the crew who searched the cargo hold...no Tigger! When I finally got through to the desk at the Dorval airport they told me thta Tigger had been held back as their security scanners were not working. ARGH!!! Did they discover he had clandestine meetings with Bin Laden or something? I could have held him while they scanned his crate through the oversize luggage machine had they said anything. But no...so he went on a multi-plane hop across the north on a later flight to catch Air Inuit on return to Sani while I paced in a tizzy.
Tim (my principal) picked me up when we heard the plane go over at 5:00 pm and thankfully, Tigger and carrier emerged unscathed. He was rather upset and has not left my side, and he was rather hungry and thirsty, but otherwise he was okay. He has been getting settled into the place again, peeking into every nook and cranny. Sadly, the windows are still boarded up until housing can get over this afternoon, so his favorite perch no longer provides the outdoor view that he craves, but he'll live.
I did get to the Northern to pick up my Honda. Yay! It is a riot to drive, and I am learning how to shift smoothly. I had a whole contingent of my kids from last year join me for a test drive and we had a good laugh together as I hiccupped the Honda down the road. I'm much smoother today but still struggling to get it into reverse from time to time. Have to work on that one. Here's a shot of my new toy...
And so begins another year and another adventure. I wonder what this one will bring? I guess as long as it brings my boxes of supplies that I mailed from Toronto I'll be happy, LOL!
TTFN!
My return was ALMOST uneventful. The plane ride to Montreal was smooth, the hotel was nice, and while Tigger was upset and whined all night I knew I could catch up on my sleep later. The check-in at the Air Inuit desk went smoothly, and they did not even charge for the 9 kg overweight in my luggage. However, when I got to Sanikiluaq and picked up my luggage there was no cat carrier! In a panic, I called to the crew who searched the cargo hold...no Tigger! When I finally got through to the desk at the Dorval airport they told me thta Tigger had been held back as their security scanners were not working. ARGH!!! Did they discover he had clandestine meetings with Bin Laden or something? I could have held him while they scanned his crate through the oversize luggage machine had they said anything. But no...so he went on a multi-plane hop across the north on a later flight to catch Air Inuit on return to Sani while I paced in a tizzy.
Tim (my principal) picked me up when we heard the plane go over at 5:00 pm and thankfully, Tigger and carrier emerged unscathed. He was rather upset and has not left my side, and he was rather hungry and thirsty, but otherwise he was okay. He has been getting settled into the place again, peeking into every nook and cranny. Sadly, the windows are still boarded up until housing can get over this afternoon, so his favorite perch no longer provides the outdoor view that he craves, but he'll live.
I did get to the Northern to pick up my Honda. Yay! It is a riot to drive, and I am learning how to shift smoothly. I had a whole contingent of my kids from last year join me for a test drive and we had a good laugh together as I hiccupped the Honda down the road. I'm much smoother today but still struggling to get it into reverse from time to time. Have to work on that one. Here's a shot of my new toy...
And so begins another year and another adventure. I wonder what this one will bring? I guess as long as it brings my boxes of supplies that I mailed from Toronto I'll be happy, LOL!
TTFN!
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