I took the day off. It was a great idea. But first a rant...

I finally tracked down my cleaners last night. We had problems hooking up in the afternoon and I started to do the cleaning myself yesterday afternoon. After 4 hours I headed back to the office gave her another call and finally connected. I went home happy and content that the cleaning would be finished on time.

This morning as I am doing my usual Sunday morning activities...watching Coronation Street and surfing the internet when suddenly there is a knock at the door. This is an inside door that can only be accessed via a locked outer door so I figured it was my neighbour. I was right...sort of. Standing beside her was one of the cleaners. She had come to tell me she needed a vaccuum and some more Mr Clean. Sure, no problem I said. I'll be there when the stores open.

When I closed the door the neighbour goes nuts and yells at me. "Tell your friends not to ring my door bell." I tell her that I didn't know she was coming and that one of our employees told her where to find me. My unit doesn't have a door bell...and I don't have a phone that works so I need to know guests are arriving ahead of time. Then I said, oh and by the way, I need the vaccuum. "About that. I got flack over buying that vaccuum in the first place and it was bought for my unit. Terry had his own vaccuum. I don't think I should have to lend it out. I'm going to talk to (and I'm not sure who she mentioned) on Monday about it."

She placed the vaccuum in the common room and closed her door. I slammed my door closed and cursed her. Spoiled brat.

She wormed her way into getting the apartment...her position should not come with housing--and she is living here rent and utility free. She was given free reign to buy things for the apartment that most of the office disagreed with but didn't know about till too late. She had laminate flooring installed...then bought rugs for all the floors...when the vaccuum was purchased we all disagreed with it. Generally housing comes without that type of accessory and if an employee wants a vaccuum they buy it themselves.

Anyway. She has a company paid for vaccuum cleaner. I live 6 feet away also in company housing and feel that the vaccuum should be shared between the two units. I think she may find that I am right and she is wrong come Monday.

I took the vaccuum to the cleaners, checked on their progress and headed to the office. I called an old friend and had a great chat. I will be staying with her in Iqaluit at the end of June. I felt great when I got off the phone with her. I had vented about a number of things and knew she would understand. Then we chatted about my upcoming trip and her life. It was great.

In the great mood I was then in I decided to go out and take some pictures. I walked down a couple of streets that I haven't been on before and headed towards the dump. I didn't have a particular destination in mind and if I had of planned ahead I would have brought a snack. I strolled towards the dump then headed across the land and found a lot of geese hanging out. I took a few pics and then kept walking. It was a lovely day for a stroll. I walked for about two hours and would have gone longer except that the memory card in the camera was full and when I sat down to delete a few photos the battery died. I figured that was my sign to go home.

I'm charging the battery so I can download the photos...and some day I will get a chance to post them for you. I may need to call in unable to go to work tomorrow. The puddle in front of the house has grown to cover the entire driveway and in fact there is no snow left to walk on. I was ankle deep in water walking to the house this afternoon and it may only get worse before it gets better. I wish I had my rubber boots with me.

I'm totally in countdown mode. On June 18 I will be flying to Yellowknife and then the next morning on to Iqaluit. I'll be in Iqaluit until June 29 at which time I return to Yellowknife followed the next day by my arrival back in Cambridge Bay. My trip to Iqaluit has been approved and I'm super excited! I'm excited to see some of my friends again, I'm excited to help out with a Habitat build again. And I'm excited to have some time off. I don't mind a working vacation.

I'm also in countdown mode to June 4th. I'm heading back to Edmonton for about a week. There is a meeting that I have been asked to attend. I'm happy to go down for it. I'm also happy cause I'll get to check on my truck, my apartment and maybe if I'm lucky enjoy some HOT weather. And stock up on more groceries. I will also get to meet the Habitat team that I will be building with and find out what they would like me to bring over. I have a feeling my suitcases are going to be overflowing and at maxium weight.

Yeah! Countdown mode.

I'm feeling some anxiety around work. We have a new employee arriving on Monday with her hubby. I'm a bit concerned that they do not know entirely what they are getting into. If they survive the first few months then all will be good. What I am hoping is that she can see past some of the imperfections of her new home. The walls need to be painted, the carpet needs to be replaced, it could use some new blinds and some of the furniture needs replacing. The good news is that she will be able to do this for her apartment shortly after she arrives. The bad part is that I don't know if she will be able to see the trees for the forest. First impressions and all that.

Worst case scenario she hates it and refuses to live there. In that case I will offer up the unit I am in until hers can be renovated. We have another unit coming available the end of June that I think she should really move into and I am hoping that I can convince her of that. It will suck to move twice, but in the end I think she will be happier with the other unit. It doesn't need to be painted or need flooring, etc. Fingers crossed. I have someone coming in this afternoon to clean her unit (AGAIN) and the one beside it. We have offered it up temporarily to one of our other employees. He technically shouldn't have it...they are based on position so it is a temporary move, but the last employee left it...DIRTY. Hopefully the two ladies cleaning this afternoon can make it sparkle.

I'm off to the office shortly. I want to get a few things done at the office before I spend the rest of my day at the apartments throwing out garbage and helping with the cleaning. Yes, I have more than enough office work to keep me occupied but I think the physical work of cleaning will also be a good mental break.

Still lots to do with our hiring season upon us, but...BUT I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I will have offer letters out by the end of the week for all our jobs and then it is a matter of filling the final spots for those not accepting and then the paper work. I'm hoping to have a helper in place by the time it comes to getting all the paper work done.

This is a siksik. My apologies if I spelled that wrong, but I think it is correct. A siksik is kind of like a gopher but it lives in the North. The burrow in the ground like gophers, but I have never seen one before. I've heard of them, but haven't seen them. I didn't dare get closer, I didn't want to frighten the poor little guy away. They hibernate in winter and come out in the Spring. This is the OLD OLD hotel in Taloyoak.

A map of Taloyoak that is at the hotel. All the important buildings are marked in red. RCMP, Northern store, Co op, school, etc.

If you can read this it is worth a look. Click to make it bigger. Basically it tells you how much the room and meals cost, when the meals are served and when the stores are open. It's an FYI for you.

I've been trying to upload pictures at the office during lunch and then filling in text at home in the evenings. It works ok...but really I wish I had my Southern internet connection. Sigh. Spoiled after only a few months.

It's 8:53pm and the sun is streaming in the window. It's nice to see. If I wasn't lazy and tired I'd go out for a walk. But it is simply nice just to see it. Sports bra season has officially started. That would be when all the pot holes appear and you should make sure your shocks are in good order. There is a lot of bouncing when driving. I ended up with two drives today. One on my way back from the Health Centre some of the guys from work stopped me on the street and gave me a lift back. And after work one of the guys happened to pull up as I was leaving and I begged a ride home. I could have walked, but with a full and heavy backpack it was a nice treat. And I was tired...

I think I'm headed back to Edmonton on the 4th of June. I can't say I am not looking forward to the break, but still lots to do before then. Today though I got a slice of the pie finished and should have a TON more done by end of day Friday! I'll be home for about 5 days. Time to relax, unwind, enjoy some take out food and re-stock before I head back up North.

Some of the art work on the walls at the hotel. I think the outlines were drawn by a local artist and kids from the local school coloured them...I think. My hotel room in Kugaaruk. This is the room the second night, not the one I shared the first night...but they are basically identical. This is a nice, new hotel.
Twin beds!
These kids were fun. The girl was a bit shy and wouldn't take my picture when I asked her, but she hardly left my side all night.
From the Community Centre in Taloyoak.

I love this sign at the airport. You may need to view it in large mode to read the text.

Finally...more pics

This is a close up of one section of a wall hanging from the hotel in Kugaaruk. I think the materials used are from a musk ox and maybe human hair?.


The detail is fantastic in the work and can really only be appreciated in person.


The hanging was about 31/2 feet wide and about 5 feet tall.





This little cutie was taking a nap when I found him. This yard is pretty typical for the North. Garbage is a constant struggle. What do we do with it and where do we put it.


Another typical Northern view...polar bear (or other animal skin).


Room with a view. Quamitik...I know that is spelled wrong and I am too lazy to go and look up the proper spelling...Kamatik. I like the window in the front so the passengers can have a view and still keep warm.

Taken outside the Catholic church in Kugaaruk. I like the way the seal skins are incorporated into the shrine. It's a bit hard to see in the small version, but in the middle of the picture is a swing. Just like you would see in backyards all across the country. See...the North...the same, but different.

I'm in Kugluktuk this morning. I want to stay. Flew in yesterday afternoon and scheduled to fly out early this afternoon. Community presentation last night that went quite well.

The sun is shining high in the sky and looking out the window is almost painful as the sun is glaring off the white ice and snow..but I keep looking. The sun has been up and shining since we arrived and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. The temperature is a lovely -5 and all around town are signs of spring.

The hotel here is nice. I have my own room, satellite tv and a great view. The food has been excellent and I will be sad to fly out this afternoon. I could certainly handle another day of working in the sunshine. The hotel is called the Coppermine Inn and has been run by the same family since 1984. That must be a record. I'm hoping to get out and go for a walk shortly but am waiting for my boss to call...ugh. Somedays it would be nice to leave technology behind us completely and go back to the telegraph. He was scheduled to call at 10am. It is now 10:20...I'm envoking the no show rule and I'm heading out for a walk.

There were swans and geese along the runway yesterday when we arrived. I had put my camera away by then as the trip down the runway usually does not bring about any photo ops. I will have it at the ready today but will no doubt end up on the wrong side of the plane. But...I did see them. A large group of people were out on the ice fishing and there was a constant parade of families coming back in off the land last night. Families who had spent the weekend fishing or out at the cabins relaxing and enjoying the wonder

ful weather.

I slept very well last night. I left the curtain open so the sun could come in and around 1am there was a beautiful sunset. I was so asleep that while I saw it I couldn't do anything about it. Almost like a dream.

Taken from my trip a couple weeks ago...the flag of Kugaaruk.

This is the same church I photographed in Fall of 2007. Notice how the sky, snow and ice are all the same colour. That's why the picture taking hasn't been so great lately. It makes it hard to differentiate between the hills and sky. This cutie was on the flight out of Cambridge Bay in April headed to Yellowknife. She kept looking out the window longingly. I tried sneaking the photo and yet get her in the shot. I think I captured what I was looking for in this one.

It's Saturday afternoon and I have yet to venture from the apartment. I came home yesterday afternoon around 4pm. It was nice to leave work early. I stopped by the grocery store and picked up a few things then came home and watched a movie. I put the movie on and within a few minutes fell asleep. It was a wonderful almost 3 hour nap. Finally I have sound on a laptop. I actually traded with a spare one in the office and will bring the broken one to Edmonton for repair in June.

My neighbour is gone for a couple of days so the house is very quiet. She tends to play her music loud enough for me to hear on occasion and the water pump is very noisy so I know everytime they turn on a tap or flush the toilet. And they know when I do. I have the tv up as loud as I want it today where normally I keep it pretty quiet so as not to disturb next door. To combat the noise from the pump and furnace the TV is louder than I would prefer, but since I don't have a remote to change it I just deal with the extra loudness. At least I have cable tv.

I'm feeling a bit sick today. Maybe not enough sleep. Maybe too much.

I was up at 7:30am this morning which is sleeping in some...who knows. I'm probably just tired from work. I decided to take the whole day and do nothing. I would like to do more cleaning at the duplex for our new employee...but that will now need to wait until next week. I still have another 8 days...so no worry yet. I will be at work tomorrow morning before I leave for Kugluktuk and will get caught up on some of the things I didn't do yesterday or today...like the email I promised to send my boss when I left him at the airport on Friday. Oops.

Kugluktuk is a one night trip for another presentation. No biggie. Sounds like the person in Kug did an excellent job of planning it for us. I have been to Kug before and will miss visiting the nice folks who lived there then. Fellow bloggers who now live in Faro. The trip is about 24 hours exactly. We fly out of Cambridge Bay on Sunday on the flight that will continue on to Yellowknife and Monday fly to Cambridge on the flight that will arrive in Kug from Yellowknife. I hope to someday see Kug and Cambridge when it is summer and the snow is gone.

So we have a new employee moving up here to Cambridge Bay. I have been trying to give suggestions on what to pack and how things will be...but it is hard. Everyone takes to the North differently and it is hard to really tell someone what they personally will need. She was looking into bringing up some perishable food and putting dry ice in the container to keep it fresh. She asked where she could buy the proper container. I told her I had no idea as I have never thought about it. I have brought up perishables before but just in a cooler or just in my suitcase. I tried to tell her that she didn't need to worry about it...cause the planes cargo area isn't heated. It is hard to inform without sounding like a bossy know it all.

The weather was nice and windy on Friday which meant lots of slush and some mud around town. Today is is snowing...again. I gotta say I am really missing Spring this year. I guess cause I thought I would be experiencing it is why I am missing it. I hope the bush/tree outside my patio doors isn't finished blooming by the time I get to visit in June. I really need some flowers here.

Living in the North is very different from temporarily living in the North. I have none of my special homey things around me and feel like an outsider in town. I know a few people, but not enough and due to the amount of work I've been doing haven't had time to meet anyone new. It is different from my previous experiences up North. Not necessarily bad, just different.

What I was really thinking about tonight is the 24 hour light/dark issue. People always ask how I handle it. Quite well actually. I am a HUGE fan of 24 hour daylight. I don’t recall having issues with a night light and needing one when I was younger, but maybe that is selective blocking. Ask my mom.

Lately the sun hasn’t been shining and the overcast sky makes me pretty depressed. Right now it bugs me because the sky and the land are the same colour. White. Picture taking is terrible and the fact that you can’t even watch the sun move across the sky is…blah. In the winter it isn’t an issue for this amount of time because it is generally too cold for lots of cloud cover and when a storm rolls in, it quickly rolls out within a couple of days.

When the sun shines brightly all day and all night many people have trouble sleeping. I don’t. I think it is about trying to keep a routine. Get up at the same time and try to go to bed at the same time each day. When you are home in the evening and it is around 8pm or so close the curtains or blinds. When you get up in the morning open the curtains and let all the light in. I think it is all about the routine. If I leave the blinds open at night then it is harder to get into that routine. Of course when I was living in Iqaluit I did the opposite almost. I would open the curtains just before bedtime. I seemed to sleep better with the light. Maybe my body thinks it is getting an extra long cat nap when the sun is shining in. Whatever it is, it works. And as long as your curtains are not white sheers they will always darken a room some. If you then close your eyes when you go to sleep it gets dark.

That was written a few days ago. Man I am busy.

I downloaded a bunch of pics and realized I don't think I have shared any for a while. I am at the office so the internet connection is fairly good...I'll try and post some. Of course, if I do you will have seen them before reading this post. Oh well.

My apartment here in town gives me pleasure and pain. If I had internet and sound on my laptop I would be a very happy camper. As it is...I have neither. The sound comes and goes...mostly goes when I am at the house wanting to watch a movie and works when I am at the office. Grrr. The whole computer needs to be sent in for repairs. Unfortunately that won't happen for a VERY LONG TIME. Well...kinda. I may or may not be back in Edmonton within a couple weeks for a few days. I have been asked to attend the BOD meeting June 8. So I would fly down on the Friday and back later in the week...I guess. That is still up for debate.

I have more info on my trip to Iqaluit which makes me very excited. What I don't have is final confirmation that YES I can go. I am getting a tad worried, but I guess in the end it will all work out. Right now I am working on finding a couch or a floor to sleep on while I am there. Anyone in need of a house sitter? A few folks that I had thought were potentials are going to be out of town...which sucks cause A) it would have been nice to see them and B) I could crash at their homes. I'm sure I will find a place. The Habitat build in IQ won't be like the India one where I see a lot of tourist things. I've been there, done that...have a few tshirts, but even for the other people on the build it is mostly a build group not a sight seeing and build kind of group.

Ok...back to work. Sigh.

No rest for the wicked...must have been written about me. I must be a wicked, wicked girl seeing as I don't seem to get time off anymore. I worked all week, today--I think, is Saturday and I've spent my day working at home and now at the office. Tomorrow is a mixed bag. I was going to work all day but found someone to cook supper for me...so I'm going to work in the morning and watch someone cook all afternoon for me. Nice. Monday is technically a holiday. But I haven't decided yet if I will work or not. There is simply soooo much to do that taking the day seems like a waste. Maybe I will let the weather decide. Sunny day=No work. How's that for planning?

I was grumbling all of last night and most of today. Certain people are scheduled to work until 6pm and for 2 nights in a row were not there. I got miffed last night when I called over for a ride and discovered that I was the last person still working. According to one source they have changed their hours. I'm not sure how I feel about that...or if I believe it. But I am leaving the issue for now. There are so many fish to fry it is hard to know where to start. Like the employees who decide on their own that they will be working OT on the weekend. Their Supervisor only works 2 days a week so she doesn't know how much (or little) they get done during the week and always just signs off on the time sheets. Hmmm. I question getting paid OT when one takes two afternoons off during the week and then claims for OT on the weekend. Seems a bit fishy if you ask me.

Yes, I found somone to cook for me. The crazy thing is that because he is an employee I need to be very careful about how this is done. I have asked another employee over for supper...kind of as a chaperone. I am not interested in getting involved with either employee...but people will talk regardless. So I figure that a third person will help make things seem above board. Which they are anyway...but small towns are terrible for gossip. My supervisor is scared to come over to my unit for supper (and an evening of work) for fear of people thinking we are involved. I get it and agree with him. Unfortunately we need to hash out a few hr things and a bit of privacy where we won't be overheard would be an excellent idea. Oh well. Small town rumors are even bigger in a small office.

The sun was shining for a few minutes today. And the melting is happening. The drip, drip, drip off the roof was a very pleasant sound and the sight of more roadway is always a bonus. After winter comes dust season which is quickly followed by bug season and then back to winter. As a bonus though one gets to experience dust and bug season under 24 hour day light....which in my opinion makes is all worth while. I will need a night light again when I hit the South.

Next weekend I am going to do some Spring cleaning on a house that isn't mine. We have a new employee moving up and the nicer of the two units smells like smoke. Ok, reeks might be a better word. It's the place I stayed in February. This unit has been vacant since November and yet the smell of the smoke still haunts as if one had just lit up a few moments ago. Yes, the unit was cleaned, but no one cleaned the curtains, pillows, etc. I'll go over and see if I can make it habitable. And a bit of house keeping never hurt anyone...so it will help clear my head. Speaking of which I should do some dusting and sweeping at my unit before I have people over tomorrow.

This morning I didn't really have much to do. Sit in the hotel, see if anyone stopped by with an application form and eat lunch. There wasn't much traffic and I was pretty tired so I tried to take a nap. I didn't have much luck cause thats when people kept showing up. Oh well I thought, I'll nap on the plane. Nope.

Around 1:30pm the taxi showed up and we headed to the airport. After checking in we sat to wait for the plane to arrive. 10 minutes later the phone rang. The plane had left Cambridge Bay, had some mechanical issue and headed back to Cambridge Bay. Please stand by for an update. We did. About 1/2 hour later we got a lift back to the hotel. We couldn't get into the hotel cause the door was locked and no one was there. LOL After a while one of the other guests left and we snuck back in.

I made several phone calls to travel agents, 1-800 lines, airports, etc. Everyone had a different story. We debated and talked about what to do...in the end the decision was to stay here for another night and cancel our presentation in Gjoa Haven...at least for now. Several more phone calls ensued and we were finally able to get keys to rooms in the hotel. Yeah. The three of us are now sitting around watching the Discovery channel.

It is a bit disappointing to not be able to stay on schedule, but with the way things go in the North, not entirely surprising. I'm planning on eating my supper and then heading to my room to hide/watch tv/fall asleep early. Ah, a single room tonight.

I have gotten lots of work done...so I'm not feeling guilty about not doing anything tonight. And who knows, with a fresh start in the morning I just might get some real work done before our flight tomorrow afternoon. There was a fantastic carving for sale here a few minutes ago. If I hadn't purchased my tea cozy and wall hanging I would have been tempted (VERY TEMPTED) but I held back and didn't spend the cash. I'm sure he will have no problems selling it.

Oh, the temptations to have more, more, more. It isn't a shopping habit so much as an exposure to wonderful art work...one of a kind originals...very hard to not be tempted.

And now we are in Taloyoak. The airport in Kugaaruk called the hotel this morning...the flight would be in early and we needed to be at the airport by 12noon. Ok. We called taxi and left a message. Then sat down and had some lunch. The hotel was great and had our soup and sandwiches ready for 11:30 instead of the normal 12noon timing. There was another person at the hotel heading out on the plane. He is military, retiring in 5 weeks and had been in doing work with the local rangers. The RCMP had asked him to take a rifle out for them and when he called to tell them our change in flight times also asked if we could get a lift. Sure they said but someone will need to sit in the back. He offered to do it. Nice.

12noon sharp we hopped into the RCMP truck. Two in the back seat and two in the pan. A few minutes later they dropped us off at the airport and we waited for our flight. It didn't get in as early as expected and instead of being 45 minutes early we only left 20 minutes early. So we didn't need to rush our lunch...oh well.

I'm back in Taloyoak. I was here Fall 2007. It was suppossed to have been for one night but it ended up being two or three and I got to watch them unload the annual sealift. This is where I bought my packing doll and a couple pairs of beautiful mitts...which I am wearing on this trip.

Present day...we no sooner got off the plane then we had a ride to the hotel. One of the guys dropping off a passenger has worked for us in the past and was glad to give us a lift into town. I checked in, dropped off my bags and went craft shopping! Back to the little store. I had a purchase in mind. I wanted a tea cozy. I know, I really am an 85 year old woman in disguise. LOL. I want something other than my tea towels to keep my pot of tea warm and this is the perfect one to have. I've seen them before and knew better than to buy one outside of Taloyoak. Why not get it from the source if you can? And I did. They only had one in stock--a very pretty green with yellow flowers. The design is made to look like an Inuit person dressed in a parka...but a very fat parka. I'll post a pic at some point. I also purchased a wall hanging. It wasn't on my list, but it was very nice and even though I don't have much in the way of wall space I got it anyway. I picked up a pair of earrings for my mom...but then when she told me the cost was $50 I said no thanks. Sorry Mom. I love you, but they were too small to be worth that many $.

I'm at the hotel waiting patiently for supper. It is an hour away but I have the munchies. Guess cause I didn't eat all my dinner. Last time I was in town I stayed at the Boothia. This time I am staying at the Boothia...but the new one. They built a new hotel. It is more central to the rest of town and quite nice. Much larger than the old one, more rooms, bigger kitchen. And wireless internet! The only downfall is that they are booked solid tonight....which means I must share my room. My first time ever having to share in a hotel up North. And yes, my roomie has arrived so there is no chance of her flight not getting in.

Continued Tuesday morning...
The presentation last night went very well. We had about 30-35 people show up by the end of the evening. We even managed to get an interpreter. The kids that provided the refreshments were kinda funny...they arrived and didn't have any cups for the coffee. Someone went looking for cups. In the meantime the other girls didn't bother to even make the coffee so it wasn't finished brewing until after the meeting. The cups arrive and I finally ask...do you have cheese and meat? Yes, but no one brought a knife. I was assured that they would be going to get one shortly. Please hurry I asked as the meeting will be over soon. At the close of the meeting there was cheese and meat and coffee with a few crackers. No one minded and we were happy with the way the meeting went.

Back at the hotel I met my roomie. She is up for a few days working at the eye clinic. First time in Taloyoak. I gathered up my work and headed to the dining room to plug away at my files for a few hours. I wasn't tired and she seemed already settled into her bed. When I finally headed to bed at around 10:30 she was in bed, but not asleep. She was having issues with the light outside. I wanted to laugh but didn't...she laid in bed with her comforter over her head trying to block out the light. I didn't sleep well. Guess just knowing someone was in the room kept me from fully relaxing. Maybe a short nap on the plane later this afternoon.

This morning I have nothing to do but work on things I brought with me...and maybe take a nap. It is very quiet and when I finish this post I may head into my room for a pre-lunch nap. Ah, life on the go.

Another successful day of flying. We arrived in Kugaaruk this afternoon basically on time. A small snack on the way over made the afternoon go faster and a good book helped to pass the time.

I'm reading Mutiny on the Bounty. I've read it before, but found an old copy at VV the other day. I also found a copy of Casino...yep, James Bond. I hope to crack that open this coming weekend. But you don't care what I'm reading, you want to hear about my visit to the community.

The flight went from Cambridge Bay to Gjoa Haven and then on to Kugaaruk where we got off the plane. The nice guy at the airport called the taxi for us...no answer. No biggie. I asked this guy at the airport who was chatting with a few other people we knew if he could give us a ride into town. He said sure. I mean...town is small and everyone lives away from the airport so we couldn't have been that far off his route.

The two gentlemen I am travelling with spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting with me about work and looking at resumes. Then we had a yummy supper...caribou meat with a yummy gravy. Two carrots (full length) and a scoop of turnip. There was also pasta salad and dessert. Mmmm. After supper we headed up to the Hamlet building to do our presentation. About 23 people and a dozen kids showed up. There were some great questions and the whole thing lasted about an hour. I will be stopping at some of the offices tomorrow to drop off application forms and spread more of the good word...oh, and maybe take a few pictures while I am out and about.

I was tired today so instead of heading out tonight I came back to my room and am watching tv (and surfing the internet). There is great light for photos...but tired photographer. Maybe tomorrow. Happy to have free internet access at the hotel and happy that the connection is better than the one I had in Cambridge Bay. I have a room to myself. The guys are both sharing with other people. Lucky me! This is the hotel though that someone walked into my room before but then ended up getting another room. It is doubtful that will happen again...but one never knows. Always bring your pj's.

It's nice to be back touring the North.

Lori, you are such a clever lady to google map the places I am going. I'm going to do that and check it out myself. Hope to get some great shots over the next few days.

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm at the office doing a bit of work.

I arrived in Cambridge Bay Wednesday afternoon ahead of schedule and with both my suitcases. The sun was shining and I don't think I have ever seen such a nice day in Cambridge...and I don't think I will again.

I went straight to work and then had a wonderful walk home along the 'water' (frozen at the moment...but will be beach in a couple months) and unpacked. It was nice to settle into my own place. I lit a few candles, made my supper, read some of my book and fell asleep before 9pm. Some days life is very good.

The next morning I was confronted by the employee who lives on the other side of the unit. Apparently her boyfriend is allergic to scents and I am not to burn candles or use scented products. I lost it and got rather bit*** with her. How could someone not mention that prior to my arrival. Rrrr. I later said what if we comprimise and the nights your boyfriend isn't there I can burn candles. She reluctantly agreed. (We will see how that goes)

The office is the usual state of chaos. The work that I had asked to be done for some community visits wasn't done and I ended up trying to do it all myself on Friday. So if we don't have a room to stay in or no one shows up for our meetings I won't be surprised. Ah well.

My walk to/from work is great. I can either go thru town or I can walk along the water. I choose the water. It might be a bit longer (by mere minutes) but it certainly is nicer. For the most part it is flat and traffic free. I can imagine that I will get to watch the break up of the ice in a few more weeks and that will be nice.

We leave tomorrow for three communities. Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak. I haven't spent a night in Gjoa Haven before but I have in the other two. I only wish it was summer so I could see what they look like under the snow. Back Wednesday night. Short and sweet. Hopefully it all goes well.

I must be getting absent minded in my old age or I have too much on my mind. I went to the grocery store the other night and had a list of items to purchase. I also needed new laces for my boots as one had broken in the am. I got every item on my list. Then I got home and as I was taking off my boots realized I had forgotten to pick up the laces. Finally managed to snag them this am before I got into the office.

I brought diet pepsi with me. Not something I normally do. It is trick to pack unless you take a case and even then if the airline decides to freeze it...what a mess. This time I packed it in a cooler and brought 6 plastic bottles (710ml). I have only drank 1 thus far. That is more because I keep forgetting them at the house then anything. Like today. As I was leaving the store I realized I had forgotten my pop at home again. I contemplated going back but decided that I would just try and get by with tea. Believe me, it isn't the same.

The folks back in the Edmonton office are having a few ups and downs. There is behaviour that keeps popping up that is not entirely appropriate for our ages. At least I know it isn't just me as even in my absence the behaviour continues.

So much to do at work. And it is so hard to get it all done on time. Guess I better get back to it. I doubt there will be updates from the road...but maybe Thursday morning when I get back.

Happy Mother's Day.

Getting old and forgetful.

After work this evening my goals were simple.
1. Mail Mother's Day present
2. Buy mix.
3. Pick up prescription.
4. Pick up supper.
5. Go home.

I accomplished goal #1 with absolutely no difficulties...except maybe that I am a bit late getting it in the mail and it may not arrive on time. Happy Mother's Day Mom...love your S-L-O-W child. I even managed to get #2 done. I finished #4 before #3 and was quite proud of myself that I had finished all my chores. Except that as I started to walk out of the store I realized that my hand was empty. Hmmm. Somehow between the front of the store and back of the store I had lost my mix. I headed up to the front of the store and after checking the cash register (which had closed by the time I got there) we found my mix. So apparently I am now paying for goods and then leaving them behind. I did manage to complete #5 without any difficulties.

It was another hectic day at the office. I literally didn't do any 'work, work' today. I packed up all my files and got them ready for shipping up North. Cleaned up my desk and moved all my personal things around. A month away from the office (and maybe more) is a long time and there were lots of things to think about...will I need this or this...what about this file. There are three file boxes now waiting to be shipped North!

My truck is nestled into a parking spot at the office and is awaiting my return.

The house is almost totally clean. I keep putting off the kitchen floor. Ugh, I hate sweeping. And the garbage. It's like laundry. No matter how much garbage I take out it would seem there is always another bag. But that can all wait until later tonight. For now I am going to sit back, read some of my book and enjoy being in my apartment surrounded by my stuff.

I will have internet access in Cam Bay, but only at work so the blog updates may not be as often as I'd like. And I'm actually on a 'road trip' for the first week of my stay. I leave on Sunday and we hit all of the communities by the following Sunday. The dates aren't the greatest for most of the meetings, but it is the best we can do for this year. This was a project on side a of the office and then it became a project for side b. If side b had planned it from the beginning it would have happened a month ago (at least) and it would be arranged differently...next year. I've done these sort of things before and am looking forward to getting out into the communities again and meeting some folks. It isn't the turnout at the evening meetings, it is the talks around town at the various offices and the chats in the stores that makes the most impact.

Alright...enough blogging from Edmonton. I'll talk to you next from above the Arctic Circle.

It's been a Monday...all day.

The morning started off fairly well. I dropped off my passport application and should have a new passport in 6-8 weeks. I don't have a trip planned, but it is easier to renew than re-apply after it expires. I found it hard to believe that it has been ten years since I got my first passport. My how time flies...literally.

On my way to work I realized I had forgotten my lunch and stopped into pick up a sandwich--no problems. Then dropped off my truck for an oil change and to check the brakes. I arrived at work around 9:30am and wasn't overly concerned about my lateness. I had emailed my late arrival earlier in the morning.

The truck is still at the shop. They need to repair the tube that carries brake fluid to the brakes. I must have had some panic in my voice when he said they needed to keep it overnight cause he offered me their loaner. I knew I could get a drive home but I also knew I had errands to run so I took the loaner. It is very strange to be driving a car--a very low to the ground car. I felt small compared to the vehicles around me. Normally I look down upon the cars around me, today I looked up at them.

I'm now trying to pack canned goods and clothes in preparation of my trip Wednesday morning. Hard to believe I will be up North for a month (or more). I am glad of my own apartment and a bit of space to call my own. I know that if I had to live in the bunkhouse for the duration I would certainly go bonkers. And I still have a couple friends in town to visit so that will be nice. And on my last visit I ran into a guy that I had a couple of dates with when I was in Iqaluit. I am hoping that he would like to be friends again and that I will have a walking buddy during my time in town.

Tragedy struck my life this morning. On a chat to one of my co-workers in Cam Bay I got some bad news. The person on the other end of the phone was telling me the news from the weekend and mentioned the passing of someone who had lived in Cam Bay. He kept talking about other stuff and I fell silent. I got off the phone as quickly as I could end the conversation and sat without moving for quite a while.

He was one of the first people to befriend me in Nunavut. He was living in Cam Bay and I was in Pang, but we had the same job and he was one of the key folks who kept me going at work the first couple months I was there. We stayed friends over the years as we both left the employ of the GN and even still when he moved to Yellowknife. I actually just saw him in February or March of this year. I will miss his raunchy jokes and thrill for living. He didn't have an easy time of life always. He had polio as a child and got around on crutches in the North and a wheel chair when in the South. Mel...I will miss you.

Photos from my weekend in Banff/Lake Lousie/etc
For those who checked this out early Sunday...I have since updated by adding some text.

This is a view of Edmonton on my return. I need to find a spot that I can park and come back to this at night. I've seen it before and the lights are pretty cool.

This is the view I had for most of the drive from Lake Louise to Rocky Mountain House.
Fun drives. Up ahead (the tunnels) are actually wild life bridges. Created to allow all the woodland creatures to get across the highway without being killed. Very smart. I saw a couple other ones that were in progress and they are pretty neat. I hope the bunnies like them.
Banff Springs Hotel. Beautiful. Not the hotel I stayed at. This one was out of my price league, but it is pretty nice to look at.
Chicken at Lake Louise. I'm not happy with most of the pictures I took during this trip, the contrasts and colours are off. So...black and white classic shot for chicken.
This cabin is located at Lake Louise. Looks like a scene out of a Rocky Mountain Christmas card.
As pictured on the back of the old $20 bill. I think? It's been so long since I've had cash I can't be sure anymore.

One of the moments of nice weather.
View from the road. I stopped here to wish my sister a Happy Birthday.
Just off Turtle Mountain drive in Banff.
View of Banff from the hills above.


The following few pics are from the tour of the hot springs. I didn't go to the one you can actually sit in and enjoy. This is the place I paid $3.90 to see and recommend that you don't bother. Here are the pics...that''s good enough. Trust me.

This it outside..lovely sulphur smell.
This guy does a great job at letting people know where to go.
Inside the cave. These next few pics are backwards in order.
Walking thru the cave towards the springs

Entrance to the cave. Yep...wrong order.

It's Saturday morning. There are birds chirping outside my window, the sun is shining and the temperature is going to reach double digits. What more could one ask for of a weekend? Nothing.

I am writing up my list of things to do before I leave for the North. I'm heading up on Wednesday for about a month. Yep, a month. Lots to do and lots to pack before I go.

I checked my fridge this morning and it seems to be ready for my departure. I have two cheese slices left, some pancake syrup, partial bottles of capers, ginger and garlic, a couple tablespoons of pepper sauce (for chicken), half a bottle of soya sauce, an open tub of margarine and an unopened bottle of salad dressing. And that is it. (Well, technically at the moment there is also a half bottle of diet pepsi...but that will be gone before I finish this post...excuse me for a second while I go to the fridge.)

There are a couple loads of laundry to be done...why is it that laundry never seems to go away...like dirty dishes. I need to clean the bathroom and the kitchen and then the house is done...oh yeah, and I need to put away the mounds of clean laundry. And pack a couple of suitcases.

The list is getting longer by the second. Some for fun, some necessary things. At the top of the list is getting my passport photos done. I need to send in my passport for renewal before I head North or it won't be a renewal it will be a new application. I can't believe how fast 5 years can go. I am hoping that the new passport will take me to Italy next year. I have been making some plans for a trip in March. (Update...diet pepsi has been taken care of and will not go to waste.)

I know I haven't posted any pics from my last excursion...maybe later this weekend. But I am sure that over the next few weeks there will be a few more interesting pics from the North. I'll be doing a tour of all 5 Kitikmeot communities but will be in Cam Bay for most of my time.

One of the ladies in the office mentioned the other day that I would be able to save a lot of money while I was up North. She is under the mistaken impression that there is no shopping. I said that it would likely cost more. There are so many wonderful things to buy including a new fur for my coat, some kamiks I saw on my last visit (kamiks--boots), carvings, drawings, meat. So many choices! LOL. I think she was surprised. She shouldn't be.

Alright. I'm going to finish my lists and head out the door. By the time I'm ready to go the stores should be open.