Have you missed me? I’ve missed writing the blog this week.
I’m in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. It is located in the Western part of the Arctic and is not close to where I used to live. My walk to work this morning was in -30 temperatures, but for most of the week the temperature has been hovering around -25 degrees Celsius. This is Friday and today the sun will rise at 10:09am and set around 1:24pm. At least I am awake to see both ends of the sun!
This is my first visit to Cam Bay in my new position with this company. After Mondays failed attempt to get up North we tried again Tuesday…with some success. I say some cause while the 3 passengers made it our luggage did not. C’est la vie. You know me, I’m used to that, my travelling companions were not. I took full blame and suggested they never travel with me again as I commonly have travel issues. Upon arrival in Cam Bay on Tuesday we went to the office and got right to work. I met a few folks tried to get onto the computer system and generally tried to look busy. All of my work papers were in my suitcase. That evening I checked in at the bunk house. And yes, it is every bit as glamorous as it sounds. The bunk house is essentially a number of sea cans put together to make a building.
It is used mainly for transient workers that come in during the summer months to work on projects for us. You walk in the front door and are in the snow room. Please remove all outdoor foot wear before venturing farther down the hall. To the right and left and dorm rooms. The rooms in this section have the type of doors you would see on a walk in freezer in a restaurant. One of the males washroom/shower rooms is in this hall as is the water and sewage tanks and the washer/dryer. Entering the next section you will come across the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen has all the gear to cook a good meal. Unfortunately the official cook is out right now and one of the guys has taken over. He’s doing a great job, but from the sounds of the talk she is AWESOME. And she bakes! It’s a serve yourself type affair and we have been taking turns at washing the dishes. The next room you will find is the tv room. There are a couple of very uncomfortable couches, a couple of wooden chairs and a table for eating/watching tv. On the other end of the room is a breakfast area. The coffee is usually on and there is toast and bagels for a DYI breakfast or snack during the day. They have a number of novels you can pick from to read which folks have left over the years and cable tv. The next seacan has more dorm rooms. These have regular doors on them and this is the section I stayed in. My room is what they call the ‘hot’ room. And it was. It is right beside the furnace. You can’t open the windows so let out the heat so it’s a grin and bear it type situation. Who would have thought that folks would sleep with only a sheet in the Arctic winter? My room was a single bed up on a rickety wooden bed frame—comfy though! At the foot of the bed a number of milk crates have been turned into a tv stand. At the head of the bed a bare bulb for reading and a small table. There is a large easy chair (that I was a bit scared to sit on), a closet to hang clothes in and that’s it. Simple camp living.
This section of the building has another mens wash/shower room and the ladies one. There were 7 of us there this week, but only two ladies so there was never a line up for the shower. The floors are either cold linoleum or really old dirty carpet. The bedding is provided but they generally expect you to bring your own towel. Of course no one mentioned this to me before I arrived. Figures. I managed to get a towel, but will bring my own next time. The accommodations are ok. They feel a bit grungy/dirty/ick but are adequate. It will be nice to climb into my bed tonight though with my nice white crisp sheets and then shower with my fluffy white towels Saturday morning. And yes, I have pics of the bunk house to share with you…but not until I am settled back in Edmonton again.
I haven’t done much exploring of town. I’ve been here before so there was no urgent need to roam around and check things out. I popped up to the Northern store Tuesday night and bought a few supplies to tide me over while I waited for my luggage to arrive. I had a small kit from the airline, but purchased some socks (3pr in a pack), a pair of undies, a chunk of pineapple and a bag of chips all for the low price of $32.97. What a deal! Wednesday night after a huge helping of turkey dinner I headed over to a friend of a friend and spent most of the evening chatting with some nice folks who I hope to visit the next time I’m in town.
Friday morning was flying by and just before lunch I got called into the bosses office. We had a discussion, I was late getting to the bunk house for lunch...but still managed to get some nice hot biscuits! Then after lunch someone drove me up so I could check in and then go back to the office to finish up some work...at least...that was the plan. In hindsight I should have taken the truck up on my own..but didn’t. Upon arrival at the airport there was a HUGE line up. Huge in Northern terms and frankly any line up at a small Northern airport is huge. There had been some meetings in town and the place was packed. There was a charter going out and two regular flights. It took me 40 minutes to check in. I popped outside after a few and told S to leave me and I would call when I needed a drive. Back in the office finally and at this point we aren’t 100% sure the flight is even leaving. It has been delayed due to a low ceiling in Cam Bay, but they are hoping it will lift by the time the flight arrives. It does and I’m on my way to Edmonton via Yellowknife. But for those of you who know me and my travels...it didn’t quite happen like that.
We were late getting into Yellowknife because we were late leaving Cam Bay and that screws up the whole system of course. The airline had made some changes and were trying to then get us on other flights. And what I finally found out was that I hadn’t actually missed my flight, they had delayed it until midnight. They finally got a few folks out the door and onto a plane and that left three of us. The issue was there was a 9 year old girl who was supposed to be on her way to Edmonton to meet up with her mom. Her escort had been put on a different airline when they started switching us around. Once I figured out what was going on I gave up my seat and then they moved the other lady into mine and so her and the young girl were then off to Edmonton. And I wasn’t. I was offered the midnight flight, but said I preferred to spend the night in YK if at all possible in their dime. The girl said yes! She was so happy that I gave up my seat and didn’t get upset during the almost one hour wait to find out what was going on. She made the arrangements I made a couple of calls and headed into town on the hotel shuttle. I have a couple of friend in YK that I would loved to have visited with...but their unlisted numbers are still on my other computer. Damn. Ah well. I went down to the hotel bar and sat and talked and drank with someone I used to know in Iqaluit, then went to bed.
It’s 6:37am as I write this. I’m at the airport in YK waiting to board the plane. If all goes well I should be back at my apartment by 10am. No harm no foul. That is of course provided the rest of my flight goes well. Oh, and a bonus for me this week....I got to drink my tea at the office! At least I did once my luggage had arrived. And the CN airline now serves Pepsi products so after four days I finally had a diet Pepsi on the plane last night...ahhh, that’s good stuff.
I didn’t make it home at 10am. At 10:05am I walked into Ikea. Yeah, self made detour. I mostly looked and debated...still trying to decide what I want for my tv stand/coffee table...and still working on my dream list! I then headed down the road to one of the biggest superstores I’ve ever been in and stocked up for the week. I’m actually planning on cooking this week.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Reverse Racism. It is a term that gets tossed around in the North on a regular basis. I'm not proud to say I've used it myself. Of course reverse racism doesn't exist. It is just racism. The intolerance from one race to another.
In the North the white people feel they are being targeted by racism. In Southern Canada I have heard a few people speak of it as well. It came up today at work and I felt sick to my stomach at some of the comments and well, it bothered me.
We were discussing respect. And how we need to respect the rights and culture of the Inuit we work with. Fair enough I thought. I've been doing it, or at least trying to do it the past couple of years and hope to continue. A few people disagreed with the statement of respect of culture. They felt that their culture and ways are not being respected and made a part of the workplace. I sat back and didn't say anything. I'm not Ms Popular at this office at the moment so thought it best to hold my tongue...at least for now.
One person wanted to know when we would put her culture/history/background/beliefs into the office and I wondered what she felt wasn't already there? She is a middle class white Canadian.
Certainly we can't expect to have each person’s beliefs and culture into a workplace culture. That doesn't mean we should respect each individuals beliefs. Or should we? Is there room? Can everyone define their own culture and beliefs? I can't.
When I moved to Nunavut people asked me what a traditional PEI meal was. I said turkey dinner. Apparently I was wrong. A number of other people spoke up and said they felt it should be lobster or a seafood dish of some kind. Fair enough. But my belief was that turkey dinner says PEI. I have a belief system. And I'm not necessarily talking religious beliefs...just the day to day things we feel make us us. Of course for me, food is part of culture.
Outside of my diet, what makes up my cultural beliefs? Do I have a unique system of things that I could pass down to the next generation? I don’t think so. I believe in trying to do the right thing. I believe that there is good and evil in the world. I don’t think stealing is right or cheating or lying (though I tell white lies...you look great in that dress!), and things like that...but I don’t consider them to be culture.
I’m not complaining, I’m just thinking out loud.
So, I didn’t make it to Nunavut today. We boarded on time and then say on the tarmac for an hour before we got off the plane. Some sort of mechanical issue. Hold tight they said and we will try again. The mechanical issue got fixed, but because we were going to miss our connecting flight we could either over night in Yellowknife or stay in Edmonton. We opted to stay in Edmonton...there is a lack of hotel rooms in YK the next few days due to a conference. The lovely lady at the counter then had to deplane us (there were 3 of us from the office there), deplane our bags and then book us for Tuesday. It took about 10 minutes. “Your bags will be at conveyor 12” We got there before 10am. At 11am we were still waiting for our bags. Finally at 11:30am we got to leave. ...and go back to the office. I spent most of the afternoon trying to stay awake. I didn’t sleep well the night before and getting up at 5am for my flight was UGH. I’m sure there were a few 30 second naps taken...but I can’t be sure. It is now 7:40pm, I’m trying to stay awake long enough to get a good nights sleep and not fall asleep too early so that I wake up at 2am and can’t get back to sleep.
Here’s to hoping that the flight on Tuesday arrives. I took full blame for the issues with the plane. My colleagues were joking and blaming it on the new girl...I didn’t tell them about my previous flight issues...best not to I think.
In the North the white people feel they are being targeted by racism. In Southern Canada I have heard a few people speak of it as well. It came up today at work and I felt sick to my stomach at some of the comments and well, it bothered me.
We were discussing respect. And how we need to respect the rights and culture of the Inuit we work with. Fair enough I thought. I've been doing it, or at least trying to do it the past couple of years and hope to continue. A few people disagreed with the statement of respect of culture. They felt that their culture and ways are not being respected and made a part of the workplace. I sat back and didn't say anything. I'm not Ms Popular at this office at the moment so thought it best to hold my tongue...at least for now.
One person wanted to know when we would put her culture/history/background/beliefs into the office and I wondered what she felt wasn't already there? She is a middle class white Canadian.
Certainly we can't expect to have each person’s beliefs and culture into a workplace culture. That doesn't mean we should respect each individuals beliefs. Or should we? Is there room? Can everyone define their own culture and beliefs? I can't.
When I moved to Nunavut people asked me what a traditional PEI meal was. I said turkey dinner. Apparently I was wrong. A number of other people spoke up and said they felt it should be lobster or a seafood dish of some kind. Fair enough. But my belief was that turkey dinner says PEI. I have a belief system. And I'm not necessarily talking religious beliefs...just the day to day things we feel make us us. Of course for me, food is part of culture.
Outside of my diet, what makes up my cultural beliefs? Do I have a unique system of things that I could pass down to the next generation? I don’t think so. I believe in trying to do the right thing. I believe that there is good and evil in the world. I don’t think stealing is right or cheating or lying (though I tell white lies...you look great in that dress!), and things like that...but I don’t consider them to be culture.
I’m not complaining, I’m just thinking out loud.
So, I didn’t make it to Nunavut today. We boarded on time and then say on the tarmac for an hour before we got off the plane. Some sort of mechanical issue. Hold tight they said and we will try again. The mechanical issue got fixed, but because we were going to miss our connecting flight we could either over night in Yellowknife or stay in Edmonton. We opted to stay in Edmonton...there is a lack of hotel rooms in YK the next few days due to a conference. The lovely lady at the counter then had to deplane us (there were 3 of us from the office there), deplane our bags and then book us for Tuesday. It took about 10 minutes. “Your bags will be at conveyor 12” We got there before 10am. At 11am we were still waiting for our bags. Finally at 11:30am we got to leave. ...and go back to the office. I spent most of the afternoon trying to stay awake. I didn’t sleep well the night before and getting up at 5am for my flight was UGH. I’m sure there were a few 30 second naps taken...but I can’t be sure. It is now 7:40pm, I’m trying to stay awake long enough to get a good nights sleep and not fall asleep too early so that I wake up at 2am and can’t get back to sleep.
Here’s to hoping that the flight on Tuesday arrives. I took full blame for the issues with the plane. My colleagues were joking and blaming it on the new girl...I didn’t tell them about my previous flight issues...best not to I think.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
I'm sure everyone was as glued to C-B-C N-o-r-t-h as much as I was on Friday awaiting to see who would become the Premier of the territory. And I'm sure you were just as thrilled as I was when it was announced the Eva won. Yep, they elected a woman. Ok, the election was a couple weeks ago, but because of the concensous gov't they run in NU the MLA's elect who will become Premier. It is an interesting way of doing it. YEAH Eva! There are many people happy about this change. And now...on to other stuff...
It's Sunday afternoon, I'm doing a bit of unpacking, playing scrabble on facebook and generally just relaxing my day away. Tomorrow I'm off to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. As long time readers will know I've been there a few times before so I'm familiar with my home for the next week. And as per my usual course I haven't started packing yet...lots of time.
I will be staying in the company bunkhouse, not the local Co-op hotel. I'm a bit nervous about that. I'm sure the accommodations will be clean and warm (hopefully) but it's the privacy I'm concerned about. I may need to share..hopefully not...my bedroom. And even if I don't need to share the bedroom, I will have no real private space. No tv to click on and just relax, unwind and detox from the day. I live alone and I'm used to my private space. My ability to be around people all day and be 'on' when I'm in work mode is evened out with my ability to have me time at the end of the day. My understanding of the bunkhouse is that the only way to have me time is to escape to my room...and that is seen as almost an insult to everyone else staying there. I know the problems of the world seem small compared to my not having some privacy....but this is my blog and this is how I feel at the moment.
And I'm a tad concerned about the food...one of the staff will be cooking...not the cook. I think he works in the shop as his day job...and then will be cooking for me. yikes. Can we say cross-contamination? Salmonela poisoning? Heart burn? Indigestion? I'm a tad nervous about what will be put in front of me...so I will be needing a trip to the grocery store to stock up on filler. Which I have done on every trip in the North and in Labrador.
I'm not going to be well liked by most of the people I am going to meet. They will have the same feeling that the people I work with here in Edmonton have...that I am there to evaluate them and fire them. Hmmm. I'm not. I'm still in policy mode. I have no desire to fire anyone, and even if I did, it isn't my choice it is the managers decision to make. I can't just walk in and randomly start letting people go, it doesn't work like that....but that is what people think. I can't help what they think, but it is stopping some folks from getting to know me. Luckily I was hired for my thick skin and ability to know that it isn't personal. Most people are afraid of change and I represent change.
Sigh.
Who would like to do some laundry and packing for me??? Anyone? Mmm, that's what I thought. Oh well, guess I will do it myself.
I spend part of last night on the Ikea website checking into my future furniture purchases. I want it all! LOL. Ok, maybe not all, but a few pieces. I won't bore you with the list, but I may force you to view pictures once it is all finished.
I left one fish in Calgary with a friend. I can't travel by plane with two of them. I mean I can, but it is a bit tougher than with just one. So at least on a temporary basis, one of my fish lives in Calgary. The other fish is here with me...and is going to be tested this week to see if he can handle the apartment on his own. I have special food for him that according to the package will feed a fish for a week. I hope it works. If it does work it will mean that on short trips like this one I won't need to take him with me. When I'm gone for longer than a week I will either need to pack up the fish and take him with me, or find a fish sitter. I'm hoping that after a couple months here I will know a few folks and can ask someone to fish sit and water my plants.
It's Sunday afternoon, I'm doing a bit of unpacking, playing scrabble on facebook and generally just relaxing my day away. Tomorrow I'm off to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. As long time readers will know I've been there a few times before so I'm familiar with my home for the next week. And as per my usual course I haven't started packing yet...lots of time.
I will be staying in the company bunkhouse, not the local Co-op hotel. I'm a bit nervous about that. I'm sure the accommodations will be clean and warm (hopefully) but it's the privacy I'm concerned about. I may need to share..hopefully not...my bedroom. And even if I don't need to share the bedroom, I will have no real private space. No tv to click on and just relax, unwind and detox from the day. I live alone and I'm used to my private space. My ability to be around people all day and be 'on' when I'm in work mode is evened out with my ability to have me time at the end of the day. My understanding of the bunkhouse is that the only way to have me time is to escape to my room...and that is seen as almost an insult to everyone else staying there. I know the problems of the world seem small compared to my not having some privacy....but this is my blog and this is how I feel at the moment.
And I'm a tad concerned about the food...one of the staff will be cooking...not the cook. I think he works in the shop as his day job...and then will be cooking for me. yikes. Can we say cross-contamination? Salmonela poisoning? Heart burn? Indigestion? I'm a tad nervous about what will be put in front of me...so I will be needing a trip to the grocery store to stock up on filler. Which I have done on every trip in the North and in Labrador.
I'm not going to be well liked by most of the people I am going to meet. They will have the same feeling that the people I work with here in Edmonton have...that I am there to evaluate them and fire them. Hmmm. I'm not. I'm still in policy mode. I have no desire to fire anyone, and even if I did, it isn't my choice it is the managers decision to make. I can't just walk in and randomly start letting people go, it doesn't work like that....but that is what people think. I can't help what they think, but it is stopping some folks from getting to know me. Luckily I was hired for my thick skin and ability to know that it isn't personal. Most people are afraid of change and I represent change.
Sigh.
Who would like to do some laundry and packing for me??? Anyone? Mmm, that's what I thought. Oh well, guess I will do it myself.
I spend part of last night on the Ikea website checking into my future furniture purchases. I want it all! LOL. Ok, maybe not all, but a few pieces. I won't bore you with the list, but I may force you to view pictures once it is all finished.
I left one fish in Calgary with a friend. I can't travel by plane with two of them. I mean I can, but it is a bit tougher than with just one. So at least on a temporary basis, one of my fish lives in Calgary. The other fish is here with me...and is going to be tested this week to see if he can handle the apartment on his own. I have special food for him that according to the package will feed a fish for a week. I hope it works. If it does work it will mean that on short trips like this one I won't need to take him with me. When I'm gone for longer than a week I will either need to pack up the fish and take him with me, or find a fish sitter. I'm hoping that after a couple months here I will know a few folks and can ask someone to fish sit and water my plants.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Today is Wednesday. The cable/phone/internet guy should arrive tonight. Finally. I know it has only been a couple days...but it has seemed endless. For one who immediately checks email upon arising in the am it has been almost like torture. Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, but I am happy it will be hooked up.
It snowed yesterday. I took pictures. I went for a walk around my new place and scoped things out. Then I went for a drive and really got the big picture. I like it. My nieghbourhood is very quiet. We have a rocking seniors only building across the street. Yep, 10 floors of wild and crazy times. The rest of the neighbourhood is single family dwellings. There are 3 schools within the 6-8 block radius that I walked. A seniors centre, ice rink, community centre, some churches...and of course some shopping. A couple of convenience stores and the mall. Within an easy drive are more grocery stores than my little stomach could ask for...a larger mall, movie stores, gas, and a few liquor stores. Life is good.
I didn't do much unpacking yesterday. The weekend caught up to me and I spent a portion of my day on the couch watching movies. No rush. And besides, what will I do all weekend?
It snowed yesterday. I took pictures. I went for a walk around my new place and scoped things out. Then I went for a drive and really got the big picture. I like it. My nieghbourhood is very quiet. We have a rocking seniors only building across the street. Yep, 10 floors of wild and crazy times. The rest of the neighbourhood is single family dwellings. There are 3 schools within the 6-8 block radius that I walked. A seniors centre, ice rink, community centre, some churches...and of course some shopping. A couple of convenience stores and the mall. Within an easy drive are more grocery stores than my little stomach could ask for...a larger mall, movie stores, gas, and a few liquor stores. Life is good.
I didn't do much unpacking yesterday. The weekend caught up to me and I spent a portion of my day on the couch watching movies. No rush. And besides, what will I do all weekend?
Monday, November 10, 2008
The phone calls were flying like mad on Friday with me and the movers. What about this date/time? What about this instead? What we ended up with was...
Friday I worked 7:30am - 6:00pm
Unloaded truck at new apartment and left for Calgary.
Arrived Calgary at 11:30pm
Got keys from BFA
Saturday 6:30am arose and finished packing
8am, movers arrived
10:30am movers done
12noon I have finished cleaning apartment and hit the road to Edmonton
Stop in Airdrie for pee break and to fill up truck with gas
Stop in Red Deer for food and a stretch
Arrive Edmonton 7:30pm
Make bed on floor
9pm fall asleep
Sunday movers arrive at 12noon
Movers done at 2:30pm
Jennifer starts unpacking...and doesn't stop until she falls into bed Sunday evening.
6am Monday Jennifer realizes she didn't buy groceries on Sunday and will be eating take out for another day.
7:30am arrives at work for start of another week
Yes, the moving is done and now it is just the unpacking to finish up. I got a start on it last night and will finish later in the week. I am going in search of groceries and a video store tonight. And may finish unpacking the kitchen stuff while pretending to cook a yummy meal. Or at least while something is re-heating in the oven...then I'm going to relax.
Get this...I have moved a bit in the past few years...and my record of breakage is minimal. Going to Nunavut I didn't lose anything completely just a couple of broken wheels on a trolley and a bit of chipped glass in one picture..no biggie. I moved stuff out of NU on my own in a truck and via air cargo...no breakage. I move via a moving truck 3 1/2 hours from Cowtown to Edmonchuck and I broke two plates and the leg of my wooden ironing board. Go figure.
Friday I worked 7:30am - 6:00pm
Unloaded truck at new apartment and left for Calgary.
Arrived Calgary at 11:30pm
Got keys from BFA
Saturday 6:30am arose and finished packing
8am, movers arrived
10:30am movers done
12noon I have finished cleaning apartment and hit the road to Edmonton
Stop in Airdrie for pee break and to fill up truck with gas
Stop in Red Deer for food and a stretch
Arrive Edmonton 7:30pm
Make bed on floor
9pm fall asleep
Sunday movers arrive at 12noon
Movers done at 2:30pm
Jennifer starts unpacking...and doesn't stop until she falls into bed Sunday evening.
6am Monday Jennifer realizes she didn't buy groceries on Sunday and will be eating take out for another day.
7:30am arrives at work for start of another week
Yes, the moving is done and now it is just the unpacking to finish up. I got a start on it last night and will finish later in the week. I am going in search of groceries and a video store tonight. And may finish unpacking the kitchen stuff while pretending to cook a yummy meal. Or at least while something is re-heating in the oven...then I'm going to relax.
Get this...I have moved a bit in the past few years...and my record of breakage is minimal. Going to Nunavut I didn't lose anything completely just a couple of broken wheels on a trolley and a bit of chipped glass in one picture..no biggie. I moved stuff out of NU on my own in a truck and via air cargo...no breakage. I move via a moving truck 3 1/2 hours from Cowtown to Edmonchuck and I broke two plates and the leg of my wooden ironing board. Go figure.
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