One Month And Counting!

Another cold day here in Sanikiluaq - although I have been laughed at by some of the regulars out here (ahem, Johnny) saying that it's gonna get wayyyyy worse. Well for those of us who have to walk the dog, this is pretty darn cold. What made me smile was that it was the exact same temperature in Ottawa yesterday and today (including windchill); sorry folks back home, I know it is mean of me to find a bit of glee in that simple fact, but there you have it - I am more vindictive than I thought!!! :)

Unfortunately today I am still sick - time for the buckleys I think? I cringe just mentioning the name. I did bring a stash up with me though and suspect that I will have to cave. Seriously, shouldn't all virus' be dead in this kind of weather??? Apparently I am just one of the locals now, fit right in as half the town is sick. Blah. What did make my day though was several packages I received in the mail.

Nat sent me a couple of lovely packages, including a book by the name of "Have a Little Faith" - yes Nat, cheese, but I am really enjoying it. Beautifully written and simple in it's observations. It was one of the books from my former book club...although I had a brutal attendance record I do like reading from their suggestions - they are my own Oprah club! I have to give a shout out to Nat and her husband to be Eric. The best and most exciting news I received throughout the holidays is that Eric popped the big question and they are planning on getting married in 2010. Way to go guys! XO.

I also got a bunch of really nice and funny Christmas cards! A little shout out also has to go out to my little niece who made me a lovely snowman ornament for the tree. I will take a picture of it Kayla and send it your way! Terry and I also got a fun gift from his sister Nevie. Thanks Nevie but as you guessed, the dried meat never made it to the freezer before he DOVE into the bag to eat some. You will have to teach me how to make that - never seen him smile so big, and that's saying something for Terry.

Today the winter games continue, but I suspect the might be indoors. There is a local radio station in town where they announce the games and locations but unfortunately it is all in Inuktitut, so I don't understand it! I would like to head out to some of the games, so maybe I will just have to stand on the side of the road and flag someone down to get the information!!!

For those of you who are still on holidays hope you enjoyed your day and are looking forward to NYE!

Talk soon,

DJ
xo

Let The Games Begin!

Yesterday the winter games began in Sanikiluaq! Similar to the ancient Roman times, these games....yada yada. Just kidding. These are completely different than anything I have ever seen (not that I saw real roman games, but you get the point) - I mean how many Canadians can make an igloo? At least one that stands up? In the picture to the left, Terry and some mini-friends are kneeling inside one of the igloos that was built in the igloo contest yesterday. Throughout Christmas-night games took place at the community hall, continued all day yesterday and they are back at it today and tonight - apparently no one parties quite like the North!


After we checked out the igloos we went to watch the gas can race. This is done by young women only, and the concept is to make it to 100 feet or so with an empty gas can sitting on a small garbage bag while the women pull it with a string. Pretty funny stuff to watch! I believe the prize at the end of that contest was a gift certificate for the top 3 winners to one of the stores. Well worth it when a 12 pack of pop costs about $19.


Unfortunately yesterday I came down with a cold and was unable to really go around town to check out all the activities - so I sent out my trusty side-kick T-Ly. Terry and Mike headed up to the community hall yesterday eve to participate and watch some of the games going on within. Last night's entertainment was the "jig" dance, where people were invited up, one by one, to dance a jig (each to the same song) to win a prize. I believe there were a lot of other games going on throughout the night as this morning was pretty quiet around town.

Today was the FEAST. At 2:30 everyone in the community heads over to the community hall to enjoy some local country food (country food means local delicacies, which include, but are not limited to, raw seal meat, whale meat and reindeer meat).

As a side note, we woke up this morning to a sunny sky once again and then within the hour a really thick fog moved in and covered everything with pretty sparkly crystals - including the dog who had whiter face than usual.

Wasn't feeling up to par to do much today and while we went to check the FEAST out, it was a long wait having 947 people ahead of you and one I wasn't really up for, considering I am not feeling 100% ...too bad, I know, I mean who doesn't want to eat raw seal meat right?! Terry has his own stash of raw caribou, so he wasn't too upset about missing the FEAST.

More pictures to come tomorrow. It has started snowing tonight, winds are supposed to pick up again overnight and the temperature is supposed to drop...here comes the cold winter days. Countdown is definitely on to our southern trip!

DJ
xo

Merry Christmas!

'White Christmas' has an entire new meaning...

I know most of you are now experiencing a thaw, as we always seem to have at this time of the year, but up here there is no chance that a thaw will occur anytime soon - apparently there is still ice in June, so this is one of many firsts at Christmastime 2009. Maybe, like my birthday, Christmas festivities will have to continue until June 2010??? ha ha - poor Terry.

Christmas Eve the boys were busy the entire day, so no half- day for them. Hope and I spent the day cooking, walking and enjoying some 'alone' time...that doesn't happen much. ;) The day was perfect, about -8 with no wind (I repeat, NO WIND) and sunny. I decided to go for a run and take the pooch with me. I was excited about it - she wasn't. We ran up to the airport and to appease the dog, we continued on to the dump - all were happy AND I felt I could eat way more for xmas-eve dinner...which I did.

Steak and potatoes was our repas for the evening and surprise, neighbours Johnny, Debbie, Katlin and Bill invited us over for an amazing seafood chowder. Oh My God - it was awesome. The entire evening of eating, chatting and laughter was a worthy Christmas Eve. Did I mention how delicious that seafood chowder was? I believe this might be a new tradition for us...:)

I did end up opening two gifts on Christmas eve: a beautiful painting of a drum dancer that Terry got when he visited Iqaluit and an authentic pair of Northern slippers he brought from Nain. I was spoiled. He opened up Super Mario for Wii and a little something something from my parents which he continues to enjoy today. ;)

Christmas morning we ran downstairs to see if Santa had indeed dropped off some more gifts, only to realize that he would have been plum outta luck considering we don't have a chimney...and who wants to break into a cop's house?? He was best to be safe! So we got to eating some breaky, drinking some hot chocolate and getting to the rest of our gifts. I also got some beautiful jewelry (made out of caribou antler and walrus tusk), a new watch, a printer AND a return flight home!!!!! I love Terry!!!! He got a few more games for the Wii (including CSI, right up his alley), some clothes and an Ipod docking system which he has been proudly playing country music on since he opened it - as he says "it's mine right?"...

We had hoped to head out ski-dooing but never got around to it as we were too lazy. So we enjoyed the day all 3 of us together (and our extra house guest) and started our own traditions... (wink wink). We did cook the turkey that Mike supplied and while it was ironically fully cooked by 3 it was still juicy at 6. Good to go! I pick up my horrible turkey cooking skills from Mom - right Mom? I did find out that Terry makes an awesome turkey gravy though, who knew?

Yesterday evening we spent 8 hours playing the new Super Mario game. It is similar to the old one but you can play up to 4 people at the same time. It was crazy but a lot of fun. The games around town started at 10 last night and continue today. Out in the Bay there was a huge gathering of people all getting ready to play some form of winter games. And I expect we will see more of that throughout the week and I will try and get some good pictures!!

No big boxing day sale at the Norther or the Co-op, but we will make our way down and see if there are any sales on?!!! Wishful thinking I believe.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas!

Miss you all.

DJ, Terry & Hope

xoxoxoxo

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS...

Terry told me today that it is "tips eve"...and apparently everyone gets a little "tipsy" on the night before xmas eve. I have several observations about this East Coast tradition. 1 - we can't do it here, so that SUCKS. 2 - honestly, what East Coaster needs an excuse to get tipsy? And finally, aren't you supposed to spend the entire holidays tipsy? Maybe that's just a Norris tradition???

The weather has been really nice here the past few days - windy, but heck that is now par for the course. I just try pretend I am somewhere in the Caribbean where the wind never stops blowing...and no, before you ask it's not working. But yesterday to make myself feel better I did check out some potential hot spots for our future trip down south in March. Holy Toledo I am looking forward to that...and seeing all my family and comrades too of course! Terry did say that Tahiti might be a bit far and pricey. Fine, how `bout Hawaii??? Muahahaha!

We had our first experience with foodmail this week. While the Northern and the Co-op definitely provide the essentials that you need it can be quite pricey so we are lucky enough to be able to order food from the Metro in Val d'Or Quebec. The order had to be in last Thursday for it to arrive this week before xmas. Certain foods are subsidized - specially healthy foods and others are charged an extra cargo fee. It's not the same as heading over to the local grocer and getting what you need but what did come was fresh and in good shape. I failed somewhere though as we spent too much, and the cost was mostly on shipping fees and not on the food. Hopped on the phone today to speak to the kind folks at Metro but of course, everyone is gone to celebrate the season. A learning curve to be tackled in the new year.

Mike was smart enough to order a turkey on the barge order (you can make very large orders twice a year on the barge) so for xmas day we plan on having a traditional feast, with just a few improvisations...outcome to be determined. :) Presents are under the tree, stockings are stuffed and only a few more things to bake before I can.....relax ('cause I haven't been doing that enough lately eh?).

Our new little house guest is adapting quite nicely to our family. We have all decided that Mom and Dad should ship the fat cat Maggie up here and we will switch Maggie with Duncan - wonder if Lindsay and Joe would notice. When she jumps on them at night they certainly might notice a difference...suffocation is an awful thing.

To throw a little mix into the festive traditional we are having lasagna tonight. While we put in the order for foodmail I must have missed the fact that we had not more meet left other than chicken drum sticks and filet mignon (while I know most of you are saying "so what", it actually does leave a lot to be desired), and didn't order anything other than a couple of fish filets and 2 chicken breasts (I actually thought they were going to be whole chickens). Therefore, we are limited with our meats and had to pick some ground beef at the Co-op...I need variety.

Bon apétît à tous!

DJ
xo

The Workings of Sanikiluaq

Now that we have had a chance to settle in, I have a better understanding of what makes this little down tick. The islands themselves, the Belcher Islands are a large mass of volcanic rock (lets hope there is no imminent volcano explosion like the one about to happen in the Philippines). Our little town is located at the southern end of Flaherty island, one of the 1500 islands comprising it's total sum. So what does all this mean? Well for starters, there are fresh water lakes throughout the islands and we have one located right beside the town.

WATER:
Each house is equipped with it's own very large water tank. I was a bit worried in the beginning and would cut my showers down to 2 or 3 minutes (not easy when you have a mop of hair on your head like mine) but our tank has yet to empty since I have been here and that is 3 of us using the supply (no I am not counting the dog, rather our neighbour Mike). I have yet to figure out just how many water trucks there are in town because I tend to confuse them with the sewer and diesel trucks (hope the drivers don't get confused!!). These water trucks go to the water station right across the street from us and pump fresh water out of the lake. During the winter you will see the townsfolk head out on the lake and chop out large blocks of ice. This is to drink as the actual lake water is full of minerals and the trucks that deliver the water are not cleaned all that much...we buy our drinking water from the Northern.

SEWER:
Along with large water tanks each house hosts a lovely above ground septic tank. All the houses are built on stilts, for various reasons, and the septic tank is visible under the house. So far I have estimated, in the almost month that I have been here, these are cleaned out bi-monthly for us. Now I have not been able to do a comparison to see if we "foreigners" fill up the tanks faster or not, but I have been told that our "poop" stinks really bad. :)

DIESEL:
All houses heat by diesel. So along with the water tanks (housed inside the houses), the septic tanks (housed under the houses) you will also find an outdoor diesel barrel that sits high up on stilts. All the trucks run 6 days a week except Sunday (sucks to be you if you forgot to order the water). They randomly visit houses around the community and make sure that these things function. All these jobs are run by the Hamlet or township office, as we know it.

GAS STATION:
There is a gas station in town to keep all the ATVs, Ski-doos, work trucks and other motorized machinery running. They have two large drums that hold the gas for the season. The gas is shipped in on the barge - so again, a lot of planning has to be done for this, including ordering enough diesel.

There is also a Housing Corporation that takes care of the rental houses and the new buildings that are going up around town. I would have to say that things in Sanikiluaq are booming. There are a bunch of new housing units that have gone up on the southern side of town, all different colours, and are yet to be complete. Knowing we have the highest birth-rate in Canada I guess this should not come as a surprise. There is a need for housing.

Finally there is a Northern Store (The Bay), a Co-op, Arctic College, Daycare centre, School (k to 12), a convenience store, wildlife centre, fire truck and recreation center plus the RCMP detachment. And of course, a hotel. :)

I have to admit that I thought moving out here would be quieter, but there is more noise here than at home. For one Ski-doos are noisier than cars and everyone has a Ski-doo. Second, the big trucks have less than 9 kms of roads, so you hear them everywhere! Also, the 3 snowplows in town never stop running...so it's a noisy and busy little community.

To all my steadfast followers, have a great evening!

DJ
xo

Rock....a whole lotta rock...

Hope has yet to realize that this entire island is made of rocks. Every time she finds a rock (which is about every 2 steps) it's like Christmas all over again. So I thought that I should let you share in her utter joy of rock finding. It's a whole new dog game. She is usually a stick fan but alas, there are none to be found on this island so she is resorting to rocks, rocks and more rocks. Ah well, whatever works.

Today was my first day on my Christmas holiday. So I made sure to take full advantage. This morning was a nice long walk (it was sunny with little wind, but coooooold) and then some reading, a nice lunch with Terry and a short nap in the afternoon followed by some painting. My first print should be done soon and putting some colour on our walls. :) Once Christmas is over this house might look as barren as the outdoors...at least as colourless. I really can't complain about the house. Found out the other day that the two houses are valued at $1.5 million. It is absolutely ridiculous but the cost of housing in the North is extremely high due to the difficulty in getting supplies.

Mario Mario Mario...

This weekend was quiet, except for the 100 games of Mario Kart (thanks Lindsay and Joe!). I have never been a ''gamer'' but wow, I really really really have a great time kicking Terry's butt in the driving races!! Ha ha, just kidding, that guy is a Super Mario pro!

The winter games start up next week, should be lots to report on then. The weather is supposed to hold up for the rest of the week, with sunshine for Christmas Eve and Day.

Tomorrow should be another repeat of today...hard to take. I am going to enjoy doing NOTHING this year, next year will be right back at it!!

Also wanted to include a picture of the blizzard - this is Hope and I outside trying to 'enjoy' a few moments of fresh air. Problem is that when we tried to breath we sucked in big gulps of snow. Crazy! No blizzards in the near forecast but I am sure it is only a matter of time!!!

Happy Monday!


DJ
xo

House Guest, Surprises and School's Out!

I didn't get a chance to write a blog entry last night, this is what happens when you start to work full-time again, I had forgotten about that. :-) I went from a long day at school, to a wonderful dinner of filet mignon cooked to perfection by Terry to having Joe and Lindsay over to watch Survivor. You have no idea how bloody happy I am that I have found "Survivor warriors" (not to be confused with "Prayer warriors", a little inside joke for us Survivor fanatics). They are just as excited as I am for Sunday's 3 HOUR finale!! WOOHOO! I am already planning events for that day which will culminate in utter Survivor heaven. Poor Terry.

Today was the last day of school which finished at 11:45. Many of the teachers had to catch the 1pm flight out of Sani and therefore the school would be more chaotic than usual without all the profs. It has been an interesting couple of days teaching. I should mention that the school hosts almost 300 children from K to 12, all in one small school. Luckily they should have a sparkling new high school built by this time next year. It is already under construction and progress seems to be good. Hoping that this works for the kids, would give them a better venue and opportunity to take their studies seriously. The school is also a museum for Arctic artifacts. They have 2 stuffed polar bears, numerous other animal pelts, the history of the Thule (Inuit) and many more interesting carvings and baskets made by the locals. Over the holiday season the floors are to be replaced throughout the school and unfortunately this construction started yesterday. We had to move every single artifact out of all the classes and into the gym amongst the dust made by the workers who were sanding down the floors. It was complete chaos and an exhausting day, but we did it and the new year will bring clean floors throughout. Of course the downside is the remaining dust and the reversal of yesterday's activities: getting everything back in it's rightful spot.

We have a new house guest for the holidays. His name is Duncan and he is a handsome one at that. He struts his stuff all over the house and is sweet to each of us. Even tried to snuggle up in bed beside me last night. Good thing Terry is so understanding. ;) Duncan is Joe and Lindsay's cat. Funny, they warned us that he was overweight...the little guy maybe weighs in at a champion 13 lbs...he's got nothing on Margaret at 21lbs. I miss her too, just not the morning where I would wake up with her lying on my chest. So Duncan is going to live with us until Jan 4th and Mike has another teacher's dog, Nuka. Should be some fun holidays.

Finally today we received a wonderful box full of goodies in the mail from Mom and Dad. THANKS!!! It was so much fun to get something from home and so very thoughtful! Also got my first xmas card from Pam and Chris!!! :) YAY! Things aren't being dropped in the ocean on the way over after all! Also got to talk to my nieces Alex and Kayla on the phone tonight, it was quite the eventful conversation and included all the regular details, like poop talk, Santa and holiday activities. :)

Weather is not too bad here right now. Wind is light but we are colder than our neighbours to the North, Iqaluit who are experience above freezing numbers. Hoping it stays like this for the weekend and maybe we can get out for some long romantic walks...

Hope everyone got their shopping done, Christmas is one week away! YAY!!!

Happy Friday night,
DJ
xo