Winter time in Iqaluit

Over the past couple of months I've been embellishing my trusty Snow Goose parka. It has gone from plain old navy blue to a bordered version that I can more easily pick out from everyone else's!!! Now the question is...should I put the trim on the cuffs too? Let me know what you think. :)

We also decorated our office area after my return from Yellowknife at the end of November. The Mr. Men banner has been a hit, as well as the snowflakes, snow balls and snowmen. :)

The atmosphere has definitely changed around the office. Everyone is ready for their holidays to begin, whether they're staying in town or heading south. I'm looking forward to my 1.5 weeks away.

Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année !!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Into the dark...

As we get closer to December 21, the days get shorter and nights get longer.

Trade show season has also resumed. In fact, I head to Yellowknife next week for one.

Rehearsals for the biennial musical are underway too. I'll be playing flute for Fiddler on the Roof.

Earlier this week I went to Qikiqtarjuaq (formerly known as Broughton Island ) for the day. The population of this community is just under 500 people. It was nice. Everything was covered in snow, even more than Iqaluit. Apparently there were 4 polar bears in the area, but they were on the other side of the bay and blended into the white landscape! What's scary is that I bought cereal in this small community for only $3.06 when I normally pay around $8.80 for the same size and type of cereal in Iqaluit. Bizarre, right?

So right now I should either be at Aquafit class or standing in line to get into the annual craft show. However, considering I didn't get back to my place till 4am this morning (it's now 9:35), I just can't seem to make myself go out into the cold. I did try around 8:30, but realized that I'd need to put on long-johns if I was going to walk or stand outside for any length of time and headed back inside. Awww...the joys of life, huh? With band rehearsal this afternoon, I feel like I should probably get a bit more sleep. See, life in a small town can be like life in a big town sometimes!!! Laziness works. :)

Enough of my ramblings for now. Until next time...

Summer Holiday - Days 17 to 22 (Bordeaux - Paris - Montreal - Ottawa - Iqaluit)

With an early start I took a plane from Bordeaux to Paris and then on to Montreal. After that I traveled to Ottawa. I spent a few days in Ottawa doing some shopping and hanging out with a few friends and family. Then my travels brought me back to Iqaluit three weeks and a day after I left.

Summer Holiday - Day 15 & 16 (Sainte - Bordeaux)

The day after the wedding, I helped Anne-Lise's family do a bit of clearing up at the reception hall. Anne-Lise and Greg turned up with big smiles still on their faces. I managed to get a snapshot of her rings.

The following morning I began my journey home by taking a train to Bordeaux. Rather than take a taxi to my hotel, I took the scenic public transit route via two trams and a bus. I reached the hotel and collapsed for awhile before having dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Summer Holiday - Day 14 (Sainte) - wedding evening

After a short drive, we arrived and the reception hall ready to eat, drink and dance the night away!

This was the bouquet behind the head table.
Quite a group of people, huh?
Anne-Lise and Greg arrive as husband and wife.
Awww...

Little girls on daddys' shoulders.

Chris and Cendrine are dancing the night away.

Which dance was this?

Anne-Lise and Greg dancing together.

Time for more champagne.

Look at the sparklers and the wedding cake!

Father and daughter dancing together.

Mother and son.

Mother-of-the-bride and father-of-the-groom join the waltz.

Anne-Lise's work friends from Ottawa.

Jen and Rob find a moment to dance while Jonathan is asleep in the corner.

A little more dancing before collapsing after a very busy day!

Summer Holiday - Day 14 (Sainte) - wedding day

The wedding day arrived with some cloud in the morning, but that didn't stop Anne-Lise from getting her hair done at 7:30am and make-up done around 9:30am.

José untangles Kyra's hair (Anne-Lise's niece), while Nicolas (Anne-Lise's brother) and her Nan hang-out.

José puts on the selected necklace (there was a choice of two) before Anne-Lise and Greg head out for pictures.
Anne-Lise and Greg are dressed up and with nowhere to go...just kidding, they were on the way to the gardens for official photos.
Don't you love Anne-Lise's dress and hair?
Before heading downtown for the ceremony, several family pictures were taken.

I even managed to get in a shot of myself with the soon-to-be-married couple.

José assembled photos to create a lovely family tree for Anne-Lise and Greg.

I think the camera was so surprised by Chris's attire that it couldn't focus! ;)

Cendrine and Chris...awwww.

Jen, Rob and Jonathan arrive.

Anne-Lise and Greg are swarmed by the "papparazi" as they arrive to get married.

They've escaped temporarily.

Jonathan obviously doesn't see the big deal...he's fast asleep.

Time to get married!

There was a mirror positioned at just the right angle so that we could see the bride and groom and apparently Anne-Lise could see us all behind her too.

They must be married! ;)

Signing away her maiden name.

Greg's signing onto the deal too.

Walking towards their happily ever after.

Champagne for all!!!

Anne-Lise, Greg and their official witnesses.

The Shad group together again.