6 sleeps to go

So I seem to have started a trend of injuring myself in some way prior to moving...especially with knives! Here I was trying to do some cleaning (I'd already scrubbed the green copper residue off the tub) and then while washing my dishes, my ulu (traditional Iniut knife) slipped and cut my finger. Just what I needed! Anyway, fortunately I've had a tetanus shot within the past four years, so I should be in good shape. Just have a sore right index finger that I'm afraid to bend in case the cut reopens. Perfect way to start my moving week, wouldn't you say? (NOT!)

Anyway, I just came back from a lovely dinner at a friends place - friends will be shocked to know I had two servings of salad! We also enjoyed amazing homemade cheese burgers, potatoe salad and then homemade raspberry tarts for dessert. Delicious!

Tomorrow I'll be doing a few deliveries around town of stuff I'm donating and/or leaving behind to be sold. Movers arrive either Tuesday or Wednesday. Then I'm into the home-stretch -- maybe that's not quite the right term -- with cleaners and gatherings with friends before flying out on Saturday.

A few tears were shed at the end of the service this morning, but all in all I think we had a nice time, despite the choir outnumbering the congregation for half of the service! I managed to get some photographs of the church this afternoon when Bev and I went to do a bit of tidying around the organ -- now I will have a photo of my "picture window" that I looked out on each Sunday morning, watching the seasons change. Time to do a bit more sorting before bed. Goodnight!

Coming to the end of a chapter

So, six months later and I'm about to move back to "the south". I've spent a busy two years here in Iqaluit with lots of learning, travelling and other great experiences. I've met so many different people from all walks of life. I've worked on a lot of different projects both at work and after hours. I've survived two winters and the better part of three summers here in the Arctic.

I leave in a little over a week and have tons to do! Organization of belongings, instructions for successors and many goodbyes. One advantage of where I'm headed is that most people from Iqaluit travel through Ottawa to get elsewhere, so hopefully I'll see many of the friends again in the future.

I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. The people here are so welcoming and really do become a family of sorts. I'll upload more photos from my adventures up north when I get the chance. For now I must get back to my last minute to do lists!

As promised...pictures!

As promised in my last post, I am now attaching pictures of my new abode. The key to remember is that I wanted more STORAGE, and you will see it! Let's start with a tour of the entry area. The door with the calendar opens into the sealift/laundry room. Want to take a peak?

If you do a 180 degree turn from the first photo, you see the kitchen. Nice, huh?

Then we pass into the dining/living room area. The saying on the wall was a lovely Christmas gift from my parents: "A little laugh - A little promise - A little hope"

As you can see I have a nice large window. Behind the music note sheet is my balcony door (currently a little drafty).

Then let's move towards MORE STORAGE, the bathroom and my bedroom.

My old place didn't have drawers in the bathroom cabinet...now I'm a little more organized!

Oh the bedroom. It has some odd angles to it, but works perfectly with the piano in there...and then a walk-in closet! What luxury!! :)

Yes, the bag on my bed is starting to get packed for a business trip I'm taking this week.

Needless to say, I'm quite pleased with the place. Last night I had the Comms team round. We ate homemade pizzas, a yummy salad and just sat around chatting. Happy to have a place where I can invite people over again. Now I'm off to Vancouver for a week. Phew!

New beginnings

So, after 18 months in Iqaluit, I have moved to a new apartment. The old one didn't have much storage built-in, which is not good when you're a pack-rat like me!! The new place has tons of built in shelving all over the place, plus a walk-in closet in the bedroom and a "sea-lift" room. Woohoo! I've been off work for almost a week trying to get everything moved over and organized. I'm happy to announce that as of 2:30pm I have moved all of my things out of my old place. Yeah!!! Now I just have to finish organizing everything in the new place. :)

I started putting up some pictures this morning which makes it a bit more my own. I've created a side table out of some of my IKEA storage boxes so that I can have my "natural light" lamp near the sofa for my cross-stitching activities. :) The surround sound speakers are up...just waiting for the new tv to arrive.

Only had one real catastrophy during the move...one of my last things to bring over was a box of mugs. Unfortunately, as I was opening the door to my new apartment, the box fell apart and most of my mugs were shattered. Also included were my clay goblets from Africa. One of them only suffered chips on the base, so it can go on display in my china cabinet. The others all lost their stems. :( Oh well...that's life. Anyway, must get back to organizing!!! I will post pics of my new digs once a few more things have been put away. :)

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.