Last

This is it, this will be my final blog.

I had a good last day.

Thanks for coming along for the journey.

I look forward to chatting with all of you when I get home.

What i'm listening to:
The Weary Kind -Ryan Bingham
What i learned today:
secret's safe with me today :)
Complete the sentence:
Today

latest?

Hey folks, wasn't going to blog tonight.... been really busy, and its late - especially for Sheldon standards. Got thinking and realized I may not have time tomorrow night either.

I had the opportunity to sit in on a couple other classrooms today. It was excellent to see other excellent teachers in action. There are some fantastic teachers in this school. Tomorrow I will be going to the high school for the morning, sitting in on a class there, and then spending my last afternoon with my fantastic grade 7 class. I received some pins from my MLA today - perfect timing- and will share them with the kids. I also made a slideshow of pictures I took of them over the last 6 weeks.

Time: 11:51 pm. Can see a beautiful sunset down the street. How cool.

What i'm listening to:
Wavin' Flag - K'naan
Perfect Day - Lady Antebellum
What i learned today:
You never really know until you've experienced
Complete the sentence:
people around here

Avvajja!

With only 3 days left, I finally made it to Avvajja. I had pretty much wrote it off as not happening, but I'm so glad that I was able to. Avvajja is an island/set of islands NW of Igloolik. The way the glaciers carved the land centuries ago leaves the land looking like a series of hills poking out of the sea. The bays wind in and around like a maze, and there are freshwater lakes as well. It was a beautiful day, -6 and partly cloudy. On the way there, there is one convenient way 'in', the way the ice was and with the tide in, there was water over top of the ice (not uncommon this time of year) and getting across was interesting. There was a group of locals in front who had some trouble getting through. They were going to get ice for drinking water from the lake.

We took our time weaving around the lakes and channels and hills. I did some climbing too, took some pictures - which never seem to capture the real beauty. This would be a stunning place to visit in the summer. I've heard that with all of the islands around, and how clear the water is, it looks like the Caribbean when you fly into Igloolik.

Traditionally, this area would have been more popular than Igloolik. There is better access to the mainland here, more protection from wind, more wildlife, and plant edibles in the summer. There was a Catholic Mission set up here in the '30's I think. It still stands, although the steeple has been taken/fallen off in the last year. There is even an old cemetery nearby.

Remember to click photos to enlarge

Going 'into' Avvajja - Where the sea meets the land, was a mess today.

Beautiful - so unspoiled

Cemetery for the old mission.

What i'm listening to:
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Greg Laswell
More Than Love - Josh Kelley
I'm About to Come Alive - Davie Nail
What i learned today:
The 'flow edge' is recognizable from a distance because the clouds above it are black this time of year. The rest of the clouds above snow are white because of the reflected sunlight.
Complete the sentence:
_____________ just got delivered and sheldon is F'ing ecstatic!!

boom boom pow

My final weekend in Igloolik has arrived. And as I sit here vibrating, with the sound of sewage being pumped out below me, it makes me think of all the new experiences I have had. I just went and grabbed some food from the freezer (the back porch - natures freezer). I had to lift up the seal skin to get into my cooler, and as I washed my hands at the kitchen sink, there was a boy being pulled on a sled down the street - by a dog. It's great how quick these things have become the norm.

Well folks, I have some cleaning, eating, organizing, marking and napping to do. Maybe I'll find a bit more creativity later.

What i'm listening to:
Family Guy
What i learned today:
something i'm sure...
Complete the sentence:
I love ___________ on my pizza

Snow Day?

I think someone was wanting a day off today... There was some snow and wind this morning, but not near as bad as it has been up here. The temperature was actually quite warm, -4 when I woke up. Anyway, no school today. I still went though, and spend a couple hours organizing and making sure I was good to go. Brian also came over and we were able to have some really good conversations.

I was invited over to one of the other teacher's place for supper. Trying to kick a bad headache first though.

What i'm listening to:
wind
What i learned today:
a lot, maybe that's why my head hurts?
Complete the sentence:
please

... and breath

Today was a good day! Last night, not such a good night. I won't go into details, but my immediate family will understand whey I say that it involved a B+. boo

My professor arrived today. It was so nice to see a familiar face and have him spend time in the classroom. He can say so little and I learn so much. The kids were really engaged in the activities and Brian was a huge help in giving me some ideas. I'm really happy he is here.

One week. wow.

Watch this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6ZqKmaN2qw

What i'm listening to:
Alibi - David Gray
Already Gone - Sugarland
What i learned today:
The value of under talking
Complete the sentence:
These mixed nuts

Laundry & Meatloaf

That's right folks, another exciting evening! To be honest, the laundry didn't need to be done and I had leftovers that I could have ate. Oh procrastination, how you muse me.

Today was a good day at school. I'm finding the days go by so fast. This is in contrast to ever day at other schools I have been at in Winnipeg. I cannot pinpoint yet what the reason for it is. Being at the schools in Winnipeg completely turned me off wanting to be a teacher. Being up here though has seriously made me rethink that. Hmmmm. In the spirit of the faculty of education, I shall reflect on this and write you a summary at a later date.

I'm not getting through near as much as I had hoped I would at school. This does not seem to be a problem at all with my cooperating teacher, which is nice. It's a different pace, that is for sure. Did I just completely contradict myself? It's a completely different pace up here (slower), yet the days are flying by.... and reflect.

My prof - Brian - was supposed to get here tonight, but he got stuck in Rankin Inlet for some reason and won't be here till tomorrow some time. Looking forward to seeing a familiar face and hearing what he has to say about what I'm doing.

Oh dear, carver was just here... I will now reflect on my relationship with Visa.

p.s. sorry for the profanity yesterday.

What i'm listening to:
I Want You - Kings of Leon
West End - Greg MacPherson
Finish Line - Rosie Thomas
What i learned today:
I'm ok with looking forward to meatloaf
Complete the sentence:
It has to be

another day, another blog!

Not much new here today. Just watching CTV Winnipeg news and was thinking about y'all. Looks like I'll be coming home to some green? Who's running/walking/cheering me on in the half-marathon this year? Tatum, how is the running progressing? I'm really looking forward to beginning training.

I find it interesting how my mind has transitioned from, 'wow, I'm in the Arctic for 6 weeks' to 'yikes, I'm heading home in a little over a week'. I likely won't be able to do/see everything that I wanted, but I could leave today and have no regrets. I will just have to come back again, maybe in the summer next time though... see it from a different perspective.

Did anyone else watch the story about mail carriers walking on the grass? OMG what has this world come too... Heaven Forbid! Should that story really get LIVE coverage? Holy Shit, AND the webpoll question?!

Watch this instead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrAShtolieg

What i'm listening to:
Gord LeClerc, Maralee Caruso and Super Sylvia.
What i learned today:
My class knows a lot about electricity...
Complete the sentence:
my left foot told me to

Dear Weekend,

Where did you go?! It's Sunday afternoon and I feel like I have accomplished nothing. Planning still surrounds me, its coming along though. Yesterday was a bit of a write off, felt like I was spinning my wheels in terms of planning and got really frustrated. It got pretty miserable out during the day. The snow kept coming and the wind picked up, not technically a blizzard but close. Also, everything in town was closed for the young boy's funeral. All in all, just an off day for me. When there is a funeral in town, everything stops. If it had been on a school day, the schools would not have been open. All the stores close, and I suspect the government offices would also close, for at least the afternoon.

Today has been a bit more productive. I feel like I'm making some progress in my planning. I was able to get out with a few people to check out some igloos they made yesterday. We were planning on trying some kite-boarding, which looks like it would have been crazy fun. However, 60km winds were a bit much and it didn't work out. Igloos were cool though. I also made a trip to the northern to get some things for the week. I will try my luck at meatloaf tomorrow night. I know, exciting!

I received a reply e-mail yesterday from a speaker I mentioned in an earlier entry. I won't go into a lot of details, but it is one of the coolest e-mails that I have ever received. My e-mail could have been easily blown off, but she took the time to respond and invested herself in an interaction. If any of you ever have the chance to see Louise Rose 'perform', I highly recommend it. http://www.lrose.com/

What i'm listening to:
Its not me - Hawksly Workman
I'd Go Straight for Ridley Bent - Kate Reid
Call Me - Shinedown
What i learned today:
'... grateful that I do have the ability and the willingness to ask myself if anything I'm choosing to do today has the remotest chance of making a difference anywhere tomorrow.'
Complete the sentence:
I have been fortunate...

good morning

Hey Folks, it's been a couple days! Miss me?! I had good intentions of blogging yesterday, but, poker took precedence. Wish I could say that I won... unfortunately did just as bad as my last attempt. I get bored of it too quick, and lose interest. It was nice to socialize though.

Its a warm day here today, supposed to get up to -5. It's snowing my favorite kind of snowflakes right now, the big-ass fluffy ones that look like they are in slow motion. Temperatures are supposed to return to normalish tomorrow. -13, but sunny.

The snow means that there will not likely be any exploring happening... Not such a bad thing, I have a shit load of planning to do before next week. I need to figure out how to wrap up all that I have been doing in the next week. There has been so much 'stuff' going on in the school that I have been having a hard time getting through everything I want to.

Today is the first day since I left that I have craved a GOOD coffee. As some of you know, I like coffee A LOT. I have cut back considerably up here though. I have the occasional cup at the school, but it's your typical office/staff room coffee. Mostly, I have just replaced the addiction with tea, which I have enjoyed... but I really want an extra large, dark, strong coffee right now!

What i'm listening to:
The Valley - K.D. Lang
Sober - Kelly Clarkson
Sail Away - David Gray
What i learned today:
it can be easy to create new habits
Complete the sentence:
how did it ever

keep on keepin' on

The boy who was killed yesterday was the little brother of a girl in my class. He was in grade four and having fun tobogganing with his friends, like they did every day. Unfortunately, he came out onto the road at the same time as a truck. We had a staff meeting before and after school today to go over grief counseling. The community is obviously pretty shaken up. Everyone knows everyone up here, and a tragic accident hits everyone hard. We only had 7 kids of 21 in class this morning. Our class spent time making today cards today, and will be making muffins tomorrow to take over to the family.

Not much new to report on. I have put out word to a few people the couple things I'd like to do before I leave. Here's hoping that word spreads and I'll be able to get to Avvajja and the Flow Edge over the next two weeks.

What i'm listening to:
The Weary Kind - Ryan Bingham
Missouri - David Nail
Happiness - The Fray
What i learned today:
The long underwear are likely no longer necessary
Complete the sentence:
We can't afford

Sad Day

There was a boy run over this afternoon. He passed away shortly after it happened. He was in grade 4 apparently.

So, kinda bummed.

I changed settings so that those of you without google accounts should be able to comment now, sorry for the delay on figuring this out.

What i'm listening to:
Smoke Rings - Greg MacPherson

Differences

To all of my education peeps, I hope your first day back in the final stretch went well! The next three weeks will fly by! I have an inservice day tomorrow, not sure what it will be about. It is scary to think I only have 10 'teaching' days left. For those who know him, my professor - who made this opportunity possible - Brian Lewthwait is going to be coming up next week to act as my Faculty Adviser. The pressure is on now, or is it fear of disappointing? Both? Either way, I'm really looking forward to him being here. I will have the opportunity to get constructive criticism and advise from a mentor, as well as watch him in action. It's going to be good!

So Easter is all over here. The town goes all out. It seems more like a celebration of spring though than an 'Easter' celebration. I did not hear any talk of easter egg hunts, or candy from any of my students. I was hoping to put up more pics from the weekend, however the internet is slower than Clearwater dialup today...

I thought I would compile a list of some of the other differences I have encountered.

• Feast - Bring your own cutting utensil if you want the country food
• At a feast, country food is frozen and served on the floor
• Kids skating down the street is common
• Bicycles, still common in this weather
• I have not had fast food in a month!
• The only motorized transportation I have used is a skidoo.
• Consumption of processed food is very high - myself included and likely responsible for a few msg induced migraines...
  
• Its 10:30 - I can still see sunset
• Kids don't judge, even in grade 7
  
• Animal skins everywhere
• more to come....
  

What i'm listening to:
Razorblade - Matthew Mayfield
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
Mr Invitation - Greg MacPherson
What i learned today:
When i get into it, i actually kinda like planning - hard to admit
Complete the sentence:
Its better to

Easter Bunny?

G.D. rabbit forgot about me. I want chocolate!

I guess I'll live... In fact, I'm living. Living it and loving it. Yesterday ranks as one of the neatest days on record for me. In the afternoon, I watched the Igloo building competition. There were some really talented Igloo makers. It's amazing how quick they went up. The two (of 7) igloos that were done first were built by a man and a woman that I would say were in there 70's. I guess they've had some experience, and were likely born on the land. The snow sculpture competition did not happen, not sure why.

The winning igloo - because it was first done? Its not quite done in this picture.

The inside of the winning igloo

After supper I had to opportunity to go dog sledding with a couple folks. Neither of them were really familiar with dog sledding, I think one guy had gone once before. Anyway, we were able to borrow a woman's stuff and take her dogs out. We got out there - all dog teams must be kept out of town - hooked all the dogs up (easier than I expected) to the komatic, and we were off! We took turns, one of us with the dogs and the other two on a skidoo. Basically all we needed to know were the 'go faster' and 'slow down' command. It was pretty awesome! This is a huge understatement, but it's really hard to get into words. When the skidoo wasn't nearby it was just you, 8 dogs, sea ice, and fresh air! Despite having no real idea what I was doing, it was extremely relaxing and peaceful.

The dogs ready to go.

Simply, Awesome.

Today, I'm going to go check out the tobogganing, if I get my ass in gear. If not, I will just be going to the Community Feast tonight. There is supposed to be a lot of 'country food', I'm looking forward to that. I'll let you all know how it goes! The feast is followed by gospel singing and a family dance. "Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, YMCA and lots more!"

Happy Easter Everyone, enjoy your westernized tradition of eggs, rabbits, chocolate, eating and the extra long weekend it provides some of us!

What i'm listening to:
Strange Condition - Pete Yorn
One Day You Will - Lady Antebellum
Say What You WIll - Justin Hines
What i learned today:
Sometimes you can trust a stranger
Complete the sentence:
I pick this hangnail because

Thank you

Well, I slept through the departure of the seal hunt. Oh well. The next activity that gets going today is the igloo building competition. I'm looking forward to seeing the igloo's being built and seeing the finished products. I've been in the Arctic now for almost 4 weeks, and still haven't seen an igloo... but I guess people don't go to the prairies and say 'man, where are the tipis'? There are also other games and a snow sculpture competition happening all afternoon.

I was invited over to the principal's to watch a couple Bollywood films last night. The first was 'Bride and Prejudice', 2 stars - it was cute. The second wasn't so much Bollywood, but a film based in India with Owen Wilson and Adrian Brody. I felt like I should have been stoned to enjoy it a bit more. 2 stars - kinda funny. Maybe I'll watch it again sometime under different circumstances ;) It was a joke, mom. Yes Haley (and Geoff) that movie reference was for you...

So, does anyone have any questions... No? There will be a test tomorrow, I hope you are all ready for it... insert snotty teacher grin here - cause you know that's the type of teacher I will be right? Seriously, what do you all want to know about what its like up here? It is getting to the point for me (in living up here) that most things do not seem new anymore, so I may not be inclined to share some things. So ask lots of questions. Athena? Where did you go? Always skipping class ;)

Oh ya, I did a hike up Cemetary Hill yesterday with Ali. Was a really nice day. So sunny, but the wind did make it feel like -25. I'll attach a couple pictures. Its a neat place. The graves seem to circle the hill, looking over the surrounding landscape. It was a really clear day and we got a really good view of the area. We could see mainland to the south and west, Avvajja to the northwest. It seemed like there was something in the horizon to the north... which I convinced myself was Baffin Island. However, I'm not sure it was clear enough to see 50 km.

View to the SW. There is a bit more town to the left - where I live. Is it just me, or is it weird that this was taking on Good Friday... just sayin'

Inukshuks on top of Cemetery Hill. The Dark spot on the horizon is likely Avvajja.

I will title this one - Iglulik through Inukshuk - yes dork, self proclaimed.

What I'm listening to:
Strangers on a Train - David Nail
Stepping Stone - Duffy
Married by Elvis - Barlow
What I learned today...ish:
The new Greg MacPherson album is fantastic. ch ch ch check it out!
Complete the sentence:
The best quality of my favorite teacher was

Happy April

I hope you all have exciting plans for the biggest bar night of the year! Not this kid.. just chillaxing, gotta save up my energy for the rest of the weekend. I opted out of the family dance at the high school tonight ;) Today was a bit of a flop. A series of unfortunate events let me to miss the Hamlet Day games on the ice. I actually got there just as they were ending. It was a beautiful day though, and the walk was nice. I hit up the Norther store on the way home to make sure I had provisions for the next couple days. Exciting, I know.

Good Friday is a full holiday here as well. The community is essentially shut down, except for the airport. I will likely get down and dirty doing some planning to make sure I am ready for the next couple weeks (only 10 teaching days left). Saturday, Sunday and Monday are filled with fun community events for everyone. There is a seal hunt, pancake breakfast, igloo building, snow sculpture contest, skating dance, family dance, tobogganing, dog team races and much more. If the weather holds up, it should be a pretty awesome weekend. I'm trying to figure how I can get in on the seal hunt. For real. I know, coming from the farm kid who has never hunted anything but gophers, this must seem weird. Actually the seals from the hunt will be used for the community feast on Sunday.

My carver friend came to visit today with some ideas for my walrus tusk. I'm even more excited now. I'll be sure to post a picture when I get it!
Have a fantastic long weekend folks, eat lots of chocolate and enjoy time with your friends and family.

What i'm listening to:
You - Shelby Starner
Tomorrow Morning - Jack Johnson
What i will be listening to - the new Greg MacPherson album! s..l..o..w..l..y.. downloading :)
What i learned today:
There is reason why i only watched one season of survivor.
Complete the sentence:
I am still enchanted by