Lazy Days

Amanda, Sukatu, and Kirby

I haven't written in a while for a number of reasons. Firstly, I have been fairly busy doing a whole lot of nothing. Secondly, I am settling into a routine that isn't really worth writing about.

There have been a few significant events, however since I last wrote:

1. Darren's 40th birthday party. It was fun, somewhat eventful, but I will not go into details here...those who know, know...


2. Amanda and I rescued two puppies. A dog had a litter of puppies and we were told that if they did not all go, they would be shot. There are way too many dogs here running loose with no owners as I have written about before. We took two and kept them in my porch which got a bit messy. Amanda wanted one but we didn't want to leave the other behind. We arranged for the second puppy to go down south but we ended up giving her to Rhoda from work. Amanda's puppy's name is Sukatu meaning 'fast'. She is a nice dog but she sure is a puppy (ie., chewing, biting, digging, crapping, etc.). Kirby doesn't know what to make of her when she visits. She hisses when Sukatu gets too close but no injuries yet. The poor puppy just wants to play and Kirby is a 13 year old cat...you do the math...


3. We had our first 'mini snowfall' this past week. It was about 2 or 3 inches. It ended up melting by the end of the week. I love the beginning of winter in the Arctic. I was more than happy to get out my winter boots. I love them. They are comfortable and warm. They are predicting 10-20 centimetres for Friday which is Hallowe'en. This could make for an interesting day.


4. I got word from Ian Martin (my Masters advisor from York University) that my first two chapters are pretty much ready to go. I will have to add a few things as I do my interviews. This is good news. I am hoping to interview Mary very soon. I want to complete everything by February or March so I can graduate in the Spring.


5. I got a $7000 grant from New Paths to buy video cameras and equipment for a video project I am calling The Oral History of Kuujjuaraapik. This is where my students will go around the community and collect stories from community members and elders about the town. We will have a public viewing at some point. It would be neat if we could get it on television somehow...maybe APTN or CBC North.


6. My friend, Melina, left Kuujjuaraapik this past week. I am really sad about it. She is going to try to find another job here. I miss her a lot. She called last night and she sounded great. Sometimes everyone needs a break.


7. One of my former students from Nunavut (Vicki Gibbons) was featured in an article in the Nunatsiaq News on October 10th. It was about the movie made about her NYAP (Nunavut Youth Abroad Program) group and their trip to Africa. I was her mentor for the Canadian and International phases and also helped her apply for Nunavut Saviniksavut in Ottawa. I am SO proud of her.

Today was a great day. After Amanda left from our regular Saturday brunch at my place, I made a latte and began writing a few letters to Mom and Janet. I didn't turn on the television. Instead, I listened to a few CDs on the little CD player that Melina left me. It was so nice. Itwas then that I realized that life is good. I haven't made the time for something like that (ME time) since I arrived and I certainly never had the time for a Lazy Day activity such as that in Toronto. It is time to just 'Be'. I can see the type of people who would hate the North: those that need to be entertained all of the time and those who are afraid to be alone by themselves.

Me? I am happy....yes...happy...