Yes, the trip is over 4 months away...but I'm so excited I can't help but surf the internet and think about making my plans. Since this will likely be a once in a life time experience I want to make the most of it. I've emailed everyone I know who is from India and asked their opinion on where to go and what to see. Apparently I could go for a ride on an elephant if I pick the right location to visit. And of course there will be some shopping for spices, sari material and jewelery. Bollywood here I come.

I still haven't found out if I have the time off from work yet, but I'm really not concerned. In Iqaluit it is very easy to find employment....very. If the powers that be do not agree to giving me the time off I will simply quit and find another job. Seem drastic? Maybe, but the opportunity to have this amazing experience is too good to pass up. And anyone from here in town that I've talked to about it agrees that I would certainly have a great new job within a week if need be.

The call went in to public health this afternoon and the papers should be at the office in the morning...I will need various shots, pills, etc in preparation of my trip. I tried to do this a number of years ago before my trip to Mexico...unfortunately I was not able to get the required documents in time and I all I received was a tetanus shot. So while I was covered if I stepped on a rusty nail I wasn't allowed to drink the water. This time I will be able to drink the water and step on rusty nails.

Next on the list is to get my visa. I have a passport already...don't leave home without it, but this is my first visa. I read the website today and while it seemed a bit confusing I'm sure I will get it figured out. I think the easiest way to do it is wait until I get to Ottawa in late September and apply in person.

I also submitted my deposit to Habitat today...so I am on my way. Once I get my itinerary figured out I will contact a travel agent and have them book the ticket. Yes, I normally book my own tickets, but I figure with all the connections and stop overs I am considering it might be best to pay a professional to book it. You'd think with all the travel I do I'd have a friend who is a travel agent...hmmm. I should think about that.

It's almost the end of the week and I'm not sure where the days went. I am looking forward to having a long weekend and to building again on Saturday. This week...drywall!

I think summer has officially ended in Iqaluit..if it ever started. August has been a very long rainy month, but the past few days there has been a distinct chill in the air. No, not snow...at least not this week. The temperatures have dipped to around 4 during the day. The sun has definitely been leaving earlier each evening and while the sunsets are nice I can't help but miss waking up in the middle of the night to sunshine. I am hoping to get a few more nice days in September when I am in Ottawa for meetings.

Work is work. We have an AGM coming up in two weeks. I'm not as stressed this time around...no need to be...I have everything done and ready to go. The travel plans for the fall are coming along nicely and I'll have the guys start book it all next week. I've pulled rank a bit and will end up doing the western part of the territory by myself...which will mean two weekends in Yellowknife. I'm very excited about that. Not only do I have a couple of friends in YK that I want to visit, they have a Walmart, Canadian Tire and a liquor store there. Plus it will knock off another destination on my Canadian map...hopefully by Christmas I will only have one more Candian destination...Yukon. 11 out of 13 at this point. Which I realize is more than most, but not enough.

One last note. I had a huge package arrive from home today. I'm sure I drive my mom nuts with the list and calls...of "oh, can you also get..." I finally finished the list, she finished the shopping and it all arrived today. It was certainly like Christmas. I asked for a swiffer wetjet and brita tap filter system...both of which cost well over $50 each. The brita was going to cost almost $100 here in Iqaluit. The total cost of my box of goodies was $150 including shipping....and there were lots of treats. With the treats and the shipping I figure I still saved over $50 from the cost here...and I got more. Thanks mom!

Ok...I can fill you in now on what's happening here...some of my facebook friends saw that I had been filling out an application and thought I had a job offer...nope, sorry, good guess though.

I found out this afternoon (Tuesday) that I have been accepted to go on a Habitat for Humanity Global Village build in Pondicherry, India. I don't leave until late January...so be prepared to be tired of listening to me talk about it but I am super excited.

Here's a link to a tourism site in Pondicherry (poducherry)...enjoy..and of course there will be more details to come...WOO HOO!!!

http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/home.html

Ok...I think I need to clarify my last post a little bit.

1. I have plans in the works for the not so distant future...these are the plans I will be revealing when I get them ironed out.

2. In 480ish days I will likely be leaving the North (but you never know--I could be married, barefoot and living in an igloo by then). While I have a destination in mind I have no plans at this point beyond spinning the globe and making selections.

I received a couple of job offers the past few weeks from GV folks and you never know I might take them up on it...or I might continue my globetrotting ways. I hear they are looking for people in ___________.

And for all you facebook watchers who may have seen my status change from single...if you look at my profile it went from single to nothing. I decided to take down my posting to the entire world that I am single and looking...that's all. Sorry to get anyone's hopes up.

It's been a very quiet week here in Iqaluit. I spent most of yesterday at the build site installing the lock on the door and sweeping up the mess the electricians made. And that's about the excitement for this past week. Yep, I lead a quiet, boring life. LOL....not that I don't have plans in the works, but I won't share that until I know what's happening. On a positive note, my Aunt and Great Aunt have booked their tickets to come and visit...it won't be until June of 2008...so for the rest of you planning to visit, keep in mind that June is starting to book up and you should pick another week. There is the potential that I will be gone in 484 days...that would be December of 2008 for those not so quick on the math. I haven't made any final plans, but the original thinking was three years and the end of 2008 would bring me close to that date...and for a girl who has lived in 32 homes in 33 years...well...moving on, packing and leaving isn't a sad occasion, it's the start of another adventure.

Happy Anniversary to my mom and dad who are celebrating 35 years of marriage today.

Congratulations!



PS...the next time someone suggests you make a reservation...do it...they just might be trying to buy you supper.

Alright...a very tired me is happy to report that she spent the whole weekend helping to build a house.

I volunteered to work on Saturday and what was suppossed to have been a 9-5 shift ended at 8:30pm. The windows and doors arrived on sealift late in the afternoon and the dedicated group of volunteers on site decided to stay until they were in...and the house officially secure!

The Global Village folks have been keeping track of their progress...check it out at http://www.habitatkingston.com/ Go to the What's New section and click on (obviously) Habitat in Iqaluit.

I spent all of Saturday and part of today putting in the Roxul insulation under the house and then a layer of plywood. I did handle the big nail gun...but it isn't as much fun as it looks like on tv. Ty makes it look easy.

I'm tired, I'm happy and even had a chance to check out a movie tonight.

The GV folks leave tomorrow and there will lots of sad faces at the airport.

It's update time again....the house is coming along so well, everyone on the Board is impressed with the speed of the build thus far. We are expecting speed to be reduced next week once all the Global Village Team is gone.

Monday I was taking a member of the first team back to the airport when we spotted Brig. Gen. C Whitecross at the airport. Deb yelled out and we all chatted for a minute. I asked her when she was bringing the Armed Forces over to the build site. Well, she took my name and number and this afternoon a team of army folks showed up. The arrangments were made via my cell phone in the last couple of days and they have offered three teams of twenty at one shift each prior to their departure Friday/Saturday. Everyone was thrilled to see them on site today and we even chatted with a few of them last night at 'wings'. It's great to see so many people pulling together on such a worthy project.

One of the many safety signs around the build site...and yes, they are also in English.


The military folks lending a hand. We were going to have them move insulation and dry wall around the site...put the muscles to good use.


Helping to build the stairs.


The house thus far. We are awaiting the arrival of the next ship which should have our windows on it. (Cross your fingers it arrives soon!)


Today at work we loaded up my truck with all our fire extinguishers for refilling. Everytime we put off a course they need to be re-filled. This is actually the first time I've had to do this...it's a lot of work to load and unload all of them...at least I had the boys to help me.


Drums used in ceremonies and special events. Originally made with hide or skin, they are now made with fabric.


Untalented, non-musical me learning to drum dance.


Another carving at the Leg...taken today during my second tour...and team two's first visit to the site.


His and Hers washroom sign.

North of Nain is tired. She had a really long weekend.

My Global Village folks are here, the second team arrived on Friday, and it has been non-stop activity ever since. I tagged along for supper with both teams Friday night and we swapped stories of life in Iqaluit and participating in global village builds around the globe.

Saturday morning at the crack of dawn...well, actually 9am I was at the build site and ready to work. I did a count of my fingers, ten in all, and then hammer in hand went to work. I spent my morning up on the scafolding helping put the rafters in place. The rain came down, the wind picked up a bit, the mosquitos came and went, but on we went, building a home for a worthy family here in Iqaluit. During the afternoon I continued helping with the rafters and at the end of the day I was tired, happy and soaked to the bone. At the end of the day the count was still 10 fingers so it was a good day!

Saturday night I had organized a dinner for the GV folks and our Board. We had 4 throat singers in and one girl did a drum dance for us. The entertainment was well received by everyone and the group had lots of questions for the girls. On the menu caribou stew, Arctic char and more caribou and char...I wanted to make sure they had their fill of 'Northern' food. We topped off the evening with a couple rounds of drinks at the Storehouse.

Sunday we had a cook out and camp out scheduled for the group. Due to vast amounts of rain, fog and the inability to get the key for the pavillion at the park we had to change venues. Instead we ended up at a local B&B where we had supper and a slide show...which I provided...nothing like showing off the home slides! So no one got to sleep out...but a good time was had by all.

Last night, Monday, I went with one of the GV ladies to Adult Music Camp here in town...of course it was here in town...where else would it have been. d'uh! good one J. Anyway...we headed off to camp to learn how to throat sing. The instructor didn't show up, but we made the best of it and learned how to drum dance instead...picture to follow. (Camera at work)

So the Habitat house...the roof is on, the walls are all in place and when the next ship comes in our windows should be here...yeah!! Apparently we are a few days ahead of schedule which works out well. The dedication of all the volunteers both from away and from here in town has been incredible. I've already put my name down to work again on Saturday. No skills necessary, and we provide the tools...so there is no excuse for anyone in town not to help out.

View from the roof...


Deb hanging out on the roof. Safety first, so anyone on the roof needed to be wearing a harness.


Great view of the worksite as taken from the roof.



Oh, I almost forgot to mention that we are under invasion. There are apparently 700 army, navy and airforce folks in Nuanvut at the moment...and the majority seem to be here in Iqaluit. Between the herc's that are arriving, the fighter jets zooming overhead and the navy guys landing on shore I'm starting to think that I could do with less of a military presence in Nunavut. And don't even get me started on the whole S.H. PM of Canada decision on where to put the deep water port in the North...

Welcome back to another exciting fun filled edition of life in the North!

Today's program will cover a tour of Nunavut's Legislative Assembly and more on the 'build'.

I tagged along on the tour of the Legislative Assembly that we had arranged for the global village team in town. I did a tour last June...but it was more that we snuck in while no one was around and took a few photos. This year I did it the correct way, you know, with a tour guide.

Our guide Lindsay showed us the sights and explained all the details that make it truly a unique building. Each province and territory sent Nunavut a gift when it was formed and we got to see most of them...no, I didn't see the PEI gift and I forgot to ask what it was.

Speakers chair in the back. The Nunavut logo overhead was a gift from Alberta I think. BC gave the book shelves on either side of the speakers chair. In front of the clerks table is a beautiful carving that holds the mace when the house is in session. In frong of that is a kamotiq with a kudluk and traditional knives on it. The whole room is a wonderful combination of traditional Nunavut with modern facilities.


A view of the whole room (minus the viewing gallery on the sides for spectators and minus the chairs placed on the floor of the house for elders who wish to participate.


Ceiling beams (BC Pine) are shaped so that the room has the shape of an igloo.


Gift from the Greenland. A way of bringing the two regions together and highlighting the many things that are similar between Nunavut and Greenland.


Two ptarmigans carved out of marble. The next few photos have been taken through glass so there are odd reflections and blurring.


Flowers created from stone found in Nunavut.


This is a picture of the mace, but not the one that is used in the Leg, this is one created only for decoration. Apparently it normally isn't on display...so lucky us. It is kept in locked glass cabinet...probably cause of all the valuable gem stones on it (including a huge honking Arctic Diamond) and the street value it would have.


The mace is made out of a narwhal tusk and is supported by an Inuit family, father, mother, child and an elder. It's a very beautiful piece and there is a brochure with all the information on the mace, but I didn't pick it up...if you are interested, come visit yourself!


Wonderful carving, many, many pieces...dogs, bears, people, etc a wonderful carving worth a lot of money.


And now....the build.

Here's Ben serving up some supper on site. Yes, we feed the volunteers each day...gotta keep'em motivated.


Under rock number 2...your supper!


Everyone is happy with the speed with which the house is going up. Here's the view from the front of the house. You can really see the sub-basement and how the house sits on top of the steel pilings.


Side of the house...tomorrow I think the back wall is going on. The idea is that we will be ready to start the roof on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. I'm helping out on Saturday so hopefully that doesn't put us behind schedule.

It's been a heck of a long weekend....

Let's start with the great news that the Habitat house construction has begun. It was a cold, rainy day on Saturday, but the volunteers were there as was most of the Board of Directors to watch the start of the build. The rain eventually turned horizontal and the wind picked up, but they continued their work and at the end of the day the sub-basement floor was completed. The work continued all weekend in the rain and then finally on Monday the sun shone and the work continued.

I sent an email off to everyone Saturday saying that the site was like Extreme Makeover the Iqaluit edition. Work continues for the next 5 1/2 weeks...plenty of time for any of you to come and help out.

The start of day one...





Pam, Chair of the Board thanks everyone for their help and assistance.


The end of the first day.


Checking out the site from up on the hill.


On a more personal side...I think my Board should reconsider their hiring of me. I'm not sure if I told you, but a couple weeks ago I noticed that my fishing rod had been stolen from my office. I was upset, but not enough to do anything more than mumble and complain to everyone around me for a few days. Last week I bought a rod off a friend here in town and finally on Friday night I took the rod out for a trial run.

I took off a bit early from work Friday night and headed for the river. This is the first time I've been fishing in Iqaluit so I wasn't sure where on the river I should be...but I picked a spot and figured I would at least practice my casting. About a half hour in I thought I had a bite. I pulled...it pulled and then I realized it wasn't a fish, I was stuck on a rock. I walked up river hoping to jar it free...no luck. I pulled and jiggled and pulled some more and then 'SNAP' the rod broke. The top part quickly followed the line into the water and all I could do was watch it go. I cut the line and hoped the rod would pop up out of the water...nope. So that ended my second rod.

Today, Monday, I bought another rod. I headed down to the river and spent about 2 hours casting and hoping. No luck. The fish were taunting and teasing me...jumping out of the water mere feet from where my hook awaited. But try as I might...no fish. Sigh.

I'm not sure I should be running a fisheries training organization if I am unable to fish...but I guess the saying those who can't...teach applies here. LOL...I don't teach...but it fits.

Here's a few pictures of where I spent the afternoon, on the river at Sylvia Grinnell Park.

I'm on the search for this product...its a cream deodorant. I can't remember where I purchased it...if you happen to be out and about this weekend check the deoderant aisle for me. If you see it...let me know and I'll send one of my elves out to make the purchase.

It's a round can of cream deodorant that comes in a small box.

(For the two people who will write in and tell me to search the internet...I haven't been able to purchase it on line...if I could I wouldn't be asking my readers for help.)

For those of you surprised that I haven't learned much of the language yet check out the following website and try to correctly imitate the voices. For a person who has yet to master English...let alone French, Inuktitut is proving difficult beyond the basics.

http://www.tusaalanga.ca/

Pick a lesson and then go to dialogue, then select 'play audio' the English words are listed at the bottom of the page so you can follow along.