Peace in Unpacking

It is amazing how light and happy I feel now having my things around me. I don't have much by way of expensive electronics, or fragile knickknacks, but the few things I had sent to me in the North make such a difference. I had almost resigned myself to another weekend without my luggage, having heard the plane leave and being told by the airport that there was nothing for me, when I heard a knock at my door. As I went to the door all I could think was "I am really not in the mood to say no to another carver tonight" but when I opened the door I was shocked to see a big delivery van at my front steps. I think I was in shock, all I could say was hi with a look of confusion on my face. The delivery guy quickly explained that he had my boxes at last, to which I jumped up and clapped my hands with glee (really I did, he must have thought I was a little nuts). With a huge grin on my face I helped him unload my boxes, not even feeling the rain that was falling on my head. With a final wave goodbye and a shower of thanks on the delivery guy I shut the door and did a little happy dance in my kitchen, giggling like a maniac the whole time. Three weeks with nothing around you that is familiar can bring you into a feeling of semi-depression or at the very least melancholy, a feeling that is quickly dispersed upon seeing familiar handwriting on boxes. After whirling around for a minute or two I fell to opening my riches: pictures of family, a few well loved posters, my kitchen goods, and best of all my fluffy warm blankets and pillows. Winter clothes, school sweaters, bath goods, an orange gorilla :), and my books. It felt like all my favourite holidays rolled into one as I discovered things I had forgotten I sent. The house I rent from the school is a nice house, better than some apartments I have lived in, but until I started unpacking it didn't feel like my home. Now I feel like I am home, I have a place that is mine to recharge and feel comfortable in. Anyone who says that you don't need to feel safe and comfortable from time to time hasn't felt as if they were living in just a house, not a home. I am happy to say I am starting to feel at home in the north:)

1st week at School

Well, it has been a whole week teaching at my new school. High school...remember high school? It hasn't changed much. The student cliques still exist. There are still those quiet students who do their best to work while others try their hardest to get a rise out of the teacher. So far my students have not been successful in getting a rise out of me, not for lack of trying. The first few weeks of school are when the students try their hardest to challenge the teacher and put on their masks, not willing yet to allow their teacher a glimpse into their heads. Time and patience it seems are the best defence and offence in trying to establish relationships with these teenagers that are now a part of my daily life. Though I had forgotten how exhausting teenage apathy can be at times. Aside from a few surprises, like that fact I found out that I was teaching Math and Bio a couple days before classes started, it has been a pretty good week. Nerve-wracking, peaceful, exciting, fun, and frustrating all at the same time.

Heading to the Great White North -Aug. 8

It has been a hectic month since returning from the road trip with the girls. First weekend back was a flurry of packing and an assembly line of wrapping/addressing boxes. At the time it seemed unreal that I would be leaving so shortly for a northern part of Quebec known as Nunavik. Flew out of Sudbury on the weekend of the 8th for Montreal and points north. Feelings: excitement, nervousness, peace, curiosity, and a tiny bit of fear. I love to fly. Doesn't matter if it is a small plane or a jumbo, it never fails to entertain. One thing that I find endlessly amusing about the Sudbury airport is that after you go through your scanners and security you still actually walk out onto the tarmac to board your plane; the airport is actually that small. Smooth flight, short and uneventful; just watching the scenery below drift by. A quick transfer in Toronto and the on towards Montreal. I met up with another teacher heading to orientation with my school board, nice to have a friendly face for the flight. During the flight I am one of those people that takes pictures from the windows of clouds and passing landscapes below. I make no apologies, I find it fascinating. Rainy as we descended into Montreal but the city light still shine to welcome travellers. After a bit of confusion trying to find luggage and the airport shuttles, my fellow teacher and I say goodnight. Hoping for a restful night before flying north tomorrow. Hotel was nice, cozy with a queen bed all for me. I found it difficult to settle down for the night despite the knowledge that I would have to be up early to catch the charter flight north, nerves and excitement making equal headway. Finally drifted off dreaming of the new school year ahead of me.